D&D 5E (2024) A critical analysis of 2024's revised classes

[mearls]

This is fascinating. Are you able to talk about what that process got hijacked by and why?

As the business grew it was seen as a liability. When Baldur's Gate 3 was announced at E3 in 2019, I and Swen Vincke did an interview where the ranger came up. We had already done the ranger UA, and Larian was already changing the ranger from the PHB. We either took similar paths or one group's idea influenced the other's. I can't remember which.

That interview was used by a bozo as proof that D&D was in dire trouble because designers were randomly talking about changing the game, which clearly would make people think a new edition was coming, which clearly would cause the business to nosedive. That kerfuffle ended up turning UA into a marketing device rather than a space to test out ideas and see what people liked. The downside to doing something that people didn't like generated too high a risk of drawing bozo aggro.

(FWIW, the bozo who triggered that is long gone from D&D/Wizards and was not a game designer.)

 

[Charlaquin]

As the business grew it was seen as a liability. When Baldur's Gate 3 was announced at E3 in 2019, I and Swen Vincke did an interview where the ranger came up. We had already done the ranger UA, and Larian was already changing the ranger from the PHB. We either took similar paths or one group's idea influenced the other's. I can't remember which.

That interview was used by a bozo as proof that D&D was in dire trouble because designers were randomly talking about changing the game, which clearly would make people think a new edition was coming, which clearly would cause the business to nosedive. That kerfuffle ended up turning UA into a marketing device rather than a space to test out ideas and see what people liked. The downside to doing something that people didn't like generated too high a risk of drawing bozo aggro.

(FWIW, the bozo who triggered that is long gone from D&D/Wizards and was not a game designer.)

Ah, out of touch executives with more decision-making power than understanding of the issues they have that power over. The bane of all creative endeavors. That’s a shame, but I understand.

 

[Belen]

Ah, out of touch executives with more decision-making power than understanding of the issues they have that power over. The bane of all creative endeavors. That’s a shame, but I understand.

The bane of every occupation. I have never worked for any organization that was not ruined by people who failed upwards.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

As the business grew it was seen as a liability. When Baldur's Gate 3 was announced at E3 in 2019, I and Swen Vincke did an interview where the ranger came up. We had already done the ranger UA, and Larian was already changing the ranger from the PHB. We either took similar paths or one group's idea influenced the other's. I can't remember which.

That interview was used by a bozo as proof that D&D was in dire trouble because designers were randomly talking about changing the game, which clearly would make people think a new edition was coming, which clearly would cause the business to nosedive. That kerfuffle ended up turning UA into a marketing device rather than a space to test out ideas and see what people liked. The downside to doing something that people didn't like generated too high a risk of drawing bozo aggro.

(FWIW, the bozo who triggered that is long gone from D&D/Wizards and was not a game designer.)

Bozo is so underutilized, though I'm more of a jabroni guy myself...

 

[TwoSix]

Bozo is so underutilized, though I'm more of a jabroni guy myself...

Adding “Bozo Jabroni” to my list of NPC/possible PC names.

 

[TorgoTheWhite]

Adding “Bozo Jabroni” to my list of NPC/possible PC names.

Love it! A powerful, TPK/empire toppling lich name if I've ever heard one!

 

[TwoSix]

Love it! A powerful, TPK/empire toppling lich name if I've ever heard one!

"Bow down before the dark might of Bozo Jabroni!"

 

[Zardnaar]

Bozo is so underutilized, though I'm more of a jabroni guy myself...

Something about your candy ass?

 

[AnotherGuy]

The OP is vocally anti-5.5e. This whole thread is designed to tell people how badwrongfun it is to play it.

From someone who has not purchased 5e24 this thread is VERY useful - not because of the OP but because as a neutral I can see how their critical assessment holds up against the replies - what parts are justified and what parts of the critique are just plainly biased.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

The OP is vocally anti-5.5e. This whole thread is designed to tell people how badwrongfun it is to play it.

What I have noticed, having lived through 5/6 edition changes, is just how little anger there is. Not that anyone is saying "everything about 5.5 is wonderful", but most criticism has been measured and reasoned. Compare that to the arguments about 4e that are still raging till this day.

Of course, the OP was channelling enough anger for everyone.