Level cap/progression in D&D Essentials?

[Stormtower]

I am a DDI subscriber, but I couldn't find the answer to this question in any of the preview articles, so I'm hitting up the ENWorld braintrust:

How many levels does the initial release of D&D Essentials cover? Is it 1 - 5, 1 - 30 like the 4E PHB, or what? And as a followup, has WotC announced how far they intend to take the level cap and progression in Essentials?

I would guess the Red Box does not include levels 1 thru 30 and that they intend to cover Paragon and Epic "essentials" in later releases, but I haven't been able to find a straight answer on this anywhere.

I ask because I've run 4E at the Heroic, Paragon and Epic levels already, and I'm rather on the fence about buying & collecting the Essentials (despite the lovely nostalgia the Red Box Nouveau has inspired in me). If my current 4E campaign can't make use of the Essentials b/c we're already past the Essentials level cap, I'd like to know that.

Thanks ENWorld and game on!

 

[ExploderWizard]

The redbox covers only levels 1 and 2 as it is more of a D&D sampler for new people than an actual set of rules. As far as I know other essentials products cover levels 1-30 just like the original 4E core material did.

 

[Stormtower]

The redbox covers only levels 1 and 2 as it is more of a D&D sampler for new people than an actual set of rules. As far as I know other essentials products cover levels 1-30 just like the original 4E core material did.

Thanks ExploderWizard... can you point me to where you found this info? Much appreciated.

 

[TerraDave]

Its been pretty widely confirmed. The Heroes of books and rules compendium cover levels 1-30. (actually, not sure what the hight level Vault monsters are, but the preview had a level 17).