D&D 5E Hoard of the Dragon Queen w/ Starter/Basic Rules Only

[Mark CMG]

For those who have gathered up the Hoard of the Dragon Queen, do you think the entire thing could be run using only the Starter Set Rules? What about with the Basic Rules added? Please, none of those "All you need is your imagination and a willingness to improvise" answers. Let's just all agree that's true with any game, provided I don't care in the long run if I am actually playing 5E Basic. If you're familiar HotDQ, what parts of it simply couldn't be used or would require major adjustment on the part of the GM if only using the Starter/Basic rules?


On a related note, how much interest is there in adventures geared toward just the Starter/Basic rules? Are some people already happy with how the new edition has handled gaming in the Basic format and willing to play with naught but what has come prior to the core hardcover books? What sort of WotC support would folks like to see for just Basic?

 

[Mark CMG]

I do see they have released some online info for Starter Set/Basic Rules GMs, which is good, but I'm still looking for more info from folks who have HotDQ in hand, please.

http://dnd.wizards.com/products/tabletop-games/rpg-products/hoard-dragon-queen

 

[Loki-lie-Smith]

I think the book itself answer that question.

 

[Mark CMG]

View attachment 63403

I think the book itself answer that question.

Right. Everything is always compatible. I'm looking for opinions on the actuality of that, details of where that is more true or less true.


Have you read it yet?

 

[Loki-lie-Smith]

Not yet (I got my backers copy of Call of Cthulhu yesterday and for some reason took priority).

That said, remember that the only difference between Basic and PHB is the character options when creating characters (plus feats and Multiclass rules)


I will not be surprised if some builds in the PHB end up having an easier time that the basic classes in some encounters.

 

[Remathilis]

Mark,

From what I've heard, you can run HotDQ using what is already out there.

The module and the online supplement have all the monsters and magic items needed for the adventure.

The Basic PDF has all the rules to play characters up to 20th level.

The online supplement has all the additional spells referenced but not in the Basic Document.

So yeah, you could play all of Tyranny of Dragons using just the Basic Document and the module supplements. You'd be limited in options (4 classes, 4 races, no sublcasses or feats) but its completely doable. The PHB just opens up a lot more options for PCs.

 

[random.brown]

I think it's great that a DM can buy an adventure and run it without purchasing anything else!

Excellent job, Wizards, I'm impressed.

 

[Daelkyr]

One thing I thought I saw mentioned somewhere was that HotDQ has backgrounds in it that are themed to the adventure.

If that is true, it would go a long way to making Basic a viable option for play.

 

[Mark CMG]

This is more about running than playing. I think players could probably use limited PC options to play in anything WotC will put out adventure-wise. I'm more curious if anything in the HotDQ refers to GMing specifics not covered in Basic, essentially stuff that will later be covered in the DMG that has been slipped into HotDQ to cover stuff not in Basic. Obviously, we don't know fully what will be in the DMG, though some of us have clues from the playtest material. So, I'm hoping some folks who have HotDQ will be able to spot any stuff in it that adds to Basic as a bridge to needed DMG material/rules/etc, or references DMG-type stuff that isn't covered in Basic.

 

[Mark CMG]

One thing I thought I saw mentioned somewhere was that HotDQ has backgrounds in it that are themed to the adventure.

If that is true, it would go a long way to making Basic a viable option for play.

Interesting. Anyone have HotDQ that can confirm there are Backgrounds in it?


There is certainly some stuff in the Starter Set adventure regarding Backgrounds and setting-related groups mentioned and encouraged that isn't strictly Basic material.