D&D 5E (2024) Does anyone else think that 1D&D will create a significant divide in the community?

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

Which speaks a lot about the division it will cause...

Not really. Once the new books are out and people have to choose if they'll move to the 2024 game or stay with 2014, that's when we'll see if there's a division or not.

 

[Sorcerers Apprentice]

There are people who turn 14 every year though.

Fewer each year in most countries where D&D is popular....

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Fewer each year in most countries where D&D is popular....

Do you see a connection there?

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Not really. Once the new books are out and people have to choose if they'll move to the 2024 game or stay with 2014, that's when we'll see if there's a division or not.

Maybe. Maybe not.
I don't see it as a now we have to decide decision. I fully expect, that in the beginning it will be a mix and match.

 

[MNblockhead]

I would prefer the DMG to be a how to manual for the current game with some indicators has to how to drift the basic rule toward different play agendas but to have a separate book on additional modular add ons. Perhaps themed by playstyle.

That's always been the issue with the DMG. It tries to be so many things in one book. I would prefer that magic items and rules have their own book, for example. Another book could be dedicated to world building, including modular rules to support different themes and settings. But then a lot of people would complain about all the books they have to buy. This would be much easier in DND Beyond where you can just buy the content you want.

 

[MNblockhead]

Having to keep track of both 2014 and 2024 class rules, let alone all the other differences, in the same game sounds like a nightmare as a DM.

Not really, though I suppose this depends on your DM style and expectations for DMs. Even after running the game for years I don't have a all class abilities, etc. memorized. I also have allowed third-party published character options. Generally, before the campaign begins, and/or at session zero, the players will state which characters they want to play and I'll look it over and discuss with them. Generally, I trust my players to know their own character rules, but when I need to check on something it is easy to look up in DND Beyond or a PDF (if third-party published).

As for general rule for running the game, as opposed to class-specific rules, I don't know that it would be any dfferent than incorporating third-party content or homebrew rules. Most likely, if I buy the updated rules books in 2024, I'll use those as the base. If there are certain rules I don't like and want to change, or rules I want to add or swap; whether from the 2014 rules, third-party publishers; or homebrewed; I just write them up in a short campaign guide in Google Docs and share it.

Keep in mind, however, that all of the above is based on me having a consistent group of players that play year-long to multi-year campaigns. If I were running public games, or games with lots of different groups, I could see this being more of an issue. One reason I don't like pick up games with strangers is that you never know what expectations the players are coming to the game with and the limits of Adventurer's League rules chafe.

 

[HammerMan]

I assume the bubble was going to pop sooner rather then later... the only hope is to keep D&D relevant, an anniversary edition change and a movie and TV show might keep the bubble alive another 5-10 years... but whne it pops hasbro/wotc is in for a rude awakening

My gut says that as long as they can keep D&D in media (stranger things still has at least a season and if they movie can get a sequal) they can keep the bubble up.

Here in the US we just had our first bank in years go out and when things like that happen they snow ball. If we hit a major recession or depression games like D&D may stay relevant as a low cost entertainment

 

[Scott Christian]

What about OneD&D makes it more capable of reaching "further masses" than the existing game? What is the "unifying" force your envision?

In any case I own most of the 5e books and intend to keep playing it or derivations of it indefinitely, but I'm not sure I'll even get a PHB for OneD&D, a project that just holds no appeal for me. I'd say I've been divided from the OneD&D fans. I'll accept that I might be a weird outlier, but it still emphasizes the point that I just don't see how this OneD&D project brings more unity by driving away the 5e grognards to create a mostly identical product with presumably the same general level of appeal.

I do think it's possible that, with the SRD going creative commons and WotC putting out a pointless clone as their new edition, one that practically challenges everyone with a game design itch to do their own version, that a galaxy of broadly compatible 5e clones will take up a lot of the ttrpg space. So if unity means more people playing things loosely compatible with 5e and OneD&D, sure that seems plausible enough.

I apologize for the vagaries. Allow me to explain.

OneD&D will transition to an even larger online presence. A shame, in my humble opinion, but that is the direction they stated. (Through conjecture from being around A LOT of young players.) Young people do not read the books. It's one reason why there is a shortage of decent DMs. They all make their characters through Beyond. This ease of creating a character, I believe, will only become easier as they push OneD&D. Hence, its expansion into newer, younger players. Middle aged players, especially ones with many obligations (work, family, etc.) are going to start delving into AI DMs. A no brain push for a large company like Hasbro. This will expand the market again for people with little time. (Especially when it's done all slick like the Alpha video they showed.) Finally, the older market - most of us here. A fair amount of disposable income will come into play for our decisions to buy the books. And even if we don't buy it right away, tables we play, eventually will want the new material. And yeah, there will be a few hold outs, but nothing compared to the growth.

As for unifying forces - the masses dictate direction. I have yet to see a new table run with the old racial (species) ASIs. Once a rule makes something easier, which ONED&D will, especially for players, it becomes like water - it will flow downstream and widen. The reason is most players take the path of least resistance; be it rules, character creation, or min/maxing.

I hope that explains what I was thinking.

 

[Scribe]

Do you see a connection there?

oof, right to the heart.

 

[Mistwell]

I assume the bubble was going to pop sooner rather then later... the only hope is to keep D&D relevant, an anniversary edition change and a movie and TV show might keep the bubble alive another 5-10 years... but whne it pops hasbro/wotc is in for a rude awakening

Except we heard people say that before 5e was launched and even afterwards when they kept the number of supplement books low. We heard WOTC was being run on "a Skeleton crew" and was "on life support".