kyrin
Commander
3146 Posts
    
 | | 10/14/2007 7:21 PM |
| So... what are YOU going to tell people?
I am in dire need of suggestions. Do I tell people about the impending 4th Edition, even as I introduce them to 3.5? I don't think it's a good idea to tell folks to wait for 4.0, since in six months they are likely to just do something else. On the other hand, should I promote a product that may disappear from the FLGS shelves in 6 months? Argh!
Advice, please.
JIM
aka kyrin | |
My Have/Want List <-|-|->My Trades and References 1 <-|-|->My Trades and References 2
Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome!
Vindicated Champion of the Stirge! Vindicated Champion of the Githyanki Knight on Red Dragon!!
Vindicated Champion of the Androsphinx! | |
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Star
Sergeant
978 Posts
New Britain, CT
| | 10/14/2007 9:02 PM |
| When in doubt - tell the truth.
Tell them that D&D is a fun game. Tell them about the 3.5 rules. Tell them about the impending 4th edition release. Tell them not to invest too heavily into 3.5 books - they will do just fine with a PHB. Tell them that the cost of a PHB and some dice is worth the fun that they will have with the game for the next few months.
If I was running a game at gameday those are the things I would be telling the new players. | |
Champion of Gromph Baenre | |
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The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
10885 Posts
In the constellation of Cygnus, or Central Connecticut
| | 10/15/2007 4:07 AM |
| I wouldn't even tell them to get a 3.5 PHB unless they could get one used and or cheap.
Otherwise Jim, just tell the truth. Go over the basics, emphasize what D&D is, minimize the crunch since it's going to be changing. Do something real basic that will show them what D&D is at its heart. Maybe something like the D&D demos at Gencon. Everyone gets a mini and a short stat cheat sheet and off you go through a short quick dungeon scenario. Show them what each PC is capable of doing, unique class features and all that. | |
No Hazel, no peace 
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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Duke of Spoils
greyhaze
Warlord
5590 Posts
| | 10/15/2007 8:20 AM |
| LIE, LIE LIKE A RUG! DON'T LET THEM SWITCH OVER!
jk. | |
Greyhaze's DDM Spoilers
Champion of a Medium Dog & then a Darkenbeast , Raistlin Majere, Nightmare WDQ25/60, Warduke WD60/60,
Anti-Champion of Guns, "Knight of Bugbears", and Joke Champion of Venger.
Called Shots: Frost Giant in Demon Web, Darkenbeast in Feywild. | |
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kyrin
Commander
3146 Posts
| | 10/15/2007 9:58 AM |
| Posted By Star on 10/14/2007 9:02 PM
When in doubt - tell the truth.
Tell
them that D&D is a fun game. Tell them about the 3.5 rules. Tell
them about the impending 4th edition release. Tell them not to invest
too heavily into 3.5 books - they will do just fine with a PHB. Tell
them that the cost of a PHB and some dice is worth the fun that they
will have with the game for the next few months.
If I was running a game at gameday those are the things I would be telling the new players.
Are
you sure that's what the FLGS would want you to say, though? I
mean, isn't one of the purposes of Worldwide D&D Day, to build
business for the FLGS?
This is where my quandary lies.
JIM
aka kyrin
| |
My Have/Want List <-|-|->My Trades and References 1 <-|-|->My Trades and References 2
Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome!
Vindicated Champion of the Stirge! Vindicated Champion of the Githyanki Knight on Red Dragon!!
Vindicated Champion of the Androsphinx! | |
|
Kaya Kenobi
Underboss
1304 Posts
San Jose, California
| | 10/16/2007 3:39 PM |
| | A friend of mine got the core 3 books for 20 bucks total... It can be done. | |
Just a simple traveler from the swamps of Dagobah otherwise known as Florida. Also known as Hurricane Alley!
I always try to send through delivery confirmation, and I expect the same. It's only 55 cents extra, so it's just a little more than a pay phone call, so just do it for the Kai.  I prefer to trade with people in the US and Canada, sorry everyone else.
http://www.maxminis.com/Forums/tabid/104/forumid/53/postid/655406/view/topic/Default.aspx - references | |
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minatoman38
Underboss
1341 Posts
Minaniuonuma-shi, Japan
| | 10/16/2007 5:16 PM |
| Isn't the SRD still available on the wizard's site?
If so direct new players to that resource. If you are likely to only play 3.5 for a few months why not play with no financial investment then once 4.0 (might as well start refering to it as 4.0 since 4.5 can't be too many years off) comes out they can choose to spend in the new direction then or pick up older stuff over the course of next year as its value drops. | |
Robert Rosehart
Champion of the pixie
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kyrin
Commander
3146 Posts
| | 10/16/2007 8:07 PM |
| Okay, guys, you are really not helping. I am doing this to HELP my FLGS. Suggesting used books is not an option. Suggesting the SRD is not an option. What can I say to people at WWD&D Day that will HELP my FLGS?
JIM
aka kyrin | |
My Have/Want List <-|-|->My Trades and References 1 <-|-|->My Trades and References 2
Pronounce "Drow" like "crow"! Viva la Revolution! We Shall Overcome!
Vindicated Champion of the Stirge! Vindicated Champion of the Githyanki Knight on Red Dragon!!
Vindicated Champion of the Androsphinx! | |
|
The Great
Choco Monster
Ghendar
Warlord
10885 Posts
In the constellation of Cygnus, or Central Connecticut
| | 10/17/2007 4:26 AM |
| Posted By kyrin on 10/16/2007 8:07 PM Okay, guys, you are really not helping.
Tell them to buy every 3.5 book they can afford.
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No Hazel, no peace
Champion of the Spider Eater with rider.
I actually love to be swallowed. - Posted By gss_000 on 09/04/2007 2:32 PM
How many times in life do you get to eat your own Cthulhu? - Posted By Pedro on 03/31/2008 2:29 | |
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nyjastul69
Commander
2710 Posts
Rhode Island
| | 10/17/2007 8:34 AM |
| Posted By kyrin on 10/16/2007 8:07 PM Okay, guys, you are really not helping. I am doing this to HELP my FLGS. Suggesting used books is not an option. Suggesting the SRD is not an option. What can I say to people at WWD&D Day that will HELP my FLGS?
JIM
aka kyrin
I've stayed off this thread for a single reason. I don't think there is a good way to market 3.5. I hate to say this, but you're kinda screwed in that dept. | |
You know, I keep thinking that after the new design team gets done with D&D 4e, D&D won't stand for Dungeons and Dragons anymore, because well, that's just not fun. It's old and stuffy. - Originally Posted by BabWryter on Kenzerco.com | |
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Duke of Spoils
greyhaze
Warlord
5590 Posts
| | 10/17/2007 8:54 AM |
| | Tell people to purchase suppliments from the FLGS that will not effect them whether they play 3.5 or 4e, such as; dice, miniatures (they are being converted), magazines, novels or those GameMastery Combat Pads from paizo. Be honest. In truth, 1 group of people buying 3 books is not such an unholy investment that they will not convert to 4e when it comes around. If you tell them to wait until 4e, when it comes out, your FLGs will make money then - they'll just have to wait. | |
Greyhaze's DDM Spoilers
Champion of a Medium Dog & then a Darkenbeast , Raistlin Majere, Nightmare WDQ25/60, Warduke WD60/60,
Anti-Champion of Guns, "Knight of Bugbears", and Joke Champion of Venger.
Called Shots: Frost Giant in Demon Web, Darkenbeast in Feywild. | |
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Fun Guy from Yuggoth
Cthulhufnord
Warlord
10645 Posts
Umass Amherst Baby!
| | 10/22/2007 11:26 PM |
| Posted By kyrin on 10/16/2007 8:07 PM Okay, guys, you are really not helping. I am doing this to HELP my FLGS. Suggesting used books is not an option. Suggesting the SRD is not an option. What can I say to people at WWD&D Day that will HELP my FLGS?
JIM
aka kyrin
How about you run something else other than D&D.  I'm planning on doing some Call of Cthulhu myself. | |
Ash nazg durbatulûk, ash nazg gimbatul,
ash nazg thrakatulûk, agh burzum-ishi krimpatul | |
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Puggins
Sergeant
619 Posts
| | 10/23/2007 6:37 AM |
| I'm totally with Greyhaze.
Products to recommend:
D&D Basic Game (miniatures will always be useful)
Dungeoneer's Survival Guide (will be updated to 4e, plus its mostly fluff)
Dice
D&D Miniatures
Dungeon Tiles
None of the above will lose value after 4e comes out. You can also recommend the 3.5e PHB and be honest about the coming edition shift. Tell them that themoney invested in one book will more than pay for itself, and it'll give them a good grasp of mechanics that won't change after the edition shift.
Honestly, let's have some perspective here- the core three books will run you $90 from the FLGS. If the purchaser plays for four hours once every two weeks until 4e comes out, his per-hour investment would completely blow away practically any other activity available. They'll be good for almost a year, minimum. Why worry too much about it? If 4e were coming out in November then it'd be a real dilemma, but we're talking May. For the cost of going to the movie by themselves twice, they can buy a book that'll give them six months or more of enjoyment. That's still a spectacular deal.
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References: http://www.maxminis.com/forums/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=7231 | |
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Knight of the
Round Table
Thenameless
Warlord
8644 Posts
The Fortress of Solitude
| | 10/23/2007 7:36 PM |
| | Tell the truth. Show them what a great game 3.5 is. A new player might join a campaign that will continue to play 3.5 for several years. Some groups may never switch from 3/3.5. But, of course, let them know that there is a 4th edition looming next year. Give a person the chance to choose with all the right information at hand - it's how I'd like to be treated. | |
Over 270 successful online DDM trades. | |
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Master of the
Awesome Sauce
Teflon Jeff
Warlord
6567 Posts
Idaho. Yes, we have Gamers in Idaho.
| | 10/24/2007 1:50 PM |
| I'll be promoting the game. Tell the truth, and recommend they support their local FLGS in whatever way they can. Minis, dice, and certain books are good for everything.
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Official Delegate, Wizards of the Coast
Against The Giants Called Shot: Huge Green Dragon
Icons Called Shot: Gargantuan Prismatic Dragon
"Rejoice, for bad things are about to happen." | |
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