When I started playing D&D in highschool, I was 16 years old and my friend Jon was 11. Someone recently asked me to recommend an RPG like D&D that would be good for children aged 10 and up. This is actually a bit of a tough ask. Jon was that age when he began playing D&D, but D&D has changed. It is much more complex now than it was back then. I first began playing with AD&D 1st Edition, but the first set of rules that I actually owned and read for myself was the D&D Basic Set from 1981 by Tom Moldvay.
Man, I read that book from cover to cover many times. At the time, I preferred AD&D because I saw my basic version as just that, a dumbed down incarnation of the game that I wanted to play. That's the thing about being a kid. You don't want to be talked down to. You want to be lifted up. You want to learn the "grown up" game. In my old age, I've gone the other direction. I really appreciate the clean simplicity of Moldvay basic. It was designed so that players could learn the game by reading the rules. AD&D wasn't.
There are games for kids younger than 10, out there. But, once you hit 10+ it seems to be assumed that you are ready for the big leagues. But D&D is a monster. It's built as a modular framework on which to hang as many products as possible, and unless you have been navigating that landscape for awhile, it can be impossible to figure out how to start.
There is a D&D Essentials boxed set that's good. The trouble is, there are actually several such "starter sets" and they vary in quality. The one that I like is the D&D Essentials set that contains the Dragon of Icespire Peak adventure. It's rulebook is streamlined and surprisingly complete, but it only contains four classes (Fighter, Cleric, Magic User, and Rogue) and it only takes characters up to 6th level.
Still, that's pretty good. It's arguably better than the Moldvay Basic Set. But, it is limiting, and it lets you know that it's limiting. It sets itself up to sell you the "real" game of Dungeons and Dragons. Kids see that and think that they are missing out. Heck, most adults see that and think that they are missing out. I'd happily play this version of D&D, but most would find the limit of four classes and six levels too restricting.
Fortunately, I do know of a game that is complete, and is written to be new player accessible. That game is Dragonbane. Specifically, the Dragonbane boxed set is a real bargain. It contains the full Dragonbane rules, a full prewritten adventure campaign. It has dice, and a beautiful full color map of the world where the campaign takes place. It includes premade characters so that players can jump right in and play. It has standees so that players can have "miniatures" at their table from day one.
I've spoken about Dragonbane before. I have mentioned that I like it as an alternative to D&D because it is easier and more accessible. I have spoken about the beautiful artistic presentation of the books and unequaled product quality. But, I realized as I was answering my friend's inquiry, that Dragonbane is also a perfect entry level product. It's the Tom Moldvay Basic of my youth, without any of the limitations.
The inclusion of extras like standee miniatures and a decks of cards for equipment and treasure push this product over the top.
This is the full list of what the Dragonbane boxed set contains:
- Rulebook with fast and effective D20-based game rules for character creation, skills, combat, magic, and travel
- Adventures book with eleven complete adventures, to be played separately or tied together in the epic Secret of the Dragon Emperor campaign
- The booklet Alone in Deepfall Breach letting you play Dragonbane solo
- Huge full-color map of the Misty Vale
- llustrated playing cards for adventures, treasure, and more
- Ten transparent polyhedral dice, including two custom D20s
- Five pregenerated characters
- Five blank character sheets
- Cardboard standees for characters and monsters
- Double-sided battle mat
I own the boxed set as well as the hardcover rules book and a monster book. It's all gorgeous. If you own the boxed set, you don't need the hardcover of the rules. In fact, you don't need anything else. The softcover that is included in your boxed set is identical to the hardcover except for one short introductory adventure that they added. The monster book has all of the same monsters in the core book, and adds more. It's not necessary, but cool if you really get into the game and want to explore further.
I hope that Dragonbane gets more love and continues to grow as an introductory and advanced RPG product. I think that it's brilliant and it is one of the most attractive (if not THE MOST ATTRACTIVE) products that I own.
Oh, and did I mention: You can play a DUCK!
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