I don't play the min game, instead I bought this for the monsters and maps for role playing 4th edition D&D, which I DM once a month.
The packaging is awesome. The moulded case holds the figures well and my set had no bent weapons or disfigured forms. The d20 is nice.
This starter set includes five FIXED and EXCLUSIVE figures, this means that each starter set contains the same five figures, and that this starter set is the only place you can get these five figures. You get three good guys (Human Sellsword, Elf Warlock, Dwarf Battlemaster) and two bad guys (Yuan-Ti Swiftscale and Young Green Dragon).
Unfortunately Wizards of the Coast are being affected by the credit crunch and sadly they have recently had to restructure and lay off some staff. As a result of this they will no longer be producing the D&D Collectible Miniatures Game, instead focusing on non-random and semi-random miniature packs aimed at those role playing 4th edition D&D. There will be two types of packs, one type aimed at players and the other type aimed at DM's.
Good news for role players and bad news for the miniature players, however, WotC have said that they will support the fans of the mini game in developing their own rules.