D&D (2024) 2024 PHB/DMG/MM art/layout: like or dislike?

[Yaarel]

Yeah, it's a real mess chronologically, and I think it would be nice if that was acknowledged in some way in the text.

What is there to acknowledge, exactly? A fantasy setting is wildly anachronistic, and sometimes absurdly inaccurate? This would be true since the origins of D&D, with "plate mail" (renaissance), "chain" "mail" (misnomer), and "studded" leather (implausible).

I am all for a historically accurate setting, especially a mythologically accurate setting. These are specific settings.

 

[Micah Sweet]

What is there to acknowledge, exactly? A fantasy setting is wildly anachronistic, and sometimes absurdly inaccurate? This would be true since the origins of D&D, with "plate mail" (renaissance), "chain" "mail" (misnomer), and "studded" leather (implausible).

I am all for a historically accurate setting, especially a mythologically accurate setting. These are specific settings.

Making mention of the anachronistic nature of D&D, in all the many ways it is so, would be useful for new players who might otherwise think that what they're seeing is "medieval times with magic".

 

[Scribe]

Making mention of the anachronistic nature of D&D, in all the many ways it is so, would be useful for new players who might otherwise think that what they're seeing is "medieval times with magic".

Based on what I have seen of the PHB (called the "new 5.5 D&D PHB" at a shop out of town) there is little chance of the happening.

Wizards is taking D&D firmly in a direction. "Medieval Times" is not it.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Based on what I have seen of the PHB (called the "new 5.5 D&D PHB" at a shop out of town) there is little chance of the happening.

Wizards is taking D&D firmly in a direction. "Medieval Times" is not it.

But medieval times with magic is D&D's reputation. You can't pretend that isn't so, and people will take that impression with them into the game.

 

[Scribe]

But medieval times with magic is D&D's reputation. You can't pretend that isn't so, and people will take that impression with them into the game.

Yeah, but what is 'medieval times with magic' to Gen Z?

 

[ezo]

Yeah, but what is 'medieval times with magic' to Gen Z?

Ren Faires???

 

[Azzy]

Based on what I have seen of the PHB (called the "new 5.5 D&D PHB" at a shop out of town) there is little chance of the happening.

Wizards is taking D&D firmly in a direction. "Medieval Times" is not it.

I think that's because a lot of modern fantasy books seem to be less and less "Medieval Times". I'm sire that's cold comfort to you and others, but time marches on. Personally, I draw more influence from the Bronze and early Iron Age than Medieval for my homebrew setting.

 

[Micah Sweet]

Yeah, but what is 'medieval times with magic' to Gen Z?

Swords and wizards.

 

[Scribe]

Swords and wizards.

Well, the PHB is full of them, so there you have it.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

Well, I know what medieval fantasy looks like to Gen Alpha...