First time poster here. I've been waiting on the "big" Cyber Monday sale for months now, fully intending to go all-in on the Legendary Bundle. But the actual sale is ... kind of lame?
Let's see here. The Legendary Bundle, which has reached a ridiculously bloated $862 at full price, is discounted to $730. That 15% cut is less than in Cyber Mondays past, by my understanding. But okay, how much are we saving on the bundle vs. buying the discounted books individually?
Discounted Legendary Bundle: $730
Discounted individual books: $760
So, $30. I guess that's something? Not exactly thrilling for a product that's already so expensive, though.
The meager discount got me looking at alternatives. Maybe the Sourcebook Bundle, at 23% off, is a better deal?
Discounted Sourcebook Bundle: $345
Discounted individual books: $340
Wait ... $5? The discount is $5? You have got to be kidding.
Listen, I get not wanting to offer discounts on pre-order books. I don't think anyone wants the hard work of those who created these books given away for free. But let's not pretend that $40/book isn't a large ask when so many books are a semi-requirement of keeping up with the hobby. Some of us have the resources to spend that $40/book. That's great. But maybe if you're advertising your "biggest sale of the year," you should work to make that sale a bit more attractive for those who don't have the necessary resources to keep up.
As for me, I'll probably end up with the Player Bundle + Descent Into Avernus (our current campaign). It'll work out to many hundreds less than I was expecting to pay, so I suppose I should be grateful for the skimpy deals. But yeah, wow, not impressed.
Many of the books are $10 off each. That ends up being a pretty damn good savings over all.
I bought a bunch on sale before, but I paid full price on some too. This sale seems pretty good to me except the fact that the book I want (Netherdeep) isn't included on the sale.
I will just wait till it is. Between DnDBeyond and physicals books. I spend way too much on this stuff already.
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Are you talking about USD or some other currency (that might lower my eyebrow)? The DDB books are not normally $40, but ~$30, you've added 25% more hardship than there actually is, and also makes readers question the rest of your rant's math. Looking through marketplace, books are presently 33% off, a third off. I don't know what you're hammering about. Legendary Bundle also gets you a 15% discount on future purchases, so if say you already had the legendary bundle but didn't yet own Fizbans or Ravensloft (ahem), you can get those at $16.99 that's 43% off (I had thought I was "done" buying D&D books having developed my homebrew skills to pull from physical books, but frankly I'm now tempted).. In your world, with accurate pricing, what would your ideal be, and what game marketplace in print or virtual are you seeing something comparable with your ideal?
Calling the Legendary Bundle ridiculously bloated doesn't seem to be complaint at the bundle so much as the cost of being a D&D "completist". Averaging $123/year since 5e's first publication (and it looks like the tempo is going up) is steep or a low bar depending on means, but the bundle is based on the accumulation of books that actually exist and the price reflects the growth of its contents not abstract inflation.
I am actually sensitive of the "overhead" for D&D, but I think D&D Beyond's pricing and ability to piecemeal content from the books instead of buying a whole book, is actually the best deal in the hobby, comparing this sale to other D&D markets including Amazon pricing today, and noticing most of the other games I play or have though about playing aren't as deep discounted in their storefronts either with one exception but they've had an unprecedented sales year so can see the motive to pay it forward. So for me, at least, I don't find this sale disappointing at all, pretty much in line with what I expected and a nudge more.
We're going to have to agree to disagree that the bundle savings qualify as "good" here. The entire concept of a "bundle" is that the consumer is saving significantly by buying the bundle (the advantage for the retailer being that they get more $$$ from the consumer up front). But a $5 USD savings on a $340 post-discount bundle? You're talking a 1.4% discount there. That's ... not exactly enticing?
Yes, the individual books are on sale for 33% (mostly). Yes, that's fine and good—hence, no rant on the topic. But if you're still offering bundles during your Cyber Monday sale, maybe find a way to make those enticing, too? Because a net $5 discount (vs. the individual books) on a $340 product isn't exactly thrilling.
The banner says "all books on sale for $19.99" not "all books and bundles deeply discounted." I don't recall the bundles getting deep mark downs last year either, I do remember people gaming the sale, or at least contemplating whether it made sense to buy a lot of books at Cyber Monday prices, and then pick up "the bundle" to lock in the permanent 15% discount.
So it sounds like you're not really mad about they're being a sale, but what's on sale. Personally, I'm content on having bought a bundle at a price that didn't seem bloated to me and having the possibility of being able to purchase future books at 43% off.
No one here can make you less mad, that's entirely a matter of you and your will, but they can just question your assumptions.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'd say "disappointed," not "mad." Regardless, if you're happy with the sale, that's great. I'm not looking to convince anyone who's happy with it to feel differently, just offering a dissenting viewpoint. I'll still ultimately make a purchase. It just won't be of the magnitude that I'd been planning for the last few months.
Personally, the only disappointment was that the sale is only for $30 books. I was looking forward to getting TLMoP, given the small price difference between DDB version and the physical (which so gets you extra dice), my miserly nature can't bring itself to pay for the digital version, while the physical version is an issue because I don't want to pay for the dice lol (it being 1-5 adventure, it's not that much more to get a "full" one instead that is probably better quality anyway). If they'd reduced TLMoP here, I'd already resolved to buy it. Alas. Still, I have plenty of adventures to be getting on with, maybe another time they will reduce it. I seem to remember they did last sale, I just wasn't ready to buy it yet.
As far as sales in general are concerned, I'm not bothered. Either they offer a reduction that tempts me, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, their loss of a sale. So it doesn't bother me if they don't offer a big reduction.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Bundles have a permanent 15% discount *on books* Bundle sale adds an additional 15% discount.
Book sale is 33% off.
Yes, 30% is close to 33% when measuring different sales. I'm unsure what the argument here is - that the bundles weren't given the same 33% discount as individual books, down to 48% in total? The significant bundle savings vs individual books will be observable on Dec. 6th.
I actually agree with the OP, I was eagerly anticipating a good deal but now I think I will just spend my money elsewhere on other Cyber Monday deals (not D&D related). When you see other retailers offering 50% and even 60% off the offerings for this sale seem a bit tight. I was fully prepared to buy a lot of books too.
I actually agree with the OP, I was eagerly anticipating a good deal but now I think I will just spend my money elsewhere on other Cyber Monday deals (not D&D related). When you see other retailers offering 50% and even 60% off the offerings for this sale seem a bit tight. I was fully prepared to buy a lot of books too.
A friend of mine had several items in her Amazon cart and was waiting for today to purchase them on Cyber Monday. The items did change prices. They went *UP IN PRICE* anywhere from $2.50 to $14! lol
If DnDBeyond's sale price isn't good enough. Your situation will not improve after the sale ends. As long as you consider that if you do intend to buy something at some point.
Bundles have a permanent 15% discount *on books* Bundle sale adds an additional 15% discount.
Book sale is 33% off.
Yes, 30% is close to 33% when measuring different sales. I'm unsure what the argument here is - that the bundles weren't given the same 33% discount as individual books, down to 48% in total? The significant bundle savings vs individual books will be observable on Dec. 6th.
That's actually good implied info, I had assumed this was Cyber Monday not "Cyber Week" ... gives me time to think it over as I'd already loaded my DMsGuild cart and can assess whether it makes sense to homebrew/convert all that AND the stuff in Fiz and VRGtR OR just pay for the efficiency of having those books loaded on.
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Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
Are you talking about USD or some other currency (that might lower my eyebrow)? The DDB books are not normally $40, but ~$30, you've added 25% more hardship than there actually is, and also makes readers question the rest of your rant's math. Looking through marketplace, books are presently 33% off, a third off. I don't know what you're hammering about. Legendary Bundle also gets you a 15% discount on future purchases, so if say you already had the legendary bundle but didn't yet own Fizbans or Ravensloft (ahem), you can get those at $16.99 that's 43% off (I had thought I was "done" buying D&D books having developed my homebrew skills to pull from physical books, but frankly I'm now tempted).. In your world, with accurate pricing, what would your ideal be, and what game marketplace in print or virtual are you seeing something comparable with your ideal?
Calling the Legendary Bundle ridiculously bloated doesn't seem to be complaint at the bundle so much as the cost of being a D&D "completist". Averaging $123/year since 5e's first publication (and it looks like the tempo is going up) is steep or a low bar depending on means, but the bundle is based on the accumulation of books that actually exist and the price reflects the growth of its contents not abstract inflation.
I am actually sensitive of the "overhead" for D&D, but I think D&D Beyond's pricing and ability to piecemeal content from the books instead of buying a whole book, is actually the best deal in the hobby, comparing this sale to other D&D markets including Amazon pricing today, and noticing most of the other games I play or have though about playing aren't as deep discounted in their storefronts either with one exception but they've had an unprecedented sales year so can see the motive to pay it forward. So for me, at least, I don't find this sale disappointing at all, pretty much in line with what I expected and a nudge more.
I agree with you. As far as hobby goes, buying all the books in digital and hard cover form to be a completionist costs <2k at most. Compared to almost any other hobby (including many other ttrpgs) this is a really low cost.
Are you talking about USD or some other currency (that might lower my eyebrow)? The DDB books are not normally $40, but ~$30, you've added 25% more hardship than there actually is, and also makes readers question the rest of your rant's math. Looking through marketplace, books are presently 33% off, a third off. I don't know what you're hammering about. Legendary Bundle also gets you a 15% discount on future purchases, so if say you already had the legendary bundle but didn't yet own Fizbans or Ravensloft (ahem), you can get those at $16.99 that's 43% off (I had thought I was "done" buying D&D books having developed my homebrew skills to pull from physical books, but frankly I'm now tempted).. In your world, with accurate pricing, what would your ideal be, and what game marketplace in print or virtual are you seeing something comparable with your ideal?
Calling the Legendary Bundle ridiculously bloated doesn't seem to be complaint at the bundle so much as the cost of being a D&D "completist". Averaging $123/year since 5e's first publication (and it looks like the tempo is going up) is steep or a low bar depending on means, but the bundle is based on the accumulation of books that actually exist and the price reflects the growth of its contents not abstract inflation.
I am actually sensitive of the "overhead" for D&D, but I think D&D Beyond's pricing and ability to piecemeal content from the books instead of buying a whole book, is actually the best deal in the hobby, comparing this sale to other D&D markets including Amazon pricing today, and noticing most of the other games I play or have though about playing aren't as deep discounted in their storefronts either with one exception but they've had an unprecedented sales year so can see the motive to pay it forward. So for me, at least, I don't find this sale disappointing at all, pretty much in line with what I expected and a nudge more.
I agree with you. As far as hobby goes, buying all the books in digital and hard cover form to be a completionist costs <2k at most. Compared to almost any other hobby (including many other ttrpgs) this is a really low cost.
I wouldn't say D&D is cheap by any means, (for a DM anyhow) but I have multiple other hobbies. Each of which easily dwarf the costs of all the D&D content in both digital and physical form combined.
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The secret I used to get the bundle eventually was to use the sales and coupons to your advantage.
Buy books when they are on $19.99 sale but not all of them (I think I had a little more than half the books) then I bought the bundle for about $100 + my previous purchases (It was a while back) when there was a nice sale on just the bundle (it was a while back). then I preorder the new books with a coupon plus my legendary bundle discount which adds to everything and I wind up getting most new books for about $20.
I agree with you. As far as hobby goes, buying all the books in digital and hard cover form to be a completionist costs <2k at most. Compared to almost any other hobby (including many other ttrpgs) this is a really low cost.
D&D really isn't low cost. That's just the books - add in the other stuff that you need (screen, plenty of dice) plus the stuff that isn't strictly necessary but is needed to really.brung the game to its potential (maps, miniatures, etc), and you're talking a really substantial amount of money. 2k+ isn't cheap.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
The secret I used to get the bundle eventually was to use the sales and coupons to your advantage.
Buy books when they are on $19.99 sale but not all of them (I think I had a little more than half the books) then I bought the bundle for about $100 + my previous purchases (It was a while back) when there was a nice sale on just the bundle (it was a while back). then I preorder the new books with a coupon plus my legendary bundle discount which adds to everything and I wind up getting most new books for about $20.
Not sure how that works. The bundle is discounted by the amount you paid, so there's no overall advantage to buying things in sale. You pay less now, but get a smaller discount on the bundle.
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If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
First time poster here. I've been waiting on the "big" Cyber Monday sale for months now, fully intending to go all-in on the Legendary Bundle. But the actual sale is ... kind of lame?
Let's see here. The Legendary Bundle, which has reached a ridiculously bloated $862 at full price, is discounted to $730. That 15% cut is less than in Cyber Mondays past, by my understanding. But okay, how much are we saving on the bundle vs. buying the discounted books individually?
So, $30. I guess that's something? Not exactly thrilling for a product that's already so expensive, though.
The meager discount got me looking at alternatives. Maybe the Sourcebook Bundle, at 23% off, is a better deal?
Wait ... $5? The discount is $5? You have got to be kidding.
Listen, I get not wanting to offer discounts on pre-order books. I don't think anyone wants the hard work of those who created these books given away for free. But let's not pretend that $40/book isn't a large ask when so many books are a semi-requirement of keeping up with the hobby. Some of us have the resources to spend that $40/book. That's great. But maybe if you're advertising your "biggest sale of the year," you should work to make that sale a bit more attractive for those who don't have the necessary resources to keep up.
As for me, I'll probably end up with the Player Bundle + Descent Into Avernus (our current campaign). It'll work out to many hundreds less than I was expecting to pay, so I suppose I should be grateful for the skimpy deals. But yeah, wow, not impressed.
Many of the books are $10 off each. That ends up being a pretty damn good savings over all.
I bought a bunch on sale before, but I paid full price on some too. This sale seems pretty good to me except the fact that the book I want (Netherdeep) isn't included on the sale.
I will just wait till it is. Between DnDBeyond and physicals books. I spend way too much on this stuff already.
Info, Inflow, Overload. Knowledge Black Hole Imminent!
Are you talking about USD or some other currency (that might lower my eyebrow)? The DDB books are not normally $40, but ~$30, you've added 25% more hardship than there actually is, and also makes readers question the rest of your rant's math. Looking through marketplace, books are presently 33% off, a third off. I don't know what you're hammering about. Legendary Bundle also gets you a 15% discount on future purchases, so if say you already had the legendary bundle but didn't yet own Fizbans or Ravensloft (ahem), you can get those at $16.99 that's 43% off (I had thought I was "done" buying D&D books having developed my homebrew skills to pull from physical books, but frankly I'm now tempted).. In your world, with accurate pricing, what would your ideal be, and what game marketplace in print or virtual are you seeing something comparable with your ideal?
Calling the Legendary Bundle ridiculously bloated doesn't seem to be complaint at the bundle so much as the cost of being a D&D "completist". Averaging $123/year since 5e's first publication (and it looks like the tempo is going up) is steep or a low bar depending on means, but the bundle is based on the accumulation of books that actually exist and the price reflects the growth of its contents not abstract inflation.
I am actually sensitive of the "overhead" for D&D, but I think D&D Beyond's pricing and ability to piecemeal content from the books instead of buying a whole book, is actually the best deal in the hobby, comparing this sale to other D&D markets including Amazon pricing today, and noticing most of the other games I play or have though about playing aren't as deep discounted in their storefronts either with one exception but they've had an unprecedented sales year so can see the motive to pay it forward. So for me, at least, I don't find this sale disappointing at all, pretty much in line with what I expected and a nudge more.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
We're going to have to agree to disagree that the bundle savings qualify as "good" here. The entire concept of a "bundle" is that the consumer is saving significantly by buying the bundle (the advantage for the retailer being that they get more $$$ from the consumer up front). But a $5 USD savings on a $340 post-discount bundle? You're talking a 1.4% discount there. That's ... not exactly enticing?
Yes, the individual books are on sale for 33% (mostly). Yes, that's fine and good—hence, no rant on the topic. But if you're still offering bundles during your Cyber Monday sale, maybe find a way to make those enticing, too? Because a net $5 discount (vs. the individual books) on a $340 product isn't exactly thrilling.
The banner says "all books on sale for $19.99" not "all books and bundles deeply discounted." I don't recall the bundles getting deep mark downs last year either, I do remember people gaming the sale, or at least contemplating whether it made sense to buy a lot of books at Cyber Monday prices, and then pick up "the bundle" to lock in the permanent 15% discount.
So it sounds like you're not really mad about they're being a sale, but what's on sale. Personally, I'm content on having bought a bundle at a price that didn't seem bloated to me and having the possibility of being able to purchase future books at 43% off.
No one here can make you less mad, that's entirely a matter of you and your will, but they can just question your assumptions.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I'd say "disappointed," not "mad." Regardless, if you're happy with the sale, that's great. I'm not looking to convince anyone who's happy with it to feel differently, just offering a dissenting viewpoint. I'll still ultimately make a purchase. It just won't be of the magnitude that I'd been planning for the last few months.
Personally, the only disappointment was that the sale is only for $30 books. I was looking forward to getting TLMoP, given the small price difference between DDB version and the physical (which so gets you extra dice), my miserly nature can't bring itself to pay for the digital version, while the physical version is an issue because I don't want to pay for the dice lol (it being 1-5 adventure, it's not that much more to get a "full" one instead that is probably better quality anyway). If they'd reduced TLMoP here, I'd already resolved to buy it. Alas. Still, I have plenty of adventures to be getting on with, maybe another time they will reduce it. I seem to remember they did last sale, I just wasn't ready to buy it yet.
As far as sales in general are concerned, I'm not bothered. Either they offer a reduction that tempts me, or it doesn't. If it doesn't, their loss of a sale. So it doesn't bother me if they don't offer a big reduction.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Bundles have a permanent 15% discount *on books*
Bundle sale adds an additional 15% discount.
Book sale is 33% off.
Yes, 30% is close to 33% when measuring different sales. I'm unsure what the argument here is - that the bundles weren't given the same 33% discount as individual books, down to 48% in total? The significant bundle savings vs individual books will be observable on Dec. 6th.
I don’t understand why Call of the Netherdeep isn’t on sale. Pre-orders have been on sale before.
I actually agree with the OP, I was eagerly anticipating a good deal but now I think I will just spend my money elsewhere on other Cyber Monday deals (not D&D related). When you see other retailers offering 50% and even 60% off the offerings for this sale seem a bit tight. I was fully prepared to buy a lot of books too.
A friend of mine had several items in her Amazon cart and was waiting for today to purchase them on Cyber Monday. The items did change prices. They went *UP IN PRICE* anywhere from $2.50 to $14! lol
If DnDBeyond's sale price isn't good enough. Your situation will not improve after the sale ends. As long as you consider that if you do intend to buy something at some point.
Info, Inflow, Overload. Knowledge Black Hole Imminent!
That's actually good implied info, I had assumed this was Cyber Monday not "Cyber Week" ... gives me time to think it over as I'd already loaded my DMsGuild cart and can assess whether it makes sense to homebrew/convert all that AND the stuff in Fiz and VRGtR OR just pay for the efficiency of having those books loaded on.
Jander Sunstar is the thinking person's Drizzt, fight me.
I agree with you. As far as hobby goes, buying all the books in digital and hard cover form to be a completionist costs <2k at most. Compared to almost any other hobby (including many other ttrpgs) this is a really low cost.
I wouldn't say D&D is cheap by any means, (for a DM anyhow) but I have multiple other hobbies. Each of which easily dwarf the costs of all the D&D content in both digital and physical form combined.
Info, Inflow, Overload. Knowledge Black Hole Imminent!
The secret I used to get the bundle eventually was to use the sales and coupons to your advantage.
Buy books when they are on $19.99 sale but not all of them (I think I had a little more than half the books) then I bought the bundle for about $100 + my previous purchases (It was a while back) when there was a nice sale on just the bundle (it was a while back). then I preorder the new books with a coupon plus my legendary bundle discount which adds to everything and I wind up getting most new books for about $20.
D&D really isn't low cost. That's just the books - add in the other stuff that you need (screen, plenty of dice) plus the stuff that isn't strictly necessary but is needed to really.brung the game to its potential (maps, miniatures, etc), and you're talking a really substantial amount of money. 2k+ isn't cheap.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Not sure how that works. The bundle is discounted by the amount you paid, so there's no overall advantage to buying things in sale. You pay less now, but get a smaller discount on the bundle.
If you're not willing or able to to discuss in good faith, then don't be surprised if I don't respond, there are better things in life for me to do than humour you. This signature is that response.
Disappointing? YES, for me not because of bundles, but because I've already got everything it applies to.
Was planning on pre-ordering Netherdeep but just gonna hold off on that.