D&D 5E What do you want out of 5E/Next?

[Remathilis]

The love child of BECMI and whoever fails the paternity test between 2nd edition and 3rd edition.

Basically, I want a game that feels like BECMI at the micro-level, using 3e's upward math (bound to reign in spiraling number bloat) and has 2e & 3e's creation options. I also wouldn't mind a dash of 4e's better flavor ideas.

The game should be perfectly playable out of the box, with the option to layer on more options and complexities. "Some assembly required" is for tinkerers and IKEA furniture.

 

[Crazy Jerome]

I want a system that supports as many styles of play as possible, because I am myself never stuck on one favourite style, I want to change sometimes. Some styles (or rather elements of a style) that are must-have for me are "combat as war", old-school dungeon crawl, narrative grid-less combat, sandbox, downtime management, low-magic (items), and long-time travels and lingering effects.

This, and most everything else that Li Shenron said, except that I don't personally care about the artwork very much. (Though I suspect that the game won't be successful without good artwork, and a game I like I'd also prefer to be successful, so ...)

I'd also prefer that there be a complete absence of little twisted elements that make no real sense in the design but are put in counter to the design to try to quell screaming. (The sop to alignment in 3E for paladins and monks is an example of such.) If it's an important enough issue that people are screaming about, fix it within the main design. If it's not, don't patch it and pretend that it is fixed. Have the courage to say, "You know, X just really isn't that important in the main scheme, but you can change that if you really want, because it really isn't that important." Or if it is important, make it so.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Personally 4e was my perfect edition of D&D, so what I want is a D&D that has all the virtues of 4 but runs faster at the table.
That said, my players have decided they are moving onto next for my new campaign anyway.

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

I don't much care what it is, I just want it now.

 

[Tequila Sunrise]

As the title says, what are you looking to get out of 5E?

I'd love a refined continuation of original 4e, with even more sacred hamburger goodness. But, as that's not going to happen, I'm hoping that I outright hate 5e so I'm not tempted to buy a game I'll play sporadically at most.

Do you want a game that lets everyone from different editioms play at the same table?

Gamers of different editions have always been able to sit down at the same table, if they're willing to look past the details they don't like and just play the darned game. I'm not naive enough to think that 5e will be meaningfully different in this regard.

Are you looking for something that evokes an older system, but has current support?

It'd be nice to have a really great AP for 4e (or 4.5 if you like), but other than that I don't give a fig for 'support' or pre-4 editions.

Are you wanting something that supports a certain style of play?

Are you looking for a modernized, streamlined system?

Are you hoping for more of the "great, same old stuff" you've come to expect from D&D?

I don't care whether a game is old, new, or blue. I want a quality heroic adventure system. I want streamlined balance with many simple/intuitive options. I want a game that's easy to teach and DM.

If you can call that a style, that's what I want.

 

[WhatGravitas]

A game with the varied world lore like 2E and its various campaign worlds.

A game with classes that are a bit more than just their combat abilities (in the vein of 3E).

A game with the focus on balance of fun and participation of 4E (no players hogging the spotlight).

A game with the ease of monster modding of 3E and the ease of encounter design of 4E.

A game, where beginners and veterans can pick up the game and get going with heroic adventures in a couple of minutes, without one overshadowing or outclassing or out-"funning" another.

 

[FireLance]

I want a system optimized for balanced dungeon crawling with a toolbox which allows you to create your adventurers no matter what they may be as a modular option.

Edit: IMO, you should always have to opt in to imbalance. It shouldn't be the default option.

 

[FireLance]

More seriously, I think I would like a system that retains the best features of 4e, with enough flexibility that those who do not share my (obviously superior ) tastes can choose not to use those features, and which continues to innovate and improve on the game. It should also cure cancer and create world peace. (So much for "more seriously". )

 

[Obryn]

I want something new that 1e and 4e don't provide better.

If the designers can't convince me why I should play it instead of one of the above games that I already have, I'm pretty much not interested.

I mean, we already have ... what, six or seven official and dozens of near-clones that let you play D&D in various ways. If Next can't give me a new and different way to play, it's a non-starter.

-O

 

[pemerton]

I want rules that are few, simple and clear, but strict.

I want the fiction (whatever is happening in-game) to be what the game is about - not a "fluff" or "flavor text" that may be changed or discarded at whim.

I want interesting fights with important decisions to make, but without a ton of numbers, modifiers, miniatures and maps.

I want character building choices that all have fictional significance.

I want dungeons, wilderness areas, cultures and social situations that are fun to explore.

This all sounds excellent. But I don't think D&Dnext will provide it, will it? For what you describe wouldn't the game have to go more indie rather than less indie?