D&D 5E (2024) Heroes of the Borderlands

[Lazybones]

Based on how many 5-room dungeons I've run as one-shots, I could easily see each one of the Caves of Chaos taking up a game session. I know they're using milestone leveling, and while I don't know where the thresholds are, I wouldn't be surprised if the first level up came in the keep, the second after the wilderness, and then the third level is exploring the caves. Based on some of the names shown in the Caves book (in addition to the old "Kobold Cave" and "Goblin Cave" there was a "Mephit Cave" and a "Nothic Cave"), I suspect that the expectation is experienced characters exploring there.

 

[Stormonu]

I'm all for making the game more streamlined/easier to play, but to me VSM components are something that're an important part of being a caster in DnD, an integral part of the identity. I understand why some folk would want to ditch it, everyone has their own priorities and lines.

I do wonder if WotC realizes that in teaching a slightly "easier" version of the rules, that they're sort of creating a 5e24-lite. Probably, they do. But it makes it a bit more of a headache, I think, for players to learn one set of rules and then the GM has to inform them "no, those X aren't the actual rules you learned, the actual rules are Y." Headache for the players, or the GM :'D

VSM was ditched for B/X and BECMI in the '80s. The game was fine without it.

 

[Parmandur]

Based on how many 5-room dungeons I've run as one-shots, I could easily see each one of the Caves of Chaos taking up a game session. I know they're using milestone leveling, and while I don't know where the thresholds are, I wouldn't be surprised if the first level up came in the keep, the second after the wilderness, and then the third level is exploring the caves. Based on some of the names shown in the Caves book (in addition to the old "Kobold Cave" and "Goblin Cave" there was a "Mephit Cave" and a "Nothic Cave"), I suspect that the expectation is experienced characters exploring there.

They have said in some interview that the goal is for the different suburban to be modular, so wave cave can be a quick oneshot or run together for a longer session.

 

[Distracted DM]

VSM was ditched for B/X and BECMI in the '80s. The game was fine without it.

I'm sure the game worked fine without, I was talking about personal tastes. I started with 2e, so it was always a part of the game to me.

 

[Stormonu]

I'm sure the game worked fine without, I was talking about personal tastes. I started with 2e, so it was always a part of the game to me.

Well, just as you and I started at different points with different interactions to VSM, those starting with this set will get their expectations started here - and that will define their attitude towards the VSM aspect of casters and such.