paizo.com - Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures: War Drums Starter Set

Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures: War Drums Starter Set
Wizards of the Coast

War Drums marks the first D&D Miniatures Starter Set since Aberrations. There are some notable differences between the War Drums Starter and the Aberrations Starter. For instance, the War Drums Starter includes double-sided maps instead of terrain tiles. Not only that, but we've made an effort to provide a better "out-of-the-box" experience for brand-new players.

Part of that effort was the inclusion of two "fixed" minis in every Starter Set: the Wood Elf Ranger and the Orc Mauler. In the new Quick Start Battle booklet (also included in the box), the elf and orc square off against each other in a one-on-one skirmish that helps teach the basics of the skirmish game. One of the four maps found in each Starter Set, the Broken Demongate battlemap, has a 5x12-square section outlined in the middle specifically for this first battle. Because each player uses only one mini, and it takes only a few minutes to show the basics and play out the battle, the quick start game can be played a few times in succession to get a new player familiar with the game.

While buying a starter will land you both the elf and the orc, you can still acquire these common minis in a standard booster.

Are there errors or omissions in this product information? Got corrections? Let us know at webmaster@paizo.com.

Changes don't please everyone
Reviewer: Lady Aurora
Thu, Feb 8, 2007, 08:33 AM

This set is the worst. Absolutely not worth the money! The changes made to improve the product are the very things that lead me to complain - sturdy, versatile tiles are way better than large, unique, flimsy, easily-torn paper maps. Two non-random characters - a wood elf & orc, neither of which is very impressive; guarantee I won't be buying two of these boxed sets. Easy directions for the mini game - which holds no appeal to me personally. And no checklist? This whole thing is a total waste of money!

Nice! The game keeps getting better and better!
Reviewer: Michael Griffith
Wed, Jul 12, 2006, 11:39 PM

The miniatures are better - the paint jobs are more precise and the sculpts are of better quality than in past editions/sets, IMO.

The rules are clear and easy to understand.

The tiles/maps are great for miniature game play and play in the D&D RPG.

This is a fun game that can feed your need for fast fantasy.