Have played yes, just finished our 5th session plus I've run it at a local convention. One thing though...it's not a "starter box". It is a complete game. Rules, dice, play mat, standees, adventure book, pregen characters, solo rules etc. Much as how back in the day you bought the red box (and later the blue box etc.) for D&D.
@@cruciblegaminggroup5471 It's often marketed as the starter box, and we using that as a comparison to show just how much you get in the box compared to the much, much slimmer offerings of D&D
@@TheCharacterSheetlet me start off by saying that I love y'alls content and appreciate that y'all have done this and given this product the spotlight. I appreciate this statement and wish y'all had made this distinction in the video, because anyone that comes across this video will most likely think that after they get this box expensive box they will then have to go buy the actual roles for the game, rather than that this is so they will need to run the game. Again, thank you for putting this out.
Free League just crushing it: Forbidden Lands, The One Ring, Twilight: 2000, Blade Runner, a new Coriolis... Glad you covered their work with Dragonbane.
That is NOT A STARTER SET! You are gonna make people think that they need to buy some book after that. They don't - those are not basic rules. That is a full rule book. The hardcover one is the same book, only in hardcover and without the rest of the stuff.
I bought the box set a while back because I heard good things, but I had no idea at the time it was the whole game. Recently ran it for my D&D group and they liked it so much we may be converting over entirely to Dragonbane instead. It was my first Free League game, but they're now one of my favourite TTRPG publishers because everything they've released oozes quality.
As I'm sure you will be getting notes about this, but I would like to state that this isn't a starter set. Rather this box set gives you not only the rules for the game, but also all of the other things you mentioned. The rulebook that they have available as a stand alone product on their site, it's just a deluxe version of it.
Have played this loved it. It's D&D adjacent, and stands out enough for those looking into something different. I also highly recommend their other game the Alien RPG, which is also fantastic.
I'm a the point that my party is about to enter the final two missions of the campaign. It's been wonderful and I can't recommend Dragonbane highly enough. The box is so much more than a starter. it's all you need for perhaps months of weekly play. The figure tokens are robust and well rendered and the art is great. The game plays fast and clean and even with all the players in my group using a pregen, they have all developed character and their own direction through play.
I think you missed the biggest difference… you move and take one action. But parry/dodge _is_ an action. Meaning that if you go first and choose to attack, you cannot dodge or parry later in the round. This makes combat highly strategic, and deadly. You will _really_ think twice before you run in and attack. If you miss, you are potentially screwed. Often it is better to wait and let the enemy make their move. If they miss their attack, then you can safely attack them. Also monsters always hit. They do not roll for attacks. This means you will have to work together.
Dragonbane rules heavy.... it's tighter but not rules heavy, have you tried running D&D rules as written, going from cover to cover of the PHB, DMG, MM. That is a rules heavy game, it's just so happens to put alot of the burden on the GM. Dragonbane, however crams all of its rules in a single book, with everything into a under 150 page book. Using a 1 to 2 sentences to explain each rule. Dragonbane is a much lighter system than D&D it just puts more up front, besides I can make a Dragonbane character in literarally in 5 minutes from the book, I can only do that in D&D with a website that fast
@@SilverScribe85 what part of "low rolls are good, high rolls are bad" troubles/confuses you? I know some people don't like roll low systems, since it inverts out usual expectations "of a high score is better", but there are lots of non-rpg examples, like golf where a lower score means you did exceptionally well.
@@jacobrodgers7743 That's because low scores make sense in golf, it doesn't in D&D. Nat 20s symbolize a strong attack or successful maneuver made by a player or opponent. To use lower numbers for that feels like a slap to the face for those of us more use to what's more familiar/iconic
Have you played Dragonbane, or are you looking to give it a try? Let us know!
Have played yes, just finished our 5th session plus I've run it at a local convention.
One thing though...it's not a "starter box". It is a complete game. Rules, dice, play mat, standees, adventure book, pregen characters, solo rules etc. Much as how back in the day you bought the red box (and later the blue box etc.) for D&D.
I have played about 20 sessions of Dragonbane. I have really enjoyed the game and hope to play more.
@@cruciblegaminggroup5471 It's often marketed as the starter box, and we using that as a comparison to show just how much you get in the box compared to the much, much slimmer offerings of D&D
@@Decado1628 Love to hear people enjoying their TTRPGs!
@@TheCharacterSheetlet me start off by saying that I love y'alls content and appreciate that y'all have done this and given this product the spotlight. I appreciate this statement and wish y'all had made this distinction in the video, because anyone that comes across this video will most likely think that after they get this box expensive box they will then have to go buy the actual roles for the game, rather than that this is so they will need to run the game. Again, thank you for putting this out.
The Dragonbane box is a complete game. It is the best value in a boxed product I’ve seen. You get the entire rule set, not a basic rules set.
Always good to see reminders that D&D isn't the only TTRPG out there!
Free League just crushing it: Forbidden Lands, The One Ring, Twilight: 2000, Blade Runner, a new Coriolis... Glad you covered their work with Dragonbane.
That is NOT A STARTER SET!
You are gonna make people think that they need to buy some book after that. They don't - those are not basic rules. That is a full rule book. The hardcover one is the same book, only in hardcover and without the rest of the stuff.
I was wondering. I was reading it tonight for the first time and realized it’s probably the full book. Thanks for confirming.
Well, there is a bestiary book with more kin options and more monsters. So you could get that.
I bought the box set a while back because I heard good things, but I had no idea at the time it was the whole game. Recently ran it for my D&D group and they liked it so much we may be converting over entirely to Dragonbane instead. It was my first Free League game, but they're now one of my favourite TTRPG publishers because everything they've released oozes quality.
I REEEEALLY like Dragonbane!
Also, even though the DB starter set is more expensive, you ARE getting the WHOLE game. Unlike with D&D's boxed sets.
I have both played and run Dragonbane and LOVE it.
As I'm sure you will be getting notes about this, but I would like to state that this isn't a starter set. Rather this box set gives you not only the rules for the game, but also all of the other things you mentioned.
The rulebook that they have available as a stand alone product on their site, it's just a deluxe version of it.
This Starter Box is the Start playing the whole dang game, with an entire campaign.
I love how Free League games ive tried so far (Vaesen and Dragonbane) give easy character customization freedom!
Core box is the whole game, not a starter set
Yeah that's a huge difference! As is the amount in the box in general. The # starter set has nothing in it by comparison.
Have played this loved it. It's D&D adjacent, and stands out enough for those looking into something different. I also highly recommend their other game the Alien RPG, which is also fantastic.
Dragonbane my favorite, would like you to cover it.. and check out the unofficial material to it.. it has an "ogl"
Haven't played it yet, but planning a session or two. Looking forward to it, seeing what I read in action.
Looking forward to trying this with my friends
Running a fun session on Foundry VTT
I'm a the point that my party is about to enter the final two missions of the campaign. It's been wonderful and I can't recommend Dragonbane highly enough. The box is so much more than a starter. it's all you need for perhaps months of weekly play. The figure tokens are robust and well rendered and the art is great. The game plays fast and clean and even with all the players in my group using a pregen, they have all developed character and their own direction through play.
I think you missed the biggest difference… you move and take one action. But parry/dodge _is_ an action. Meaning that if you go first and choose to attack, you cannot dodge or parry later in the round. This makes combat highly strategic, and deadly. You will _really_ think twice before you run in and attack. If you miss, you are potentially screwed. Often it is better to wait and let the enemy make their move. If they miss their attack, then you can safely attack them. Also monsters always hit. They do not roll for attacks. This means you will have to work together.
Neat definitely a consideration
The good thing is that this ISN'T a starter set, it's the full game, with an EXPANSION that came out a while ago.
I enjoyed it as a player. It's a nice change of pace and deadlier game than D&D. It's still a bit slow paced and rules heavy for my taste.
Dragonbane rules heavy.... it's tighter but not rules heavy, have you tried running D&D rules as written, going from cover to cover of the PHB, DMG, MM. That is a rules heavy game, it's just so happens to put alot of the burden on the GM. Dragonbane, however crams all of its rules in a single book, with everything into a under 150 page book. Using a 1 to 2 sentences to explain each rule. Dragonbane is a much lighter system than D&D it just puts more up front, besides I can make a Dragonbane character in literarally in 5 minutes from the book, I can only do that in D&D with a website that fast
Why would they make a Nat 20 a Critical Failure instead of a Success
Because it is a roll under system, so lower numbers are better. So 1 is the best possible roll, 20 is the worst.
Roll under systems simplify the math because you do not have to derive a modifier and then add that to your roll. You just roll against the number
@@jacobrodgers7743 Doesn't really make much sense
@@SilverScribe85 what part of "low rolls are good, high rolls are bad" troubles/confuses you?
I know some people don't like roll low systems, since it inverts out usual expectations "of a high score is better", but there are lots of non-rpg examples, like golf where a lower score means you did exceptionally well.
@@jacobrodgers7743 That's because low scores make sense in golf, it doesn't in D&D.
Nat 20s symbolize a strong attack or successful maneuver made by a player or opponent. To use lower numbers for that feels like a slap to the face for those of us more use to what's more familiar/iconic