Anyone else overall disappointed by D&D books?

[Nellisir]

You guys are focusing too much on his language. He's from a non-English speaking country, so give him a break and focus on the content of his message.

Since the content of his message is obscured by his language, clarifying one should help focus on the other.

Anyways, I don't know him from Adam, and since he didn't put a disclaimer about his language skills, I'd rather assume he can understand english than can't.

Cheers
Nell.

 

[Turanil]

I think you are frustrated and just using the wrong term. I may be wrong but it sounds like you are more dissappointed with the books than deceived by them.

So, please respond to us, how exactly are you being deceived?

Apparently I don't know what "deceiving" really means, sorry. Yes, frustration and disappointment are the terms that describe it.

When you say "deceive," it implies that you were expecting one thing, and the book gave you something else. It also implies that the books *deliberately* led you to expect the wrong thing. Can you clarify what the deception in question was? What were you expecting, and why did you expect that?

Well, I think it's an overall feeling, instead of something particular. For example art is well done, but somehow I find it rather mundane. The rules provided by Unearthed Arcana are useful, and I will use them and encourage my players using them, nonetheless, I am not thrilled. Paragon races for example: I like the idea, the paragons are not so bad, but... well, there is nothing especially racial about them, it looks like some character class, not really developping characteristics that would bring me to think "yes, that's really what an elf/orc/dwarf/etc. should be". Overall, the book is useful, but... but...

Well, maybe I am just burnt out, and should go and play d20 modern, Grim Tales, or what not for some times (say a year or two) and then open the D&D books again and see how I feel about them.

 

[Urbannen]

Lost in translation?

Turanil, I notice that you're from France. I wonder if you were translating the word "déçu" as "deceived" rather than "disappointed" in the title of your orginal post. It's an easy error to make.

Perhaps it makes more sense in English to say that you're disappointed by WotC's products, rather than saying you're deceived (dupé) by them.

 

[Buttercup]

Turanil, I'll agree with you that some of WotC's more recent offerings have been less than stellar. However, I absolutely loved Unearthed Arcana. It has given me many exciting options that I hadn't considered before. One of the beauties of the D20 system though is that so many publishers are releasing so many different products, that each of us is bound to find something that we really like.

You might indeed be burned out, or maybe you just need to look at some different products. There are a bunch of good ones out there.

 

[Turanil]

Turanil, I notice that you're from France. I wonder if you were translating the word "déçu" as "deceived" rather than "disappointed" in the title of your orginal post. It's an easy error to make.

Perhaps it makes more sense in English to say that you're disappointed by WotC's products, rather than saying you're deceived (dupé) by them.

Yes. Sorry again to all who answered, but I did mean "disappointed".

Turanil, I'll agree with you that some of WotC's more recent offerings have been less than stellar. However, I absolutely loved Unearthed Arcana. It has given me many exciting options that I hadn't considered before. One of the beauties of the D20 system though is that so many publishers are releasing so many different products, that each of us is bound to find something that we really like.

You might indeed be burned out, or maybe you just need to look at some different products. There are a bunch of good ones out there.

Yes, third party publishers actually have produced d20 material that are really what I expected. As for WotC I am still ordering (and waiting) d20 future. But I don't think I will buy anymore pure D&D products. For example: no complete series, and finally no Xpsi despite it seems overall well done (well done, but... but...).

 

[DaveMage]

<-- Likes UA, BoED, and BoVD.

 

[LeifVignirsson]

See? This is what a community is all about... *sniff* I feel a group hug coming along... *sniff*

And by the by, people ARE naive, sadly... and shops take advantage of it every way they can. I have seen a 14 year old walk into one of our shops and ask about something and they direct him to something that would get nowhere NEAR what he wanted because they wanted to get rid of it. It is a sales thing, it is a sad thing and it happens. I direct new people here everyday that kick themselves for not finding it sooner and being burned by this tactic... It happens...

And I was worried... it only took 73 posts for someone to notice me

EDIT NOTE: that 14 year old was new to the game and hobby in general, not just some random 14 year old... this is why I shouldn't post from work...

 

[Staffan]

See, I consider the PH to be a "rulebook", and Midnight & the FRCS to be "campaign books" that happen to have rules. I like Arcana Unearthed in theory, but it's neither, or both, of the above in the worst possible way. The background campaign setting doesn't appeal to me, and it's alot of work to edit out all the subtle flavor and insert my own.

Personally, I don't think AU is heavier on Diamond Throne flavor than the PHB is on Greyhawk flavor. Possibly somewhat less - "Sibeccai often feel indebted to giants" is less intrusive than "Dwarves hate orcs and goblinoids and get +1 to attacks against them," since the Sibbecai bit doesn't have game mechanics backing it up.

 

[MerricB]

Yes, third party publishers actually have produced d20 material that are really what I expected. As for WotC I am still ordering (and waiting) d20 future. But I don't think I will buy anymore pure D&D products. For example: no complete series, and finally no Xpsi despite it seems overall well done (well done, but... but...).

You've found the people who write the way you want to then: congratulations!

Here's the thing: WotC produce products that please a major section of the D&D gaming hobbyists. However, their products can't please everyone.

I love what they've been putting out recently, but I'm not everyone either.

Because of their generosity with the OGL and d20 System Licenses, it gives a chance for other companies to please those who don't like the way WotC are doing things.

So, keep supporting the d20 System publishers, and things should turn out fine.

Cheers!

 

[mattcolville]

Two days ago I just got my copy of Unearthed Arcana, along Menace Manual, Tranhuman Space, and GR Psychic's Handbook. Plus I recently bought several other d20 books (including WotC stuff, and third party publishers products).

In getting my Unearthed Arcana, I went to the conclusion that it's the last D&D book that I purchase. I first wondered if it was for being a WotC product, but since I am quite happy with Menace Manual (much more than with Monster Manual for instance), I thought it's rather only with purely D&D products. For example, I was (and I am still) quite happy with Monte's Arcana Unearthed, but I am deceived with Unearthed Arcana. I was also deceived by Book of Exalted Deeds, and likewise by other products I did read but didn't bought in my LFGS.

It seems to me that D&D is now all about a very bland, vanilla, politically correct fantasy game, with much flavor (I speak of art here) intended toward teenagers (yes: I am an old gamer). It's not only Unearthed Arcana, but I got the same deception from MoP, Book of Exalted Deeds, or Book of Vile Darkness. I still like to play D&D, although in flavored hombrew worlds, not vanilla FR or Greyhawk, but I am not getting anymore any other D&D book. Finished!

So, are there others feeling like me around? Or it is just because i am burnt out after having DMed a D&D campaign for one year (and needing rest)?

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Edit: sorry, but I wanted to say "disappointment" instead of deception. (because in French to be deceived -être déçu- means being disappointed)

I think D&D is specifically positioned to be "generic" fantasy. So I think the reason you're disspointed may have something to do with your expectations.

Try some other freaky stuff for a while. I think you'll find that, in a couple of years, you'll be itching to play classic D&D again. Then a few years later, you'll be bored again. And thus the wheel of life turns.

Also, it's cool to see French people posting. You've got a hell of a country. Keep up the good work.