The basic rules pdf should be available for free download sometime in next 24 hours?
The basic rules pdf should be available for free download sometime in next 24 hours?
I admit, I'm looking forward to this change. I loved Star Wars: Saga Edition and even d20 Modern (conceptually, never actually had the chance to play a game with the rules set). I'm hoping it is a bit more broad in its class definitions and open in its class ability definitions. That said, until I see something genuinely interesting with the rule system, I will be keeping with the pre-4e systems (Mutants and Masterminds, included) as my primary games of choice.
Is the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set the same thing as the free pdf but just in hard copy form?
Initially, no. The Starter Set has everything you need to run an adventure with the new edition. The PDF created is just the basics for players (race, class, items, etc.). As books roll out (Monster Manual, DMG, etc.) the PDF will be updated to incorporate those elements. The point of this is to create basic characters from 1-20th level from the PDF to use in the Starter Set if you don't like Pre-Generated characters. The Starter Set, if I'm not mistaken, only goes to 5th level. SO if your group completes the adventure and wants to continue past 5th level, they'll need the PDF to continue their characters.
Of course you can completely by-pass the Starer Set, pick up one of the various Adventures already published (Murder in Baldur's Gate, Death in Thay) and use the free PDF to create characters that complete these.
Is the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set the same thing as the free pdf but just in hard copy form?
No, the starter has a 64 page adventure that isn't part of the basic PDF. The starter only covers levels 1-5 (PDF covers 20 levels). The starter includes pre-gens and advancement rules for them but doesn't include character creation. The starter has dice.
The Basic PDF is essentially select parts of the upcoming PHB and represents the core of the game. Parts of the MM and DMG will also make it into the PDF as they get finalized. It's a subset of the three core books.
Free pdf is online!