D&D 5E I like 5th Edition! The D&D Next Positivity Thread

[MortalPlague]

I was just browsing through a few topics on the boards here, and all I see is negativity directed at 5th Edition. Threads about leaving D&D because of it, threads despairing about how 5th is a mess, or how it's not close enough / far enough from X edition... it's all I see.

Personally, I'm quite excited about D&D Next. The playtests have been a big hit with my group, and what I see coming down the pipe feels like a wonderful blend of old school and new school. Sure it's got rough edges, and there are some pieces of design that I'm not overly fond of, but it's a playtest, and I'm happy to give feedback when asked. I'm gearing up to run a mini-campaign with my group, and the encounter building guidelines, combined with the good bestiary, have me really excited about running D&D.

Who else is excited about D&D Next?

 

[tuxgeo]

< snip >
Who else is excited about D&D Next?

Not I -- I'm intrigued by D&D Next, but not excited. (I just can't maintain much of any level of excitement for multiple months on end.) (Imagine inappropriate joke to be inserted here.)

To me, it all depends on the modularity of it: if the published Next rules set can give a play experience similar to that of 1E to some people, but also give a play experience similar to that of 4E to other people (and all points between), simply by the inclusion and exclusion of various modules, then D&D Next stands a good chance of being a solid success.

And beyond that, WotC has a chance to innovate in the process. For example, Expertise Dice appears to be new; but if it gives the right flavor of play for the players, then it'll be a valuable addition to the game.

 

[FireLance]

Well, as I mentioned in an earlier thread, I like the following 5e innovations:

1. The concept of Hit Dice (more granular healing surges);
2. The Fighter's Expertise Dice (nice way to add variation and flexibility to a fighter's attacks); and
3. The bonuses a Sorcerer gets from expending Willpower (good way to extend the adventuring day).

And apologies for sounding a contrary note so early in the thread, but I'm currently more excited at the prospect of incorporating these concepts into 4E than using them with the 5E core mechanics.

 

[ren1999]

I like it.
I like the idea of bonuses under +11.
I like the actions and the 1 reaction.
I like the expertise dice, just concerned about the added time it will take.

I don't like the monsters.
I don't like the spells/prayers.

 

[DM Howard]

I like it.
I like the idea of bonuses under +11.
I like the actions and the 1 reaction.
I like the expertise dice, just concerned about the added time it will take.

I don't like the monsters.
I don't like the spells/prayers.

Agreed. The Google+ Hangout video gave information basically saying that they know monsters aren't right yet and neither are spells/prayers. I wish that as part of D&D Insider that WotC would allow subscribers to see up to date videos of them in the present design process rather than having to see the packet which is two stages behind what they are actually working with.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

D&D Next is shaping up to be exactly what I'm looking for: A simplified d20 system that addresses the problems I have with both 3rd and 4th editions and that has some of the feel of 2nd.

I like:

• The ability score as central mechanic.
• Skills as situational bonus.
• Backgrounds that provide easy character development with light mechanical underpinnings.
• Specialties that allow for some customization outside of class but constrain feat bloat.
• Expertise Dice.
• Wizards with a limited amount of at will magic.
• Advantage/Disadvantage.
• Simple monster stat blocks.
• Magic Items.
• Subraces.
• The focus on levels one through ten.
• Ritual options for spells.

That's a lot of game that I like. If they can address how front loaded characters are, all my complaints will be minor polish elements.

 

[Treebore]

Its far to soon for me to say what I am going to think of the final version. Right now I am seeing a lot of promising things.

I probably also have a different perspective. I got "off the wagon" with 3E, after about 5 years of playing it. I am also very happy with what I have been using since, which is not Pathfinder or 4E. I did try out 4E for several months as well. So I haven't been attached to any iteration of D&D for about 7 years now.

So maybe that allows me to be a little more receptive since I am not feeling abandoned or betrayed by WOTC. I went through that 7 years ago.

So like I said, I see a lot of promise, and I will keep play testing or at least reading the play tests until the final version takes shape, then I will know.

 

[Falling Icicle]

Let's just say I'm cautiously optimistic. There are alot of things about Next that I really like, such as:

• Bounded Accuracy.
• Ability checks as the core mechanic.
• Skills that aren't tied to ability scores or class.
• Backgrounds.
• Overall simplification of many rules, like actions.
• Old school feel without the the old-school rules.
• Advantage/Disadvantage.
• At-Will cantrips. (they'd better bring this back.. or else! )
• Ritual option for spells.
• Magic Items that are cool and precious without being necessary.

There are quite a few things they've been doing of late that bug me, but hey, it's a playtest. There's still plenty of time left to get it right.

 

[Chris_Nightwing]

I am enjoying the playtesting procedure, and I'm sure that at the end of it there will be a game that quite a few people will enjoy.

What's really revealing to me is exactly what my taste is when it comes to roleplaying games. I actually quite like unified mechanics, rather than unique mechanics for each class, but you can also go too far with that and lose flavour. I prefer dice tricks to excessive math, but at the same time I don't like using dice as resources. In the end I might find myself too far from the consensus to enjoy the game, but I am always happy to explore others or write my own.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

We are having a regular group. And some things did well, some things didn´t (like the rogue nerf)...

Overall D&D next looks good on paper and in play. The rules certainl don´t get in the way of the fun.

Some things I like:
- fighter expertise dice
- cleric vancian casting
- rogue schemes of the version before
- wizard traditions

- skills