D&D Encounters
There are a lot of questions out there about our new season of D&D Encounters, which starts in early August. We therefore present this overview and Q&A to help provide more information to the community.
What is D&D Encounters?
D&D Encounters is a weekly session of Dungeons and Dragons, run right in your local Game Universe. Dungeon Masters volunteer their time to prepare modules from Wizards of the coast. These modules come in two parts. The first part, a teaser, is downloaded – free – from Wizards of the coast. The second part, the main adventure, must be purchased by the DM. Players pay $2 each week. All of the player’s entry fees go back to their Encounters DM as a gift card, which the DM then may use to buy the adventure for Encounters.
Q&A
Q: What happens at Encounters?
A: Basically, one Dungeon master runs a D&D game for up to 7 players. It takes about 2 hours of adventuring cooperatively with other players, once night a week. It’s crazy fun, and the new edition of D&D is easier to learn than every before, while still being a robust system for experienced role-players.
Q: This Dungeon Master fee is new. What’s up with that?
A: With the 2014 Encounters season, Wizards is no longer allowing DMs to get the module for free. In order to support DM’s efforts, Game Universe is introducing this DM fee.
Q: Is this pay to play?
A: No. In a pay to play system, the store collects all the money and keeps it. There is no benefit to the community. With the DM fee, all money collected will go to DMs after they run a session in the form of a gift card. The DM can then use that gift card to buy modules, minis and other materials to run a better Encounters game for their players. Everyone benefits, and the D&D community gets strong, appreciated leaders to boot.
Q: Does the DM play?
A: No. That would be some kind of crazy infinite loop that might cause a rift in time and space. We can’t be responsible for that kind of chaos.
Q: I’m a player, not a DM, what do I get out of it?
A: As a player, you get consistent DMs who are supported by their local game store and who know you appreciate their tireless efforts. You get free modules, free game support, space reserved for you every week, and access to an awesome community of gamers who love what you love – Dungeons and Dragons.
Q: This all sounds good. How do I get involved?
A: Dungeon Masters can email our Regional Manager, Matthew Vercant, at matt@game-universe.com. Players can get started by attending any of our scheduled D&D Encounters tables!
Q: When can I play?
A: The next season begins Wednesday, August 20, at 6 pm, at all Game Universe locations. We also have a pre-Encounters game on Sunday, August 10, at 3 pm. All games repeat every week at the same time, on the same day, so find one that fits your schedule and answer the call for heroes!
