D&D 5E Pitch Dark Sun to new players

[The Glen]

And revisiting the world of Athas now, veteran players explain to people new to Dungeons and Dragons why they should play in Dark Sun. What are its strengths, quirks, and charms? Why should a newbie grab a bone sword and defend Tyr against the defilers?

 

[vecna00]

I think, I will talk about what drew me to Dark Sun in the first place when I was still new to the game. That is, if I can find the words.

First and foremost, it was so different from what I was used to. As much as I love knights and castles, I grew to love deserts and sorcerer-kings very quickly! A brutal world destroyed by magic, without gods, very little metal, and a pretty widespread disdain for the very force that shaped the planet. I'm pretty sure I read the player's guide in one sitting, I was so damn on board for this setting!

Second, the art. The beautiful cover art of Brom instantly drew me in, while the interior art of both Brom and Baxa kept me firmly entrenched in their amazing vision.

Third, the alien races. Half-Giants, Half-Dwarves (Muls), and, my favorite, the Thri-Kreen. Even the standard races were twisted along with the world they live in. Well, those that are still around anyway...RIP Gnomes.

Mind you, these are the things that got me into Dark Sun...I'm pretty terrible at selling things :-D

 

[transtemporal]

Struggling against all-powerful bad guys in the dust and ashes of a post-apocalyptic wasteland. Also, cannibal hobbits.

 

[Bitbrain]

Dark Sun is Barbarians versus Sorcerers in the scorching desert.
It is a setting where Assassins and Templars match wits on a dying world.

Wanna be John Carter of Mars?
Wanna be Gul'Dan from the Warcraft movie?
Wanna be Spartacus?

If so, then Athas might be what you are looking for.

 

[iserith]

Wanna be John Carter of Mars?

Yes, I think Dark Sun is more Barsoom than D&D-in-the-desert. The latter is far too mundane and, sadly, is how I've seen many people run the campaign setting.

 

[Ganymede81]

"Pitch Dark Sun" sounds like a newer, even edgier version of Dark Sun.

"All PCs start at level 20 in Pitch Dark Sun in order to meet the power level of this dangerous world."

 

[Bitbrain]

Yes, I think Dark Sun is more Barsoom than D&D-in-the-desert. The latter is far too mundane and, sadly, is how I've seen many people run the campaign setting.

When I first watched Disney's John Carter of Mars, I kept imagining that the Warhoon were like gnolls, the White Apes were Girallons, Tars Tarkas was a Thri-Kreen, and the armies of Zodanga were the forces of Urik.

 

[rgoodbb]

...You're probably not going to make it through this campaign...

...Athas is too tough...

...Bring a backup PC...


That would get me!

 

[vecna00]

Dark Sun: It's the tabletop version of Dark Souls.

 

[Raunalyn]

A brutal world with no Gods. Barbarians, tribes of thieving elves, cannibal halflings, and freed slaves attempt to overcome the struggles of the killer deserts and even more killer Sorcerer Kings. Oh, and psionics, defiling, and one very big, very very bad Dragon.