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Message: <blockquote data-quote="TikkchikFenTikktikk" data-source="post: 5239664" data-attributes="member: 67494">That's fair. I'm clearly speculating about what exactly is in the Essentials line since I haven't seen it yet.What do you **need** to play the game today? I say you need at least the PHB1 at the table. PHB1 has rules for how to play; rules for how to make characters; descriptions of races, classes, paragon paths, epic destinies, and their associated powers; descriptions of skills and feats; equipment and magic item rules and descriptions; full combat rules; and adventuring rules.What is the Essentials equivalent of the PHB? It sure doesn't look like you get even most of that from any single Essentials product. And as soon as you need two or more Essentials products to equal the PHB you are paying more for less.I don't think the Rules Compendium is a money grab, but I do think that about the Essentials line as a whole.The Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Starter Set was released in the fall of 2008 and contained "introductory version of the 4th Edition rules, dice, map tiles, and an  adventure to get started playing right away!" with a $17 MSRP. This new red box is the same thing, only designed to exploit the power of nostalgia and the power of ooh-new-and-shiny instead of just the power of ooh-new-and-shiny.A corporation doesn't have a right to revenue. They have to produce something of value to earn a customer's business. My argument is that they are offering less value in a new package with this Essentials line, using tricks mastered by the movie and music industries and so they don't deserve our money for it.</blockquote>

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