D&D 5E (2024) Heroes of the Borderlands

[FitzTheRuke]

@JusticeArman I ran it this weekend at my Comic & Game Store. Many of the players had never before touched dice that weren't d6's from Yahtzee (or whatever). Age range varied from 9 to 60.

They all enjoyed it, and a few bought their own copy to "keep going".

I'd call that a big win!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Many of the players had never before touched dice that weren't d6's from Yahtzee

It seems more likely that Snakes and Ladders is most people’s first encounter with dice.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

It seems more likely that Snakes and Ladders is most people’s first encounter with dice.

Yeah, it's just that one of them literally mentioned Yahtzee. I assume that others played other games.

I was honestly lucky (and smart, I suppose) to have on-hand these cheap Chessex sets that are color-coded. The d20 is white, the d4 is yellow, etc. So you can say "roll the blue one" instead of playing "find the d8", which I've done before when playing with new folks.

I'm always surprised when I have to explain the d6 - I mean, I understand not to use the "dee six" jargon, but I'm surprised when I have to say "The six-sided one. The cube. The one that looks like what you normally think of as 'dice'. Yes, that one. Roll it. No, try to keep it on the table."

Playing with new folks is fun!

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Yeah, it's just that one of them literally mentioned Yahtzee. I assume that others played other games.

Well, Yahtzee is a form of poker dice, and is therefore much closer to ancient historical dice games. But its age skews much older, S&N is played by the very young. Although I’m not sure if it’s as ubiquitous in other countries as it in in the UK.

When it comes to the other dice, the Pythagorean solids are supposed to be studied towards the end of KS2 in the UK - about 10 years old. So children should have met icosahedrons at school round about the same time they are ready to learn D&D.

 

[Sulicius]

Yes, but in addition the name change reduces the reading age.

Sure, but it's just short for gelatinous. Have Ochre Jelly's been famous for their use in D&D content for children?

Sometimes the most straightforward answer is the right one.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

Well, Yahtzee is a form of poker dice, and is therefore much closer to ancient historical dice games. But its age skews much older, S&N is played by the very young. Although I’m not sure if it’s as ubiquitous in other countries as it in in the UK.

I played S&L as a kid in Canada, but I haven't seen it since then. My own kids never played it, but then again, I owned a Game Store before they were born, so they grew up with Formula De, Catan, and Carcassonne.

When it comes to the other dice, the Pythagorean solids are supposed to be studied towards the end of KS2 in the UK - about 10 years old. So children should have met icosahedrons at school round about the same time they are ready to learn D&D.

We definitely don't do that here. I think that sounds cool, but I've never heard of it happening.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

I played S&L as a kid in Canada, but I haven't seen it since then. My own kids never played it, but then again, I owned a Game Store before they were born, so they grew up with Formula De, Catan, and Carcassonne.

Interesting, I would say the vast majority of UK kids are playing S&N from the age of 3. There is no copywrite on it of course.

Oh, I notice there is a "My First Carcassonne" game. Presumably to introduce younger children to the game. I haven't played it but I assume it finds a way to score without a lot of adding up at the end.

We definitely don't do that here. I think that sounds cool, but I've never heard of it happening.

I'm not sure that it is always taught effectively - KS2 is usually taught by non-subject specialist teachers, but it's a great topic, combined with nets. Cut out and make your own polyhedral dice. After the octahedron they get a bit tricky to make though. If the children go on to play D&D soon after it provides reinforcement of learning, whereas otherwise it tends to be forgotten.

Suggestion: you can do it at home with your grandkids if your school system doesn't do it.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Sure, but it's just short for gelatinous. Have Ochre Jelly's been famous for their use in D&D content for children?

I had no idea what "ochre" was, or how to pronounce it (och-er-y?) when I first started playing D&D. What's wrong with Yellow Jelly?

Sometimes the most straightforward answer is the right one.

With Gygax, I think he wanted to show off the size of his vocabulary. Making the game more accessible has other priorities.

 

[Micah Sweet]

I had no idea what "ochre" was, or how to pronounce it (och-er-y?) when I first started playing D&D. What's wrong with Yellow Jelly?

With Gygax, I think he wanted to show off the size of his vocabulary. Making the game more accessible has other priorities.

Using ochre affords you the opportunity to learn a new word. I can't tell you how many words I was first introduced to through D&D. Not everything has to be presented in its simplest form. I've always felt D&D was meant to educate as well as entertain.

 

[Nikosandros]

@JusticeArman I ran it this weekend at my Comic & Game Store. Many of the players had never before touched dice that weren't d6's from Yahtzee (or whatever). Age range varied from 9 to 60.

They all enjoyed it, and a few bought their own copy to "keep going".

I'd call that a big win!

This is really the most favorable kind of review, IMO, for such a product. Does it work for newbs? Does it hook them on the game? If so, mission accomplished.