D&D General Does D&D (and RPGs in general) Need Edition Resets?

[Thomas Shey]

Nor do I. The table should always hold more weight than a corporation.

"Should" and "Do" are not the same word for a reason.

 

[Thomas Shey]

well, if you don’t, then do not complain that the DM is using some rule you didn’t not like…

There's two participants in that discussion, even if it happens (and people are terrible about that in general, as any extended reading of RPG discussion should show), and as the poster I responded to two up shows, one of them holds far more ability to dismiss the other. And don't think for a moment most players haven't learned that.

 

[Minigiant]

Really this whole conversation seems to be about people wanting their preferred version of D&D or an RPG to be the main one and not feeling forced to buy/subscribe to the new version that eventually becomes most popular.

Sorry, Time waits for no one. This is why I say this is no different from many other fandoms that are having the same discussions.

RPGs are still in their early phases. RPGs design will evolve. The evolution will become more popular even with hiccups.

So if you want to stick with the most popular RPGs, you have to buy the newest editions.

If you have a solid group that is okay or happy with an older edition, you don't have to move.

You can' have your cake... you know the rest.

 

[mamba]

There's two participants in that discussion, even if it happens (and people are terrible about that in general, as any extended reading of RPG discussion should show), and as the poster I responded to two up shows, one of them holds far more ability to dismiss the other. And don't think for a moment most players haven't learned that.

Sure, the DM can dismiss it, much like the DM can dismiss anything the players do in game that does not align with what the DM wants to happen, and yet DMs frequently accommodate the players instead of being oppressive tyrants. This is no different.

 

[haakon1]

Really this whole conversation seems to be about people wanting their preferred version of D&D or an RPG to be the main one and not feeling forced to buy/subscribe to the new version that eventually becomes most popular.

Perhaps. Just about every discussion here is:
Poster 1) I’m right!
2) You’re wrong
3) I agree with #1
4) I agree with #2
1) You’re wrong #3. I’m more right about it than you, so we don’t really agree even though we’re saying the same thing.
5) You’re both right, except you’re all wrong. Only I am right.
6) Snark, haha
7) This is a plus thread, no snark
3) Random different direction of thread
8) Hasbro sux. Plus threads suck.
9) Why is this discussion going on. What about unrelated issue?
1) Come on everyone, just admit I’m right and the best. Gah.

So if you want to stick with the most popular RPGs, you have to buy the newest editions.

I suppose there’s some truth to that, because of the “if”, but I prefer not to play editions I don’t like.

IMHO, every edition of D&D is chasing the platonic ideal of AD&D (1e, The Real Thing) “only cleaned up”. Some editions get closer than others. Some miss by more (4e, imho), but all have a redeeming feature or two (Nentir Vale for 4e, imho).

If you have a solid group that is okay or happy with an older edition, you don't have to move.

You can' have your cake... you know the rest.

It’s quite possible to recruit new players to play old editions. 1986-1988 and 2003-2007 were the only times I was DMing the current edition, and I have neverhad a shortage of players.

In my experience, most players just don’t care which version of the rules are being used. And those who do know don’t (in my experience) think newest = best.

I hear from you a theory that new = improved and “innovation“ is important and craved by D&D players. I don’t buy any of that. I suspect (subjectively) that most D&D people prefer classic from AD&D era races, classes, monsters, and settings over stuff created in the 4e era and on. Sure, some people like Dragonborn warlocks, but I don’t think it’s as many as half-elf wizards and human fighters.

 

[Micah Sweet]

"Should" and "Do" are not the same word for a reason.

It's up to you.

 

[Minigiant]

I hear from you a theory that new = improved and “innovation“ is important and craved by D&D players. I don’t buy any of that. I suspect (subjectively) that most D&D people prefer classic from AD&D era races, classes, monsters, and settings over stuff created in the 4e era and on. Sure, some people like Dragonborn warlocks, but I don’t think it’s as many as half-elf wizards and human fighters.

No I'm not saying new = improved.

I'm saying "There are stuff that D&D fans have always had issues with." "And there are stuff that other games do that D&D fans want or display improvements on D&D idea"

Like 4e's Dragonborn. People have loooooooooooong said "How comes the dragon game has no playable dragon race?"

And I'l just repeat it again. 4e wasn't rejected. It ran out of ideas and lacked the tech it needed, so it burned through all it's material in 4 years.

D&D fans don't prefer old ideas or new ideas. They prefer good and cool ideas.
And as time marches on, more cool ideas and good ideas will emerge. And D&D will snatch them up and spit out the bad or outdated ideas.

(Interesting note. I've only seen one human pure fighter played since 4e wasn't pregen or strongly nudged by the DM in a non-human-only game)

 

[Thomas Shey]

Sure, the DM can dismiss it, much like the DM can dismiss anything the players do in game that does not align with what the DM wants to happen, and yet DMs frequently accommodate the players instead of being oppressive tyrants. This is no different.

I think there's quite a big difference between the GM's ability to decide one-off things, and ongoing rules things, and I find the latter far more poorly justified, and as I said, I've felt that way for a long, long time.

 

[Thomas Shey]

It's up to you.

Depending on who "you" is, frequently not.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Depending on who "you" is, frequently not.

I find your perspective of the gaming community deeply depressing. Is it all just petty table fiefdoms ruled by tyrant DMs to you? That's the impression I've been getting.