D&D 5E D&D and who it's aimed at

[Retreater]

It's OK to judge a book by its cover, of course. Nobody would dispute that. I would argue that it's not in our own interests to do so, especially if the book is a major release for one's primary hobby, but people can do what they want.

That's a very interesting point. Gaming is my primary hobby, but I haven't considered that I should buy every big release Wizards makes because of that.
I tend to buy game books for one (or more) of these reasons:
1. I want to run it.
2. I can glean inspiration from it.
3. I like the art, design, etc.
4. I want to support the writer or developer of the content.
When a product doesn't connect in any of these factors, I usually don't purchase it.
And how many times have we heard criticism on here that we can't review an adventure until we've run it at the table? Are we required also to run something before we have an opinion?

 

[beancounter]

And how many times have we heard criticism on here that we can't review an adventure until we've run it at the table? Are we required also to run something before we have an opinion?

In the age of the Internet, buying it is unnecessary. There are usually plenty of user reviews available on various sites and formats. So forming an informed opinion of an adventure before buying it, is quite feasible.

But publishers want you to buy their content, as that's how they make a living - so it's no surprise that this site leans in that direction.

 

[BrokenTwin]

In the age of the Internet, buying it is unnecessary. There are usually plenty of user reviews available on various sites and formats. So forming an informed opinion of an adventure before buying it, is quite feasible.

But publishers want you to buy their content, as that's how they make a living - so it's no surprise that this site leans in that direction.

You just need to be careful to ensure that the reviews you're reading are by people who have actually read the material, and that you understand the reviewer's biases.
That applies to a lot more than game books, too.

 

[Azzy]

It's me—D&D is aimed at me!

 

[Maxperson]

That's a very interesting point. Gaming is my primary hobby, but I haven't considered that I should buy every big release Wizards makes because of that.
I tend to buy game books for one (or more) of these reasons:
1. I want to run it.
2. I can glean inspiration from it.
3. I like the art, design, etc.
4. I want to support the writer or developer of the content.
When a product doesn't connect in any of these factors, I usually don't purchase it.
And how many times have we heard criticism on here that we can't review an adventure until we've run it at the table? Are we required also to run something before we have an opinion?

I don't think @Morrus was arguing that you should buy the book just because it's a major release. My take on his post was that you probably shouldn't discount a book just because of it's cover. Look deeper and decide based on what the product is whether you want to purchase it or not.

I own several D&D books that have cover art(and some with internal art) that I don't care for. The product itself was good enough for me to overlook something that has next to nothing to do with using the content in my games.

 

[beancounter]

I don't think @Morrus was arguing that you should buy the book just because it's a major release. My take on his post was that you probably shouldn't discount a book just because of it's cover. Look deeper and decide based on what the product is whether you want to purchase it or not.

I own several D&D books that have cover art(and some with internal art) that I don't care for. The product itself was good enough for me to overlook something that has next to nothing to do with using the content in my games.

I draw the line at doe eyed hamsters.

 

[Maxperson]

I draw the line at doe eyed hamsters.

I never, ever used space hamsters in my Spelljammer games, but I did love the humor of them. My game isn't silly enough to include them.

 

[Morrus]

That's a very interesting point. Gaming is my primary hobby, but I haven't considered that I should buy every big release Wizards makes because of that.

Literally not what I said. Or even close to it.

 

[Parmandur]

It's me—D&D is aimed at me!

I've felt that way since 2014, yup.

 

[Maxperson]

I've felt that way since 2014, yup.

I've been there from 1983 to 2008 and then again from 2019 to now.