D&D (2024) What's In D&D's New Starter Set?

There's a new Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set, titled Heroes of the Borderlands, coming in September. WotC has given us a quick peek at what's inside! The set is designed to be replayable, and comes with maps and cards, which are presumably part of the tile-based character creation system WotC has hinted at recently. The video doesn't reveal much else, but we should have more information over the coming months.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

It looks like WotC has learned some of these lessons. My main concern is how accessible the rules are going to be for younger players and non-gaming parents. 5e rules, while not terribly crunchy, can still be intimidating if they just throw a rules booklet at you. Presentation of the rules can make a huge difference in making them accessible. Put spell, power, and item rules on cards, have an intro scenario that takes you through social, exploration, and combat scenes, stepping you through the most common rules.

Looking at the screenshots, it looks like they're abstracting spell slots and other limited use powers to require a token that actually sits on your character sheet until you turn it in on use. That seems like a big step in the right direction in that regard.

(Argue amongst yourselves as to whether this sort of thing should have been done for one or both of the 5E editions.)

 

[Sacrosanct]

I mentioned upthread how I’ve been asked to do a boxed set for B&B 2e, and since that’s 5e rules lite meant to help get newer players in, the suggestions here are very valuable.

For example, my original plan was four saddle stitch books
One for players (classes, core rules)
One for spells
One for monsters
And one for GM rules and treasure

But maybe I just have two, and use cards for spells, monster, and treasure.

 

[Parmandur]

It’s Justice and the Keep. Yea I’m hooked.

Yeah, I had no plans to get another Starter Set for myself...but the redo of the classic Module by a talented designer is probsvly worth the price of admission, and the components can be useful.

 

[THEMNGMNT]

This video shows footage of the actual set being previewed at the New York Toy Fair. (Hopefully this link previews OK.)

This Starter Set is totally unlike anything WotC has released before. I love it. You might hate it. But it's not for us. It's obviously meant for people who have zero--ZERO--experience with TTRPGs.

I think it's a great move and long overdue.

 

[Zaukrie]

I'm old enough to remember when this thread was about the starter set.

 

[darjr]

This video shows footage of the actual set being previewed at the New York Toy Fair. (Hopefully this link previews OK.)

This Starter Set is totally unlike anything WotC has released before. I love it. You might hate it. But it's not for us. It's obviously meant for people who have zero--ZERO--experience with TTRPGs.

I think it's a great move and long overdue.

@Morrus

 

[Sacrosanct]

This video shows footage of the actual set being previewed at the New York Toy Fair. (Hopefully this link previews OK.)

This Starter Set is totally unlike anything WotC has released before. I love it. You might hate it. But it's not for us. It's obviously meant for people who have zero--ZERO--experience with TTRPGs.

I think it's a great move and long overdue.

They did a really good job with that.

 

[Spellslinging Sellsword]

Looks great for showing off to young players.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This video shows footage of the actual set being previewed at the New York Toy Fair. (Hopefully this link previews OK.)

This Starter Set is totally unlike anything WotC has released before. I love it. You might hate it. But it's not for us. It's obviously meant for people who have zero--ZERO--experience with TTRPGs.

I think it's a great move and long overdue.

This all looks pretty great. I'm curious how many caves will be available, given they're presumably all getting the battlemap treatment.

 

[Parmandur]

This video shows footage of the actual set being previewed at the New York Toy Fair. (Hopefully this link previews OK.)

This Starter Set is totally unlike anything WotC has released before. I love it. You might hate it. But it's not for us. It's obviously meant for people who have zero--ZERO--experience with TTRPGs.

I think it's a great move and long overdue.

Oh, wow, they are really going with some full board game design and components, here. Nice.