D&D 2E Which is the better fantasy rpg and why: D&D 5e or Pathfinder 2e?

[Dausuul]

I have to wonder why it took so long to hear that. The TSR era of D&D was decidedly behind the times (though 2e was at least less overtly offensive), but the WotC versions have been inclusive from the beginning.

They have been better than the TSR versions, but there was still plenty of gratuitous cleavage and pinup posing in 4E. Just look at the 4E PHB cover.

 

[generic]

They have been better than the TSR versions, but there was still plenty of gratuitous cleavage and pinup posing in 4E. Just look at the 4E PHB cover.

Well, that was just Wayne Reynolds. Such things are characteristic of his artwork (I still love the style, but the poses are oft-unfortunate).

 

[Dausuul]

Well, that was just Wayne Reynolds. Such things are characteristic of his artwork (I still love the style, but the poses are oft-unfortunate).

Wizards picked him to set the artistic style, and signed off on stuff like that PHB cover. It isn't like Reynolds snuck into their offices in the dead of night and swapped the art files.

 

[generic]

Wizards picked him to set the artistic style, and signed off on stuff like that PHB cover. It isn't like Reynolds snuck into their offices in the dead of night and swapped the art files.

True enough. I don't find 4E art particularly egregious, but to each their own I suppose.

 

[Warpiglet]

I know it's a matter of opinion, but I think the MM is the best designed out of the three. I love how they took time and effort to flesh out the lore and history of each monster. Because to me, that's more important than any ability in a stat block because it tells you how the monster plays in the game. And how something plays in the game has a bigger impact in my games than X ability or Y power. It reinforces how monsters are more than just stat blocks, and for someone who runs their games in a living world, that's important. YMMV of course.

The way they have done this has led to an explosion of DMing ideas for me.

I have tons of stories sprouting from these very seeds in a way that is new and easier for me.

Similarly, the backgrounds for characters also really got me thinking in new directions. I was primarily a 1st edition AD&D player. We messed with 3e for a few years too.

I am more likely to name monsters now and put personality into them.

I know you could do all of this before but there is something about the lore and layout that has inspired this part of play for me.

Cue the naysayers! "We were doing that before, etc. etc. etc.!"

Cool! You're better than me! However, 5e has helped me to grow as a D&D player in many ways. The DMG too has helped me loosen up and go for it too.