D&D 5E Convince me to Spend the Money

[JWO]

Errr...the artwork's really nice in a way that's pretty different to how nice the artwork in Pathfinder is.

I really like the artwork in the Pathfinder books and I also really like the artwork in the 5e books. Pathfinder seems to go for quite a flashy, colourful, almost dungeonpunk style courtesy of Wayne Reynolds and his influence. The 5e artwork is a bit more subdued and gritty overall, and also has a lot of diversity of representation that I like (not that PF doesn't have that).

I don't know if artwork is important to you but it's definitely up there for me (see my signature for an explanation why).

 

[edhel]

Paizo is offering me the same material for $50 that WotC is offering for $100.

This comparison never makes sense. Paizo took a 10 yo game that another company had designed and produced, and sold it under a different name. WOTC designed a new edition, rethought the mechanics, the brand, and had a huge playtest - and even then you get the basic rules for free.

 

[Uchawi]

Perception is reality for a lot of people.

 

[Wicht]

Errr...the artwork's really nice in a way that's pretty different to how nice the artwork in Pathfinder is.

I really like the artwork in the Pathfinder books and I also really like the artwork in the 5e books. Pathfinder seems to go for quite a flashy, colourful, almost dungeonpunk style courtesy of Wayne Reynolds and his influence. The 5e artwork is a bit more subdued and gritty overall, and also has a lot of diversity of representation that I like (not that PF doesn't have that).

I don't know if artwork is important to you but it's definitely up there for me (see my signature for an explanation why).

I like art, and a nice layout always pleases me. But I don't think its ever really been the one thing that ever sold me on a book. Though if we could get some comics back into rulebooks as with 1st edition ADnD, that would be great.

 

[Wicht]

This comparison never makes sense. Paizo took a 10 yo game that another company had designed and produced, and sold it under a different name. WOTC designed a new edition, rethought the mechanics, the brand, and had a huge playtest - and even then you get the basic rules for free.

When I sit down to read a book, I seldom ask, "How long did the author labor at making this," when trying to decide whether I like the book.
It is what it is.

I would say more, but except for the fact I do need to get one of my Pathfinder rulebooks rebound or replaced and that financial need partially affects how soon I am willing to lay down a hefty chunk of change for the 5e books, a discussion of Pathfinder is not going to much sway my decision here and I don't want to pull the thread that way.

 

[Iosue]

Here's the thing. IMO, 5e is totally worth the $150 for the Core 3. But that's incumbent upon the books being used repeatedly over the course of hundreds of hours' gaming. Are any of the books worth laying down $50 for enjoyable and inspirational reading? Absolutely not. And I say that while feeling that the books are filled with great art and bits of fluff that inspire all sorts of ideas.

Hence the suggestion to try the game out with the Basic Rules. That's the game right there. The Core 3 simply build on it for people who want more. If you want to play or run 5e, the books are highly recommended. If you're lukewarm on the idea of playing or running it, the books are not for you. If you're interested in maybe playing it but don't want to deal with the PDF, I'd suggest either paying a few bucks to have the Basic Rules printed and bound, or buy the PBH or MM on discount or used.

I don't know if this is an option for you, but my niece actually picked the PHB at the library before convincing my sister to buy the whole set.

 

[Manchu]

@OP:

If you really like playing Pathfinder (as in, you never find yourself saying something like "this is really too complicated for a RPG") then save yourself the money and trouble of buying the 5E core books. You will not like 5E. On the other hand, if you have doubts about the density of 3.X rules then 5E will be a welcome relief.

 

[Valador]

Having gone through this thread... it seriously seems little more than bait. Either buy the books or don't.

 

[Wicht]

Having gone through this thread... it seriously seems little more than bait. Either buy the books or don't.

How is asking people to post nice things about the 5e books (and 5e itself), and what the books offer me, bait?

 

[billd91]

I consider myself an unabashed Pathfinder fan. I play it every week (barring scheduling conflicts) and will be running it again pretty soon (once we finish the AP we're playing now). And I still found a spot in my game schedule for 5e.

Pathfinder is an awesome game and it serves part of my fantasy RPGing needs very well. The characters are highly customizable. The game serves as a broad toolbox I can use to put a number of highly varied campaigns together. But it's also fairly rules heavy and dense and the large amount of customizability requires some care and a fairly strong hand, particularly at build time, as a GM.

5e is less dense and heavy (so far). It takes very little overhead to actually run. It backs off on many of the rules in favor of a GM's ruling. It radically steps back on magic item creation and economy. It also plays quickly. It's a lighter course game to complement a heavier Pathfinder at my gaming table. And it has an impressive Monster Manual. I've obsessively read through many editions' worth and I'm finding this one surprisingly inspiring. And so I'm also running 5e once a week (I'm even working on converting Age of Worms for that campaign and may do Red Hand of Doom). It isn't replacing my PF campaign - it's complementing it.

I can't be certain it will do the same for you... but it might. If you're not sure, start with the free rules up on the web. And the Starter Set? I've been running that and it has been fun - I've easily gotten my $20 worth out of it.