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Lower prices are better for those "impulse buys"... but are they actually cheaper?

Two of the Essentials books (Forgotten Kingdoms, and Fallen Lands) are 19.95 each.  Total of ~$40, together.  One PH1 [at original price] is 34.95.  So ~$35 for the same amount of content.

And not to mention the fact that they mentioned they are going to be "digest size".

I don't know about you but when I hear that, I think of Readers Digest which is a small soft covered pocket book. However, considering how the Adv. HS1 and 2, as well as the sites and Races booklets have manifested themselves, I think that's what they're referring too; in which case, doesn't still make them not worth the money over all like the nicely put-together hard cover books?

Jul 13, 2010 -- 9:33AM, yellerSumner wrote:

Unfortunately, I can't find a source at the moment, but I believe it's been stated that the Rules Compendium will be 320 pages long with dimensions of 6"x9" and the image of the cover does match the proportions.

I'm not sure if it's been stated if the Essential "Heroes of..." books will be "full-sized" or 6"x9" but the current image proportions match "full-sized." According to the product catalog, they are each 352 pages long while Amazon has them listed as 368 pages.

Amazon and the Product Catalog both list all of them as paperbacks.

I can't find where I read it just yet, but when I do I will post it.

Another thing I wat to add to this thread is this. In this link inthe opening comments they state: "10 products that form the foundation of the Dungeons & Dragonsroleplaying game moving forward." An then under the heading: "Specifically, we made it look just like the “Red Box” from the early 1980s, including using the classic cover art by Larry Elmore and the original D&D logo. Inside, however, it uses the newest version of the game."

Can someone please tell me what the difference is between a 'version' and 'edition'? To me the terms seem interchangeable in this regard.

And coupled with the above statement, it would seem like a 4.5 or more like 4.3 as some call it. Wheather a person calls it a .3 or .5 doesn't that pretty much mean the same thing?

Granted, it may not be a .5 as was 3 to 3.5 but nonetheless it's still a new version/edition. The only thing is that WoTC isnt' officially calling it a .5 like they did in 3.5 b/c it didn't set well before and decided to just call it Essentials; and THIS time make the original books somewhat compatible.

Either way you look at it, it's a newer version/edition, bottom line. Just look at the character classes opposed to the way they originally were released in 2008 and with them moving "forward" from THAT point on in August, doesn't it seem like it's a newer version/edition but compatible with 2008's books so as not to take to much away from us 4e (2008) lovers?

That's just the way I see it. IF it is or isn't, we will see but I am just skeptical.

Jul 13, 2010 -- 9:33AM, yellerSumner wrote:

Unfortunately, I can't find a source at the moment, but I believe it's been stated that the Rules Compendium will be 320 pages long with dimensions of 6"x9" and the image of the cover does match the proportions.

I'm not sure if it's been stated if the Essential "Heroes of..." books will be "full-sized" or 6"x9" but the current image proportions match "full-sized." According to the product catalog, they are each 352 pages long while Amazon has them listed as 368 pages.

Amazon and the Product Catalog both list all of them as paperbacks.

Ok found it. but I think I see it now only refers to Heroes of the Fallen Lands and Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms.

The Essentials Player Character Classes

Now let me tell you about the heart of the Essentials—the player character classes. The player character classes presented in Heroes of the Fallen Lands and Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms were designed after reviewing two years of game play. Feedback from players contributed the most in shaping the design, but we also had to keep in mind that the classes needed to be accessible to new players and players returning to the game since the launch of the newest edition of the rules. As luck would have it, there were a number of areas where a design that could bring new players up to speed also matched the feedback for change we heard from a lot of established players.

So let’s talk about what we were able to jam into these digest-sized paperback game books.

This is where you misunderstood. You seem to have taken "uses the newest version of the game" to mean "the newest version of the Dungeons and Dragons Fourth Edition game". If you read the previous sentance, rather than isolating the part you helpfully bolded, italicized, and underlined, it is quite clear that he is saying that although the box is being done up to look like the 1980's "Red Box", it will not contain the rules that were in the original "Red Box", and will instead use the newest version of the game, which is Fourth Edition.

You're reading alot into this comment, things that just aren't there, and I daresay it's because that's what you're trying to hear. It is quite clear that he means that it won't use the Original D&D rules from the 1980's "Red Box". He's not saying it'll be using the new version that they made like a month ago and will totally be 4.5. You either grossly misinterpreted what he said, or you purposfully miquoted this comment.

First of all why would I do it purposefully?  1. That's not even nice for anyone to do, and 2. that makes no sense what purpose would it serve? Why so accusitional?

But, I understand where you said "that's where I was reading into it and misunderstood", no need to be unkind though, good lord. I guess if I was to read it with the way you say it, it does make sense, that's all that had to be said. 

Besides, I only B I U so as to have it stand out to emphasise what I read, the way I read it.

You did helped me to understand it better. So...... thank you?

Your quote is right Evrything does (seem) to make you angry.