After an exclusive first run at Target, where it eventually sold out, the Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit is finally getting a wide release. Starting on Sept. 3, you can pick it up at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, or your local game store.
Back in July, D&D publisher Wizards of the Coast released the Essentials Kit as a kind of one-stop shop for new players to learn the ropes of the tabletop role-playing game. The box set includes everything a new D&D group needs to start its first campaign: an introductory rulebook, DM screen, a set of 11 dice, a handy set of cards for things players need to keep track of (initiative, magic items, etc.), and a brand-new adventure, Dragon of Icespire Peak.
Polygon’s resident tabletop gaming expert was impressed by the premade adventure when he tried it out back in July, but what really stands out in the Essentials Kit is the new ruleset for one-on-one campaigning. Now all you need is a DM and a player to start adventuring. It eliminates one of the most common barriers to getting into D&D: the daunting task of finding a group to play with.
The Dungeons & Dragons Essentials Kit is on sale now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local game stores, and is back in stock at Target. The MSRP is set at $24.99, but both Amazon and Barnes & Noble are currently selling it for $17.49.