D&D 5E D&D Next Starter Set - how should it look like?

[Jester David]

1) You need to be able to make your own characters
2) You need to be able to write your own adventures
3) You need to be able to play for multiple sessions with just the starter box

I'd accept levels 1-5 but 1-10 would be nice. There should be the big four classes and races (fighter, wizard, cleric, rogue) and (elf, human, dwarf, halfling).
Backgrounds and subclasses should pretty much be assumed, and baked into the classes for easier play, but it would be nice if there was a little customization of classes beyond race.

Really, the Starter Set should feel like a complete game, a complete product and not just a short introduction to the game. You should be able to take this product and use it as as simple rules lite version of D&D, running adventure modules and the like.

For content, it should probably be a 32-page book and a 64-page book sold in a cardstock sleeve. A box is too pricey and really requires sacrificing content. With 96-pages there should be enough content for playing and running. It's less than was in Dragonspear Castle, so space will be tight, especially since they have to include more art and lotsa monsters.

 

[MoonSong]

I'm pretty sure it will be the basic game they have been talking about, sold in a box, but actually a bundle of a sfcover playerbook, DM Book, dice, character sheets, enough adventures to lead a party through all levels in box -these don't need to be in the box, maybe include a code to download them for free- and maybe (but maybe not) an hex map for exploration, and if they still have room in that a few cardboard cutouts. This game would be complete (going 1-10 level, 4 races, 4classes, ) no subclasses, no feats, no skills. Though going to 20th level would be better I doubt it'll happen).

This has to be the gateway product, something cheap to gift to older children and preteens in order to hook them up .
Something that can be sold on regular toystores and walmarts. Somthing with a low barrier entry that allos new gamers to get into the hobby. And it has to be modular with the standard game, you should be able toplay ox lone, box+phb, box + mm, box+ DMG, and any combination inbetween,

 

[Plaguescarred]

The D&D Starter Set should include IMO:

- Player Book containing basic rules + character creation for level 1-10, core 4 races (dwarf, elf, halfling & human), core 4 classes (cleric, fighter, rogue & wizard)
- DM Book containing guidelines, bestiary and some adventures
- Character sheet
- Dice
- Pencil

 

[Mistwell]

1) You need to be able to make your own characters
2) You need to be able to write your own adventures
3) You need to be able to play for multiple sessions with just the starter box

Agreed on all counts.

 

[Halivar]

It needs a copy of Avalon Hill's "Outdoor Survival".

 

[DEFCON 1]

Just as a side note... if the box *was* to include "maps" for miniatures play (not that I think they necessarily need or should do that)... I do think they'd be better off putting in a foldable dry erase grid board with a dry erase marker than they would with 1 to 4 pre-printed maps (like the 4E modules did). The pre-printed maps are fine for the module in the book, but then are less useful later on for other adventures. If your adventure includes lots of maps, the dry erase map board will let DMs draw as many maps as needed.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

It needs a pink box depicting a dragon fighting adventurers in a dungeon.

One book of rules, one book of adventures, dice. Crayon, counters, and map optional.

 

[The Human Target]

It needs a copy of Avalon Hill's "Outdoor Survival".

Don't forget your copy of Chainmail.

 

[Jester David]

The inclusion of dice is something I'm uncertain of. It's a handy addition, making it an all-in-one product, but dice typically either necessitate a larger box, or a product that is wider/taller than standard to accommodate a tube of dice, making it awkward for store shelves.

Plus dice are expensive, and require that extra step. You cannot just send the book to a publisher and have it assembled, but have to order two things (dice and books) then have those assembled elsewhere, which adds to the cost. And dice are not cheap, likely adding at least $5 to the cost of the product (or rather, taking $5 away from the books).

Dice mean the difference between a 96-page starter set and a 64-page starter set, reducing the content by a third. And that's going to come at the expense of space-hogging material like monsters, spells, and options.

 

[The Human Target]

But you need dice to play, most people new to the hobby ate going to assume a stated set will have everything you need to play, and the main places the stater set will probably be purchased (bookstores, large department stores, toy stores, online) usually aren't going to have many or any dice for sale.

Plus a set of dice separate is going to increase the cost anyway.

Not including them highly increases the barrier of entry for new players.