Should D&D be sold as a boardgame?

[Flyspeck23]

I've got to second the recommendation for Dungeon Bash. It's a fun set of rules to take D&D into the realm of Warhammer Quest (which I use my old sets to play Dungeon Bash with). I have parred down the rules (using the Basic Set as a guide) to speed up play. This option won't satisfy roleplayers, but if DB could get boxed as a complete game with no printing and such and placed on toy store shelves, it could be big for the future of the D&D fanbase.

First off, I'm glad you like it
And, btw, I'm glad all customers seem to have been aware of what kind of game Dungeon Bash is like... I was expecting feedback like "much too complex for a boardgame" or "it ain't as simple as Hero Quest", which both is besides the point of the game, really. But so far everybody likes the game (or those that don't like it are a non-vocal majority, who knows...) and quite some parents have told me that they used Dungeon Bash as an introductory RPG for their kids (some younger than 10).

I'm the first to point out that Dungeon Bash (DB) isn't for everyone - and it's definetly not designed to replace your regular RPG session. For me, DB is a hack'n'slash beer'n'prezel game I take to the pub now and again. That's what it's made for

Unfortunately, DB can't be produced with miniatures included, as the d20 System Guide forbids that. Not sure if it could be sold with counters included (probably), but that won't be the perfect solution. The next problem is character creation and similar things - again, prohibited by the d20 System Guide.
I could've gone OGL with DB, but than it wouldn't be the "d20 RPG / boardgame hybrid".


IMHO, the D&D Basic Game has two flaws: you can't randomly generate adventures, and you need a Game Master no matter what (it's still a nice game with beautiful miniatures at a very reasonable price, though). Maybe the best solution would be to use the Basic Game rules and material (although the floor plans are a little restrictive), but the DB mechanics to generate quests, the dungeon, and encounters.

 

[MerricB]

Just for fun, I compiled the list of things a basic set should have (whether or not the current does is irrelevant to this post). Some of the wishes are contradictory, but it's fun seeing what people are asking for:

Heh. Let's look what the current Basic Game does. (And there's a new one coming in June)

Battle mat - uses tiles, not mat.
Board game similarities/less board game similarities (a la Talisman, Hero Quest) - yes
Character generation - yes
Chits and cards - no
Collectable elements - yes (minis)
Compatible with 3.5 - yes
Cool dice - it has dice. polyhedral is cool, yes?
Dungeon creation - yes
campaign creation - no
Family game experience focus - yes
Followed by an Expert Set - no
Maps for minis - yes
Marketed to families and children - yes
Miniatures - yes
One player plays BBEG (a la Siege of the Citadel and Space Hulk) - that's the DM
PDF and online support for the product, including how to transition into D&D 3.5 - not so much
Pregenerated characters - yes
Price point 20/30/40/50/60 dollars - $25
Replace Dungeon Master with quest booklets and randomly drawn map tiles - no
Series of thematically linked games - no
Should give opportunity for roleplaying - yes
Simplified rules and combat - yes
Sold in toy stores - yes
Support for levels 1-3/1-5/a few levels - levels 1-2
Target group age 9-12 - broader than that, I think

I'll add my wishes:

The same cover art and design as Red Box Basic Set - sorry
Slimmed down rules allowing for play up to 5th level - no
Pregenerated characters - yes
Chargen rules - yes
XP tables up to 5th - no (only 1st & 2nd)
Treasure tables - yes
Four basic classes (fighter, cleric, rogue, sorcerer) - yes
A very slimmed down world description ("this is the inn, this is the chapel, this is the smithys, this is the dungeon, and that over there are the Dragon Peaks!"). And a map! - no
Fliers for Eberron and Forgotten Realms - err. I forget
Five simple adventures with minis maps - one bigger adventure played over 8 tiles (I think they're 8"x8" or bigger)
Online support with additional adventures - alas, no.
Interior art by WAR - hmm. The box art is by WAR. I forget who does the interior art
Dice from Crystal Caste - not likely - the price goes up too much.
24 minis (a beholder and a mind flayer among them) - 16 minis, including a medium black dragon
Cards as player aids (actions and spells and stuff) - no

Cheers!

 

[naturaltwenty]

Whoa - I thought I was in another universe

Reading some of the comments I was like...did I not get the same Basic D&D game as some of the other people?

This is the one I got:

Enter a world of adventure and imagination!

Become a Hero
Take on the role of a fierce warrior, a mighty sorcerer, a powerful cleric, or a stealthy rogue and embark on a heroic quest.

Brave the Unknown
Explore treacherous dungeons, battle terrifying monsters, and discover wondrous treasure.

Bring Your Friends
Together with your bold companions, prove you've got what it takes to face the risks and collect the rewards in the greatest fantasy roleplaying game of all time.

Components:

16 fully painted miniatures (4 heroes and 12 monsters)
4 double-sided map tiles
4 character sheets
7 dice
Quick Start Rules
First Adventure Book
Advanced Rulebook

Heck I've even started making more pregen's, refitting the SRD to fit this basic format and using at my library for intro games.

The basic set does have everything it needs but more support from Wizards. This is why they are promoting it now at libraries (see thread on WotC not going to Origins).

Later,

Greg Volz
Natural Twenty Gaming
www.naturaltwenty.com

 

[MerricB]

Reading some of the comments I was like...did I not get the same Basic D&D game as some of the other people?

That's the one I have. However, the earlier 3e Adventure Game didn't have char-gen rules or minis.

My D&D Basic Game page is here:
http://www.3rdedition.org/merricb/basicset.htm

Cheers!

 

[jdrakeh]

Reading some of the comments I was like...did I not get the same Basic D&D game as some of the other people?

This is the one I got:

That's the one that I have - it just didn't have one particulalrly important booklet in it

 

[Ron]

Heh. Let's look what the current Basic Game does. (And there's a new one coming in June)[...]

Is this new one a replacement (probably with different minis), a redesigned box, or a follow up, such as the old expert box? Tell us more about it!

 

[MerricB]

Is this new one a replacement (probably with different minis), a redesigned box, or a follow up, such as the old expert box? Tell us more about it!

Probably a replacement. (Designed by Matt Sernett). Charles Ryan won't officially confirm it until the catalogue comes out (yes, I've asked), so I'm mostly as in the dark as you.

Cheers!