Something I Noticed About the New Starter Set

[AnthonyRoberson]

With its good mix of tokens, dungeon tiles and DM book with sample traps and 50+ monsters, you could actually run a goodly number of game sessions with just the new Starter Set and a 4E Player's Handbook. I wonder if WOTC intentionally positioned the product this way? It certainly lowers the cost of entry into 4E for the undecided.

 

[justanobody]

I don't have it and don't know all the details so ask a few questions related to that:

1- What levels is the highest of the monsters in the starter set?
2- Does it include how to raise or lower the levels of monsters?
3- Does it tell how to make your own monsters?

You could probably easily play a bunch of low level games, but without going through the entire heroic tier, you probably will find it get dull after a while unless you just make little one-shots.

It is probably great for getting more new players involved as you could have the stuff down pat and no questions for them when they want to try.

For extended use, I would wager you might need more monsters for higher levels.

DDI and the monsters tool should help with that before too much longer as Mr Tweet, gets more features into those bonus tools.

And there are tons of old tiles as well from the DDM game and other maps in the D&D archives.

I wouldn't try to play a year long game with it, but sure it has a good bit or replayability. At least one game ran by each player as DM to whet their whistles.

 

[JeffB]

I've not been able to find this thing- none of the local chain bookstores have it, nor does my local Toys R' Us (shopping for the kid's B-day last week )

All of them still have the 3.X blue/black dragon basic sets on the shelves (if any).

Guess I'm going to have to order online.

 

[AnthonyRoberson]

I don't have it in front of me, but I believe the monsters go up to level 5. I will check to be sure this evening. I also don't think there is any info about making your own monsters or altering the level of others, but again I will check tonight.

 

[justanobody]

I don't have it in front of me, but I believe the monsters go up to level 5. I will check to be sure this evening. I also don't think there is any info about making your own monsters or altering the level of others, but again I will check tonight.

Then that should be enough to at least step into a good little slow game. Just mix up the monsters enough so that people don't figure out your DM tactics so it doesn't become stale for them. That way you should get a good year use out of it.

 

[dmccoy1693]

I thought that was the intention of it. Allows for casual gamers to play the game, lowers the cost of entry, and helps to make D&D a household name without it being a joke (like how it currently is in the national media). Everything you need in one box. Even the gift set doesn't do that. IMO, its a great idea. Kudos to WotC for going that route.

EDIT: Allows for a cheap way to introduce the next generation (you know as in give it to your niece/nephew with only a $17 buy in, and all their friends have a $0 buy in). And they can play for god knows how long. Then they get minis and the monster manual. Then the players buy the PHB to make their own characters and advance in level. And finally the DMG. Sounds like the perfect product if you ask me. Hell, I might get it for my sister's kids for christmas.

 

[Treebore]

With its good mix of tokens, dungeon tiles and DM book with sample traps and 50+ monsters, you could actually run a goodly number of game sessions with just the new Starter Set and a 4E Player's Handbook. I wonder if WOTC intentionally positioned the product this way? It certainly lowers the cost of entry into 4E for the undecided.

I agree. I said as much in my thread about this product a few weeks ago. IF you read through the DM sections you will see that with all of the advice/commentary put in there it really gives a group, and their DM a TON of replay ability. Not so much beyond third level, you need the PH to do that, officially. But you can use it to try out each of the characters and the DM can definitely discover the joys of creating the game sessions from what is in this product.


Definitely a very good "starter" set to gain the interest of new people with.

 

[darjr]

maybe an avenue for 3rd parties. Add on products for the start set could include a monster book with new monster tokens and tiles or adventures geared for the starter set.

Or maybe the simple character creation...