The New Red-Box...

[Jack99]

Note: @Charwomangene... I also don't thinkthe Rules Compendium is part of the DM Kit, I believe it's a seperate product.

It is, according to WotC.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I think one of the best aspects of the new "Red Box" is that, unlike with the other introductory offerings, there is also a line of products to "add" on it. Once you got the first 3 Core Rulebooks, a lot of stuff from those introductory things were basically obsolete.

 

[bagger245]

It is, according to WotC.

So the 256 page book in the DM kit is the rules compendium?

I like the new design covers of the Essential books and boxes except the red box seems out of place. It's like WOTC trying so hard to attract older gamers instead kids.

 

[Imaro]

Maybe so, but it looks like the product catalog entries have been updated a bit from the descriptions you listed there.

Dungeon Master's Kit

"Game components:

* 256-page book of rules and advice for Dungeon Masters
* Two 32-page adventures
* 2 sheets of die-cut monster tokens
* 2 double-sided battle maps
* Fold-out Dungeon Master’s screen"

Monster Vault

"Game components:

* 256-page book of monsters
* 32-page adventure
* 10 sheets of die-cut monster tokens"



The higher page counts suddenly make them look much jucier...

If true, I definitely agree that the increase in page count does give these products much better bang for your buck... though I still think it might be a little pricey for a beginners entry path... but we'll see.

It is, according to WotC.

Really? Because last time I looked at the Rule Compendium product page it was listed as having a 320 page count ( Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Rules Compendium) ) ... while the book in the DM kit has 256. Also, please link to where exactly WotC posted this.

 

[Dire Bare]

I also don't thinkthe Rules Compendium is part of the DM Kit, I believe it's a seperate product.

It is, according to WotC.

According to the reporting we got on the D&D Experience seminars, you're right Jack99. But as they update the info on the Products Page, I'm increasingly certain that the Rules Compendium will NOT be included in the DM's Kit.

The "advice" book in the DM's Kit is 256 pages, and the Rules Compendium is 320 pages . . . assuming those numbers are correct. It'd be nice to get some actual confirmation from WotC.

Also . . . . for those getting excited about the supposedly "meaty" D&D Essentials books, I get the feeling they are a 6" x 9" format, rather than an 8.5" x 11" format. They'll still have tons of great content, but not as much as you might think.

 

[Imaro]

I think one of the best aspects of the new "Red Box" is that, unlike with the other introductory offerings, there is also a line of products to "add" on it. Once you got the first 3 Core Rulebooks, a lot of stuff from those introductory things were basically obsolete.

The only thing I wonder is if it's cheaper and more cost efficient in the long run to go "Essentials" or "Classic"?

 

[Keefe the Thief]

The only thing I wonder is if it's cheaper and more cost efficient in the long run to go "Essentials" or "Classic"?

Boxed set cannot ever hope to be cheaper than hardcover books. If you´re not a newbie to RPGS and want to get into the game, the Core is still your best option.
Or you get both for maps & tokens.

 

[Imaro]

Boxed set cannot ever hope to be cheaper than hardcover books. If you´re not a newbie to RPGS and want to get into the game, the Core is still your best option.
Or you get both for maps & tokens.

Yeah you're probably right (unless they created a single boxed set with DM and monster info combined for under $70), though I think WotC might be making a mistake in having the DM's buy in so much larger than a players.

 

[Jack99]

Really? Because last time I looked at the Rule Compendium product page it was listed as having a 320 page count ( Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game Official Home Page - Product (Rules Compendium) ) ... while the book in the DM kit has 256. Also, please link to where exactly WotC posted this.

Indeed it looks odd. I am 100% sure it was said at DDXP, but I am not gonna search through 2000 twitter messages just to prove myself. Perhaps they changed something or someone said something wrong - I know what I read.

With that said, RC is a compilation of rules, and since the DM box advertises with advice for the DM, its most likely not the RC in the DM box.

 

[bagger245]

Also . . . . for those getting excited about the supposedly "meaty" D&D Essentials books, I get the feeling they are a 6" x 9" format, rather than an 8.5" x 11" format. They'll still have tons of great content, but not as much as you might think.

They are 6x9. Hence the 300+pages to fit the classes and races. In the long run, it is still better to go Core than Essential. Other than the two Essential books, there is no new crunch (excluding the new monsters in the Monster Vault, which might be variations of Goblinoids and other iconic monsters). By 2011, we are back to seeing hardback PHB4, Arcane Power 2, DMG3 etc...

If the 256page book from the DM kit doesn't include the Rules Compendium, the buy in for the DM is higher. Don't forget the 320page RC is 6x9 and the 256page DM book is presumably 8.5x11, hence lesser pages needed.