I was initially sceptical of the new D&D Starter Set. Wizards of the Coast's pre-boxed efforts have often lagged behind those of their competitors, and as the game has exploded over the years I'd felt there were enough ways into Dungeons & Dragons that a dedicated beginner's version was an increasingly unnecessary provision. I was almost immediately proved wrong. The new Starter Kit is glossy and beginner-friendly, making it perfect for genuine newcomers, but even as a confident DM I was quickly stumbling across solutions to problems I didn't even consider could be solved, and in many cases didn't even know were problems in the first place.
Perhaps its most apparent selling point is how much it simplifies character creation for one of the best tabletop RPGs. It might not be for everyone, but I can see the appeal in stripping out some of the complexities of including every race and class. The new set limits players to Elf, Human, Dwarf, and Halfling, and allows them to play as a Rogue, Wizard, Cleric, or Fighter. The limited classes make perfect sense - four major archetypes distilled to their most beginner-friendly ideals. The limited species are a harder sell, but they're still a key part of streamlining the whole experience for this new D&D Starter Set.
