D&D (2024) 6e? Why?

[generic]

Hmm, I think I need a more controversial title...

Do we really need a sixth edition?

Discuss.

 

[Morrus]

Nope.

 

[Dispater]

No need for it. 5e is probably as allright as classic d&d/d20 mechanics will ever get from an official channel.

 

[Charlaquin]

It doesn’t really matter if we need it or not, it will happen eventually. That said, it’s not happening any time soon. 5e is doing far too well for WotC to kill it yet. Maybe in another 5 years.

 

[PabloM]

No, we don´t. But eventually will happen.
What I fear the most a "5.5" edition or something like that.

 

[Oofta]

No. Even if we did, there would be a vocal minority that claimed it was completely broken because ____. Any disagreement with that statement would be met with pages of derision and math showing how wrong you are.

 

[Umbran]

No. Even if we did, there would be a vocal minority that claimed it was completely broken because ____.

Because "need" is not objective. Different people have different needs.

Edition wars are basically an Old-West conflict between cattle ranchers and sheep ranchers. They both use the land for similar things, but they're needs are slightly different, and mutually exclusive.

 

[Zardnaar]

I expect 5E to last another 3 years minimum more like 5 or 6. They might actually make the 10 year thing for the 1st time since 2E.

 

[Charlaquin]

No, we don´t. But eventually will happen.
What I fear the most a "5.5" edition or something like that.

The ideal next step, in my opinion, would be for WotC to finally deliver on the promise of modular rules that they kept trumpeting during the playtest. Rather than a new edition or .5 that replaces 5.0, they could release optional rules hacks that could be used to sort of build your own 5.x, or stick with 5.0 if you prefer.

 

[Umbran]

The ideal next step, in my opinion, would be for WotC to finally deliver on the promise of modular rules that they kept trumpeting during the playtest. Rather than a new edition or .5 that replaces 5.0, they could release optional rules hacks that could be used to sort of build your own 5.x, or stick with 5.0 if you prefer.

The thing is, a new edition is primarily going to be driven by a business need - to reinvigorate sales. I'm pretty sure a toolbox based on the same core won't achieve that end. Toolboxes are for gearheads, and I'm not sure the gearheads who want to build their own game out of parts is a large enough market to satisfy the business need.

I'm going to guess the growing business need will be around attracting and keeping a new generation of gamers.