I think the essential kit is better because my players always have trouble with making their own characters and I think the rulebook will make it easier and Also the cards will help them keep track
I agree! Those cards are great reminders about conditions, the items, and combat. Also I think the screen will really make gameplay smoother for all kinds of players
I've been already dming 5th for a few years now, so I'm probably not the targeted audience, but I think the content provided makes this one of the best starter products ever published. The only thing I don't understand is the complete exclusion of pregens. Some groups like to jump start into the adventure without having to use up a session with character creation. Adding like 5 additional sheets would't have raised the production cost too much. This is however only a minor complaint, as you can download pregens for free on the wizards website.
@@br0adsw0rd65 That's a good point. Clearly they want people to get into character creation with this kit, but including some pre-gens would be preferred by some players, I'm sure. They might indicate that free pre-gens are available online somewhere, but I didn't read that section thoroughly yet.
90% of D&D is about the characters. Learning to build them makes you a better player and understanding how they work. If you do not have time to character build D&D might not be for you. The introduction of sidekicks is nice, you could use them as pre-gens for a quick start.
Hey Bob, I've poured over every video I could about this campaign as I'm a new DM and relatively new to Dnd too. Your positive attitude and helpful demeanour has kept me coming back. I DM'd my session 1 of Icespire Peak and used a lot of your tips on the Umbrage Hill quest to make it an exciting adventure for everyone and it worked! I added a magic bridge they had to cross (with a puzzle) after the dragon had split the land and made the manticore weak and seeking aid. It all worked really well! so thanks for making great content and keeping the good vibes!
Just got this set for my roommates and I! it will be my first time DM'ing and their first time playing. Very excited but but also trying to make it as simple as possible since it will be a first for all of us but I also feel like im psyching myself out and prepping too much
That’s sick man! I’m doing the same very soon! I’ve played dnd before, but this will be my first time DM’ing and I think my friends/party are gonna have a blast
Wow this is a newish channel isn’t it? You’re doing awesome keep it up 👏 One of my favorite D&D channels already with what I’ve watched. I’ll keep my 👀 open every Wednesday. 🔔 Ding. 😁
"Thunderous boar, hope that is not too much of a spoiler" *turns page to dm map* XD But no hard feelings from this fellow dm, thanks for the nice review!
I started playing solo as a player and dm. Just to get an idea of the situation before laying it out for the family. Short story is my level 1 warlock and sidekick both nat 1 a persuasion attempt on a manticore. Sidekick died and warlock ended up with 1 hp and the npc saved us. Bad roles....
I would love it you covered Storm Lord's Wrath, Sleeping Dragon's Wake, and Divine Contention : ) It's a HUGE pain that there isn't a PDF or hard copy, but they're still included in the Essentials Kit.
I really wish Wizards of the Coast would put out more of these smaller, magazine-style modules like are included in the two starter sets and essentials kit
Coophack6584 I recommend checking out the ‘Dragon Of Icespire Peak DM Guide and Gameplay’ playlist on my channel. The episode 0 covers the town of Phandalin where the party begins, and episode 1 covers the first quest I suggest you start your players with, Umbrage Hill. UA-cam doesn’t like links in the comments, so let me know if you have trouble finding the playlist or videos on my channel
Haha, well many many videos on my channel are for DMs. Maybe I should say it more often. In the meantime, enjoy the rush of power as you watch more videos :)
Thanks for the feedback! I will do another video about the adventure. Depending on how my first gameplay video goes (filming tonight!), I will also do gameplay of the Dragon of Icespire Peak!
If you haven’t seen them, I have some DM guide and gameplay videos for the first two starter quests. They’re part of this Essentials Kit playlist, and you can find them on my channel under videos!
Hey there Bob! I’m a newer DM and my crew is currently playing LMOP. We want to play both dragons of shipwreck isle AND dragons of Icepire peak together for our next campaign and have them level from 5-15. I was planning on starting with shipwreck first then move back inland. What tips or ideas can you provide? How should I combine them for smoother game play? Thanks!🎉
It seems crazy that they produced this set to be playable as a two player game (1 DM + 1 Player character) but didn’t follow it up with their adventure books making it practically impossible to play any adventure with less than 4 or 5 characters.
Well they expect you to use the newly introduced sidekicks. But yes most adventures require the DM to... well, DM. Adding or subtracting enemies is mainly all you need to do.
You're welcome! I saw there are already a lot of quick unboxing videos, so I wanted this review to have more details about the contents. Glad you enjoyed it!
@@BobWorldBuilder yes, i like the in depth aspect. some of the other videos i've seen just skim over everything like 'there's this, and that, and it comes with this, and good night, see you next week.' i think nowadays it's beneficial to read and watch reviews for products and i am not impressed with the quality of some of the items in this kit (similar gripes with the stranger things box) but i will purchase this essentials kit specifically for dice, campaign, and duet rules. also the maps would be cool since i'm running LMoP for a small group. the rest i think is super cheap. the dm screen; just frame it and hang it on the wall. the cards; come on, die cut that shit, WotC, it can't be that much more expensive! seriously, i'm a graphic designer, i've done press checks, i know about printing processes. if they're going to print 8.5x11 sheets and run a perf die on it...why not just use nicer stock and die cut some decent cards? i guess the cost of labor would be where the money is spent. idk. they've got their reasons i'm sure.
@@jasonpbass Right, the quality is lacking in places, but even if those cards don't last long, I think they're a great tool. Same goes for the screen. Wizards had great ideas for this product, keeping it cheap is the struggle.
Thanks for watching! And yes, after making this video I decided I should make a video about the adventure and another about the sidekicks. Those will be coming out later this summer!
@@jasonpbass Actually filming my first gameplay video in a few hours - not of this adventure however. If it goes well enough, I will probably do more for this module!
Interesting that they don't include stat blocks with the sidekick cards, I guess we're expected to write all their stats down on our own seperate piece of paper? Surely they don't expect new players and DMs to just keep reverting back to the rulebook... 🤦♂️
I bought the Italian version of this Essentials Kit in Italy in autumn 2022 and there are neither QR codes nor product keys whatsoever :( Would the US version include those codes in fall 2022?
This box set includes a pre-written setting and adventure (The Dragon of Icespire Peak) for you to play, but you can add to or take away from that story however you like! I have a playlist of videos about how to run it, and my recommended changes to make it more fun
BP2009ism The set does not include pregenerated characters, but it includes a thorough section on character creation, or you could find free ones online. I also have a video about character creation in my how to play D&D series :)
Bob World Builder in lost mine of phandelver, knowing that the essential kit is in the same region, I wanted to know if it also talks about tresender family
I hope you feel better, but my lawyer told me to say this: Bob World Builder (TM) is not liable for any physical, emotional, or mental discomfort incurred by viewers during this video.
@@BobWorldBuilder You could also, you know, put the book down or prop it up on a stand rather than holding it so you aren't shaking it. (Also, make sure the camera has a tripod, too.) When you are showing someone something to read in particular, having it jiggle is really disconcerting.
Get the Essentials Kit on Amazon! amzn.to/2N8U60r (affiliate)
Does the D&D Essentials Kit meet your expectations?
I think the essential kit is better because my players always have trouble with making their own characters and I think the rulebook will make it easier and Also the cards will help them keep track
I agree! Those cards are great reminders about conditions, the items, and combat. Also I think the screen will really make gameplay smoother for all kinds of players
I've been already dming 5th for a few years now, so I'm probably not the targeted audience, but I think the content provided makes this one of the best starter products ever published. The only thing I don't understand is the complete exclusion of pregens. Some groups like to jump start into the adventure without having to use up a session with character creation. Adding like 5 additional sheets would't have raised the production cost too much.
This is however only a minor complaint, as you can download pregens for free on the wizards website.
@@br0adsw0rd65 That's a good point. Clearly they want people to get into character creation with this kit, but including some pre-gens would be preferred by some players, I'm sure. They might indicate that free pre-gens are available online somewhere, but I didn't read that section thoroughly yet.
90% of D&D is about the characters. Learning to build them makes you a better player and understanding how they work. If you do not have time to character build D&D might not be for you. The introduction of sidekicks is nice, you could use them as pre-gens for a quick start.
Hey Bob, I've poured over every video I could about this campaign as I'm a new DM and relatively new to Dnd too. Your positive attitude and helpful demeanour has kept me coming back. I DM'd my session 1 of Icespire Peak and used a lot of your tips on the Umbrage Hill quest to make it an exciting adventure for everyone and it worked! I added a magic bridge they had to cross (with a puzzle) after the dragon had split the land and made the manticore weak and seeking aid. It all worked really well! so thanks for making great content and keeping the good vibes!
Very happy to hear that! Thank you for the support :)
Just got this set for my roommates and I! it will be my first time DM'ing and their first time playing. Very excited but but also trying to make it as simple as possible since it will be a first for all of us but I also feel like im psyching myself out and prepping too much
That’s sick man! I’m doing the same very soon! I’ve played dnd before, but this will be my first time DM’ing and I think my friends/party are gonna have a blast
How did it go? I got mine recently too.
Wow this is a newish channel isn’t it? You’re doing awesome keep it up 👏 One of my favorite D&D channels already with what I’ve watched. I’ll keep my 👀 open every Wednesday. 🔔 Ding. 😁
It is! I really appreciate the support 👍🏻
I was meh running that adventure for my first time ever DMing but I now own about 30 sets of dice and those dice are easily my best rolling dice
"Thunderous boar, hope that is not too much of a spoiler" *turns page to dm map* XD
But no hard feelings from this fellow dm, thanks for the nice review!
Haha, a quick glance at the map never hurt! Thanks!
I started playing solo as a player and dm. Just to get an idea of the situation before laying it out for the family. Short story is my level 1 warlock and sidekick both nat 1 a persuasion attempt on a manticore. Sidekick died and warlock ended up with 1 hp and the npc saved us. Bad roles....
I commend you for not fudging any rolls as player, DM, or manticore! I hope that experience still led to you sharing the game with your family!
I would love it you covered Storm Lord's Wrath, Sleeping Dragon's Wake, and Divine Contention : ) It's a HUGE pain that there isn't a PDF or hard copy, but they're still included in the Essentials Kit.
I will be doing a video for each of those, but not until we wrap up Icespire Peak :) I appreciate your eagerness!
"there isn't a PDF or hard copy"
So what is there?
@@lucasterable just DnDBeyond web-based content :(
I really wish Wizards of the Coast would put out more of these smaller, magazine-style modules like are included in the two starter sets and essentials kit
I actually bought one of these based on your review! Keep up the good work!
Thank you for your support!
I like the D&D Essentials kit walkthrough/ DM guide you're doing. Keep it up .
Thank you! New episode of that series coming next Wednesday 👍🏻
Will tune in but how would you start the campaign
Coophack6584 I recommend checking out the ‘Dragon Of Icespire Peak DM Guide and Gameplay’ playlist on my channel. The episode 0 covers the town of Phandalin where the party begins, and episode 1 covers the first quest I suggest you start your players with, Umbrage Hill. UA-cam doesn’t like links in the comments, so let me know if you have trouble finding the playlist or videos on my channel
For some reason when he said to not to watch one part of the video I felt really powerful knowing It wouldn’t madder because I would be the dm
Haha, well many many videos on my channel are for DMs. Maybe I should say it more often. In the meantime, enjoy the rush of power as you watch more videos :)
This video finally convinced me into buying the essentials kit, so thanks
Awesome! Be sure to check out my playlist about running Dragon of Icespire Peak :)
cRYOvain not Cyrovain
Yep, I learned after this video haha :) Thanks for subscribing!
I do want to see a guide & gameplay of Dragon of Icespire Peak.
Thanks for the feedback! I will do another video about the adventure. Depending on how my first gameplay video goes (filming tonight!), I will also do gameplay of the Dragon of Icespire Peak!
+1
If you haven’t seen them, I have some DM guide and gameplay videos for the first two starter quests. They’re part of this Essentials Kit playlist, and you can find them on my channel under videos!
Interesting and challenging to run. Food for thought. Thanks
Glad you enjoyed it!
Hey there Bob! I’m a newer DM and my crew is currently playing LMOP. We want to play both dragons of shipwreck isle AND dragons of Icepire peak together for our next campaign and have them level from 5-15. I was planning on starting with shipwreck first then move back inland.
What tips or ideas can you provide? How should I combine them for smoother game play? Thanks!🎉
Great review and I'm looking forward to getting this! Newly subscribed
Corey L Thank you! It’s really a great box set, and thanks for subscribing!
It seems crazy that they produced this set to be playable as a two player game (1 DM + 1 Player character) but didn’t follow it up with their adventure books making it practically impossible to play any adventure with less than 4 or 5 characters.
Well they expect you to use the newly introduced sidekicks. But yes most adventures require the DM to... well, DM. Adding or subtracting enemies is mainly all you need to do.
Yeah, 4 pcs is kinda the standard. I usually play with 2 or 3, so am already used to adding an npc helper, the sidekick rules will come in handy.
This just came out on Amazon today!
Nice! I think it might not be shipped until Sept 3rd though
great vid! thank you for showing the kit in more detail.
You're welcome! I saw there are already a lot of quick unboxing videos, so I wanted this review to have more details about the contents. Glad you enjoyed it!
@@BobWorldBuilder yes, i like the in depth aspect. some of the other videos i've seen just skim over everything like 'there's this, and that, and it comes with this, and good night, see you next week.' i think nowadays it's beneficial to read and watch reviews for products and i am not impressed with the quality of some of the items in this kit (similar gripes with the stranger things box) but i will purchase this essentials kit specifically for dice, campaign, and duet rules. also the maps would be cool since i'm running LMoP for a small group. the rest i think is super cheap. the dm screen; just frame it and hang it on the wall. the cards; come on, die cut that shit, WotC, it can't be that much more expensive! seriously, i'm a graphic designer, i've done press checks, i know about printing processes. if they're going to print 8.5x11 sheets and run a perf die on it...why not just use nicer stock and die cut some decent cards? i guess the cost of labor would be where the money is spent. idk. they've got their reasons i'm sure.
@@jasonpbass Right, the quality is lacking in places, but even if those cards don't last long, I think they're a great tool. Same goes for the screen. Wizards had great ideas for this product, keeping it cheap is the struggle.
Extremely Wonderful Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit Video by you Sir.....😝🤨😝🙃
please go for the video analysing the adventure! thanks for the video!
Thanks for watching! And yes, after making this video I decided I should make a video about the adventure and another about the sidekicks. Those will be coming out later this summer!
@@BobWorldBuilder yeh, get some peeps together and just run it and on camera.
@@jasonpbass Actually filming my first gameplay video in a few hours - not of this adventure however. If it goes well enough, I will probably do more for this module!
thanks for this!
My pleasure!
Interesting that they don't include stat blocks with the sidekick cards, I guess we're expected to write all their stats down on our own seperate piece of paper? Surely they don't expect new players and DMs to just keep reverting back to the rulebook... 🤦♂️
I bought the Italian version of this Essentials Kit in Italy in autumn 2022 and there are neither QR codes nor product keys whatsoever :( Would the US version include those codes in fall 2022?
Maybe a dumb question but could you use the sidekicks as pre generated characters?
Thx for the video
My pleasure!
Went to target today and they didn’t have it 😒😒😒. Might need to order it online
From what I was reading online and saw in my store, each location only stocked ~10 units. Hopefully they order more soon!
Is this adventure better than the one in starters kit and is it longer than that?
I have a separate review on the starter set and another video doing a quick comparison of the two. The SS adventure is longer, and they are both fun!
@@BobWorldBuilder thanks a lot!!!!!
can you play this with only two players? because it says 2-4 players
Great video, im new to the game and i plan to run it in a one on one with my gf, some tips on how to run it would be great
Thanks! There’s videos on my channel of DM tips for the quests and recordings of my 1-on-1 gameplay sessions with my gf!
@@BobWorldBuilder that's perfect, Thanks a lot +1 sub
Thanks for subscribing!
Does the rulebook cover multi classing at all?
nice!
Im new to d&d and thinking about getting this. Is this D&D a campaign itself or do I make up my own?
This box set includes a pre-written setting and adventure (The Dragon of Icespire Peak) for you to play, but you can add to or take away from that story however you like! I have a playlist of videos about how to run it, and my recommended changes to make it more fun
@@BobWorldBuilder thank you. I'll look into it. I appreciate it. :)
@@BP2009ism Happy to help with any questions about this kit!
@@BobWorldBuilder Sorry, one more question. Would me and my group create our own characters for this set?
BP2009ism The set does not include pregenerated characters, but it includes a thorough section on character creation, or you could find free ones online. I also have a video about character creation in my how to play D&D series :)
The perpherated cards really bother me. Those definitely aren’t gonna hold up.
Probably not, but I think if they’re stored in the box and handled with some care, they might have a chance
Good morning, on this adventure, say something about the family trensender??
I haven’t read the whole thing yet. What section are you referring to?
Bob World Builder in lost mine of phandelver, knowing that the essential kit is in the same region, I wanted to know if it also talks about tresender family
@@delviofilho1488 Gotcha, I will do some digging, and be sure to report back here or mention it in the review :)
Bob World Builder ♥️
Did some double-checking, and no sign of the Tresender family :/ There are only a few NPCs mentioned, mostly shopkeepers
So basically, nothing that's actually "essential" got it 👍
Please stop shaking the book right in front of the camera - it's making me motion sick.
I hope you feel better, but my lawyer told me to say this:
Bob World Builder (TM) is not liable for any physical, emotional, or mental discomfort incurred by viewers during this video.
@@BobWorldBuilder
You could also, you know, put the book down or prop it up on a stand rather than holding it so you aren't shaking it. (Also, make sure the camera has a tripod, too.) When you are showing someone something to read in particular, having it jiggle is really disconcerting.
You sound like a 10 year old XD
@@WraithMagus L