by The Undead Rat on July 1, 2009
Many people have loved ones who are avid players of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) or want to get started playing the game but don’t know where to start. Purchasing your first D&D products can be daunting unless you have a guide — someone who knows and that’s this series of articles proposes to do. This week we’re covering the adventures that are out for Dungeons and Dragons 4th ed.
Remember, if you are interested in this book, click the mouse on the book cover to order it from an online bookseller.
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Thunderspire Labyrinth (Dungeons and Dragons Adventure H2)
Author: Baker, Richard and Mike Mearls
Format: Paperback
Type: Adventure
Page Count: 96pp.
Pub. Date: July 15, 2008
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
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A 4th Edition Dungeons and Dragons adventure for characters of levels 4-6
Beneath Thunderspire Mountain lies a sprawling network of mazes, tombs, and caverns collectively known as the Labyrinth of Lost Souls. In recent years, this vast labyrinth has become a living dungeon where trade between the surface and subterranean worlds is possible. However, beyond the well-lit halls where prospectors, merchants, and traders convene lies a darker world where adventurers battle monsters and fiendish beings perform secret rituals for their dark masters. . .
H2 Thunderspire Labyrinth is a Dungeons and Dragons adventure designed for heroic-tier characters of levels 4-6.
This product includes an adventure booklet for the Dungeon Master, a player’s booklet containing new character options and campaign information, and a full-color poster map, all contained in a handy folder.
H2 Thunderspire Labyrinth is the second adventure in a three-part series that began with H1 Keep on the Shadowfell and concludes with H3 Pyramid of Shadows. It can also be played as a stand-alone adventure.
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Who is This For?
Adventures are pre-made stories that the DM can use in whole or in parts, for a game session with the group. Each adventure contains pictures, text, maps, plot line and character/monster information — material a DM needs to run the game. Of course the DM will still need the core rule books and dice.
If you are buying a Dungeons and Dragons product for a loved one, you might consider giving this if:
1.) He or she is serving as a part-time or full time Dungeon Master. The Dungeon Master’s Screen contains the rules only the DM should have access to. Players who have no interest in serving as a DM should not have access to this book.
2.) She is an accomplished Dungeons and Dragons DM in an earlier edition but is now looking to try out the 4th edition rules. The have changed substantially and are needed if she’s to participate in the online component.
3.) He is new to Dungeons and Dragons and doesn’t have a group of players. Chances are he’ll have to be the DM when he brings his friends together to play. This would be a good purchase only if he expresses a willingness to be the DM.
Do not buy this if:
1.) She is certain she only wants to be a player. The role of DM is taxing and requires a lot of pre-game preparation and creativity. Many Dungeons and Dragons players live happy lives never touching the Dungeon Master’s Screen.
2.) He is certain he wants to continue playing an earlier version of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
2.) She is still uncertain if she wants to continue playing the game or not.
Best Use of This Product:
The Thunderspire Labyrinth is primarily for DM’s to use in place of their own home made adventure — as elements a DM can pick and choose and drop into his or her game session. This is an ideal second game for new DMs and players as it requires the characters reach the fourth level before they begin.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by The Undead Rat on June 29, 2009
Many people have loved ones who are avid players of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) or want to get started playing the game but don’t know where to start. Purchasing your first D&D products can be daunting unless you have a guide — someone who knows and that’s this series of articles proposes to do. This week we’re covering the adventures that are out for Dungeons and Dragons 4th ed.
Remember, if you are interested in this book, click the mouse on the book cover to order it from an online bookseller.
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Keep on the Shadowfell (Dungeons and Dragons Adventure H1)
Author: Cordell, Bruce R. and Mike Mearls
Format: Paperback
Type: Adventure
Page Count: 96pp.
Pub. Date: May 20, 2008
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
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A D&D adventure for characters of levels 1-3.
The town of Winterhaven stands watch over a ruined keep that was once a bastion of good in the realm. This keep overlooks the Shadow Rift, a dark scar in the world that was once a gateway to the Shadowfell but has been dormant for many years. Now, an evil cleric of Orcus, Demon Lord of the Undead, seeks to re-open the gate, and the only thing standing in his way is a small yet determined band of heroes from Winterhaven.
Keep on the Shadowfell is an exciting Dungeons and Dragons adventure designed for characters of levels 1-3. It includes three double-sided poster maps suitable for use with Dungeons and Dragons miniatures, as well as information on the town of Winterhaven and environs.
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Who is This For?
Adventures are pre-made stories that the DM can use in whole or in parts, for a game session with the group. Each adventure contains pictures, text, maps, plot line and character/monster information — material a DM needs to run the game. Of course the DM will still need the core rule books and dice.
If you are buying a Dungeons and Dragons product for a loved one, you might consider giving this if:
1.) He or she is serving as a part-time or full time Dungeon Master. The Dungeon Master’s Screen contains the rules only the DM should have access to. Players who have no interest in serving as a DM should not have access to this book.
2.) She is an accomplished Dungeons and Dragons DM in an earlier edition but is now looking to try out the 4th edition rules. The have changed substantially and are needed if she’s to participate in the online component.
3.) He is new to Dungeons and Dragons and doesn’t have a group of players. Chances are he’ll have to be the DM when he brings his friends together to play. This would be a good purchase only if he expresses a willingness to be the DM.
Do not buy this if:
1.) She is certain she only wants to be a player. The role of DM is taxing and requires a lot of pre-game preparation and creativity. Many Dungeons and Dragons players live happy lives never touching the Dungeon Master’s Screen.
2.) He is certain he wants to continue playing an earlier version of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
2.) She is still uncertain if she wants to continue playing the game or not.
Best Use of This Product:
The Keep on the Shadowfell is primarily for DM’s to use in place of their own home made adventure — as elements a DM can pick and choose and drop into his or her game session. This is an ideal first game for new DMs and characters as it starts the players out at first level.
Popularity: 1% [?]
by The Undead Rat on June 3, 2009
Many people have loved ones who are avid players of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) or want to get started playing the game but don’t know where to start. Purchasing your first D&D products can be daunting unless you have a guide — someone who knows and that’s this series of articles proposes to do. Here are the For Dummies series of Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition game books.
Remember, if you are interested in this book, click the mouse on the book cover to order it from an online bookseller.
Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition For Dummies |
Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition For Dummies
Author: Slavicsek, Bill and Baker, Rich
Format: Trade Paperback
Type: Roleplaying Game Core Rules
Page Count: 456pp.
Pub. Date: July 15, 2008
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
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Explore the fantasy world of Dungeons and Dragons and delve into dungeons, slay monsters, and gain treasure!
If you’ve been thinking of playing Dungeons and Dragons or you’ve played before and you want to get up to speed on the all-new 4th Edition, this is the book for you. Here’s what you need to know to join the fantasy fun.
- D&D terminology — understand what ability check, modifier, saving throw, AC, gp, hp, and XP mean
- Roll the dice — add modifiers and see if you rolled the d20 high enough to beat the challenge
- Minding your manners — know D&D etiquette so you’ll be welcome in any adventure
- Character building — select your character’s race and class, and choose the best powers, skills, feats, and gear
- Roleplaying — give your character a background and personality quirks
- Combat — use combat rules, a battle grid, and miniatures to play out furious battles
Open the book and find:
- Everything a new player needs to get started playing D&D
- Details on four fantasy races and four iconic classes
- Explanations of every number and statistic on the character sheet
- The best magic items and equipment for characters of all classes
- Advice on roleplaying and teamwork
- A ready-to-use adventure to get you started as a Dungeon Master
- A ready-to-use battle grid with character and monster markers
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Dungeon Master 4th Edition For Dummies |
Dungeon Master 4th Edition For Dummies
Author: Wyatt, James; Slavicsek, Bill and Baker, Rich
Format: Trade Paperback
Type: Roleplaying Game Core Rules
Page Count: 408pp.
Pub. Date: November 2008
Publisher: Wiley Publishing
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Whether you’ve been a Dungeon Master (DM) before and want to fine-tune your skills or want to get ready and take the plunge, this is the book for you. It gives you the basics on running a great game, info for more advanced dungeon mastering, guidelines for creating adventures, and tips for building a campaign. It shows you how to:
- Handle all the expressions of DMing: moderator, narrator, a cast of thousands (the nonplayer characters or NPCs), player, social director, and creator
- Use published adventures and existing campaign worlds or create adventures and campaign worlds of your own
- Conjure up exciting combat encounters
- Handle the three types of encounters: challenge, roleplaying, and combat
- Create your own adventure: The Dungeon Adventure, The Wilderness Adventure, The Event-Based adventure (including how to use flowcharts and timelines), The Randomly Generated Adventure, and the High-Level adventure
- Create memorable master villains, with nine archetypes ranging from agent provocateur to zealot
To get you off to a fast start, Dungeon Master For Dummies includes:
- A sample dungeon for practice
- Ten ready-to-use encounters and ten challenging traps
- A list of simple adventure premises
- Mapping tips, including common scales, symbols, and conventions, complete with tables
Authors Bill Slavicsek and Richard Baker wrote the hugely popular Dungeons and Dragons For Dummies. Bill has been a game designer since 1986 and leads the D&D creative team at Wizards of the Coast. Richard is a game developer and the author of the fantasy bestseller Condemnation. They give you the scoop on:
- Using a DM binder to keep records such as an adventure log, PCs’ character sheets, NPC logs/character sheets, treasure logs, and more
- Knowing player styles (role players and power games) and common subgroups: hack’n’slasher, wargamer, thinker, impulsive adventurer, explorer, character actor, and watcher
- Recognizing your style: action movie director, storyteller, worldbuilder, puzzlemaker, or connector
- Using miniatures, maps, and other game aids
- Using 21st century technology, such as a Web site or blog, to enhance your game
The book includes a sample adventure, The Necromancer’s Apprentice, that’s the perfect way to foray into DMing. It includes everything you need for a great adventure — except your players. What are you waiting for? There are chambers to be explored, dragons to be slain, maidens to be rescued, gangs of gnoll warriors to be annihilated, worgs to be wiped out, treasures to be discovered, worlds to be conquered . . .
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Popularity: 36% [?]
by The Undead Rat on June 2, 2009
Many people have loved ones who are avid players of Dungeons and Dragons (D&D) or want to get started playing the game but don’t know where to start. Purchasing your first D&D products can be daunting unless you have a guide — someone who knows and that’s this series of articles proposes to do. Today we continue our look at the still popular Dungeons and Dragons 3.5 edition with the Rules Compendium.
Remember, if you are interested in this book, click the mouse on the book cover to order it from an online bookseller.
Rules Compendium |
Dungeons and Dragons Rules Compendium (Roleplaying Game Supplement 3.5 ed.)
Author: Sims, Chris
Format: Hardcover
Type: Roleplaying Game Supplement
Page Count: 160pp.
Pub. Date: October 16, 2007
Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
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The definitive reference guide of Dungeons and Dragons core rules.
Tired of hauling all of your D&D rules supplements to the gaming table? Having trouble finding the rule you need? The Rules Compendium supplement takes all of the game’s most important rules and presents them in a single comprehensive, easy-to-reference volume for players and Dungeon Masters.
In addition to presenting the rules of the game, the Rules Compendium incorporates official errata as well as behind-the-scenes designer and developer commentary explaining how the rules system has evolved and why certain rules work the way they do.
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Who is This For?
If you are buying a Dungeons and Dragons product for a loved one, you might consider giving this if:
1.) If He is having trouble understanding how some of the more complicated rules of the game work (like attacks of opportunity), loses time searching through several books for a particular rule or is just curious as to how some of the Dungeons and Dragons rules came about.
2.) He or she is serving as a part-time or full time Dungeon Master. This book contains the rules only the DM should have access to. Players who have no interest in serving as a DM should not have access to this book.
3.) She is an accomplished Dungeons and Dragons DM in an earlier edition but is now looking to try out the 3.5 edition rules.
4.) He is new to Dungeons and Dragons and doesn’t have a group of players. Chances are he’ll have to be the DM when he brings his friends together to play. This would be a good purchase only if he expresses a willingness to be the DM.
Do not buy this if:
1.) She is certain she only wants to be a player. The role of DM is taxing and requires a lot of pre-game preparation and creativity. Many Dungeons and Dragons players live happy lives never touching the Rules Compendium.
2.) He is certain he wants to continue playing an earlier version of the Dungeons and Dragons game.
2.) She is still uncertain if she wants to continue playing the game or not.
Popularity: 39% [?]
