Just wondering since this is a community enthused with games. I’m curious about these D&D products since I’m in a weird place in my life right now where I want a good meaty game, but something that does not continue from week to week like a proper rpg. I spent years of playing fairly freeform, character driven pen and paper games and currently that does not appeal to me.
So how are these D&D products? Anybody using them? They look to be something that can be completed in a few hours rather than a few months. Also how “modable” are they? My friend owns a TON of D&D miniatures from the tabletop strategy game and I’m wondering how easy it is to create extra encounters or semi scripted dungeons.
The D&D Board Games are surprisingly good at giving one the feel of playing a tabletop RPG without all the work of creating a character, adventuring for a few game sessions then having them killed in a randomly stupid way after investing all that time into them. That being said I think it is a good investment overall. As far as modable they could be moded fairly easily but it might just be easier to play them as is. Although I do know of a few instances where a friend of mine actually added monsters into the board game with very little difficulty. I think the rules might also support variances of the dungeon as well but I am not to sure about that.
The new Dungeon Command games (not yet released as of this writing) might be more up your alley when it comes to the miniatures side of the game though.
I’ve been hearing good things about Lords of Waterdeep. I know that’s not really the D&D board game you were talking about, though. It’s much more in the Euro worker placement category. But still, it’s D&D and board game.
I pretty much agree with Conscience. They’re pretty good “light” d&d games. If you are familiar with 4.0, they take very little time to learn, and if you aren’t, it takes JUST a bit more. They successfully provide the “feel” of d&d, but obviously with much less options and choices.
I also agree that the new Dungeon Command stuff might be better for modding.
We have and like very much the Drizzt game. We like that it’s character-driven (we like that in our games, which is why SotM is so compelling for us) and each character feels different to play. You play through a series of scenarios, so each time you play it feels like you’re playing out a chapter in a continuing novel, which helps tie together the entire experience but still allows you to break it up into easily digestible game night chunks.
The rules are, I’d say, just good enough to be enjoyable, but don’t stare at them too hard or you’ll start to see the seams. You can tell they had a concept they wanted to make rules for rather than great rules they attached a concept to. But it’s not a deal breaker at all. And the quality of the components is top-notch (I love games with lots of little figures to move around a board), so I’d say it’s worth its purchase price.
I’ve played Ravenloft and Ashardalon. They were both a lot of fun. I can see modding it easily enough. The cards are interchangeable between the games already, and the Dungeon Command stuff can also be used with it. So, there is already some flexibility. Making your own characters, encounters, and events should be fairly straightforward.
Dungeon Command looks like a continuation of the previous tactical miniatures game that my friend invested into but we never play due to setup time. I kind of wish that back then you got a box with an army rather than building from random boxed units. That said the other reason we did not play much is that I’m a big tactics guy and play any turn based game, but Tom and gang (despite him buying the figs) are not as big on it. For sure I’m looking for a cooperative game like the boardgames, and based on the comments I’m a little excited about it.
I’ve played Ravenloft and… eh. I’m really not a fan of 4th Ed and it was basically all of what I don’t like about 4th Ed (lack of options/imagination, simplified battle tactics, etc) and none of what I like about RPGs (the role playing, character creation, creative use of resources).
We played it with our regular gaming friends while eating dinner and maintaining a lively and productive conversation (check out http://lawandthemultiverse.com/ - written by our group’s rogue who happens to be a lawyer in addition to being an awesome guy who loves comics). So, basically, not enthralling or anything but good enough for ‘something to do’ while otherwise hanging out with friends.
Yeah, way back in the day I got an early boxed starter from my aunt and uncle and kind of had to homebrew from there onward… so our games where very much centered on character and improv and less on “hey I bought a new expansion!”. That said I designed and ran like 20 other systems since so at this point in life I’m like “open box, play game, close box”. I have read 4th edition and I understand the criticism… it is designed like a miniatures game rather than a role playing game. It is cliche to say it is trying hard to be an MMO but the comparisons are inside the actual rule books… “this character class is the tank!”.
