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

[Scribe]

What's missing from the game that prevents Sword & Sorcery, that isn't just art?
As my 5e campaign launched with nearly no magic and just 3 races I'm interested in hearing what more was needed

'The Game'? Nothing I suppose, there is content everywhere within either the history and back catalog, or again third party.

5e specific? From Wizards? A setting and adventure*, and 'Guide to' book I guess?

*spelling.

 

[bedir than]

5e specific? From Wizards? A setting and adventure*, and 'Guide to' book I guess?

So all subgenres of fantasy can't be played until a hardcover comes out?

 

[Scribe]

So all subgenres of fantasy can't be played until a hardcover comes out?

No, that isnt what I said at all.

 

[Minigiant]

The funny thing is we're here arguing about Sword and Sorcery where the next 2 pages of the DMG describe 4 flavors that likely wont get support until after 2024: Intrigue, Swashbuckling, War,and Wuxia. And Tiamat help you if you like some flavor or tone not in the DMG.

So to me, it feels like people fighting for seconds and thirds when some haven't received their firsts.

 

[bedir than]

The funny thing is we're here arguing about Sword and Sorcery where the next 2 pages of the DMG describe 4 flavors that likely wont get support until after 2024: Intrigue, Swashbuckling, War,and Wuxia. And Tiamat help you if you like some flavor or tone not in the DMG.

So to me, it feels like people fighting for seconds and thirds when some haven't received their firsts.

The Dragonlance theme is war. The Spelljammer theme is likely swashbuckling.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Of course it doesnt, and who am I to complain, they gave us 2 pages in the Guide to Ravenloft talking about how to create a Domain that would lean into a Sword and Sorcery themed game. I suppose I should be happy with what I've been offered.

It is however, part of set of tropes, that makes up that style of setting, in my opinion.

Sure. I’d just expect anyone who’s been gaming since first or second edition knows how to get the game they want.

The salient point is not that people can't play a S&S game with mostly-nude beefcake warriors, rather, that WotC would not publish such a product in this day and age because they are targeting a particular audience.

They haven’t made a sword & sorcery specific product, but there’s nothing to prevent you from playing in such a game.

I know this because I’ve played a very sword and sorcery themed game. And also played a 5e game on Athas, which is probably the most S&S setting they’ve ever published.

I think the problem is that every time anyone says “what would a sword and sorcery specific product be like” all that’s offered is art. Besides feeling targeted by the art, what else is needed?

If it’s mechanics you want, then several products have offered advice on how to tweak the game to get a specific vibe. Use those to get started and then make any other changes you think are needed.

And if we have to make this about capitalism, maybe the fact that the system is open and there are many third party products available is what’s led WotC to not worry specifically about the sword and sorcery genre. They may figure “there are plenty of options for folks who like that stuff, we don’t need to worry about that.”

 

[Retreater]

As much as I like Dark Sun, I don't think we can pretend that it's a major campaign setting or property for Wizards. After its flash in the pan publication in 2e, it set dormant for nearly 20 years until it got a whopping 2-3 books for 4e, then again sat untouched and forgotten for at least another decade.
Even though I love it, it's no Faerun, Krynn, or Eberron. The worlds of Magic the Gathering and Rick and Morty have gotten more attention this decade than Dark Sun.

 

[Minigiant]

The Dragonlance theme is war. The Spelljammer theme is likely swashbuckling.

Neither of them are out yet, right?
War and Swashbuckling require additional mechanics to play in 5e.

Dragonlance can go Epic, War, or both.
As for Spelljammer, we have to wait and see if swashbuckling is the theme or if it goes to heroic fantasy.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

As much as I like Dark Sun, I don't think we can pretend that it's a major campaign setting or property for Wizards. After its flash in the pan publication in 2e, it set dormant for nearly 20 years until it got a whopping 2-3 books for 4e, then again sat untouched and forgotten for at least another decade.

Hey, Spelljammer has literally never been updated to a subsequent edition since its original publication in 2e. Until now.

I wouldn't discount Dark Sun because of this. Especially since it's been published as recently as 4e.

 

[Retreater]

Hey, Spelljammer has literally never been updated to a subsequent editions since its original publication in 2e. Until now.

I wouldn't discount Dark Sun because of this. Especially since it's been published as recently as 4e.

Not saying it won't be published again. Just saying that in the grand scheme of D&D styles of play, it's pretty insignificant. Especially to the majority of players.