Do you like D&D?

[PJ-Mason]

If you are not playing D&D in its current and ultimate edition (some call it D&D3.x), you are not actually playing the Dungeons & Dragons game. Those earlier editions were just notes, alpha, and beta playtest versions to build up to this complete game system. D&D [current edition] has finally (after 30 years) matured into its fully formed and functional state.

We appreciate the early designers and playtesters for working with and on the incomplete system in its first few editions. Too bad some aren't capable of upgrading to the finished product. But such is enlightened progress; some can't keep up.

Quasqueton

Then there is the flip side to that. There are slews of people who don't differentiate between the editions. To them 3.x still has hit points, classes, vancian magic, xp based on killing stuff, thaco/ac, and phat loot collection. They don't see the difference between the AD&D, 2E, or D&D 6.7....its the same old, same old to them.

 

[Sebastian Francis]

I like D&D, AD&D, and d20 Fantasy. Each are different, and I treat them as such . . . different games.

Hoo boy. Now personally, I don't enjoy 3.0/3.5. My game is AD&D 2e. But even I have to admit here that anyone who refers to 3.0/3.5 as "D20 Fantasy" rather than "D&D" is trolling.

 

[Silverleaf]

Actually, I feel that way, too (minus the enlightenment part): I see D&D 3.5 as the most advanced, best version of D&D. The older versions were alright for their time (though I didn't really know AD&D 2e until after I got to know D&D 3e, which explains why I dislike 2e so much.

For me, that's precisely the problem: it's "advanced". In other words, the opposite of "basic". I don't view the addition of more detail and simulation aspects to D&D as an improvement. If I wanted those aspects, there are tons of other games out there that supply them, and do so in a very elegant fashion and without the pre-existing "baggage" that makes 3e feel rather "kludgy" to me. Incidentally, in the software biz there is a term for this kind of situation:
http://www.clueless.com/jargon3.0.0/second-system_effect.html

 

[Kanegrundar]

Just so! I have read of many current d20 players who said they grew dissatisfied with AD&D at some point years ago, and only returned because of "3e." My repeated response: "you have not come back to D&D. You still have not returned." And what is puzzling is these same players get very upset that you are implying they aren't playing D&D, when they it is they who left D&D years ago, and only returned when "D&D" had been made radicially different. What do they care if it is called "D&D" or not?

The reason people get upset is your statement is presented as some sort of fact with an air of pompous arrogance. I don't really think that is how you want it to come off, but that's simply how it does. I understand your point, but what difference does it make? I play D&D 3E. That's what it says on the cover of my PHB, it may play differently, but in the end there are enough of the "Sacred cows" there that the only real difference I see is that I enjoy playing D&D more now than I ever did before. Constantly calling 3E "D20 Fantasy" is bordering on trolling (sometimes crossing the line). All that saying that does is start a fight, so why bother?

Kane

 

[kolikeos]

the 3.0/3.5/d20 rules are alot better then any other rules system i've ever used.
the only thing i ever liked in previous editions was the planescape setting fron 2nd edition, and that has nothing to do with the rules system, i merely liked the setting.

 

[Psion]

I see... I was about to make a serious reply about how no, it's not been done to death, and that you're the one making an outrageous claim then its most certainly your job to provide specific justification if you want anyone to take you seriously.

And then it clicked. Good one; you suckered me.

Oh, I have no doubt he beleives it. I've heard his tune before.

It just didn't occur to me until Bones McCoy showed up what was going on. I was inspired to visit a site that I don't haunt much anymore.

Yeah, we are being raided. I was used to it from Kenzer in the days when they'd start a thread on their boards whenever a "which setting should I play" thread would pop up here. But at least they were good natured.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I strongly prefer the current edition: revised Third Edition Dungeons & Dragons.

I think the switch to a consistent underlying system mechanic was the single best decision that Wizards of the Coast could have made to revitalise interest in the game.

Whether you care for the "options++" focus of the current release schedule is actually kind of irrelevant. I like it, myself, but I recognise that it doesn't matter to the game per se - bottom line, the class-level-skills-feats-d20 mechanics that underpin Dungeons and Dragons makes it a far more playable game than any prior edition "out of the box".

 

[Mythmere1]

I didn't answer the poll because it didn't have an option for preferring a specific other game to D&D. I mildly prefer earlier editions, but strongly prefer another game in general.

 

[TheGM]

I strongly prefer 1E and 2E, and am rather thankful that I found HackMaster (which is just 2E with crunchy bits), but that is not to say that there is nothing good coming out of 3E.

I play both, and do not have a huge problem with 3E until some genius wants to turn the game from a Roleplaying game into a board game - which happens more in 3E I've noticed.

I am very selective about what I allow in my 3E games though too, and that makes life easier for me, it's not about min/maxing your character, it's about playing the game.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Bad feelings? Check.

Rudeness? Check.

Edition wars? Check.

I'm closing this thread. Perhaps in a few days time it can be re-opened again once people have cooled down.