D&D (2024) Are you going to buy the new 2024 D&D Core Books

[Parmandur]

I don't. They haven't earned it. The game is bigger than it has ever been and the development team is tiny. Two different video game versions are doing more interesting design, and one of those is doing infinitely better writing. When they do present a "new" setting with potential for really interesting design spaces, they just regurgitate half baked mechanics from something vaguely related.

The current WotC development culture is broken. It isn't like the desire to draw in new players requires crappy watered down design. They just seem to like it that way.

That's, like, juat your opinion, man.

Though seriously, many people disagree with you. And WotC has been rapidly growing the design team with fresh young faces for a while now: the number of designers working in D&D is way, way larger than it was a decade ago. Honestly, having juat been giv8ng Bigby's a spin this week, they are on a continuous upward surge.

 

[Mistwell]

Where is your God now?

That looks good.

 

[TheSword]

I don't. They haven't earned it. The game is bigger than it has ever been and the development team is tiny. Two different video game versions are doing more interesting design, and one of those is doing infinitely better writing. When they do present a "new" setting with potential for really interesting design spaces, they just regurgitate half baked mechanics from something vaguely related.

The current WotC development culture is broken. It isn't like the desire to draw in new players requires crappy watered down design. They just seem to like it that way.

I think you’re being a bit harsh. They’ve decided to go evolution not revolution, which is what it seems most people want. There also lots of really good products coming out, not least of which is Keys From The Golden Vault which I really liked. Restored my faith in WotC after a couple of crappy years.

BG3 is set on the sword coast and everyone told me they hated the Sword Coast and WOtC were lazy for rehashing it every time. I’m not sure BG3 is more interesting design. If that is what you are referring to - what is novel about their game design?

 

[Mistwell]

I didn’t call anyone dumb. I think some people may be making a decision too hastily. I’m surprised that seems to be such a controversial take.

I think you're being too conservative and overly cautious in making up your mind. Stop being so indecisive this isn't the choice of a new car or house, it's just a gaming book from a company you know well concerning topics you know well. Make up your mind.

 

[Mistwell]

Personally, if I'm being real...

Oh yes, because you have such difficulties being real and stating what you truly think here at ENWorld. I do wish you would break out of your shell more often and really step out and speak your mind. You're so overly polite and cautious in what you say.

 

[Charlaquin]

I think you're being too conservative and overly cautious in making up your mind. Stop being so indecisive this isn't the choice of a new car or house, it's just a gaming book from a company you know well concerning topics you know well. Make up your mind.

Why would I make up my mind about buying a product whose contents I don’t know? I’m confident that if the books look substantially similar to what we’ve seen so far in the playtest, I will buy them. I am not confident that the books will look substantially similar to what we’ve seen so far in the playtest, or that between now and then they won’t make some change that ends up being a dealbreaker for me.

 

[Reynard]

BG3 is set on the sword coast and everyone told me they hated the Sword Coast and WOtC were lazy for rehashing it every time. I’m not sure BG3 is more interesting design. If that is what you are referring to - what is novel about their game design?

The entire combat system, along with improvements to a number of classes and subclasses -- all of which are perfectly doable on the tabletop and not based on the fact that "it's a video game."

What true innovations to the 5E design have recent books introduced?

 

[Charlaquin]

I didn't realize if we said yes, we are obligated to actually follow through.

I mean, obviously you can do what you like, but I think if you acknowledge a meaningful possibility that you might not buy it, then yes isn’t really an accurate answer.

 

[Mistwell]

Why would I make up my mind about buying a product whose contents I don’t know?

You know a lot about the contents. A whole lot.

I’m confident that if the books look substantially similar to what we’ve seen so far in the playtest, I will buy them. I am not confident that the books will look substantially similar to what we’ve seen so far in the playtest, or that between now and then they won’t make some change that ends up being a dealbreaker for me.

You enjoy discussing D&D rules on a nearly daily basis here, right? You really don't know enough at this point to know you will probably want access to them in some fashion, or else have already decided on a different system to focus on going forward? You're being so overly hesitant and irresolute. It's not like you to be so insecure in knowing your likes and dislikes concerning this kind of topic.

 

[Mistwell]

Getting Halfling art that doesn't freak me out is almost reason enough for a new PHB.

srsly