D&D General Which Sacred Cow Will Be The Last To Slaughter?

[MNblockhead]

Getting rid of the DM would change the game the most--someone has to prepare and run it. The others have all been dispensed with in various other RPGs; I think there are a few indie RPGs with no game master (I think InSpectres?) but it's not a popular choice.

InSPECTres has a GM, it just has rules that allow players to change what happens in the game. It is a heavy improv, yes-and system, but still one with a GM.

 

[MNblockhead]

I suspect the colonialist mockery of Hindu religious traditions might be among the first to go.

Yeah, I suspect mainstream systems like 5e will eventually go to all system-unique religions and deities rather than using real-world religions, dead or alive. At some point, even "dead" religions, which have been revived by neo-pagan groups (even that characterization may be controversial with, say Norse gods). I have no problem in my personal games using real-world religions so long as none of my players are offended by it, but it is increasingly problematic for large, mainstream companies to risk offending those who believe in gods that are added to game fluff and mechanics.

 

[Reynard]

Yeah, I suspect mainstream systems like 5e will eventually go to all system-unique religions and deities rather than using real-world religions, dead or alive. At some point, even "dead" religions, which have been revived by neo-pagan groups (even that characterization may be controversial with, say Norse gods). I have no problem in my personal games using real-world religions so long as none of my players are offended by it, but it is increasingly problematic for large, mainstream companies to risk offending those who believe in gods that are added to game fluff and mechanics.

It's okay. It went over my head the first time too.

 

[Argyle King]

Dice.

I was going to say the d20.

 

[MNblockhead]

It's okay. It went over my head the first time too.

Nah, I got the "sacred cow" reference. Joke or not, I do think that we've seen a slow change regarding which real-world religions are gamified in D&D. I see that trend continuing.

 

[David Howery]

Alignment seems like a good bet for the first thing to go.

 

[loverdrive]

...isn't vancian magic already slaughtered for, what, 13 years now?

 

[Storyteller Hero]

I can see the possibility of Armor Class being removed as a mechanic, with attack rolls being against Reflex/Fortitude/Will like in 4th edition, but with area effect attacks still using saving throws.

Without AC, Armor might switch to a HP bonus system that facilitates the use of partial armoring mechanics (ex. shoulder plates, helmets). It's not like armor comes off of PCs in mid-combat except on rare occasion.

 

[John R Davis]

Classes will stay. Given that in other media ( Witcher, WoT, and other fantasy) there are definite clear 'roles'.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Anyone voting "DM" is a silly person, because I guarantee that with in 20-30 years, maybe a lot sooner, someone will invent an at least sorta-competent "virtual DM", and/or WotC (or whoever owns D&D at that point) will release a DM-less version of D&D (there are already many DM-less and even solo TT RPGs out there which actually work, note).

Classes are a decent guess but I suspect we'll see them go eventually, not deleted or anything, but just made a choice that's not particularly defining.

HP I think will be the actual last thing to go, simply because it's a hard system to beat, being very simple. I do think they'll get modified, and I don't think 3/4/5E's "linear HP increase" will last beyond DND2024.