110 of 115 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
If you're starting new it's fabulous., May 23, 2004
This review is from: Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Set (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Three Book Slipcased Set) (Hardcover)
Ok. I'm not going to compare this with the older eds. I'm just going to say for new people joining the game this is alot easier. The set up is quicker, the rules are better, the game is balanced better. This edition is easier to learn from scratch and is better at getting new people in because more is spelled out....
The only complaint... my dice roll low and they need to roll high for everything in this ed. :)
This set is the complete set for the game. If you already have someone running the game then you only need a player's guide to start. If you want to run a game... well.. hopefully you've at least played it before. To run a game you could conceivably need every book imaginable, but many of the rules were traditionally the dm's call.. so just the DM's guide and player's guide is a must. The monster manuel just makes it all a bit easier.
It's fun. It's incredibly interactive and there is tons on the internet to spice your game up. You can even get the character sheets needed online for free.
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71 of 75 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Turn off the Playstation, turn on your brain, November 30, 2004
This review is from: Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Set (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Three Book Slipcased Set) (Hardcover)
Having rediscovered D&D a little over a year ago, I have to say that I like most of the changes they've made since I last played in the mid-80s. To be honest, most of the differences people have pointed out don't even ring a bell for me; they just feel right, suggesting a natural evolution of the game. It's definitely much more complex now, with an intense attention to detail that can be intimidating, but it's all designed in a way that lets you customize the game to your own liking.
And, most importantly, it's still fun to play. Unlike video games, most of which are designed around an individual experience, a D&D game is a collaborative effort that encourages creativity and social interaction from every player. The only boundaries are those of your collective imagination.
This gift set is the perfect way to get back into the game, too, combining the three core books that include all the information you need to create characters, design adventures and populate them with an array of monsters to slay. There's even information on incorporating miniatures into the game, offering a visual aid for those who can't fully make the leap from video games.
Don't make the mistake of thinking D&D is either too complex for kids (my 9-year old niece plays), or too simple for adults (I'm 35). It's a highly-flexible system that can be easily tweaked for the enjoyment of all ages.
The occasional typo aside, the books themselves are well-designed hardcovers and the authors present the material in an engaging way that goes beyond simply explaining the rules of the game. All three books actually represent entertaining reads in and of themselves, something that's not always the case with role-playing publications. These are the cream of the crop.
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24 of 27 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
A well thought out plan, December 10, 2003
This review is from: Dungeons & Dragons Core Rulebook Set (Dungeons & Dragons d20 3.5 Fantasy Roleplaying, Three Book Slipcased Set) (Hardcover)
The artwork is well executed. The layout of the books is not unfamiliar; even though it is 20 years since I last played. This collection was the least expensive way I could review all of the changes made in that time. It saved me just under $40 dollars to local retail sales. The box is nicely laminated; easy to remove the books from, and slip back in for storage. The colors are subdued and tasteful, and will not look garrish or inappropriate on any shelf. This contains the Dungeon Master's Guide, Player's Handbook, and Monster Manual in 3.5 Edition rules. (And I started in the construction paper bound set. My! have we changed.)
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