the Red Box Basic set covers 1st to 3rd level.

[Maggan]

Can you provide a link, please? TIA.

All I could find that might give some kind of support to that theory is the follwing quote:

As I discussed last month, the Essentials line of products consists of 10 key products that will always be in stock and will form the core of the Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game experience moving forward.

Although that quote was followed by ...

These products don’t replace the existing Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, or Monster Manual.

... so the support for the proposed theory is less than conclusive.

Quotes taken from the latest editorial by Bill Slaviscek.

/M

 

[JohnSnow]

Can you provide a link, please? TIA.

I would assume he's referring to Bill Slaviscek's comment that they "want the Essentials Line to be the gateway to the game for new players going forward." Which does imply that they want new people to start there.

However, they've also stated repeatedly that they don't plan to take the hardcovers off the market. So, unless you thinking they're lying, it's an alternate, rather than a replacement product. Granted, it's the one targeted at new gamers.

@ Riley: I suppose it would be great if the starter set went to 11, but that's, IMO, supremely unrealistic. At that point you're talking about, oh, a third of each book (PHB, DMG, and MM). Do the math: that's about 280 pages! There's no way to do that set for $20.

Quite honestly, I'm not sure how they'll fit in even 3 levels at that price. But if the Mentzer set did it, it should be possible. Let's see; if one assumes you only need 1/3 of everything above (probably unrealistic, but this is a ballpark), we're talking around 96 pages. And based on previews, that's exactly how long it'll be.

For those players who want to go further, there's the Heroes of... books ($20 each) and/or the PHB. For DM's, there's the DM's Kit and/or the DMG. For more monsters, there's the Monster Vault or, if they don't care about tokens, the various hardcover Monster Manual volumes.

 

[Riley]

@ Riley: I suppose it would be great if the starter set went to 11, but that's, IMO, supremely unrealistic. At that point you're talking about, oh, a third of each book (PHB, DMG, and MM). Do the math: that's about 280 pages! There's no way to do that set for $20.

Sorry. It was a (failed) Spinal Tap reference.

I have high hopes for this product, and love the alternate covers idea.

 

[keterys]

Technically, you can keep on leveling past 3 and just taking level 1 dailies and level 1/3 encounters and level 2 utilities. Sure, the choices will get sparse, and the magic items will start getting a little dubious, but hey... it's an option

 

[darjr]

Sorry. It was a (failed) Spinal Tap reference.

I have high hopes for this product, and love the alternate covers idea.

Nope, not failed, it's just that now lots of tings go to 11.

 

[Majoru Oakheart]

Although that quote was followed by ...

Turns out I wasn't paying enough attention when I read that quote. I somehow missed the word "don't" entirely.

Somehow that made the sentence turn out like:

These products replace the existing Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, or Monster Manual.

Oops. I'll pay more attention next time.

 

[S'mon]

Sorry. It was a (failed) Spinal Tap reference.

Naw,I got it. It was funny.

 

[bagger245]

Quite honestly, I'm not sure how they'll fit in even 3 levels at that price. But if the Mentzer set did it, it should be possible. Let's see; if one assumes you only need 1/3 of everything above (probably unrealistic, but this is a ballpark), we're talking around 96 pages. And based on previews, that's exactly how long it'll be.

Mentzer could fit levels up to 3 or more due to only having to adjust the level up table. 4e however needs tons of space for the powers. Even if we are comparing extra spells in Mentzer box, it is still little due to limited spell list.

 

[Theo R Cwithin]

Do you think the Red Box will have much info to help the DM improv? I'm talking less about RP, and more about the crunch for gauging power levels when introducing new powers, building monsters, and the like, as well as encounter design to take advantage of 4e's particular strengths.

In other words, do you think it will provide a little guidance on how to improvise "outward" (eg, by adding new powers/monsters/items for levels 1 through 3), as well as "upward" (eg, how to cobble together a power or item suitable for 4th or 5th level)?

 

[thecasualoblivion]

Overall, I think the D&D essentials line is going to put a useful dividing line between those who want a basic, no-frills easily managed game using just core rules and those who want a pile o' books game with all the frills(books+Dragon articles) managed by Character Builder.