Customer Reviews

Dragonlance Classics: 15th Anniversary Edition (AD&D Fantasy Roleplaying)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

I own the original adventure series and have played them several times, but this book still gave me tons of new possibilities to explore!My favorite things Steve Miller and Stan! did were the way they interwove subplots throughout--like the way they used Kitiara and her henchmen, for example--the suggestions for using dragons in a DL campaign, and the way they staged the climax in Neraka. It was much better than both in the original adventure series AND the novel! I also liked the way newer book characters like Ariakan and Dalamar have been placed into the storyline. It's also great to finally get maps and adventure material for Kalaman and Port Balifor!The art was also some of the best that has graced the pages of Dragonlance, ever. I don't think the Companions have looked this good since Larry Elmore drew them way back in "Dragons of Mystery." My favorite illos are the one of Tanis on p.13, Tas on p.17, the one of Sturm on p.18, and the ones of Laurana on ps. 23 and p. 208. I also love the picture of Alhana on her griffon on page 153. I hope Daniel Cramer is going to be doing more Dragonlance art.Another very cool aspect of the book is how the writers managed to write it so it works for two game systems, yet still did it in such a fashion that non-gamers can read the book and enjoy it. (Like my roommate is doing.)If there's any complaint, it that some of the maps are a bit hard to read. I would have liked a bit more definition on some of the terrain maps. There are times when it's a bit difficult to tell a lake from a plain, or the ocean from land.Still, this is definately a Five Star effort!

The Dragonlance Saga is the longest-standing TSR series ever, the archetype of "classic" AD&D. With the advent of the SAGA rules system, however, and the absence of Weis and Hickman in the creative process until recently, Dragonlance has taken a turn for the worse. However, this book is a great way to get back to the basics of what made Dragonlance and AD&D great back in the late 80s. Old-timers can play the epic again in a stream-lined, comprehensive book, made new by the inclusion of SAGA-style rules. Classic AD&D rules are also provided, though I recommend giving SAGA a shot, even if you're not into the Fifth Age products. Those new to the Dragonlance series can take part in what made it so great. The Chronicles and Legends novels have seen their third or fourth reprint for good reason.

I do have a few gripes about the material. I suggest that the referee running the adventure be familiar with the novels and make suitable changes as he sees fit. In some ways, this adventure follows the original adventure modules more than it does the novels, meaning that the same inconsistencies exist, even though Dragonlance Classics does include several sections explaining how the plot was advanced in the novels. I advise making some changes to the statistics of the characters to better reflect the novels. If you have any of the expansion material for Fifth Age, you can still use some of it to enhance your use of this product--there are simply a few adjustments to be made, which are not difficult at all.

In short, any Dragonlance or AD&D fan looking for a quality product should seriously consider this one. They are few and far between.

I'm Tracy Hickman, one of the authors and original designers of the Dragonlance world. Steve Miller and Stan! Brown have, with this volume, taken our original game designs, completely reworked them, and given them back to us as a highly polished gem. I, for one, am grateful to them both for producing a remarkable, fresh and lovingly crafted retelling of the original adventure game.

I love the Dragonlance setting, and have for years, but this was a let down. I'd much rather have had a second printing of the original adventures than having them totally reworked in the Saga format. Fans of the original series, I think you should stay away from this. For newcomers this is an ok starting point, and I guess if you want your collection to be complete, like I did, buy this. Otherwise, it's not worth your time.

For those DMs out there who, like me, want to play those original classic DL adventures, DON'T BUY THIS! The format, style, and most importantly, QUALITY of this product is well below the standards set by the orginals. Personally, I'd have much preferred a reprinting of the orginal modules rather then this. Basically, this is a Saga book with D&D stuff added as an afterthought simply to increase the sales potential. I dunno, Saga players might enjoy, but D&Ders - steer clear and try to find some old copies of the originals.

While it's probably more appealing to SAGA Partisans such as myself than to hardcore D&D fans, this deluxe adventure belongs on every DRAGONLANCE lover's bookshelf as a comprehensive guide to the locations and characters of the War of the Lance, as well as one of the best tellings of that era I've yet seen.

I've seen it compared with the original adventures, of which I own about half. In my view, this rewriting lacks some of the encounters and elements of the original, but makes up for that with stronger characters and plotting, tighter continuity, and a greater sense of scope and freedom.

_DRAGONLANCE Classics, 15th Anniversary Edition_ has become my fundamental reference of the last years of the Age of Despair, and I recommend that everyone with an interest in DRAGONLANCE or in epic fantasy campaigning take a look at it.

The reprinting of the original 15 adventures has finally been released, marvelous, extremely detailed and rewritten with some new encounters.

I read the Dragonlance Chronichles nearly ten years ago now, but I've just recently started playing D&D. I can tell you that this book is great no matter what angle you approach it from. As a reader it goes into details that were never covered in the novels, like what happened at the Icewall. As a player and more recently a DM this book provides what are in my opinion some of the finest written D&D adventures.

And don't let the SAGA rule system turn you off, the book includes regular AD&D stats for everything as well.

I can't recommend this enough.

Firstly, I am glad that the previous reviewer enjoyed the art enclosed. However, art is subjective and I have to admit that I was disappointed in the portayals of the characters in pictures. Elmore is still my favorite DL artist. One of the reason I picked Krynn as the world I will build an epic campaign upon is the art associated with it. If you are wanting to run the original adventures, track down the modules through friends, auctions, and used book stores. But still get this book in order to expand your knowledge of the chronicles and such. In my case I will be running a campaign that is not going to follow the chronicles. However the heroes of the lamce will be there doing what they always do. If the player characters encounter them, any number of things could happen. I am gathering as many resourcesas possible in order to be prepared for whatever may come. That is what makes this book essential. My player characters may wind up having to take over for Tanis, Raistlin, and Tas if they cause trouble. Need better maps? Track down the atlas, trail map, original modules or just use your own creativity.

I read the Dragonlance Chronichles nearly ten years ago now, but I've just recently started playing D&D. I can tell you that this book is great no matter what angle you approach it from. As a reader it goes into details that were never covered in the novels, like what happened at the Icewall. As a player and more recently a DM this book provides what are in my opinion some of the finest written D&D adventures.

And don't let the SAGA rule system turn you off, the book includes regular AD&D stats for everything as well.

I can't recommend this enough.