D&D 5E D&D Next Q&A: 05/30/2014

[Patrick McGill]

http://www.wizards.com/dnd/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dndqa/20140530

A new Q and A, didn't see anyone post it yet so I thought I would.

 

[Thaumaturge]

There is also a new podcast up, where they talk about Tyranny of Dragons and such.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Patrick McGill]

There is also a new podcast up, where they talk about Tyranny of Dragons and such.

Thaumaturge.

Oh nice, thanks!

 

[tomBitonti]

Hmm,

Does anyone have a sense of what the printed books will have which is not in the Basic Rules? From the Q&A:

Basic Dungeons & Dragons is going to be a downloadable file that contains the core rules of the game, along with character creation rules and, eventually, monsters, magic items, and guidelines

Essentially, my question is: If the Basic Rules are sufficient to play the game, why buy the books?

I guess, the "eventually" for monsters and magic items will matter a lot. The books will be necessary for free-form play if either monsters or magic items are not available quickly.

Thx!

TomB

 

[Thaumaturge]

Essentially, my question is: If the Basic Rules are sufficient to play the game, why buy the books?

The Basic game will have rules for the core four races and classes. And the basic rules for play. The fore three will have those and lots of additional rules modules.

Want to play a teifling sorcerer? Those, probably, will be in the PHB.

Want to play a warforged? That's in the DMG.

Want more tactical rules instead of theater of the mind style? DMG (I think).

Rules for followers? DMG.

Feats? PHB.

More than just the most "iconic" spells? PHB.

More than just the most "iconic" monsters? MM

And so on. The Basic game will let you play the game, but the books will expand upon it greatly. Based upon my understanding of what I've read.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Patrick McGill]

Hmm,

Does anyone have a sense of what the printed books will have which is not in the Basic Rules? From the Q&A:



Essentially, my question is: If the Basic Rules are sufficient to play the game, why buy the books?

I guess, the "eventually" for monsters and magic items will matter a lot. The books will be necessary for free-form play if either monsters or magic items are not available quickly.

Thx!

TomB

Basically options. The Basic rules will have 4 classes (Fighter, Rogue, Wizard, Cleric) each with just one subclass. The Monsters will only be "the most iconic", etc. You don't NEED the books, but to get the same experience as 3.5 or 4th edition in terms of options, then you need to buy the books.

Also the DMG will apparently present a lot of the modules, options, and dials mentioned before. Alternate magic systems, healing systems, etc.

It's just digital crack. First hit is free.

 

[tomBitonti]

Hrmph.

That will allow you to build characters, plan adventures, and play all the way up through 20th level. Basic D&D provides a traditional D&D experience that will allow you to play any adventure—including those in the Starter Set—using only this file

I guess the use of "traditional" is what supplies the limit.

The "play any adventure" seems to be a stretch since the use of NPCs with non-core classes would seem to be difficult. Unless, no adventure will use non-core elements.

Thx!

TomB

 

[lkj]

Hrmph.



I guess the use of "traditional" is what supplies the limit.

The "play any adventure" seems to be a stretch since the use of NPCs with non-core classes would seem to be difficult. Unless, no adventure will use non-core elements.

Thx!

TomB

Mike did say in his original L&L that additional material would be added to the basic game to cover new material from adventures that wasn't included in the base game. I'm imagining that means that there will be a 'tyranny of dragons supplement' pdf that you can download for free as well (rather than it be incorporated into the original document). But I don't really know. In short-- adventures that use non-core elements will likely have that material released for free as well.

AD

P.S. I can't reach the Q&A from work, so my apologies if that says something contradictory.

 

[Li Shenron]

Hmm,

Does anyone have a sense of what the printed books will have which is not in the Basic Rules? From the Q&A:

PHB:

8 more classes
all subclasses
several more races
at least a dozen more backgrounds
~100 more spells (at least)
all feats

MM:

~200 more monsters
legendary versions of some monsters

DMG:
nearly all magic items
monster design rules

...and all rules modules:

flaws/traits/bonds
downtime
inspiration
tactical combat
mass battle rules
chase rules

 

[Ainamacar]

These will mostly be the most iconic D&D monsters that you’re already familiar with.

This is probably a wise choice, everyone wants to fight beholders and mind flayers, but I think it reinforces the notion that Basic D&D will be different from whatever rules (if any) are freely/cheaply available for any old third party publisher to use. Between this article and the one from earlier this week I'm getting a real Basic D&D = free for non-commerical use vibe that supports the community while finding middle ground between the SRD/OGL and 4e/GSL when it comes to commercial entities.

My wild guess:
0) No completely free commercial use.
1) Basic D&D without product identity. Priced so that small publishers have a chance.
2) As 1, but with a product identity "store" that permits per-product licensing of additional rules/monsters/etc. subject to certain limitations (e.g. you agree not to make beholder porn, etc.)
3) Free reign via special arrangement ("don't call us, we'll call you"), a la subcontracting the launch adventures.