Wednesday, May 28, 2014

What's in a Name: Basic vs Advanced D&D

I won't be able to get my normal New Comics Day post up today, but I had a thought that I wanted to share.

On top of how awesome having Basic DnD be free I think it's a nice way to honor the legacy of the game (which has historically had a Basic and Advanced component), while keeping it easily marketable.

Even as a kid, with Advanced DnD and Advanced Marvel Super Heroes, I found it confusing how the game was "Advanced" and if that meant I NEEDED to start with "Basic" (I literally thought I couldn't even start with ADnD).  It was an impediment that slowed me from playing my first RPG because I lacked a local hobby store with a knowledgable staff, an experienced gamer to ask or the internet.

While I think it was important to remove both Basic and Advanced from the 3rd and 4th edition eras.
I think bringing back Basic is a great idea because it quickly tells someone it's for beginners and this is where you should start playing the game.  And it's free.

I've been liking the decisions I'm seeing made for 5E and while I can't foresee how I'll feel a year from now, I do know this edition looks like its exactly what I want and the hobby needs.

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