Class Compendium

[Nathal]

So with the Class Compendium out soon, why would anybody buy the hardbacks? I like the new format, but I can't see WOTC reprinting the old core books at this point. Just an observation.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Isn't that the whole point? I doubt WotC REALLY wants to be selling obsolete books. Besides we really don't know how many PHBs they still had in stock, maybe it wasn't really that many. There'd be little point in ordering another print run when they can instead make this new book. Especially when you figure said new book is a cheap book to put out, 90% of it is existing material.

 

[ggroy]

We don't know for sure how many copies of older 4E D&D books they still have around.

For all we know, they could be "remaindering" or "pulping" their remaining stock of 4E PHB1 books, for a year end tax writeoff.


"Pulped" books are usually destroyed and the paper recycled.

Pulping - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

"Remaindered" books are the piles of older titles which show up in the bargain bins at large bookstores like Borders or Barnes & Noble.

Remaindered book - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

[fba827]

i would also imagine that the cost of resetting all the pages and formatting to incorporate errata, and then reindexing it, etc. is just too much. probably the same as making a new book. and if you are going for a new book, may as well go for the different format entirely to remain consistent with the current marketing material.

but that's a lot of assumptions on my part, no actual facts.

 

[Nathal]

i would also imagine that the cost of resetting all the pages and formatting to incorporate errata, and then reindexing it, etc. is just too much. probably the same as making a new book. and if you are going for a new book, may as well go for the different format entirely to remain consistent with the current marketing material.

but that's a lot of assumptions on my part, no actual facts.

I am actually glad they are doing the reboot. Smart move for the cheaper softboumd books, and I really like the digest size.

 

[JoeGKushner]

I am actually glad they are doing the reboot. Smart move for the cheaper softboumd books, and I really like the digest size.

On a book per book basis it's cheaper.

On a content per content? Way more expensive, not even counting the reprinting of rules from the Rules Compendium to the other books in the series.

 

[xechnao]

Also they have more chances (re)selling this content. If they errata the old PHB less people will want to buy it than buy a book which offers something completely new in addition to errata.

 

[Shin Okada]

That is actually one of my concern if Essentials can really make D&D much "easy to start".

PHB costs $34.95 and contains all necessary rules to attend games as a player. Options of 8 races, 8 classes with 2+ each of builds and 3-4 each of Paragon paths, and 4 Epic Destinies.

Now with Essentials, A player at least need a Rules Compendium ($ 19,95) and Heroes of the Fallen Lands ($19.95). And he can play only 5 races, 4 classes with 1-2 each of builds (rogue has only 1) and 1 each of paragon paths, and 1 Epic Destiny.

$34.95 against $39.9. 5 more bucks and less options. And a newbie player must buy not 1 but 2 different books. It is a bad thing IMHO, as it will make harder for a newbie player to guess what can be his starting point.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

What's actually going to happen in most groups is that newbies will never buy a copy of the RC. It's likely that they'll buy a copy of the "Heroes of" book that contains the race and class they want to play and that's it.

The details of the rules will be bought by the DM or a group will pool its money to buy one copy of the RC.

Plus, a huge variety of choice is good for an experienced player who likes to delve deep into a game. It's actually bad for new players who feel much less overwhelmed by less choices.

 

[creatorlars]

The "Heroes of" books contain all the player-related rules from what I saw.