I have to admit that I am really happy with it. The rules do exactly what I want them to do: be 5e without all the extra rules and fluff that I will never use. I much prefer low-to-mid level play and have very rarely seen characters, either as a player or a referee, get beyond 6-7th level. I will grant that the rules do not include monsters or magic items, but I don't see this a an issue. There are a number of monsters included in the adventure that comes with the kit. Additionally, I have so many monster tomes from a plethora of editions that I will never be lacking in that particular department. The kit also comes with a nice selection of Magic Item Cards, which is a nice touch, literally. There is something wonderfully tactile about getting a card for a potion that one then "turns in" when used.
The thing that I really love about this box set, though, is that there is an even simpler game hidden within. I make no bones about the fact that one of my favorite versions of this game is Tenkar's Swords & Wizardry Continual Light. It strips down the rules of classic D&D to its essentials and still allows us to play the classic game. The D&D Essentials Kit introduces a new rule that paves the way for creating a "Continual Light" version of 5e.
On pages 63 and 64 of the Essentials Rulebook is Appendix A: Sidekicks. It re-introduces and re-skins the classic ideas of the henchmen and hireling with an interesting twist. It takes some of the NPC classes from 3e and converts them to 5e. There are three: the Expert, the Spellcaster, and the Warrior. These are presented in a monster stat-bloc with rules to advance them all the way to 6th level.
In other words, you have three stripped down classes: a Rogue-type, a Wizard-type, and a Fighter-type. The spell list is simple:
0 level:That's it.
Fire Bolt
Guidance
Light
Mage Hand
Resistance
Sacred Flame
1st level:
Bless
Burning Hands
Cure Wounds
Shield
Shield of Faith
Sleep
2nd level:
Aid
Invisibility
I suppose one could introduce Backgrounds and/or more choice with Skills, but neither is at all necessary. If one just uses the Skills available to these three Classes, this is all you need to know:
Acrobatics
Arcana
Athletics
Investigation
Perception
Performance
Persuasion
Religion
Slight of Hand
Stealth
Survival
Thieves' Tools
I have to admit, I am sore tempted to typeset a "Continual Light" edition of the 5eSRD using these three NPC classes as a jumping off point. Before I go down that rabbit hole, however, I wonder how many would be interested in such a thing?
Would you?
I've considered doing a redo of the basic rules with copy and paste from the site. Adding some nice artwork and making it all old school looking
ReplyDeleteI wholeheartedly agree with you. I need to pick this up at some point. My wheelhouse is early levels. I may just create my own house rule version.
ReplyDeleteI picked up the Essentials Kit recently as one of the regular players in my old school game wants to run 5e for me. The Essentials Kit s a pretty complete game, especially considering you can get monster stats for free online from Wizard through the DM rules download.
ReplyDeleteI've considered putting together my own stripped-down 5e rules, so I think there are probably a lot of us out there interested in a Continual Light version. In fact, Chris Perkins mentions that during the playtest for the EK adventure, some people just wanted to use the sidekicks. It starts at 9:06, but the quote is closer to 9:40: https://youtu.be/faj9-SJInCE?t=546
@shanepatrickward, @Chris Hall
ReplyDeleteThanks for the words of encouragement. Typesetting is underway!
I’d be interested in something that simple. I have enjoyed a couple of memorable campaigns to about 14th level, but they were special. Most were in the range 1-7, and there was just something special in hitting 3rd level and realising 4th and 5th were do-able. Monsters and spells and magic items I can add in as needed. A good simple core to work with would be great.
ReplyDeleteYeah, I'm actually looking at 5e Essentials as a 5e I wouldn't mind playing, but a 5e Continual Light hack would be even more up my alley :)
ReplyDelete