Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

A couple of years ago, Wizards of the Coast set out to create a new edition of Dungeons and Dragons. One that could bring together fans of all previous editions, whom after 30 years of rules updates and changes had become quite the splintered bunch, all of them loving the same hobby but so settled into their own preferred version of the game that they couldn't even play with one another. And so began a 2-year-long free public play test. The goal was to get feedback from as many players as possible and create a game that truly captured the essence of D&D, with the hopes of reuniting the D&D tribe. So now, after all of the play test packets and surveys and forums, here we are. This Starter Set is the first official product to result from all of that effort on the part of the game designers and the public. So the 2 questions on everyone's mind are 1) How is the new D&D system? and 2) How is the Starter Set as a product? Well, now that I've had the chance to read over the Starter Set materials, I'll add my two cents. As far as the new system goes, I think it's pretty darn good...flexible and not overly complicated, but also not lacking in rules and charts and all of that other fun stuff D&D players like. For those who are claiming that the rules don't feel different enough - from 2nd edition or 3rd edition or Pathfinder or whatever - well, that's the point. It's supposed to feel like Dungeons and Dragons to players of all previous editions. There isn't supposed to be a huge learning curve if you've already played D&D before. And that's a good thing. And yet, there's also just enough new stuff to make this new edition feel exciting as well. The advantage/disadvantage rules, the refined skill list, the less dramatic, more gritty level progression, the unique mechanics of each class. All great, exciting, fun stuff. Now, as far as the product itself goes, I have to give the Starter Set five stars as well. Yes the two booklets are lacking card stock covers and they're bound by staples, but they are made of super high quality paper that really shows off the art and the layout. The rule book explains the game very well, and the adventure, from what I can see, is deep and engaging. And it has all been produced at a price that didn't have my wife raising her eyebrow in my direction (that will come with the hardback books, I'm sure). Basically you get the new rules, the adventure, the characters, the dice, and the (very handy) box for less than you'd pay for a single episode of a Pathfinder Adventure Path (96 pages, list price $22.99). Not a bad deal. As for those complaining that the set isn't flashy enough - that there aren't any player or monster tokens provided, that there aren't any battle maps included, that the character sheets don't have pictures of the characters - this is another intentional move. With this Starter Set, Wizards is bucking the trends established by 4th edition D&D and Pathfinder, and taking D&D in a different direction, one that emphasizes the simplicity of getting together with some friends, keeping some notes about one's character on a scratch pad and leaving the rest up to the imagination. I think it's a brave move in this day and age, and I have to give Wizards credit for that. And, of course, those who enjoy all of the supplementary products have nothing to worry about. There is already a set of miniatures out there that corresponds with the pre-made characters in the Starter Set Dungeons and Dragons Miniatures: Icons of the Realms Starter Set And as the years pass, we can expect all manner of shiny new products, including battle mats, spell cards, and a lot more miniatures. Anyway, speaking as a somewhat experienced gamer who played Advanced D&D back in the day, and recently got back into D&D with 4th Edition, I can say that I'm very pleased with the Starter Set and this new direction for the game. I've been able to quickly familiarize myself with the new system and I'm super excited to get a gaming group together and roll some dice.