Anyone else overall disappointed by D&D books?

[Crothian]

Ghopstwind makes a very good point. There is so much out there that if you don't like some of the books by these guys, then go look into the books made by those guys. You will eventually find something you like. This thread seems to be focused and linking all of d20 to Wizards. It's not like that, you can hate what wizards stuff is and still enjoy the greatnesds of d20 through the many other publishers.

 

[Incenjucar]

In the art, I have to agree. While the variety would, in theory, be a good thing (But then, it should have a whole collection of art styles, from olde fashioned to anime, classical to video game) to promote the idea that D&D is what you make of it. I do agree that the video-game looking characters are a tad annoying. Way too much roundness and bulk. And some of the artists just stink, period. Most are great or good, but some.. BAH.

I'm a mediocre artist, but even I could do better with monsters than one or two of the WotC group. Makes me miss the 2e MM Goblin.

 

[shadow]

I know the feeling! I've been disappointed by a lot of official D&D products recently, especially most of the 3.5e stuff. That's one reason why I've curtailed my RPG purchases lately.

 

[Turanil]

Ghopstwind makes a very good point. There is so much out there that if you don't like some of the books by these guys, then go look into the books made by those guys. You will eventually find something you like. This thread seems to be focused and linking all of d20 to Wizards. It's not like that, you can hate what wizards stuff is and still enjoy the greatnesds of d20 through the many other publishers.

My boredom is just against recent D&D supplements; not even against WotC products since I enjoy d20 modern and find that d20SW has several good products (except that I don't play the game, so won't buy them). I love d20 and will continue playing it, and many products by third party publishers have met my expectations lately.

Otherwise: Crothian, let me tell you that I am always amazed when I see that you did post more than 20,000 times on Enworld!

 

[diaglo]

my hat of d02 knows no limit


so while i agree with Crothian and Ghostwind. i must also add i've been disappointed with the whole line of D&D products since 1985.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Turanil, it sounds like you are looking for stuff that either pushes the envelope of typical fantasy or gives it a new take (especially since you seem to enjoy d20 Modern). To that end, you will likely find what you are looking for in the form of stuff from publishers other than Wizards of the Coast. A short list of material that offers something different to the game would be:

SNIP!

Hopefully this gives you a few ideas that will break your 'disappointment'.

We should add the Legend of the Five Rings RPG from AEG

http://www.legendofthefiverings.com/rpg/

I really like that setting, it's one of my 3 favourites (besides the Forgotten Realms for classical RPG and Midnight for darker fantasy)

The world of Rokugan is Asian-themed rather than the usual European Sword & Sorcery. It has only humans and two other races (Ratlings and Naga), but it sports 8 major and a lot of minor Clans which differ in their outlooks and aptitudes. Magic isn't quite as strong as in standard-D&D (especially magic items), and politics are far stronger.

Also, the supplements are very flavour-heavy (chapters even start with a short introductory story, which usually continues through the whole book), and rather rules-light (all rulebooks beyond the Campaign Setting Rokugan d20 are dual-system: d20 and L5R 2nd edition, but since the rule part is relatively small, this isn't so bad).

 

[Mystery Man]

<-----Agrees with Dave

<-- Likes UA, BoED, and BoVD.

However I'm a bit disapointed in that they did not put down a system for the creation of Totem characters, rather they just created a bunch of them. Not that I couldn't put something together myself by basing it off of their examples but it would have been good to have a system in place to save me some time.

 

[maddman75]

Of course D&D is politically correct. Its the network sitcom of RPGs, the big public face. Not to say that the network sitcom can't occasionally put out some good material, but you don't expect cutting-edge stuff from them. If you want The Sopranos or Oz you're going to have to hook up HBO.

 

[rgard]

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)

No.

 

[francisca]

I'm generally not disappointed because I usually don't have any expectations. That doesn't mean I like even 1/3 of what I pickup and look at from Wizards or anyone else. I guess I could just be jaded.