Dungeons & Dragons Basic Game

Rating:
Summary: Good for entertainment
Review: D&D is an amusing pastime like "Magic:The Gathering." The problem with RPGs is that, like the Internet itself, D&D, Magic, etc., people who prefer being Kendroff the Halfling 24/7. The only time you need to be Kendroff in public is if you're in the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy. Although I did enjoy the TV series on Saturday Mornings and the Dragonlance chronicles.

Everyone's heard of all the cases, especially CRUEL DOUBT, where D&D figured in a homicide or some sort of criminal activity.

I'm not saying that D&D is inherently criminal--most D&Ders I knew were just in it recreationally and there is a camaraderie about getting together and playing. The humorous saying goes, "Reality is a crutch for those who can't cope with fantasy." Just make sure you can cope with both.

Rating:
Summary: Not worth it
Review: I have been waiting for this product to be release for a long time. WotC missed the release date twice on this product, which started my frustration against this product, but I will not let that affect my review of this latest Dungeons and Dragons release.

I am new to Dungeons and Dragons. I have read through the Player's Handbook, but was waiting for this product to be released so my friends I could play an adventure, which was suited for beginners.

My first thought was that the rules in the basic game do NOT follow the rules in the Player's Handbook. I understand that not all the rules could be included in the basic game, but I was under the impression that the basic game would include only the essential rules from the Player's Handbook need to play the game. Not the case. The basic game changes the rules stated in the Player's Handbook. There are numerous examples I could state, but here are some:

* You do not roll for initiative. Each player is given a hardcoded initiative stat, and your turn is based on that number. There is no variation in the order you take from battle to battle.

* You cannot cast magic spells or use a ranged weapon if you are adjacent to a monster. In the Player's Handbook, you take a penalty. In the basic game, you just are not allowed to.

* Diagonal movement is measured differently in the basic game. In the Player's Handbook, it is calculated using a 1,3,4,6,7,9 method. The basic game uses a 2,4,6,8,10,12 scale.

There are a couple of other key differences, too, that I will not go in to right now. Again, I understand they had to 'dumb down' the rules to allow new players like myself to understand them, and to allow them to quickly play the game, but these rules are totally different from what is stated in the Player's Handbook. This confuses new users when they switch from the basic game, to a real gaming session.

The adventure that comes with the book is absolutely a waste of time. It is not even an adventure. You start in a room, you move to the next room kill some enemies, and its over. The online demo WotC offers is more detailed then this 'adventure.' Couldn't they include a town, and some NPCs. At least give the PCs a quest to handle.

I really do not feel tiles should have been included with this basic game. It gives the basic game too much of a board game feel. This is not what D&D is about.

As far as the production quality of the game goes, this is also a lost cause. The miniatures that came with the game were shoved under the rulebooks, and tiles, so that most of the miniatures had a 'flat' look to them. They were basically bent at their feet, and looked like they were in a laying down position when I stood them up on their base. I tried to bend some of them back to their upright position, but three of the miniatures broken from their bases when I did this. Also, the cards that come with each miniature are found in the back of the rules book, so you will have to rip them out. They are also poorly perforated so they all have jagged and ripped sides.

The miniatures also came individually wrapped in their own plastic bag. However, they were not sealed. Actually, whatever machine they use to seal the bags must have been offline because the bags were sealed on an angle, instead of straight across the top of each bag; so the seal was not long enough to close the bag entirely. Two of my miniatures were found loose in the box when I opened it.

The dice that come with the game are a joke. You get one of each type, and they are all have a different color. Think of a rainbow. Bright yellows, oranges, purples; not really the colors that get you in the mood to slash some goblins. No bag either.

The tiles are nice, but again, give the game too much of a board game feel.

In summary, I really think the rules that WotC have changed in the basic game (as compared to the Player's Handbook) hurt a beginner. It is not teaching them the Core Rules that the Core Rulebooks state. The production quality was also poor. I suggest beginners grab the Player's Handbook and give it a read. Then go watch a gaming session at your local game or hobby shop. If you want to play at home first, I recommend an adventure like the Sunless Citadel to start with (after reading through the Core Rulebooks). Yes, the Sunless Citadel is based on 3.0, but you can still use it with the 3.5 rule set. This adventure will give you a great feel to what Dungeons and Dragons is all about.

Dungeons and Dragons is definitely worth learning and playing, but please stay away from this basic game. You will be taught the wrong rules, and you will come away thinking D&D is a board game.

Rating:
Summary: Not bad
Review: I have this game. Just got done playing it w/ my nephew. I have not played D&D since late 80's but picked up the "new" basic set on a whim because it had been a long time.
After using the quick start manual, my nephew's first question was "where did you get this game"? because it was fun.
This Basic Set has its limits, but it was a good refresher and easy to get back in the game w/ a new player.

I hope this review helps because one reviewer rates the game w/o even mentioning anything about the product or game play.


Rating:
Summary: In regards to the religious...
Review: Okay, in the past, Dungeons and Dragons was ridiculed by the religious for nothing. It was a new game that came out that featured, heroes, dragons, evil, good, and everything else that makes a fantasy what it is. So when I read the review by the Kristin, I had to come here to put my two cents in on everyone's behalf.
This product is a game. Nothing else. Just like Monopoly, Life, etc. The difference is that this game requires a bit of imagination. Have I bought this product? Yes, for my daughterm and she is eight years old--the same age that I started playing (I'm 30). She has fun with it along with me and my wife.
I advise other customers not to listen to the religious stuff that someone my put in about demons, devils, violence related to reality, and all the other lies. If you want to believe that this game is evil, then stop watching movies like Lord of the Rings, Conan, and stop watching cartoons period. Because if you think that Dungeons and Dragons is evil, then everything else that we, as humans, enjoy shgould be evil to you as well. If they aren't 'evil' like Dungeons and Dragons...I'm not going to resort to name calling. It just boils down to being a hypocrite.
If you're lookiing for something to spark your or your childrens' imaginations, get this game. It's fun, sociable, and entertaining.

Rating:
Summary: So many minatures, so liitle money
Review: The box comes with the following 16 Minitures

Adventurers: Aramil, Eberk, Regdar, Lidda

Monsters: Dire Rat, 4 Kobolds, 2 Skeletons, Wolf Skeleton ,Black Dragon , 2 Orc Warriors, Troglodyte



The Black Dragon is well scuplted/painted and well worth the price of box set by himself.

A sililar pack of Kobolds from reaper would retail for $10.

All of the Iconics match their D&D artwork down to the last detail

If you bought similar models and dice from any other manufacturer it would cost you at least $60, to get it at Amazon's bagain price is too good of a deal for any D&D miniatures enthusiast to pass up.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent for younger players...
Review: There was no Kendroff in "Lord of the Rings" the "Internet" has nothing to do with D&D and no one anywhere has ever died or gone crazy from Dungeons and Dragons. Check the facts, they are out there. This is a game that has inspired three dimensional thought and imagination in millions of people. This is perfect for young people wishing to become involved in a great social and creative activity. This game builds strong reading and communication skills. This is a perfect starter set for anyone wishing to just give it a try. I bought this to play with my two younger brothers and it has been a great way to bond and spend time together. The only evil of D&D is the propaganda that the ignorant feel they should spread. This game is as evil and unhealthy as the Easter Bunny or the Tooth Fairy.