Worth noting that even using that, taking old Subclasses from '14 books is feasible.
Well that depends. It might not be a problem for us, the players and DM's, but it might be a problem for Wizards if we're not all jumping to buy the new books!
Sure, but I am valuing the desires of gamers over a corporation. Don't worry, I'm sure plenty of people will buy WotC's new books.
Unfortunately, nearly every single non-indie game is the product of a corporation. And corporations--particularly very large ones--are going to put their own interests ahead of those of individual gamers. This is simply how the world works.
Quite true. That's one reason why I prefer to muck around with the smaller corps when feasible.
AL already limits certain character options (flying races) and methods (point-buy, average hp, starting gear) and for a while limited to you a single additional sourcebook. I'd say the idea the organized play will require conversion to the latest ruleset is 1.) not unexpected 2.) not unprecedented, and 3.) not a betrayal of what WotC has meant by compatible.
I try not to paint all small creators as good, and all corporations are bad. I'd rather play Pathfinder than Lamentations of the Flame Princess.
That makes it almost certain that AL will be 5.5e only. Their whole premise is that these new rules are just updates and it's still 5e. They can't hold that premise and then treat the rules differently. Plus it will require AL players and DMs to buy the new books, which is what they want to happen. There is some small chance that they will walk back that rule and allow chaos to reign across AL, but I doubt it.
