Unpopular opinions go here

[Jaeger]

Most gamers vastly overestimate their knowledge of and talent for game design and evaluating balance and gameplay.

Truth.

But in their defense they would be less likely to do so if the professional game designers themselves didn’t vastly overestimate their knowledge of and talent for game design, evaluating balance, gameplay, when releasing poorly play-tested product...

 

[Reynard]

Truth.

But in their defense they would be less likely to do so if the professional game designers themselves didn’t vastly overestimate their knowledge of and talent for game design, evaluating balance, gameplay, when releasing poorly play-tested product...

Well, that's the modern world: professionals and experts don't know anything and my armchair fiddling is just as good as their decades of study and experience.

 

[Thomas Shey]

We solve 90% of future problems during Session Zero, and another 9% over email after each game. Communication and honesty really are the key here, but (gestures over to That Other Thread) I guess some people don't do that? for some reason?

Because some people have serious problems doing that. There are all kinds of people who have trouble expressing the problems they'll have in game, sometimes because they're leery of possible responses, and sometimes because they can't really externalize what's bothering them.

Serious, communication is hard for a lot of people. If that wasn't true, a whole lot of things would go more easily than they do.

 

[Reynard]

This is likely to be truly unpopular:

Hostess fruit pies are the most delicious things yet invented by humankind.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

This is likely to be truly unpopular:

Hostess fruit pies are the most delicious things yet invented by humankind.

The lemon pie is a low key superstar.

 

[Hussar]

Eberron and what?

I cannot think of another setting book in 5e that is an actual setting book. SCAG?! I pulled that off the shelf the other day and was blown away by how tiny it is.

Unless you are counting Fizban/Bigby/Guide to Ravenloft?

Lessee

Scag, Eberron, wildemount, Ravenloft, planescape, Spelljammer, guide to giants, guide to dragons, mordenkainnens, Volos.

That’s eleven right there.

 

[Hussar]

One could easily include Strixhaven and Dragonheist as well. Whoops. Forgot the Theros book too.

Again people might not like what is offered. Fair enough. But it is right there. Claiming you’re not being catered to when about a third of the line is geared towards the lore/setting crowd is disingenuous at best.

 

[Cadence]

Lessee

Scag, Eberron, wildemount, Ravenloft, planescape, Spelljammer, guide to giants, guide to dragons, mordenkainnens, Volos.

That’s eleven right there.

What makes Mordenkainens and Volos setting books any more than the three core books to you? (I was going to ask about the giants and dragons, but I think I get it in a cosmological sense). Thanks for any insight!

 

[Thomas Shey]

Making things that people want and are willing to buy is kind of the idea. You might say it's their whole plan. Now if you're willing to buy stuff in Box A, and I'm willing to buy the stuff in Box B, Wizards of the Coast would be wise to keep both boxes full. So again,

Unless, of course, there's a larger number who will buy one but not the other in which case the cost-to-benefit does not suggest the less popular is worthwhile (and that's assuming both cost the same to make).

 

[Scribe]

Lessee

Scag, Eberron, wildemount, Ravenloft, planescape, Spelljammer, guide to giants, guide to dragons, mordenkainnens, Volos.

That’s eleven right there.

Yeah no.

If Eberron is a setting guide, and I believe it is, you cannot call SCAG, or Spelljammer, Bigby/Fizban (setting guide?!) ToF or Volos, a setting guide. Planescape isnt even out so...

Some of them dont even count as lore books.

As I've said many times, I like the spelljammer release but its a.

Monster Book
Small Adventure
Player Options, and descriptions of ships, and a tiny amount of actual setting/lore, but you cannot compare that to Eberron with a straight face.

If thats 'setting book' to you, then sure, every release is a setting book.