Dungeons & Dragons "for dummies" edition?

[Acid_crash]

I think this is a great idea...I think that all players are D&D dummies when FIRST introduced into D&D, and gaming overall for that matter. I know I was, and still am, about a lot of things regarding gaming.

Heck, if they had had this book when I started it would have been a much easier transition into playing D&D than being handed a complete player's handbook and told "Pick your race, your class, etc," while the DM was running the game.

 

[woodelf]

As opposed to the D&D Basic Game boxed set?

Yes. Presumably this will be found in "regular" bookstores, hopefully even those that don't otherwise carry RPGs. Frex, i'd expect it to show up in the local Barnes & Nobles, which doesn't stock RPGs. Also, if we're lucky, it'll be in the "how-to" section in some bookstores, mixed in with the Wine for Dummies and Aquariums for Dummies books. Or in the general games section with the chess books. One thing that i don't see any evidence WotC (or anybody) has done is actually grow the market. And providing exposure to people who aren't already looking for RPGs is an obvious way to do this. Even getting D&D books into the book trade won't do this, so long as they get segregated into their own section.

I also hope that it doubles as a reasonably-good "RPGs for Dummies", since one of the problems with growing the hobby is that currently the only significantly-visible intro is D&D, and a fair number of people that would love RPGs are turned off by some of the specifics of D&D [don't like high fantasy, not interested in complex mechanics, etc.]. If it gives a good overview of what RPGs are, not just what D&D is, it could help address that.

 

[Zulithe]

As opposed to the D&D Basic Game boxed set?

The boxed set is the preferred way, I agree. But there are people who may not know anyone else that plays, who may be browsing through a bookstore and come across this book. Most people have at least heard whispers of the game titled "Dungeons & Dragons", but may know very little if anything about how it is played.

This book may be just the jumpstart that is needed to introduce a culture that is used to seeing a "for dummies" book on practically every subject known to man to D&D.



As stated earlier, every little bit counts, and if this can get more people into our hobby then we should be happy. It would also be handy to lend someone D&D For Dummies to read if they are curious about the game. It's just a much more convenient all-in-one solution than the D&D boxed set. ^_^

 

[Algolei]

I played D&D with dummies yesterday. It was our second gaming session, six hours long both times, and each of my four players has almost finished making his character.

 

[Asmor]

I played D&D with dummies yesterday. It was our second gaming session, six hours long both times, and each of my four players has almost finished making his character.

I can sympathize... I really can...

 

[philreed]

I'm actually excited about this book. It should be a fun read and, I suspect, will clarify some things for me.

 

[Ranger REG]

I suspect, will clarify some things for me.

Such as?

 

[philreed]

Such as?

The reasoning behind some of the rules. I hope.

 

[mikedidthis]

I wonder if the authors will stick to 3.5e or if the book will also refer to past rulesets. (i.e. "X is handled with method Y using today's rules but in 2e and 1e, X was handled thusly..."). Dungeons and Dragons is a broad category, and if the book is not being produced under WotC's auspices, I wonder how much breadth will be covered.

 

[KenM]

I heard that with the new DnD basic game is there are some basic rules differences between that and the DnD core books. That could confuse new players. I like the idea of a DnD for dummies book.