D&D 5E 2024 D&D is 2014 D&D with 4E sprinkled on top

[TwoSix]

Even if all these things were part of D&D's inspiration, it's also worth considering whether that is the case now? What is the current inspiration for D&D's fanbase? Has the popular sense of D&D's basis in genre fiction changed over time?

For one, only people who actually grew up consuming Appendix N and other D&D-related material know who the Grey Mouser is.

 

[Aldarc]

For one, only people who actually grew up consuming Appendix N and other D&D-related material know who the Grey Mouser is.

He showed up occasionally on those old Tom & Jerry cartoons.

 

[Voadam]

Even if all these things were part of D&D's inspiration, it's also worth considering whether that is the case now? What is the current inspiration for D&D's fanbase? Has the popular sense of D&D's basis in genre fiction changed over time?

I don't think it is that different.

The Bellmonts in the current Castlevania anime, for example, are guys using special whips and such to hunt and fight supernaturally fast vampires and demons. They do anime action moves but not one punch super level stuff. They do it and hold their own alongside explicitly magical witch party members with blasting magic.

I think you can find similar pop culture fighter exemplars throughout D&D's tenure from 1980s Thundarr the Barbarian to 90's animated batman to 2000's Lord of the Rings movies.

 

[TwoSix]

I don't think it is that different.

The Bellmonts in the current Castlevania anime, for example, are guys using special whips and such to hunt and fight supernaturally fast vampires and demons. They do anime action moves but not one punch super level stuff. They do it and hold their own alongside explicitly magical witch party members with blasting magic.

I think you can find similar pop culture fighter exemplars throughout D&D's tenure from 1980s Thundarr the Barbarian to 90's animated batman to 2000's Lord of the Rings movies.

Trevor from the first anime is a pretty good example of the "not obviously supernatural" warrior, although he's definitely supernatural in what he's able to accomplish. The whip plays a role, the Belmont bloodline probably plays a role, but his powerset is mostly defined by being a badass.

 

[Scribe]

But that concept is completely untenable once the game gets to, like, 4th or 5th level. A "5th-level mundane" is an oxymoron.

Nah.

 

[Aldarc]

I don't think it is that different.

The Bellmonts in the current Castlevania anime, for example, are guys using special whips and such to hunt and fight supernaturally fast vampires and demons. They do anime action moves but not one punch super level stuff. They do it and hold their own alongside explicitly magical witch party members with blasting magic.

I think you can find similar pop culture fighter exemplars throughout D&D's tenure from 1980s Thundarr the Barbarian to 90's animated batman to 2000's Lord of the Rings movies.

I'm not sure if I agree but it's also not a hill that I am interested fighting hard over.

 

[Remathilis]

Trevor from the first anime is a pretty good example of the "not obviously supernatural" warrior, although he's definitely supernatural in what he's able to accomplish. The whip plays a role, the Belmont bloodline probably plays a role, but his powerset is mostly defined by being a badass.

Belmonts, at least based on the game history, are a special bloodline blessed with holy power and cursed to fight Dracula for all time. Assuming Netflix follows the canon, I assume Trevor abilities are partially superhuman. But that's fine. The Belmonts have a supernatural bloodline. They are the chosen ones. In D&D, they are closer to paladins than fighters (or maybe some are rangers).

 

[SteveC]

For one, only people who actually grew up consuming Appendix N and other D&D-related material know who the Grey Mouser is.

I think you just have to be a certain age. I was just a kid when I read the books, and they're part of the reason I enjoyed D&D so much. And for the kids out there: check out these books! Every now and then they have a sale for the Kindle edition of a multi-book set that's incredibly cheap.

 

[TwoSix]

Belmonts, at least based on the game history, are a special bloodline blessed with holy power and cursed to fight Dracula for all time. Assuming Netflix follows the canon, I assume Trevor abilities are partially superhuman. But that's fine. The Belmonts have a supernatural bloodline. They are the chosen ones. In D&D, they are closer to paladins than fighters (or maybe some are rangers).

Whereas I see them as what the D&D fighter should generally be aiming for.

 

[Micah Sweet]

But that concept is completely untenable once the game gets to, like, 4th or 5th level. A "5th-level mundane" is an oxymoron.

Ok, so that's your line for mundane? Cool. I'd put it higher due to the action movie thing, but whatever. Anything past that level needs to be supernatural in some way to keep up IMO.