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

[darjr]

I think this is important enough to get it's own thread.

This isn't totally related to the new Ampersand, but I don't want to bump up a month old discussion, so...

I was browsing on the WotC boards, and found an interesting blog from Charles Ryan about the new Red Box that was released on February 18th - two weeks AFTER Slaviscek's February Ampersand column. The link is here.

For those who can't link to it (due to it being "behind the Insider wall," or something), I'll summarize. Basically, some things are different from, or have changed since, the earlier announcements.

Firstly, pretty much the exact cover from the original Mentzner "Red Box" is being used, almost unchanged (TSR's logo replaced by WotC's), for the first print run of the new Starter Set. Subsequent runs will apparently use the slightly more modern (but still evocative) "Dungeons & Dragons Essentials" cover shown earlier (like at DDXP).

Secondly, the set will get players from 1st to 3rd level, not 2nd as was reported previously. It includes a 32-page players' book, a 64-page DM's book, character sheets, power cards, character and monster tokens, a double-sided poster map, and 6 dice. It includes character creation rules, solo play rules and a solo adventure. How they squeezed all that into 96 pages, I don't know.

If so, this could be a truly awesome addition to D&D. I can also see the first print run selling out on collector value alone. Which would pretty much ensure a successful launch for the Essentials line.

I'm absolutely going to have to get a first print run. And clarification that it is going to 3rd level is very nice.

 

[kenmarable]

Do we have confirmation that they are doing that as the first print run cover?

To quote the linked post:

(Compare this image to the one in my earlier post, and you might notice it's different. This one is literally the original cover, with only (as far as I can tell) the WotC logo as a change. The other one evoked this version, but had new art and a retro-styled 4E logo. Both came from official WotC sources, but this is what's on the solicitation, so I think it's the most accurate.)

The cover in solicitation doesn't mean squat. As a very clear example, Paizo initially solicits basically all of their products with mock covers because you typically need to begin solicitation for the book channel incredibly early. I wouldn't be surprised if it is just a mock up that was used with the major book sellers until the final cover was approved.

Now, if they actually do use the original cover, I agree that it would be awesome and a great idea on their part (at least for us grognards if we are worth separate covers on the same product), but I wouldn't get my hopes up yet.

 

[TerraDave]

Be sure to clik the link to see the cover.

Thats...awesome....

But, going back to your headline, does it also change levels 1-3?





Not that I am yelling 4.5 in a crowded theatre or something.

Just saying.

EDIT: Awesome ninjd

 

[delericho]

1-3 is better. Much better.

I still don't think it's enough (ideally, I'd want 1-5), but it's a big improvement.

 

[darjr]

Yea, OK. It is only on the solicitation. I hope that is the cover.

He does go on to confirm that a retro cover will be on the first print run. Maybe just not that exact one?

 

[Merlin the Tuna]

1-3 is better. Much better.

I still don't think it's enough (ideally, I'd want 1-5), but it's a big improvement.

1-3 really makes the most sense at the moment, given that it's the range covered by the Character Builder for non-DDI subscribers.

 

[Henry]

Why is my inner self dying to buy this thing, when I already have the rules?

However, I'm holding out for the PHB3 instead, and if I get a little free cash later to buy this thing, well...

 

[CasvalRemDeikun]

Why is my inner self dying to buy this thing, when I already have the rules?

However, I'm holding out for the PHB3 instead, and if I get a little free cash later to buy this thing, well...

As a player without a DM and a DM without players, the biggest draw for me will be the solo adventure in the box. All of the other stuff is just gravy for me. I really wish they would make more solo stuff.

 

[Mercule]

Why is my inner self dying to buy this thing, when I already have the rules?

However, I'm holding out for the PHB3 instead, and if I get a little free cash later to buy this thing, well...

I'm right there with you, Henry. I might buy this just for nostalgia's sake.

 

[JohnSnow]

Yea, OK. It is only on the solicitation. I hope that is the cover.

He does go on to confirm that a retro cover will be on the first print run. Maybe just not that exact one?

I grant there was a small inference on my part. However, when you combine the statement that the first cover will contain a retro cover whereas later print runs will use a more modern cover that is more in keeping with the Essentials Line, with TWO separate images released by WotC, and it begins to look strongly like the cover shown in the solicitation WILL be used.

The retro-influenced cover just wouldn't have the same Limited Edition caché for a first printing. However, the fact that it's very similar will sell the notion that the Starter Kit really is a "new red box." Using the "old red box" cover FIRST just seals the deal for WotC. The two are similar enough that only the truly observant (or those with history in the game) will probably even notice when the cover changes.

Using the Elmore-art retro cover for the first printing also practically ensures decent sales numbers simply from its value as a collector's item. And that's far from the worst way to ensure the new Essentials line launches with a bang. Hell, they might take copies to Gen-Con. I know I would.

However, I think the bigger story is the fact that the Starter set goes to 3rd level. Sure, 4th or 5th woulda been nice, but 3rd is at least what the Mentzer Red Box went to. That's, IMO, a very good thing.

Just as an aside: 4th-level is a very easy jump from 3rd in 4e. You get 1 feat, +1 to 2 stats, and +1 to skill/ability checks/attacks and defenses. That's a pretty easy advancement for a DM to allow, or even for WotC to slip in (1 line in one table). 5th-level, with its second Daily Power, is simply infeasible (it would take too much real estate).

The larger issue for adding 4th-level is probably the page space necessary to add another level's worth of items, monsters, and probably a few more feats in order to support 4th-level play. That stuff adds up pretty quick. And frankly, I'm already wondering how they'll fit all the 3rd-level content in 96 pages.

My guess is that, for starters, it will probably be smaller print than the PHB.