RPG D&D 5E...

I had several friends sit in on the test group play at Gen Con. I would have but I was busy running games. But from everything I've heard from them and reading other peoples reviews. It was horrid. Wotc was more concerned with people signing up for the RPGA then they were people's input on the game and the rules changes.

 

I disagree. My experience has been fantastic.

 

The creator of Forgotten Realms still uses 2E for his personal campaigns.

D&D Next(5e) hands on article

 

While not the worst 5e article, that one is pretty bad. The only thing of substance it mentions is that character sheets are sparser. Everything else is vague and edition warrior, including the laughable claim that 4e was somehow the black sheep of the family (1e, 2e and 3e all had their schisms, they just weren't immortalized on the internet. Well, to the same degree).

 

I suspect that was a paid puff piece for 5e than an actual review of the system...

 

The new playtest packet is out.

 

Next playtest packet is out.

 

And another playtest packet is out, this time introducing the monk.

 

Does anyone actually care about this game at all?

 

Guess everyone is still hurting over 4e

 

I forgot about this to tell the truth. Before I go looking at these packets, sell me on them. I do not have a gaming group. What are they like? 4e lost That Old D&D Feeling. How do these new rules feel?

 

Uninspiring. Dull.

It feels like a recycled slurry of earlier editions plus 3e. There's nothing in it that makes me think "oh man, I really want to take this game for a spin." The rules are supposed to be light to give the DM more freedom, but the current rules are terrible 3eisms- if you want a rules-light fantasy game you're honestly better off playing Dungeon World or Legends of Anglerre or something.

I look at the packet and think to myself "would it honestly be that bad to play Pathfinder?" Then I remember that the answer is "yes it is" and walk away disappointed.

Oh well, I have other games and can wait a few years to take a look at 6e.

 

In a play test packet I assume you are allowed to make comments and send it back? There then may be many like you who will respond and cause them to change as they proceed.

 

Yes. What I hear sounds like they're trying to take a huge step backwards, ignoring all the progress they made.
So now they aren't going to be satisfying the 3.5/pathfinder fans or the 4th ed fans or bringing anything to the market by making 5th ed exciting for new fans. Brilliant marketing scheme.

6th ed? oh, expect it by 2015-2018 at the latest.

The support for 4th ed even during it's run was pathetic, erratic, and misguided. It was as if they didn't have a clue as to what they were about, so they just made anything and everything anyone suggested without any though or editting whatsoever. Almost like a blogger or BBS poster ranting and raving.

 

Reprints of AD&D core books are in stores. $35? Ha ha, no.

 

Yeah, I saw reprints of 3.5 core books in the stores a couple months ago.
Sad.
What audience are they trying to target with those?

 

Collectors I assume. Years ago these miniature versions of the AD&D books, like novel sized, came out for I think $10 a piece. I might have bought them but was shy on cash at the time and they flew off the shelves. I do love that old artwork though. I came across a 2E DM guidein a used bookstore. $20. lol.

 

Another playtest packet was released a week or two ago, and there's another survey if anyone wants to provide feedback on it.

 

I have been browsing a bit on D&D Next. Let me se eif I have this right.

1. No skills. They are replaced with skill dice.

2. You start as a static class, then at 3rd level you choose from 3 paths and then each path leads to other tree paths as you flesh out a character. This seems to limit options but would be quick to create.

3. Wizards are now called mages and there are no sorcerers. There are still spellbooks and the Vancian system.

4. If you are in an Advantaged situation you roll 2 dice and take the higher result. If Disadvantaged you roll 2 dice and take the lower result.

5. Separate rules for wilderness and dungeon exploration.

 

Subscribe to the D&D podcast guys; not only are there great updates on Next, but you can hear the Penny Arcade guys in their campaign.

 

D&D turns 40 next month

 

Here it comes...

 

I am working on getting into DnD. I am building a Dragonborn Barbarian. I cannot find or figure out how the initiative stat is generated. Anybody have a simple explanation that can tell me and maybe provide a dumbed down resource that I can reference while I learn how to play?

Thanks!

 

It's a Dexterity check.