Hasn't D&D become even more fun lately?

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Since there have been a few threads lately starting with "Has D&D become less about adventure" or "Has D&D become to much like D&D" and similar things, I first considered a "counter-thread" with a rant about why people always seem to believe things getting worse and why they seem unable to enjoy.

But then, I don't really like to post rants (or new threads, to say the truth. ). It is always so... destructive.

So I thought - instead of ranting, I just ask how peoples enjoyment has changed over time.

Has D&D become even more fun lately (be lately since the advent of D&D 3.0, since D&D 3.5, since buying the latest supplement, since having found a new group or what ever else)?

Personally, I can say that D&D is as fun as ever, and it has grown on me over the course of the years.

The first time I played D&D, it was already 3.0 edition. I was familar with Shadowrun before (and enjoyed it). My first character was a Sorceror, and I thought about "how stupid is this magic system? What's with all these slots?". "What's with these hit points - they totally unrealistic".

But then, I played, and, as Monte and other designers like to call it, I mastered the system. I understand how things worked, and mostly why they worked. I learned about the goals of the system, about the reason and effects of its abstraction. I really love the system today (even though I don't think it is perfect).

On top of that, I have a great group - we might be a bit more on the hack'n'slash (with tactics) than on the roleplaying, but I enjoy playing the game, chatting with them and so on.

So, all in all, D&D has become more fun for me over the time. It has probably reached its peak (and I am now more willing to miss a session than a while ago, but that has also a lot to do with the fact that I am writing my Diploma thesis), but I think it can hold this level for a long time.

So, again the question: How do you feel about D&D today? Do you like it even more than before?

PS:
How stupid am I - it's my own poll, and I klick the wrong vote? I should have chosen 3

 

[Piratecat]

If there's one thing that a long-running campaign has taught me, its that the rules set do not solely dictate how much fun you have. I had a blast with 2nd edition AD&D, 3e was a HUGE improvement, and I'm having just as much fun now with 3.5. I expect that when 4th edition comes out, we'll have a blast with that rules set as well.

That's why this concept that the game has somehow "peaked" is totally foreign to me. The game isn't the rules, the game is what you make from the rules.

 

[DragonLancer]

I enjoy 3.X it is good fun but I do find the rules have bogged it down and that does sometimes spoil my enjoyment of the game.

The most fun D&D has ever given me was 2nd edition AD&D which was pretty tops IMO.

 

[shilsen]

I enjoy the game more than ever before, and I think it gets even better every game. Admittedly since I have only been gaming for 7 years I don't have that much scope for comparison as many people on ENWorld, but D&D has constantly got better for me.

System-wise I started at the end of 2e, found 3e an incredible improvement, and found 3.5e even better. My groups have progressively got better. I've got much, much better as a player and a DM and am expecting to improve as time goes on. My gaming cup runneth over.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I like 3.x, but not as much as used to. I wouldn't go so far as to say its because 3.x is flawed, or a poorer system, or anything like that. I've just been having more fun with other systems (including older versions of D&D). My gaming tastes go in cycles, though. I'll be heavily into big, rules-filled systems for a while (e.g. Rolemaster), and then move on to something else.

 

[Presto2112]

Well, first off, I haven't got much to compare it against (I only play D&D, and only with one group), but I'm enjoyng playing more now then ever. The rules may be cumbersome, but they allow for SO DANG MUCH!! The group I'm playing with is largely enjoyable, if diffcult to assemble regularly, and I'm looking forward to showing my son the game when he's a little older.

 

[Psion]

I don't feel the exhiliration of exploring new ground like when 3.0 came out... but that's to be expected. But I do feel 3.x are the best ruleset for D&D ever and have run some great games under it, and the creative input of third party publisher have helped inspire me and take the game new directions.

 

[Lhorgrim]

I voted "Don't enjoy it as much...but still like it alot."

Let me be clear though, this has almost nothing to do with the game system.

I started in the early 80's, so I have played through three decades. The biggest factor in my enjoyment has been the groups that I have gamed with. Good group=Big fun. Bad group=not so much. Currently I have a sorta group. We sorta get together. Sorta regularly. Most of the group members sorta know the rules. . 3.X has intensified the difficulty for me to find a compatable gaming group because the rules allow for so much flexibility in play styles. I think the flexibility is a good thing, but now I sometimes find a group to play with that ends up having such a divergent style from my own (Character optimization over all else! for example) that I just don't enjoy the game as much.

I have lamented before that I live in a gamer wasteland, and that my public service job makes it difficult for me to schedule gaming. Those are the issues that have lessened my enjoyment over time. Has little to do with the system.

 

[MerricB]

I'm having more and more fun with D&D. Incarnum, Weapons of Legacy, Heroes of Horror, Spell Compendium and PHB2 have all just been enriching my game even more.

Cheers!

 

[Raven Crowking]

I voted "My enjoyment grew over time, but not it has fallen a bit." But, I imagine when I am done tweaking the system (and will you still call it D&D then, I wonder? I will!) I imagine that my enjoyment will be at an all-time high. The core mechanics work amazingly well for tweaking; some design decisions I can do without.

RC