Do we really need (fill in the blank)

[The Grumpy Celt]

So, some have been asking if we “need” gnomes, halflings and fighters? The return argument is “yes” for such and such reason.

But what is something you consider superfluous to the game? Something unnecessary?

Me? I think all the racial variants (such as high elves, moon elves, aquatic elves, wild elves, wood elves, desert elves, flying elves, artic elves, jungle elves, elves who just hide behind furniture, etc) is gratuitous. Selecting the proper feats and skills means the basic race is suitable without needing new races.

And Frank. I don’t think Frank is needed.

 

[Crothian]

Aside from PCs and DM, everything else is extra. It isn't needed, none of it. Classes, levels, races, weapons, books, etc. In the right group with the right situation all of then is not needed. But each group does need something, but what it is differes from group to group.

The question is not "do we need it?", the question is "What can we do with it?" If you can doo cool and interesting things wiuth it, keep in your game.

 

[drothgery]

Well, there's also the "should this be in the core D&D game?" question, which is worth asking because taking things out or scaling them down would presumably create space that could be used for other things.

 

[Crothian]

Well, there's also the "should this be in the core D&D game?" question, which is worth asking because taking things out or scaling them down would presumably create space that could be used for other things.

Ya, but we can't answer this. What goes into the core is the stuff that all basic D&D games will have the most use for, and I don't know anyone that can really speak for that many gamers.

 

[Starglim]

I'd say yes, we need all of the things named, but not all in the same setting. Each campaign works better as a subset of the core where some of the standard options are rare or not player-oriented, and some are excluded.

 

[Felix]

"Need" is a silly word to be using when you're talking about a hobby. Think of the core books and the suppliments as a buffet: you don't really need to put all of those tasty foods on your plate, but you can if you want. Otherwise, just skip that dish, and load up on other foods you prefer.

As far as what we *need* goes...

I'd say we need 2000 calories, 1 gallon of water, and something soft to wipe with. Everything else is superfluous.

 

[ssampier]

Do we really need...

the Dungeon Master.

That pompous arse is always screwing my character's chance for world-dominance.

 

[dren]

Do we really need...all these newfangled combat feats?

I remember back in the days (channeling the voice of Dana Carvey's Grumpy Old Man) when combat was about swinging a sword as hard as you can and killing something. Not all these fancy feats, and skills and prestige classes. We had THAC0 and strength damage, and that's it. And we liked it!

 

[reanjr]

So, some have been asking if we “need” gnomes, halflings and fighters? The return argument is “yes” for such and such reason.

But what is something you consider superfluous to the game? Something unnecessary?

Me? I think all the racial variants (such as high elves, moon elves, aquatic elves, wild elves, wood elves, desert elves, flying elves, artic elves, jungle elves, elves who just hide behind furniture, etc) is gratuitous. Selecting the proper feats and skills means the basic race is suitable without needing new races.

And Frank. I don’t think Frank is needed.

I don't think D&D NEEDS anything except humans, wizards, and fighters. It NEEDS to have other races than human, it NEEDS to have other classes than wizards and fighters, but it doesn't need any individual one of them to be D&D. And they don't need to be in the exact form they're currently in either. I think one could drop wizards and leave sorcerers instead, for instance. But I think you need about a half-dozen races and about a dozen classes. Which ones are up to you.

 

[Turanil]

Do I really need to read this thread?

What I probably don't need is to all those d20 books I bought during the last couple of years. Even if many have interesting parts, I don't have time to use them. Only the four basic D&D books (PHB, DMG, MM1, and XPsi), plus three basic Modern (d20M, MM, d20F), plus Grim Tales, plus a setting book, plus 2 or 3 more supplement, is all I should need. However, the problem is before finding the supplemental books which are really what I need and I will be pleased with for a long time, this is the really difficult question.

Do you really need to read my answer?