D&D Basic Game questions. . . .

[jdrakeh]

Just out of curiosity, I have a couple of questions about the D&D Basic Game (not the older adventure game). Any insight that you can provide would be welcomed.

1. Does the Basic Game include rules for character creation?
2. How compatible is the Basic Game with other D&D 3.5 products?

 

[MerricB]

1. Does the Basic Game include rules for character creation?

The "Black Dragon" version does. The "Blue Dragon" version, which is the current version, doesn't - the creation rules are now in the "D&D Player's Kit".

2. How compatible is the Basic Game with other D&D 3.5 products?

Moderately. What exactly do you mean by compatible?

Cheers!

 

[jdrakeh]

The "Black Dragon" version does. The "Blue Dragon" version, which is the current version, doesn't - the creation rules are now in the "D&D Player's Kit".

I assume that the color of the dragon you refer to is the dragon on the box top, correct?

Moderately. What exactly do you mean by compatible?

Can I plug in feats, skills, and monsters from standard 3.5 products without much (if any) conversion?

 

[MerricB]

I assume that the color of the dragon you refer to is the dragon on the box top, correct?

Yes, and the miniature in the box.
(Medium Black Dragon in original 3.5e Basic Game, Large Blue Dragon in revised version)

Can I plug in feats, skills, and monsters from standard 3.5 products without much (if any) conversion?

Well, skills have been reduced in number and function; feats work as normal, but the list is quite small. You could use monsters as you wished.

"Basic" is quite right. The core rules are there - so attacks, AC, hp, skill checks, etc. - but various details have been simplified.

Cheers!

 

[jdrakeh]

Yes, and the miniature in the box.
(Medium Black Dragon in original 3.5e Basic Game, Large Blue Dragon in revised version)

Damn. I wonder how hard it will be to track down a copy of the black dragon box locally (hopefully not too hard).

Well, skills have been reduced in number and function; feats work as normal, but the list is quite small. You could use monsters as you wished.

"Basic" is quite right. The core rules are there - so attacks, AC, hp, skill checks, etc. - but various details have been simplified.

Cheers!

My primary concern is that I can use the Basic Game as an entry point for new players and then build upon it using my existing 3.5 material, easing into the full game a bit at a time, rather than jumping directly from the Basic Game into full-blown D&D.

[P.S. Thanks for the info, Merric!]

 

[MerricB]

Damn. I wonder how hard it will be to track down a copy of the black dragon box locally (hopefully not too hard).

Good luck!

I've an information page on the 2004 Black Dragon version here:
http://www.blackguard.ca/merric/basicgame.php

I really should do one for the 2006 Blue Dragon version.

My primary concern is that I can use the Basic Game as an entry point for new players and then build upon it using my existing 3.5 material, easing into the full game a bit at a time, rather than jumping directly from the Basic Game into full-blown D&D.

I think that should be doable. I'll see if I can review the newer version soon, so you have more information available.

Cheers!

 

[Technomancer]

Good luck!

I've an information page on the 2004 Black Dragon version here:
http://www.blackguard.ca/merric/basicgame.php

I really should do one for the 2006 Blue Dragon version.



I think that should be doable. I'll see if I can review the newer version soon, so you have more information available.

Cheers!

Your page says "Skills: Eight skills are included. I don't find any details on how they advance upon a new level. " Which eight skills?

 

[jdrakeh]

Good luck!

I've an information page on the 2004 Black Dragon version here:
http://www.blackguard.ca/merric/basicgame.php

I located an unsold copy of the Black Draqgon box this morning, so I think that I'm set. I'm puzzled as to why they dropped character gen rules from the new box set as, without question, this was one of the things that made the 2004 set a hit (and, likewise, the lack of such rules had been the #1 complaint about the earlier Adventure Game). Without having seen the new Basic Game, it sounds like a step backward.

 

[Rhuvein]

My primary concern is that I can use the Basic Game as an entry point for new players and then build upon it using my existing 3.5 material, easing into the full game a bit at a time, rather than jumping directly from the Basic Game into full-blown D&D.

James, you should have no problem at all doing this. "Easing" is the way to go, IMO.

Aside:
Interestingly, I've often wondered how a younger/new person to the game will feel after running the Basic game and then reading the full PH. I would think he might be overwhelmed!

 

[philreed]

Damn. I wonder how hard it will be to track down a copy of the black dragon box locally (hopefully not too hard).

They've got several copies at the Austin HPBs. Price is $10.