Dungeons & Dragons/ Stranger Things Unboxing & Review

This week I take a look at a NEW release with a retro theme, the Stranger Things D&D Tie-in. Check it out!
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My Patreon Page: / captcorajus
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Facebook: / rpgretroreviews

[@br0adsw0rd65]

Totally agree on the demogorgon. The old school metal miniature from the tv show would have been a much better choice. The included monster breaks the fourth wall in a bad way.

[@ashfordwyrd7458]

One factual correction, The Xpert set being used in the series was edited by Mentzir, not Cook/Marsh. The one that Cook and Marsh edited went with the 1981 Moldvey Basic set and had a wizard scrying on the events from that basic boxes cover.

[@captcorajus]

I stand corrected

[@suanniiq]

I hoped it would have been basic (red box) D&D, still looks like a fun novelty

[@johnhe0414]

Glad to see you back! Excellent video and looking forward to the next one

[@MrChupacabra555]

7:46 : Hey, one of the benefits that we old Grognards enjoy for having survived that continuing adventure called "Real Life" is having a little more 'excess cash' to blow on silly things like this ^_^ Edit: To me, this looks like something aimed more at fans of 'Stranger Things', who might want to know what its like to play the game the gang was playing in the show (i.e., people who have never heard of Dungeons and Dragons). It could be a good way to get people who don't know about the game into it, by using something familiar and they already like as an introduction.

[@johnharvath7835]

Dang Cap! Your a pretty awesome mini painter.

[@danielgoldberg5357]

I'm planning on running this in about 2 weeks in order to get properly geeked-out for season 4, and I'm definitely going to use your idea of the upside-down version of Tristan's castle. It's very in keeping with the spirit of the show! Thanks.

[@captcorajus]

Glad you liked it. Let me know how it goes!

[@danielgoldberg5357]

@@captcorajus I will!

[@geumlazar5101]

Was on the fence with this one. Sounds like a great intro adventure and I have lots of new players to teach. Start here then lost mines, maybe some osr stuff gradually cranking up the rule sets and module complexity. I purchased while listening. Thanks for the review.

[@eitherorlok]

I feel that you're better off just getting the box set with Lost Mines. It does a great job of introducing game concepts over time, with each encounter adding new rules considerations. The adventure in this box set is poorly-balanced and makes some assumptions and house rules that can throw off new players when they move on to other adventures.

[@vikashv1]

I might buy a couple of these as Christmas or birthday gifts for a few non D&D playing nieces of mine.

[@udasu]

Great show, pretty awesome D&D aspects. Great vid, glad you're still making content.

[@captcorajus]

Not stopping any time soon Bryan. I just need to iron out my scheduling issues so I can churn out videos more regularly.

[@TimBaker]

Nice review. I love the Advanced Labyrinth Lord suggestion.

[@Dracopol]

There's going to be a RPG for another Netflix series: ALTERED CARBON.

[@condensermike]

Thanks for reviewing this. Keep up the great work!

[@rickeymariu1]

I'd just like to point out that for a STARTER SET they include 2 minis and that's it. No Thessel hydra, no lizard men, no skellitons, no PC's. I read the adventure after buying it and it felt very railroady. I wasn't nearly as impressed.

[@jinxtheunluckypony]

Of they we’re going to give you 2 demogorgons why not to 1 Netflix and 1 classic?

[@worldbigfootcentral3933]

I love your channel, keep on gaming!

[@goodtrubble9688]

I liked, because I like your work.

[@southron_d1349]

I don't have Netflix or any other "cable TV" service so I've never seen "Stranger Things". This set looks fun but not on my shopping list. As a tie-in to a TV show, it looks better than other tie-in efforts.

[@mattnerdy7236]

Hey Capt, really enjoyed this review. Glad to see WoTC doing so well with 5e. I randomly came across a review for a 50$ d&d book. The video was horrible & pretty much he called G.G. an idiot. I blasted him for his review in the comments. I almost used your channel as an example of how to do a review. I didnt because that wouldn't be fair to you. It just makes me appreciate your channel even more. Thank you Capt for your superior channel and all your hard work you do, that makes this channel so great. Have you checked out Humblewood kick-starter, I am really excited for this campaign. Can't wait for a review & to see somebody play an adventure. Have a great day Capt and thank you!

[@captcorajus]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I've seen reviews such as that you mentioned, and I started my channel a few years ago as a response to such things... and also to help with my microphone voice when I DJ. The Humblewood kickstarter is really doing well, and I'm happy for them. Not really my kind of play, but I know a lot of people are interested. I've got quite a few kickstarters I'm waiting to receive at the moment, and I just backed CR's Vox Machina kickstarter, so I'm skipping this one. Have great day, and you're welcome!!

[@dreamakuma]

I'm happy I jumped on it, since I got the figures from the show. However, I'm a bit dissatisfied with the release schedule. The box set came out in mid March at GameStop of all places. Captn, I hate to say this, but the eBay listing is a bit high. Mirliton miniatures sells the Demogorgon for 11€ and iron wind metals sells the Hydra for $6.

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

Gosh Darn, now I need to watch the show. :) Thanks cap for this review, once again; Great video!

[@captcorajus]

Stranger Things is great. I love that show!

[@mlfetlesjdrenbref1306]

@@captcorajus if it gets your approval, i will make plans to watch it.

[@gaozhi2007]

Just picked it up and pretty disappoint. Wish I had got the normal starter set with a full 64-page adventure. Gonna play it once then dish it off to someone else.

[@heyimamaker]

Do you know how to play the game? I was wondering if it's any good for someone who has never played it.

[@MrRourk]

Would prefer Black Hack Box Set

[@theguy3851]

Would have been better if we got stranger things themed dice.

[@sunsin1592]

Of course Demogorgon was not in the basic or the expert set in any form.

[@captcorajus]

I LIKE that it wasn't because THE Demogorgon in the show is nothing like the monster described in 1st edition. I sort of feel, that Mike Wheeler did what a lot of us did back then. Get a cool looking miniature, probably don't know anything about the actual monster and MAKE-UP their own creature for it. :)

[@gavinruetten9988]

Great video! Could you make a review on the A1-4 slavelord modules??

[@captcorajus]

Soon!

[@ColTaylorDyath]

So glad I watched this vid. I was going to get the Stranger Things Starter Set. After seeing this I'll save my money. The figure looks nothing like Demogorgon, more like something from The Thing. Why couldn't they do a replica of the Demogorgon figure used in the episode?

[@Johnny_Nitro]

2nd. Cap where have you been? I was going through withdrawls.

[@captcorajus]

So sorry. I was doing so good too, but I have been writing scripts and working on new content. I've got the BX Essentials Kickstarter review to do this week. Also, city of brass from Frog God games. I've got the full script written for a review of the 1981 Thieves World boxed set mostly done, so look for that, and a few other goodies as well.

[@Johnny_Nitro]

@@captcorajus sounds like a full schedule. I love the vids man! I have been binge watching them this past month.

[@redfeildre349]

Did you say $24.99? I payed $34.99 at Second and Charels!

[@captcorajus]

Yes, I paid $24.99, however: www.amazon.com/Hasbro-Stranger-Dungeons-Dragons-Roleplaying/dp/B07G5X6N5P/ref=sr_1_1?crid=37N8RTO678R0Z&keywords=dungeons+and+dragons+stranger+things+starter+set&qid=1557028036&s=gateway&sprefix=dungeons+and+dragons+stran%2Caps%2C314&sr=8-1

[@IRLSpain]

Loved the video! Only one question: what font did you use for the title at the start of the video?

[@captcorajus]

Its called benguiat

[@IRLSpain]

Thank you very much :D

[@RichardFriendartist]

those new dice in your intro kill me....get era correct dice for that photo. :) just saying...love the channel.

[@Adrian.lo09]

maybe just good for collectab

[@HowtoRPG]

The short adventure is the weak point.

[@captcorajus]

I think that the length of the adventure is both good in that it can get a DM running a game quickly without a lot of prep time, but also weak in that after spending $24.99 you only have one game session's of play. Its a double edge.

[@CharlesMarlow1898]

www.mirliton.it/index.php?cName=fantasy-2528mm-fantasy-classic The above link takes you to Mirliton who currently owns the renowned and much beloved and long OOP Grenadier Models moulds. The Demogorgan and Dwarf Hydra are currently in production. Click on the Fantasy 25-28mm tab on the left and then click on the Fantasy Classic icon, second from the left at the top of the page, which incidently is a picture of the Demogorgan. Fortunately, you'll pay much, much less than captcorajus; sorry, captcorajus! I have't ordered from Mirlition, yet, however, I've read many positive reviews in regards to their service and product quality.

[@Se7enBeatleofDoom]

Stranger things should get the credit for introducing D&D to a new audiences, not a critical role.

[@sandman6088]

Why would they remove rules for character creation? That's kinda lame.

[@captcorajus]

Its a starter set. It comes with pregens. if you like the game you're expected to move on and buy the PHB.

[@sandman6088]

@@captcorajus I guess I can understand that, but it's weird considering the OG Starter Set included character creation rules

[@Alan13448]

Not much to this box set,

[@eitherorlok]

I was pretty disappointed by this one. The paint job on the mini was pretty basic and not great, and the adventure module is poorly-written. It has several encounters with monsters that can (and probably will) wipe out parties at the levels its written for. The other starter box, published a few years ago, is a much better value and Lost Mines of Phandelver is by far a better adventure.

[@captcorajus]

Yeah, I was too in regards to the figure. I will have to disagree with you on the module, which IMHO is a great first DM module to run for the reasons stated in the video. The monsters only have 63ish hit points. At 3rd level, the PCs have more than enough damage output to handle them, and the fighters can all survive attacks by the creatures. In addition, the Demogorgon gets no lair or legendary actions, so the thing is at a significant disadvantage. The Thessalhydra will be challenging as it has more actions, but the poor thing will still find itself bested if the party has conserved its resources and healed up before confronting it in its lair. The players would have to be playing extremely poorly to be wiped out by these monsters.

[@RPGmodsFan]

Wait, did I hear you correctly? The Stranger Things D&D Starter Set does NOT contain rules on Character Creation? WTF is WOTC thinking? The Box Set literally has "Starter Set" in its title! I am sorry, but having 5 pre-gen characters is NOT enough! This is a greedy, unethical and unscrupulous move on WOTC part, by not having the Character Creation rules in it. The old D&D "Blue Box" Set had everything needed to start a basic D&D game for both Players and DMs. It is the Set that introduced us to D&D in the first place. When my Players & I were ready, we then moved on to AD&D. Corporate Greed is now OUT OF CONTROL!

[@guapounggoy]

BTW the original 5E starter set doesn't include character creation rules either. I think you can get it for extra cheap now where available, but at release I think it was the same price point.

[@southron_d1349]

And by the way, you can get all the basic rules as a free download from WotC's D&D website. Those rules are almost complete and include what you need to create a character.

[@geumlazar5101]

Character creation is the most confusing part of d&d 5e. It baffles my mind that 5e is considered an easy to use system. So many different variables to consider. Probably why they skipped that info, well that and a way to get people to purchase the player handbook. Makes sense for a d&d into box honestly.

[@southron_d1349]

I've never been someone who understands the rules of ANY game quickly and easily - boardgame, sport, you name it. The two exceptions have been chess and D&D. I started with 1st-edition AD&D and moved to one edition after another. Creating D&D characters has never been confusing for me.

[@captcorajus]

The COMPLETE D&D game is available for FREE on its website as a PDF download. This is just a set that... you can get friends together for a single evening of Dungeons and Dragons and play a complete adventure. So no need to create characters. Pick one and start playing.

[@lindy9196]

Sounds like it's for chumps with too much money

[@WizardKingCorey]

Had it pre ordered, and cancelled the order when I found out it's a garbage pile of 5e OSR doesn't need 5e

[@shamusfarmer]

Too many spoilers, I don't want a summary of the freaking adventure...

[@captcorajus]

Welcome to the channel!

[@wbbartlett]

As if we needed further evidence DND is firmly made and marketed for children. What next, McDungeons & McDragons? Stick to better games :)