D&D 5E What if the D&D Core outsells the revised D&D Core?

[darjr]

That is probably the best description of what constitutes an edition change that I have read.

Yea. I’m noting it down.

Works too with Basic vs others versions of D&D too. And Call if Cthulhu or Vampire or GURPS or Hero

 

[Parmandur]

We could, but I believe that is much less likely than people calling it 6e, even if it doesn't warrant that description, IMO.

I honestly think that is precisely what we will see in 2024: a new Core set of books acknowledged as 6E by WotC, but that will work smoothly with a mixed 2014/2024 options table. It's very doable because of the exception based ruleset with a modular nature.

 

[Yaarel]

I honestly think that is precisely what we will see in 2024: a new Core set of books acknowledged as 6E by WotC, but that will work smoothly with a mixed 2014/2024 options table. It's very doable because of the exception based ruleset with a modular nature.

What advantage does WotC gain by calling it 6e?

Heh, as far as I can tell, they will ambiguously call it the "anniversary edition", without committing themselves to a "number".

 

[Parmandur]

What advantage does WotC gain by calling it 6e?

Heh, as far as I can tell, they will ambiguously call it the "anniversary edition", without committing themselves to a "number".

At the moment, nothing, hence their focus on assuring us that they will be compatible, and demonstrating they all be with products like Monsters of the Multiverse. But once they have established that the rules are really compatible, confirming that it is 6E will be worth some sales.

 

[Yaarel]

At the moment, nothing, hence their focus on assuring us that they will be compatible, and demonstrating they all be with products like Monsters of the Multiverse. But once they have established that the rules are really compatible, confirming that it is 6E will be worth some sales.

So you are saying something like:

The 5e diehards who will stick with 5e will likely also know that it will remain compatible, but everyone else will assume they need to buy the new edition?

 

[EzekielRaiden]

That’s because that is what I’m interested in? What would you do? What do you think WotC would?

Not if you think it’s possible or not.

It’s not like a rocket launch, all or nothing. It’s more like what really happened to the James Webb through no fault of the engineers, it got hit by space debris.

I mean, if it's just what I would do, I would make 6e, and it would be a rebuild of 4e taking lessons from prior editions the way 5e was a rebuild of 3e taking lessons from prior editions. A shiny new coat on a slightly altered core with better (much, much, MUCH better) presentation.

I would also do literally everything in my power to make sure the intro adventures are some of the best adventures ever written for D&D. The kind of thing that people will be converting to other systems because they set a high-water mark for adventure design.

 

[Parmandur]

So you are saying something like:

The 5e diehards who will stick with 5e will likely also know that it will remain compatible, but everyone else will assume they need to buy the new edition?

"Need" is a strong word, but if they make the package attractive enough (tons of new high quality fantasy art, integrating popular rule variants from ten years of supplements, etc...), then they could get some serious buy-in. And people who don't want to buy in will be (relatively) relaxed if they know that they can still show up to games with their old books and not be turned away. We already know from Monsters of the Multiverse what the new approach to Monsters looks like, and...you can use them interchangeable with early 5E stuff.

Maybe they introduce entirely new takes on Raves and Classes for the Core in 6E in 2024, but if Retrograde Rick wants to play a Half-Orc Ranger from his 2014 PHB, I could even see a sidebar in the 2024 books that addresses that with "sure, that will work fine, just take a free Feat at Level 1 tied to Background." Like, a one sentence conversion document could suffice, along as Part 2 of the PHB remains essentially the same (though maybe reworded).

I think they've tipped their hand with the D&D movie previews bow: I think we will see a major preview of the new rules in the Starter Set next month thing into thr movie.

 

[Yaarel]

I think they've tipped their hand with the D&D movie previews bow: I think we will see a major preview of the new rules in the Starter Set next month thing into thr movie.

What kind of new rules do you suspect we will see?

(Druid becoming owlbear is no big deal. It is still the same game engine.)

 

[Parmandur]

What kind of new rules do you suspect we will see?

(Druid becoming owlbear is no big deal. It is still the same game engine.)

From what we have seen so far, the screenshots of the basic rules are rearranged from those in the original Starter Set...the rules thar are identical between the Starter Set, PHB, Basic rules, amd Essentials Kit. So I think we will see the revised core basic rules of the game in their entirety, based on nesrly a decade of feedback and Sage Advice work.

The Pregens might have some surprises in store, but I'm not certain of that.

We do know that the pregens have cameos in the new movie, and the box people.will be directed to buy as gifts after the movie comes out will have the new Core rule revisions (not tha tI expect anything fundamental there, just recorded for clarity).

 

[Yaarel]

the screenshots of the basic rules are rearranged from those in the original Starter Set...

the rules that are identical between the Starter Set, PHB, Basic rules, and Essentials Kit.

So I think we will see the revised core basic rules of the game in their entirety, based on nearly a decade of feedback and Sage Advice work.

Wow. So you are expecting some game engine updates?

Things like clarifying unarmed strike versus natural weapon versus melee weapon attack?

The rearrangements could be cosmetic for ease of access. But you suspected they add, delete, and or tweak rules?



I agree the anniversary edition will include updates based on Sage Advice. Sage Advice tried as much as possible to stick with the rules as written, but the anniversary is an opportunity to clarify and tweak the rules as written.