D&D 5E D&D compared to Bespoke Genre TTRPGs

[Paul Farquhar]

but it's got a single flat-tip screwdriver to represent travel and exploration.

That's an interesting point, in some areas D&D doesn't even do D&D very well!

And then you have GURPS.

As a rule of thumb, multitools are expensive gimmicks that don't do any job particularly well!

 

[Imaro]

That's an interesting point, in some areas D&D doesn't even do D&D very well!

Or it could be user error...

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Or it could be user error...

Seem to be an awful lot of users complaining about poor exploration rules in D&D. If they are all using it wrong then it's down to poor design.

 

[Imaro]

Seem to be an awful lot of users complaining about poor exploration rules in D&D. If they are all using it wrong then it's down to poor design.

What's an awful lot in comparison to the entire user base and how do you know how many?

 

[Paul Farquhar]

What's an awful lot in comparison to the entire user base and how do you know how many?

Easy, just read any thread with a title related to "ranger".

 

[Imaro]

Easy, just read any thread with a title related to "ranger".

Lol... Forum posts... got it.

 

[Steampunkette]

What's an awful lot in comparison to the entire user base and how do you know how many?

Barring a massively involved and somewhat invasive survey campaign to ask literally every D&D player about the Exploration System in D&D we're going to have to limit our expectations to available sample sizes and empirical evidence.

And the empirical evidence really isn't contestable. All you have to do is open the PHB, DMG, and MM to see how heavily the game is geared toward combat and how woefully underserved the social and exploration pillars remain.

They're not utterly -ignored-, obviously. But the system itself is just weak in those areas compared to many other systems.

 

[Imaro]

Barring a massively involved and somewhat invasive survey campaign to ask literally every D&D player about the Exploration System in D&D we're going to have to limit our expectations to available sample sizes and empirical evidence.

And the empirical evidence really isn't contestable. All you have to do is open the PHB, DMG, and MM to see how heavily the game is geared toward combat and how woefully underserved the social and exploration pillars remain.

They're not utterly -ignored-, obviously. But the system itself is just weak in those areas compared to many other systems.

And this is my problem with these types of claims... 5e has 3rd party publishers, DM's Guild, and supplements that go beyond the first 3 books... so when you make a statement like this limiting it to the first 3 books published doesn't give an accurate snapshot of what's actually available for 5e.

EDIT 1: It's like claiming GURPs/Cypher/FATE/etc... doesn't really do different genres well... just look at the corebook that was published and you will see many genres are under-served.

EDIT 2: Why does it seem like D&D is the only game we hold to this it's got to be in the core standard...

 

[hawkeyefan]

When I want to run a trapped environment monster horror story arc to jump off a new D&D campaign, that ask makes it pretty clear that “play Alien RPG” won’t actually be useful advice.

Sure. One scenario/session/adventure being a slightly different genre and then shifting back to the default D&D or another genre...I mean, you’re talking about yourD&D campaign so of course “play game X” is kind of pointless. Unless maybe someone said somethig like “you know Savage Worlds is a system that’s designed to specifically adapt to different genres, maybe you should consider that” which may actually be good advice.

But if your stance is that you only want to play D&D because that’s what’s convenient/fun/comfortable for you and your group, then no advice of “play game x” will ever really be helpful.

So if that’s the case, then what are you ever even asking for? Do you start threads like “How do I make my D&D game have a horror vibe?” Because you already seem to have all the answers on that....according to your posts in this thread, you can make D&D do anything, and easily.

So is this just a phantom problem?

Look, I'm sorry you find D&D so hard to mod but unless you are straight up calling people liars I think it would be better not to presume that because you find something hard that they in turn must also find it hard. There has been no disrespect of designers or of players skilled in other games, where are you even getting that from?

I don’t think offense was intended, but that doesn’t mean it’s not there. Saying that making all these changes to get D&D to do whatever you want and just as good or better than a game specifically designed to deliver said experience...it’s dismissive of the efforts made to design that game. It’s dismissive of the effort to learn those games.

Probably because most posters are still arguing about the absolutes... D&D can't do this vs. D&D can't do this as well as...

I mean I find it kind of weird that posters are claiming D&D can't do horror and the next book coming out for it addresses and is a campaign setting exactly for that and if the previews are any indication one that deals with a variety of horror types in the game. @Hussar will probably be along shortly to ROTFLMAO us about how the new Ravenloft book also isn't 5e...

We’ll have to see. I’m sure that Ravenloft will incorporate some rules to try and dial up the horror. And I’m sure some of those will be pretty cool. But I’m sure that other elements will remain exactly the same, and that those may undermine any changes they do make....resulting in a game that’s probably a bit incoherent in spots.

My expectation is that it’ll be D&D with a sheen of gothic horror on top. Essentially, the PCs will be killing more undead and other horror-themed monsters instead of orcs and dragons. There may be some kinf of Horror Factor rules bolted on, and maybe even some “Corruption” type mechanics.

I would expect that if you wanted a persistent horror campaign, then chances are you’d be better off with any number of other systems rather than Ravenloft.

But cue the “well I only want to do horror for one adventure and then shift to pulpy heroics, so of course D&D is better” response.

 

[hawkeyefan]

Lol... Forum posts... got it.

But...but....forum posts are what he’s complaining about. If they carry no weight, then what’s the problem?

He can just dismiss the ones that aren’t convenient like you’re doing.