Red Dragon's Tale: A LEGO Adventure
Posted by Huw,
5008827 Red Dragon's Tale: A LEGO Adventure is a companion book to the recently released 21348 Dungeons & Dragons: Red Dragon's Tale. It was created in conjunction with D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast and is currently available in the Insiders Rewards Centre in exchange for 2,700 points.
Having never played the fantasy game, I can't make head nor tale of it, so I can't review it as such, but I will however make you aware of what's inside.
The A4-ish sized 20-page book comes in a cardboard slip case decorated with a rather nice drawing of the titular dragon. It's interesting that it has an 18+ rating: I wonder if that's because it's not suitable for kids, or whether it's just a marketing thing, like it is on sets?
It's not apparent in this photo that the cover of the book is embossed with silver around the edges, which gives it a quality feel.
If, like me, you've never played D&D the book will be no help in explaining how to do so, although it does have a section at the back suggesting how to play a simpler game without D&D rules.
If you're seasoned player you can work your way through six scenes which take place in different parts of the model, so a prerequisite of playing is to have assembled it first. The game is won by surviving the last scene involving the dragon, and defeating the evil sorcerer.
Character sheets for the four playing characters -- dwarf cleric, elf wizard, gnome fighter and orc rogue -- are provided, along with those for two non-playing ones, the inn keeper and the evil sorcerer. These detail scores, equipment, attacks, spells and so on.
I'm told the image below contains spoilers, so view with caution...
I would suggest that, if you're a D&D player and you have the set, the book is a must-have. If not, it won't mean much to you, and you'll be better off saving your Insider points for something else.
Thanks to LEGO for providing the book for this article. All opinions are those of the author.
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41 comments on this article
Looks like a small adventure module. In other words: a DM could play a scenario with this, probably using the set as a miniature. Cool.
I like how the book's art is consistent with official D&D guidebooks. But legofied of course.
Man, it's just so weird we now have an official D&D lego set.
The book consists of 4 parts:
1 - The player section (i.e. the 1st entry from the table of content)
2 - The Dungeon Master sections (this is considered a *spoiler* for the players),
3 - "Without D&D rules", and
4 - Character sheets
@Huw , the 3rd image is considered a spoiler, if you can perhaps just note it somewhere, perhaps similar to how is done for the Advent Calendars?
It's a really nice way to add dimension to the Lego kit by providing the designer's thoughts from story building with the set. Regardless of whether you are a D&D player, this backstory information is quite endearing. This was always how I approached MOC building and most of my childhood play with Lego. I am very happy they make the detail available and were able to work it into a playable interactive game scenario.
I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic. They shipped one order in three different shipments.
Of course, I was due for vacation when this came out. Lego switched from FedEx to UPS for shipments. FedEx does a free vacation hold. UPS charges $11 per box to hold for vacation, and you have to do a separate request for each and every package- or they sit on your porch in the snow for a week.
So, that's an extra $33 on top of Day 1 full price. You'd think that would get you some nice product. Wrong!!
When I finally got my shipments, my Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint. I've purchased damaged Lego sets at my local store for 20% off that look far better.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Then again, it took two calls into customer service before they actually applied the points. Lego customer service has royally sucked since they made insane profits a priority.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'
EDIT: My saga with this set should really be the setting for a great campaign. StyleCounselor 'n crew versus the wicked Lego Beholder.
I do play DnD, and have read through the booklet and watched the live action show they did, and it’s a decent cutesy little adventure. I like how lots of things can be resolved peacefully, good lesson for the kids who are likely to be playing it to learn
@Binnekamp said:
"Man, it's just so weird we now have an official D&D lego set."
Yep - agreed.
And my wallet rues the day I saw the first announcement and got back into LEGO for the first time in half a century.........
Great to see Lego going this far with the D&D license.
@Maxbricks14 said:
"Great to see Lego going this far with the D&D license."
Even better when they go one step further in September with the D&D Collectible Minifigure series!
@StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well.
@AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
Hallelujah, brother!
I see the booklets are currently going for £35 to £85 on BL.......:-0
I chose the free download option and have looked through it. I am excited to run the adventure for my kids (who have been playing DnD for years). The hard part for them is to not see the built set u til they play the adventure due to spoilers.
@StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic. They shipped one order in three different shipments.
Of course, I was due for vacation when this came out. Lego switched from FedEx to UPS for shipments. FedEx does a free vacation hold. UPS charges $11 per box to hold for vacation, and you have to do a separate request for each and every package- or they sit on your porch in the snow for a week.
So, that's an extra $33 on top of Day 1 full price. You'd think that would get you some nice product. Wrong!!
When I finally got my shipments, my Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint. I've purchased damaged Lego sets at my local store for 20% off that look far better.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Then again, it took two calls into customer service before they actually applied the points. Lego customer service has royally sucked since they made insane profits a priority.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'
EDIT: My saga with this set should really be the setting for a great campaign. StyleCounselor 'n crew versus the wicked Lego Beholder."
I feel your pain, FedEx seems to take more care with packages. That or UPS employees go the extra mile to ensure most packages are damaged. I've already received 3 dented (boxes) packages since the move to UPS
Haven't played AD&D since 3rd edition was still new (2000). Its a great idea to have the set, miniatures and module.
I love the LEGO / D&D crossover and I’m glad to see these reviews pop up in my feed too. I’ve noticed an underlying theme, though… in the Mimic review, “ I do not have any Dungeons & Dragons dice to show here, but there is ample space to store a few inside the box.” Here, “having never played the game, […] I can’t review it as such.”
A solution exists to these small gaps in experience, in our mutual friend benbacardi! I’ve played alongside him as a player and currently play in a game he DMs for a multinational group of (delightful) miscreants, and I think he’d have a helpful perspective to add to these D&D reviews in the future.
@ryan_c_byrd said:
"... free download option ..."
Thank you for mentioning this, I was surprised that the article did not include it.
LEGO made a pdf of the adventure available through the rewards center for 0 points.
@shaase said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic. They shipped one order in three different shipments.
Of course, I was due for vacation when this came out. Lego switched from FedEx to UPS for shipments. FedEx does a free vacation hold. UPS charges $11 per box to hold for vacation, and you have to do a separate request for each and every package- or they sit on your porch in the snow for a week.
So, that's an extra $33 on top of Day 1 full price. You'd think that would get you some nice product. Wrong!!
When I finally got my shipments, my Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint. I've purchased damaged Lego sets at my local store for 20% off that look far better.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Then again, it took two calls into customer service before they actually applied the points. Lego customer service has royally sucked since they made insane profits a priority.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'
EDIT: My saga with this set should really be the setting for a great campaign. StyleCounselor 'n crew versus the wicked Lego Beholder."
I feel your pain, FedEx seems to take more care with packages. That or UPS employees go the extra mile to ensure most packages are damaged. I've already received 3 dented (boxes) packages since the move to UPS"
The sad part is that my uncle was a lifetime UPS driver and Teamsters member back in the day. But, their profit model is so anti-consumer. It reminds me of the airlines a few years ago. It's amazing (perhaps not) that Lego has chosen to partner with them.
@whatsie said:
"A solution exists to these small gaps in experience, in our mutual friend @benbacardi ! I’ve played alongside him as a player and currently play in a game he DMs for a multinational group of (delightful) miscreants, and I think he’d have a helpful perspective to add to these D&D reviews in the future. "
I did not know that! In that case I will give him the book to appraise.
@StyleCounselor said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
Hallelujah, brother!"
I feel you man. I would be so rightly pissed by this. I might be one of the OCDiest guy on earth when it comes to this: I want my box sets to be immaculate (no, I do not trash them and yes they take a lot of space). When I disassemble a set I disassemble them in reverse with the instruction notice and parts of each bag numbers are in the right numbered bag (more or less). Basically, when I rebuilt it, I have the exact same experience (quite time consuming I'll tell you).
When I order from Lego, I expect the sets to be as pristine as you're gonna get - not always the case at all. On top of being quite expensive sets, Lego also forces you to buy at a time which might not be convenient for you.
There was a time Lego produced enough of the promotional stuff that you could still have it should you decide to jump in a few months later. Yeah, yeah, I understand the reasoning behind all this - it is a corporation and its primary mission is to make money. That said, a generally accepted way for a corporation to achieve that is by not pissing off their customer base. It is now getting old with all the Lego shenanigans of late. Lego keeps on talking about 'the experience' - I say this is all 'BS'. the experience is also getting a set not completely mangled on reception, it is also getting parts the right colours, it is also getting stickers that last more than a year (there should be more than one copy), it is also getting parts that do not explode or shatter. Of course, the Lego defenders will say: if you are not happy don't buy it and I did diminished my level of purchases accordingly. But from a company perspective, is this a viable strategy for the long run? Jørgen Vig Knudstorp came a few years back to save the company. The move was easy: stick to the brick. At the moment Lego has 32 different plushes, a cloth line, house decorations, Lego campus and Lego house spending galore, etc. Are we heading straight back to the early 2000? It will certainly take some time because they are very successful nowadays but they were also very successful in the 80s and 90s. When you disperse your energy everywhere willy nilly, (also known as loss of focus), bad things generally happen in the corporate world - let's hope not.
I suppose my rant is getting old as well but, in essence, it will never change until it is fixed - not holding my breath. I want Lego to succeed but I also would like Lego to be a respectable 'citizen' and not only from a financial point of view...
@HOBBES said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Then, a lot more..
.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
Hallelujah, brother!"
I feel you man. I would be so rightly pissed by this. I might be one of the OCDiest guy on earth when it comes to this: I want my box sets to be immaculate (no, I do not trash them and yes they take a lot of space). When I disassemble a set I disassemble them in reverse with the instruction notice and parts of each bag numbers are in the right numbered bag (more or less). Basically, when I rebuilt it, I have the exact same experience (quite time consuming I'll tell you).
When I order from Lego, I expect the sets to be as pristine as you're gonna get - not always the case at all. On top of being quite expensive sets, Lego also forces you to buy at a time which might not be convenient for you.
There was a time Lego produced enough of the promotional stuff that you could still have it should you decide to jump in a few months later. Yeah, yeah, I understand the reasoning behind all this - it is a corporation and its primary mission is to make money. That said, a generally accepted way for a corporation to achieve that is by not pissing off their customer base. It is now getting old with all the Lego shenanigans of late. Lego keeps on talking about 'the experience' - I say this is all 'BS'. the experience is also getting a set not completely mangled on reception, it is also getting parts the right colours, it is also getting stickers that last more than a year (there should be more than one copy), it is also getting parts that do not explode or shatter. Of course, the Lego defenders will say: if you are not happy don't buy it and I did diminished my level of purchases accordingly. But from a company perspective, is this a viable strategy for the long run? Jørgen Vig Knudstorp came a few years back to save the company. The move was easy: stick to the brick. At the moment Lego has 32 different plushes, a cloth line, house decorations, Lego campus and Lego house spending galore, etc. Are we heading straight back to the early 2000? It will certainly take some time because they are very successful nowadays but they were also very successful in the 80s and 90s. When you disperse your energy everywhere willy nilly, (also known as loss of focus), bad things generally happen in the corporate world - let's hope not.
I suppose my rant is getting old as well but, in essence, it will never change until it is fixed - not holding my breath. I want Lego to succeed but I also would like Lego to be a respectable 'citizen' and not only from a financial point of view..."
You're not wrong. It's just so disappointing for those of us who remember how awesome they used to be. Not, that mistakes didn't happen. But, customer service was always so gracious and helpful. Now, it's just awful.
Luckily, the people at my local Lego store know me and still value my patronage.
@StyleCounselor said:
"Of course, I was due for vacation when this came out. Lego switched from FedEx to UPS for shipments. FedEx does a free vacation hold. UPS charges $11 per box to hold for vacation, and you have to do a separate request for each and every package- or they sit on your porch in the snow for a week.
So, that's an extra $33 on top of Day 1 full price. You'd think that would get you some nice product. Wrong!!"
I'm intrigued by the idea that the extra money you paid UPS to hold your package should translate into higher product quality.
I was experiencing some serious FOMO about my decision not to pony up for the physical adventure module. The comments above have me (quite smugly) appreciating that move in hindsight.
@ryan_c_byrd that is my conundrum: invite my kids to participate in the build, knowing that it will spoil some of the adventure, or preserve the story and deprive them of the build experience. My solution will likely be to have them build the dragon (no spoilers, it’s prominent on the box) and help me with parts of the tavern.
The physical book is already sold out here, but I'm fine with that; I was planning to just get the free download, anyway, as I'm saving my points for at least one of those two Space Ideas sets they're releasing later. Even if I don't have (and am not really planning to get, due to lack of space) the set, I'm sure I'll enjoy the readthrough.
@shaase said:
"Haven't played AD&D since 3rd edition was still new (2000). Its a great idea to have the set, miniatures and module."
Haven’t played since I helped playtest 3rd Edition (my name’s in the playtester credits of the original run of 3rd Ed Player Handbooks).
@huracanum:
I’ve seen a few people mention downloading the PDF so they could have it professionally printed on fancy paper.
@PurpleDave said:
" @shaase said:
"Haven't played AD&D since 3rd edition was still new (2000). Its a great idea to have the set, miniatures and module."
Haven’t played since I helped playtest 3rd Edition (my name’s in the playtester credits of the original run of 3rd Ed Player Handbooks).
@huracanum:
I’ve seen a few people mention downloading the PDF so they could have it professionally printed on fancy paper."
Any idea what someone should expect to pay to get a good printing quality? (binding?)
@AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
There is a free pdf version. This is well worth spent points from my pov. But bitter will be bitter.
@HOBBES:
Really, they need to figure out how to better understand their customer base. They rightly know that SW UCS sets and CMFs will have high demand on launch, but the rest is playing darts blindfolded with their wrists tied to their ankles. They may get one market right, but be wildly off in another. From their standpoint, too little is safer than too much, so they won’t have to destroy any leftover product if it fails.
And you’d really need to ask someone who said they’re planning to have the PDF bound for that answer. I have no experience with that sort of thing, and I got the printed copy. I also got the PDF because why not, but I don’t need to have it printed all fancy.
I imagined it reading like a children’s story:
‘Once upon a time a beautiful dragon sat posed perfectly twirled around some beautiful buildings in a land of magic.
But then… the ugly dragon arrived and usurped the beautiful dragon’s place causing the roof to turn purple!
Seriously if the fans are glad then I’m glad :)
@Rimefang said:
" @Maxbricks14 said:
"Great to see Lego going this far with the D&D license."
Even better when they go one step further in September with the D&D Collectible Minifigure series!"
I've seen the leak. They definitely have done the best possible on those too!
@StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic. They shipped one order in three different shipments."
My D&D book, trellis and mimic all arrived in perfect condition. Can’t say the same about my D&D set though. The set’s box and its ‘Ready to Ship’ box arrived with a crumpled corner/bottom edge. The outer delivery carton is fine however, so the courier, DPD, isn’t to blame. LEGO is. It looks like someone at LEGO dropped the set and damaged the box but decided it was fine to sell it as new anyway. Not exactly what I expect of any brand, let alone a premium one like LEGO. I complained to LEGO customer service and they awarded me a few Insiders points, but I would have preferred an undamaged box. My intention is to keep the box the rest of my life.
And yes, I realise it’s a ‘first world problem’ but when you’re spending over £300 on a set, is it too much to ask that the box isn’t damaged?
@shedjed said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
There is a free pdf version. This is well worth spent points from my pov. But bitter will be bitter."
I'm not bitter. I don't give a toss about D&D. Never played it, only know it from what I've seen on TBBT.
But I would be pretty p***ed off if I was into D&D and had bought this set and was asked to spend even more for a goody that should be included with the set in the first place.
@CamberbrickGreen said:
"I imagined it reading like a children’s story:
‘Once upon a time a beautiful dragon sat posed perfectly twirled around some beautiful buildings in a land of magic.
But then… the ugly dragon arrived and usurped the beautiful dragon’s place causing the roof to turn purple!
Seriously if the fans are glad then I’m glad :)"
I like the way you rant. Subtle... almost poetic!
@Zander said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a small box to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic. They shipped one order in three different shipments."
My D&D book, trellis and mimic all arrived in perfect condition. Can’t say the same about my D&D set though. The set’s box and its ‘Ready to Ship’ box arrived with a crumpled corner/bottom edge. The outer delivery carton is fine however, so the courier, DPD, isn’t to blame. LEGO is. It looks like someone at LEGO dropped the set and damaged the box but decided it was fine to sell it as new anyway. Not exactly what I expect of any brand, let alone a premium one like LEGO. I complained to LEGO customer service and they awarded me a few Insiders points, but I would have preferred an undamaged box. My intention is to keep the box the rest of my life.
And yes, I realise it’s a ‘first world problem’ but when you’re spending over £300 on a set, is it too much to ask that the box isn’t damaged?
"
Now that I think about it, that's my situation as well. The scratch marks all over the front and back of the box couldn't have occurred in shipping. There wasn't enough movement between the inner and outer boxes to allow that to occur.
My set box had to have been messed up prior to packing. It had to be the Lego warehouse employees who didn't care. The same ones that crumpled my book into a box half the appropriate size.
I'm taking mine back to my local store for an exchange and/or point award for damaged goods. You should do the same.
Thought a digital copy was free when came out...
@missedoutagain said:
"Thought a digital copy was free when came out..."
It was when I got mine, have they started charging for it? The one you have to spend points for is the physical copy, although it was sold out when I got the digital one. I wasn't planning to get it, I only looked because I was curious.
@TheOtherMike said:
" @missedoutagain said:
"Thought a digital copy was free when came out..."
It was when I got mine, have they started charging for it? The one you have to spend points for is the physical copy, although it was sold out when I got the digital one. I wasn't planning to get it, I only looked because I was curious."
only mentioned digital copy, thought no one said it...
@AustinPowers said:
" @shedjed said:
" @AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"I just received my D&D book. Lego curled it and smashed it in a box half the size of the book in order to ship it with that crappy trellis GWP rather than send it with the castle or the Mimic.
Shipped one order in three different shipments. My Day 1 purchased castle box was covered with scuff marks on front and back. Definitely not mint.
Then, I opened the smashed book, and 4 pages had string-like stains/misprints. They can't replace it. But, at least they gave me double my points back.
Of course, I'm on track to get my yearly ban for demanding new parts from Customer Service earlier than ever. It's barely spring. So, I better not complain about the scuffed Day 1 purchased box. Maybe I'll see if I can exchange it at my local store. They're always cool.
'Only the Best for Our Profit Margin is What You'll Have to Put Up With.'"
+1
And here's a novel idea:
Why not simply reward the buyers of this extremely expensive set by adding this "book" to the set to begin with?
Ah yes, because of simply price-gouging we can also relieve our die-hard fans of their hard earned insider points as well. "
There is a free pdf version. This is well worth spent points from my pov. But bitter will be bitter."
I'm not bitter. I don't give a toss about D&D. Never played it, only know it from what I've seen on TBBT.
But I would be pretty p***ed off if I was into D&D and had bought this set and was asked to spend even more for a goody that should be included with the set in the first place. "
It doesn't need to get included with the set. D&D players are used to downloading content and buying additional books or adventures. It can be free all the way up to costing a small fortune depending on what content you want to buy.
@CCC said:
"It doesn't need to get included with the set. D&D players are used to downloading content and buying additional books or adventures. It can be free all the way up to costing a small fortune depending on what content you want to buy."
Ok, I didn't know that. Of course if that's the attitude/expectation of D&D players then I understand why LEGO chose this way of distribution. Apparently D&D players are the perfect customer base for LEGO's products then, and it makes perfect sense for the company to target them as a new group of buyers.
Other than that, yes it doesn't NEED to be included in the set. But since it apparently has been designed specifically for it, including it with the set would have shown a kind of appreciation towards said customers.
But like you say, if your target audience doesn't expect such appreciation, why bother.
@missedoutagain said:
" @TheOtherMike said:
" @missedoutagain said:
"Thought a digital copy was free when came out..."
It was when I got mine, have they started charging for it? The one you have to spend points for is the physical copy, although it was sold out when I got the digital one. I wasn't planning to get it, I only looked because I was curious."
only mentioned digital copy, thought no one said it..."
Ah, I misunderstood what you were saying.
For everyone discussing whether or not the module should have been included in the box, there's _ALSO_ a downloadable set of digital LEGO polyhedral dice based on the LEGO Games d6, digital pre-made characters, and character sheet backgrounds that you can download from DNDBeyond. The digital dice are cute, but they only have one stud per side and use 1x1 round tiles to depict the numbers. This works fine...until you get to the d4, which only has four studs total. When the die lands, three of those studs show the number you rolled, which is not how traditional d4's work. To make the d4 base in a way that you could actually add standard number tiles to it, you'd need it to be large enough to include three studs per side.
One thing to not forget in a not-speaking english country, like France : the book is not translated. Neither the physical version, nor the numeric version. And it is not mentionned anywhere.
My husband got his points reimbursed because of this. The book is useless for him.