The lethality of combat is only one aspect of the differences between 5E and 2E that make them feel very different.
The one that matters more to me is the "fantasticality" of the PCs. 5E is not just inherently higher magic than 2E, it is higher octane and more vibrant for lack of a better word. The mechanics support a cinematic, tentpole blockbuster style in combat and interacting with the world I don't really want in this particular context.
There's also the issue of casters: 5E casters are too capable, with too few restrictions on them and too many resources at their disposal. For certain kinds of fantasy, the squishy wizard with powerful but limited spells works much better in play and, IMO, helps maintain versimilitude in a setting meant to look something like our own European medieval period. It may mean that people don't want to play wizards, and that's okay, too. In this case, I am looking for fantasy so low its in the mud.
The one that matters more to me is the "fantasticality" of the PCs. 5E is not just inherently higher magic than 2E, it is higher octane and more vibrant for lack of a better word. The mechanics support a cinematic, tentpole blockbuster style in combat and interacting with the world I don't really want in this particular context.
There's also the issue of casters: 5E casters are too capable, with too few restrictions on them and too many resources at their disposal. For certain kinds of fantasy, the squishy wizard with powerful but limited spells works much better in play and, IMO, helps maintain versimilitude in a setting meant to look something like our own European medieval period. It may mean that people don't want to play wizards, and that's okay, too. In this case, I am looking for fantasy so low its in the mud.