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The benefit I see isn't in any actual third-party content, but in a system that encourages the creation of some. It's a simple matter of innovation that is not tightly controlled and monetized.
So just like official adventures!1/2 Greek, 1/2 Game of Thrones.
I am playing it and we're now 11th level. It is a fine adventure, but there are some balance issues (I'd modify one of the early encounters rather than run it as is because there is a high chance for PC death unless they use strong tactics). I feel like we're still a ways from the end at 11th level.
Agreed. For those who think the official WotC material is wonderful, I would suggest that owes much to the 3PP eco-system. Whether from healthy competition and/or a training ground for many WotC staffers today making such content.The benefit I see isn't in any actual third-party content, but in a system that encourages the creation of some. It's a simple matter of innovation that is not tightly controlled and monetized.
On that, I agree. 3pp content can often be unbalanced due to a lack of proper playtesting or understanding of the 5e action economy as some have pointed out. As a DM if you allow 1 player to use a subclass they found in a 3pp, you run the risk of being accused of favoritism if you say no to another player's horribly unbalanced request. For that reason, I don't allow 3pp player material at my table. That being said, I voted true because where 3pp can really shine is with DM material.I just had this talk at my table (not me DMing in this case) where we talked about what it would take to start using DM guild things. The basics is it COULD in small doses be doable... but not without risking playing favorites. As such we are not useing third party anything execpt behind the screen (and even then it is mostly just monster books)
like I have said here and many time before DM side stuff (I just backed the Journey system) but not player side stuff.On that, I agree. 3pp content can often be unbalanced due to a lack of proper playtesting or understanding of the 5e action economy as some have pointed out. As a DM if you allow 1 player to use a subclass they found in a 3pp, you run the risk of being accused of favoritism if you say no to another player's horribly unbalanced request. For that reason, I don't allow 3pp player material at my table. That being said, I voted true because where 3pp can really shine is with DM material.
How do you want to handle a player trying to build a stronghold? WotC material is pretty much non-existent on the subject, but MCDM's Strongholds and Followers has some good material to help get you started on thinking out how to handle it. Want some help designing unique taverns and inns with distinct menus that add that extra level of detail to your campaign? Loresmyth's Remarkable Inns and Their Drinks has some pretty interesting ideas to work with. You obviously don't need any of this stuff, but at a minimum IMO it's incredibly hard to argue the overall game is worse off with it being available. As you mentioned in your first post, it's a bit of trial and error to find the publishers that make content you enjoy and can use.
I guess I'm picky with TPPs. One of the issues with these discussion is lumping ALL TPPs on one side and WotC on the other side. WotC's stuff is going to have a certain consistent quality, whether you like or dislike it, think the quality is good or not. Lumping all TPPs is going to have huge variation in quality.On the flip side, my 'enjoyment per dollar' on 3P products is muuuuuuuuuuuch lower. There are a lot more busts, and these 3P products tend to not be as cohesive with the official products, making them feel a bit out of place ... and it is very rare that 3P products provide me with something that I could not match in quality with homebrew material.
To that end, I voted no. It isn't that there is no value to 3P products - but the enjoyment per $ spent has just been so much less as to make it generally a bad idea.