I realize I am not answering Sabathius's original post question, but I can only echo Sormonu here. I came into the game in 1980, although I was quite young then still. I find 5th edition the version I play and preferable for me in every area...including in book design and art. That sometimes goes unremarked, but the books themselves are really beautiful. I would simply like to see some continued expansion of the game and the settings, which appears to be what is happening.I’ve been around D&D ever since the opening of the 80’s (and I forgot about keeping my 3-hole punched B/X books in my Trapper Keeper), but I haven’t stagnated on game design. To be truthful, my favorite system is probably Savage Worlds, with D&D a close second (though I own way more D&D stuff of various ages).
I’m constantly digging through my old books for ideas and stuff I want to bring forward, not the other way around. I wouldn’t mind going back and running a 2E game, but I’m actually happy with 5E.
If anything, there are times that I feel 5E stopped short, for the sake of player simplicity and I’d like to add some quasi-simulationist aspects back, or at least broaden opens or fill in gaps I perceive - for example, decoupling sorcerous heritages/sources and subclasses.
When I do look back at that old material, it’s with an eye of the memories of those days in the entirety. Not just what was going on in the game itself, but the movies, music and life experiences I underwent back in that time. For myself, I’m trying to capture some of that feeling that made me happy and excited to be playing D&D - something I know I’ll never be able to capture, but want it there like a cozy ol‘ teddy bear that’s proof against the storm of the world around me.
Could that possibly be because the developers recognized good and useful input when they heard it?My problem was that they are a shrinking loud minority that is only getting smaller as they get put in the ground, yet in play testing the developers paid an undue amount of attention to them.
OK, I suppose someone has to bite: what changes did you want to see that didn't happen due to the in-theory influence of grognards?My second issue is that they have halted too much change in the game whether be from a fear of change or rose coloured view of the past.
What are you on about here - that is, other than accusing an entire segment of the gaming community of general dishonesty?Thirdly all too often their arguments are often dishonest or poorly chosen eg Fighter abilities are magic or a Fighter doesn't need abilities because they can just describe any action.
What are you on about here - that is, other than accusing an entire segment of the gaming community of general dishonesty?
I am not eager to see grognards put in the ground, it's just a simple fact they are an aging population which is shrinking due to nature taking it's course.Sounds like someone is bitter that the newest and most popular elfgame doesn't cater specifically to their preferred niche.
I'd tell @Eubani they can join the club, but forget that noise, I don't want somebody eager to see grognards "get put in the ground" anywhere near me.
D&D is more like a GenX thing than a boomer thing.My problem was that they are a shrinking loud minority that is only getting smaller as they get put in the ground, yet in play testing the developers paid an undue amount of attention to them. My second issue is that they have halted too much change in the game whether be from a fear of change or rose coloured view of the past. Thirdly all too often their arguments are often dishonest or poorly chosen eg Fighter abilities are magic or a Fighter doesn't need abilities because they can just describe any action.
We are at the point where they make such a small percentage of players that we can afford the occasional Ok Boomer and not pay them undue attention.
The fact that, as you say, a cowboy preacher is fighting back to back with an electric psionic samurai and it WORKS in the fiction is one of the reasons it's my favorite system. I'm not sure it's possible to run out of new mechanical ideas for a character.I never played the original Torg, but I played Torg Eternity for the first time in November 2020 and I love it! It is the finest attempt I've seen at a cross-genre RPG. I always wanted to play a superhero/anti-hero character but never got the chance because none of the groups I played with were interested in that sort of game. Now I finally have a chance. Our party consists of my (relatively low power) superhero, a gun and bible toting cowboy with faith magic, a fighter pilot and a psionic samurai. And it works thematically because of the lore of the setting.
I find your use of us vs. them language to perhaps show how you are conflicting your preferences with good and bad design.My problem was that they are a shrinking loud minority that is only getting smaller as they get put in the ground, yet in play testing the developers paid an undue amount of attention to them. My second issue is that they have halted too much change in the game whether be from a fear of change or rose coloured view of the past. Thirdly all too often their arguments are often dishonest or poorly chosen eg Fighter abilities are magic or a Fighter doesn't need abilities because they can just describe any action.
We are at the point where they make such a small percentage of players that we can afford the occasional Ok Boomer and not pay them undue attention.
Well said.
I think 5th edition is the second-best version of D&D made, after B/X (we currently use Old School Essentials, which is a simple re-formatting of B/X).
I've played every version since the white box and have managed to have fun with every one. But as far as rules goes, 5e is the cleanest rule set since B/X. And that's a good thing in my book.