Dungeons and Dragons Player's Handbook: Roleplaying Game Core Rules: Arcane, Divine, and Martial Heroes: Roleplaying Game Core Rules

I had tired of running games under third edition some years ago mainly because it was a lot of hard work to DM for characters over 10th level. I went and played Savage worlds for a few years which is a lot easier to run. I wasn't going to buy 4th edition writing it of as a corporate money grab but I got a chance to play in a demo game and i had a lot of fun. I have now run it a few times and my players and I have had a good time. sure their are problems with it, familiar races and classes are missing but it is so much more easier to run and prepare for and my players are enjoying the increase in options in combat and role playing scenes. Its a nice tactical wargame with added roleplaying. The Skill challenge rules really encourage roleplaying.

It's been so long since I played D&D that I can't really remember what it used to be like, so comparisons are difficult. But recently, myself and a few friends who also hadn't played in years somehow decided to sit down with the latest edition and give it a go.The sessions have been great fun - our first was a 7-hour marathon that seemed to be over in minutes. The experience itself is wonderfully addictive - playing with the Character Builder found on the Wizards site is practically a game unto itself.For anyone else who is looking for an excuse to hang out with friends sans alcohol, or simply revisit the role-playing of their spotty youth, I would highly recommend taking a look at the new 4e D&D.

This official player's handbook is beautifully illustrated, concise and set out in a simple way to introduce anyone to the world of tabletop role-playing games. It doesn't matter if you're new to the whole thing or a seasoned veteran of dungeons and dragons, the book explains everything you need to know to get the most from this edition of the rules.

This is one of the core books for the Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition "pencil and paper" role-playing game (RPG), setting out the rules the players need to know to play the game.Whether you buy this really depends on whether you want to find out about or play D&D 4E - if you do, you need this book (or at least a friend who has it).This book has all the standard sort of things you would expect - How to Play, Making Characters, etc, with major sections on Character Classes (the biggest), Equipment, and Combat. There is no spell list as such (it is covered in the Charater Classes section for the magic-using classes) but there is a section on Rituals (slow and sometimes costly ceremonial magic). Because of the size of the Character Classes section (more than 100 pages), some of the other sections are a bit thin and you will have to pay out for one of the many supplementary books if you want them fleshed out.The character classes themseolves are the standard ones (but with a new take in many cases), but there are two new races - Dragonborn (dragonish humanoids) and Eldarin (a blend of the classical "faerie" elves and Tolkienian high elves).The game itself is based on 3rd edition, but simplified and streamlined, substituting lots of options and abilities (hence the size of the Character Classes section) for the high degree of flexibility that 3rd edition offered. The approach is more 'gamist' and in some ways is more similar to that adopted in computer RPGs such as Diablo. Despite the superficial similarities, it is quite a different game to earlier versions of the D&D, and the differences shouldn't be underestimated.In the experience of my playing group, it is fun to play (if a bit tactically unforgiving#, but we haven't been playing it for very long.The book itself is sturdy and well produced, well written, and well illustrated #although it doesn't move very far away from the "cleavage" depiction of female characters). However, the index is a bit scanty.In conclusion, I think this is a decent product, but I am not convinced it marks a major step forward in D&D in the way that 3rd Edition D&D did. It is a game that is enjoyable enough in an intermediate basis but has yet to show itself as delivering long term entertainment.

I hadn't played dungeons and dragons since I left school, though I still painted miniatures in my spare time. Then my son got in to Warhammer 40K and then we tried this. Now the whole family plays (in secret of course!). I think this version is great - and the presentation eclipses everything that has gone before. The children tuned in quickly to the play, especially around the newly introduced class powers. I think this is because they share some commonality with computer games where characters can select powers or upgrades as they progress (think Skylanders). Keeps us all busy for one night of the week and lets their imaginations run wild. Well done.

I really dont see any problem with this. I would use this, just like the older editions, as a guide rather than a rulebook. The combat is balanced and fast moving simple and fun. You want to to have depth add it! It's your game! I believe that those who need more of the same old from 4e than this should buy the older editions that are still being sold or scrape the rust off of their unimaginative stubborn dwarvern DMs skull caps and find remember why they started playing DnD in the first place.