D&D 5E 5e Boxed Sets, what should WotC make?

[RobJN]

On their next run at a Basic Set, I'd like to see spell and subclass ability/feature cards*, like we got for the initiative, condition, and NPC & magic item cards in the Starter Set and Essentials kit. Also, like in the Wilderness Kit, some laminated grid pages.

*hmm... now that I think about it, they could do individual class boxed sets, expanding the selection from what's in the Basic Rules to encompass the total Player's Handbook. With expansions covering all the Guides' new subclasses, spells and such

 

[aco175]

I do like both the Phandalin box sets and would like a 3rd to tie in with them, but still be more a beginner set. They could make a home base in Leilon or Triboar to keep things close and tie all them together. It could even be another Phandalin to re-use some things and keep the cost down. I would like to see a updated town with some changed from the first set though.

I do not mind the 'gargets' like cards, dice, and handouts. The box is an introductory module to the game after all. I like battlemaps and minis, but I know that 5e is more away from having to use these. A sample of one section would be cool to see with a handful of pogs or something as an introduction for younger players and even older players like my father who likes to see things laid out since his 'theatre of the mind' is not as great as it used to be.

 

[robus]

On the other hand, I wonder about the utility of a boxed set in these days - it remains to be seen whether the post-Covid world will see a mass return to face-to-face gaming or if electronic gaming will remain vastly more popular. (I'm not saying "don't do it", of course. I'm seeing "wait and see".)

If anything this isolation has made me more determined to make in person gaming part of my life again.

 

[robus]

I do not mind the 'gargets' like cards, dice, and handouts. The box is an introductory module to the game after all.

I’ve found the cards to be quite helpful for new players. The character sheet can be a bit overwhelming/abstract so its easy for new players to see that yes they do have a potion of healing card and can turn it into me when they consume it.

 

[timbannock]

Unpopular opinion: every adventure should be its own box set with battle maps, poster maps with stickers for exploration ala Gloomhaven, monster minis/pawns, monster cards ala Inkwell Ideas' 5e creature decks (the official ones with oversized cards are annoying) and magic item cards.

The PHB should be a boxed set with spell cards and minis/pawns.

Basically, non-prestige versions of the Beadle&Grimm releases, plus a player-focused box. I think hardcover rulebooks are really not to D&D's strengths anymore. 4e Essentials almost got it right and B&G goes a little too far (which is great if you can afford it...). Somewhere between the two is my platonic ideal.

 

[Gorg]

Definitely put out an "Expert" boxed set! With the rest of the PC races, Gnomes; Half-Orcs; Half Elves, etc; The rest of the classes: Sorcerer; Ranger; Paladin; Barbarian; Bard; Warlock, and Druid; Plus, the full list of domains, archetypes, etc.

Include an expanded spell list, the rest of the equipment, and the rules for levelling 7-15.

Also include a DM's booklet with more monsters and treasures, and suggestions for building your own adventures. With the treasure tables, build-a-NPC and build-a-monster rules.

And a good adventure to get you started on mid-level play.

Case candy:

another set of 11 dice. Red this time.
extra character record sheets- and spell sheets!
a few sheets of hex and graph paper.
Themed DM screen.
Large campaign map set of all of Central Faerun.

Kara-Tur boxed set. Introducing Oriental style adventures.

Shining South boxed set. For Al-Qadim style play.

Maztica boxed set.

Mystara

Ravenloft

Greyhawk

etc.

Or a themed set, releasing 1/year, for stuff like maritime adventures, gothic horror, etc.

 

[fba827]

Well first question is what makes a good/appropriate boxed set.
For me the better boxed sets have been ones with hand outs or maps that need to be separate /separated from the text.
This tends to imply boxed sets for DMs, which is less target audience/sales than player base

 

[darjr]

I would love a big box of battle maps from the various adventures. Give me dozens in a box. Folded posters paper would be just fine for me.

 

[bedir than]

More tie-ins with other products like Rick & Morty and Stranger Things. The 5e era Boxed Sets are going to be introductions to the game, not some nostalgia play (for those you'll get a rare WotC product and Beedles).

I expect this is the way we'll see DragonLance, as a Boxed Set that grabs onto the zeitgeist of the re-release would be a good way to get new people involved in those stories.

We will certainly see it with "The Movie" and "The TV Show."

I'm intrigued by the idea of the Forgotten Realms MtG set then being reflected into a D&D boxed set. Heck, toss in a playable Brawl deck.

A tie-in to a major band that features D&D in a song or album would be interesting. The list of musicisions producing music inspired by our game continues to grow.

And with all the fantasy TV shows coming out it's time to explore another one of those. Some of those worlds don't have an RPG yet. Many, clearly, started as homebrew settings. Grab another one or two of those. Box it up. Launch some new audience into the d20 lifestyle.

 

[Doc_Klueless]

5e Star Frontiers Box Set that includes Alpha Dawn and Knight Hawks (no Zebulon Guide please)... Oh, how I crave thee.