D&D 5E I feel like the surveys gaslit WotC about """"Backwards Compatibility""""

[Zardnaar]

I have two more sessions of my current game before I start. Just waiting for Forge of the Artificer.

So let's take a specific example. The PHB dragonborn was weak. Weakest species in 2014. It's been revised twice: once in Fizban's and once in 2024. The Fizban one already invalidated the PHB dragonborn, despite being "optional" because it was clearly a patch for the fact they missed on the first one. (See also: Tasha's class "options").

By your standard, Fizban's dragonborn would not be compatible with 5e because it essentially makes the phb dragonborn obsolete. No one would pick the PHB version if Fizban is available. It's both power creep (insofar as a bad option is brought up to par with most others) and it renders the older version obsolete (again, you can choose the PHB option, but why?)

I don't think anyone could rationally and in good faith argue Fizban's Guide to Dragon isn't backwards compatible with D&D 2014.

Dragonborn is niche. How many people actually used Fizbans? I own it never had a player ask to use it. You're allowed but it came out late and got power crept out.

As I said it's technically compatible on the class side. Feats and spelks not so much. Races are mostly decent as old ones get floating stays and origin feat.

It's more if you squint. Alot of feats and spelks are not compatible you have to pick one or the other to use.

5.0 monsters are super weak is another example. Technically compatible if you squint.

All the revisions I suspect will split the playerbade. 2014. 2014 post tashas and 5.5. Power creeping out older options I suspect won't go over to well.

 

[Imaro]

Alot of feats and spelks are not compatible you have to pick one or the other to use.

The sentiment this sentence espouses right here is where it falls apart for me. It's like having backwards compatible videogames on newer systems... Yes you have to choose whether you want it upgraded to 4k at 60fps or running at 720p at 30fps. The fact it can't do all 4 at the same time doesn't invalidate that the game is backwards compatible.

 

[ECMO3]

Dragonborn is niche. How many people actually used Fizbans? I own it never had a player ask to use it. You're allowed but it came out late and got power crept out.

As I said it's technically compatible on the class side. Feats and spelks not so much. Races are mostly decent as old ones get floating stays and origin feat.

It's more if you squint. Alot of feats and spelks are not compatible you have to pick one or the other to use.

we are using spells from fizbans in a 2024 game and they are working fine.

We are using a bunch of old feats too, especially the racial feats and we are using a lot of the old spells.

Do you have examples of feats and spells that aren't compatible?

 

[ECMO3]

Dragonborn is niche. How many people actually used Fizbans? I own it never had a player ask to use it. You're allowed but it came out late and got power crept out.

As I said it's technically compatible on the class side. Feats and spelks not so much. Races are mostly decent as old ones get floating stays and origin feat.

It's more if you squint. Alot of feats and spelks are not compatible you have to pick one or the other to use.

We are using Fizbans spells fine with no problems.

We are also using lots of the old feats, especially racial feats and a lot of the old spells.

Do you have examples of feats or spells that are not compatible with the new rules?

 

[Zardnaar]

We are using Fizbans spells fine with no problems.

We are also using lots of the old feats, especially racial feats and a lot of the old spells.

Do you have examples of feats or spells that are not compatible with the new rules?

New feats that over ride the old versions, older feats that lack the +1 stat boost and say older human with bonus feat vs 2024 origin feat.

Some feats work fine most don't imho.

A lot is technically compatible like being able to use a sword or Lee Enfield rifle on modern battlefield. Sure you can do that but it's not a good idea.

Some late 5E feats with a stat bump are fine eg elve accuracy.

3.0 and 3.5 had similar idea. Technically compatible but often a pain in the ass or balance issues.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Dragonborn is niche. How many people actually used Fizbans? I own it never had a player ask to use it. You're allowed but it came out late and got power crept out.

As I said it's technically compatible on the class side. Feats and spelks not so much. Races are mostly decent as old ones get floating stays and origin feat.

It's more if you squint. Alot of feats and spelks are not compatible you have to pick one or the other to use.

5.0 monsters are super weak is another example. Technically compatible if you squint.

All the revisions I suspect will split the playerbade. 2014. 2014 post tashas and 5.5. Power creeping out older options I suspect won't go over to well.

I still think a fair number of folks just aren't going to move on to 5.5 in the ling run. I don't see how it won't ultimately result in a (perhaps slow) from off in sales.

 

[mamba]

I still think a fair number of folks just aren't going to move on to 5.5 in the ling run. I don't see how it won't ultimately result in a (perhaps slow) from off in sales.

so you expect those that stay with 2014 to buy any new WotC books, not just not the new core?

Unless they also do not buy adventures, I am not sure how you arrive at a drop off

 

[Micah Sweet]

so you expect those that stay with 2014 to buy any new WotC books, not just not the new core?

Unless they also do not buy adventures, I am not sure how you arrive at a drop off

Maybe, or folks might just stick with what they've got, or buy into a different 5e game. After all,, WotC really pushed the backwards compatibility narrative, so if you take them at their word new core books aren't needed. And maybe they won't buy adventures. I've never had a good handle on their popularity as the edition has gone on. Did the older ones sell better than the new ones, or worse?

 

[Scribe]

3.0 and 3.5 had similar idea. Technically compatible but often a pain in the ass or balance issues.

Sure, but in your opinion was 5, or is pure 5.5 balanced to any degree of relevance anyway?

Or is it all good enough.

 

[Zardnaar]

Sure, but in your opinion was 5, or is pure 5.5 balanced to any degree of relevance anyway?

Or is it all good enough.

I don't care about balance to that extent.

I do care about interparty balance more. Eg if one is using a S tier build vs someone else's C tier. I don't care if they're all C tier or all A tier or whatever

Or if they're close enough. There's a big gap in power between 2014 stuff espicially early edition, tashas and 2024.

That make sense? Think I prefer all pre tashas post tashas or 2024 tbh.


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