Red Steel is a campaign setting box set for Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition released in 1994. It contains two sourcebooks (the 128-page Campaign Book, and the 32-page Lands of the Savage Coast), three full-color poster maps, and an audio CD with 13 original compositions.
Official synopsis[]
An extraordinary metal lighter than common steel and more precious than gold. The object of quests and the cause of war. Only one place holds this treasure: the Savage Coast. This grand frontier is also home to the Red Curse, and ancient bane that hideously deforms some victims, while mysteriously granting powers to others. Here, player characters can acquire wondrous abilities, even as they seek to garner red steel, the key to power and fame!
Content[]
Development and release[]
Development[]
Release[]
Red Steel was released by TSR in for $30.00 US, $42.00 Canadian, or £21.50 GBP including VAT.
On March 17, 2022, it was re-released in digital format. It is currently available on DriveThruRPG and Dungeon Masters Guild for $4.95. The digital release includes a digital copy of the music CD.
Reception and influence[]
Sales[]
Red Steel was TSR's least popular campaign setting, with total sales of just 16,638 copies between 1994 and 1999. It sold 17,986 copies in its first year, but returns led to effectively negative sales in following years, -764 in 1995 and and -621 in 1996. It sold just 83 copies in 1997 and 53 copies in 1998, and -99 copies in 1999.[1] With the release of Dungeons & Dragons 3rd edition in 2000, Wizards of the Coast discontinued the Red Steel setting.
Critical reception[]
As of 2023, Red Steel reached the rank of Silver seller on DriveThruRPG.