How to DM the Boxed Set?

DongShenYin · Oct 28, 2004

I bought the DnD boxed set WoTC put out this year for an 8 year old kid who lives upstairs. His birthday is coming up on Saturday so he's going to get the set then. Meanwhile, I haven't opened/seen the set so I don't know what's in it, but I have the feeling that I'm doing to end up DMing it for him unless his father beats me to it. (He okayed the present when I suggested it, so there'd no accusations of corrupting the kid.) Any suggestions for how to DM the boxed set for an 8 year old? Thanks!

Barendd Nobeard · Oct 28, 2004

I don't know what's in the box set, but I DM'ed the "Adventure Game" for my kids when 3.o first came out.

They had a lot of fun--I just tried to tell a story, with them interjecting their actions. Then I tried to highlight the effects of their actions on the story.

I also spend a few minutes before we started, going over the different characters (the set came with 6 pre-gens, I think), the different dice, and the basic stats (HP, AC, Attack, STR, INT, WIS, etc.). Be sure to emphasize the d20, since it's the core mechanic.

Don't get bogged down in the stats or explaining the mechanics too much, though. When you get to the part in the story where someone needs to pick a lock, then go over how it works, roll dice, and see what happens.

Have fun!

DongShenYin · Oct 29, 2004

Does anyone know if there's a real adventure in it or if it's more like a educational intro to DnD?

Alan Shutko · Oct 29, 2004

There's a real (but small and introductory) module in there. The first few rooms are based on a simplified version of the rules to get people going. After about room 3, it uses the normal D&D rules.

The adventure is designed to make it easy for new DMs to fun it, and also structured so you can do so successfully without much familiarity with it.

MerricB · Oct 29, 2004

More info about the D&D Basic Game here:
http://www.3rdedition.org/merricb/basicset.htm

I've also seen some fantastic reviews of it.

Cheers!

DongShenYin · Oct 29, 2004

Okay, cool. Thanks everyone!

philreed · Oct 30, 2004

Damn. I was hoping this thread was about a "How to be a DM" box set. That would be an awesome tool!

shilsen · Oct 30, 2004

philreed said:
Damn. I was hoping this thread was about a "How to be a DM" box set. That would be an awesome tool!

That's the first thing I thought of when I saw the title.

DongShenYin · Oct 30, 2004

Sorry! I fixed the title to avoid further confusion. Although maybe we should start a petition for such a product?

Whimsical · Oct 30, 2004

philreed said:
Damn. I was hoping this thread was about a "How to be a DM" box set. That would be an awesome tool!

Have you considered getting Robin's Laws of Good Game Mastering? I found it to be an excellent resource for improving my GMing abilities.

As far as running the basic set, I recommend that you write up any magic items to be found in the adventure on a 3"x5" card that you can hand over to the finder of the treasure. Make sure it describes how to use the item on the card. And draw a picture of the item on the card.