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Message: <blockquote data-quote="painted_klown" data-source="post: 6664995" data-attributes="member: 6785485">I have said it before in other (similar) threads, but I feel it bears repeating here. IMO, there is nothing wrong with the 5E rule set. I believe it is already simple enough that new players can learn it without too much trouble/issue.I also feel there is nothing wrong with the current release schedule. Rules bloat leads to too much complexity and makes it difficult to lure new players because of said complexity, and cost of "buying into" the game. What I feel will make 5E a long term success story is education. Educating the consumer is the #1 thing to insure 5E is the "evergreen edition" IMO. Prior to 5E, I was under the impression that all D&D books were rules books for the game. I had no idea there were different editions, nor that there are 3 core rulebooks, or anything else...I just knew there was a wall of books, and that I had no idea of where to start. If I had not met an old school player (who is currently running PF), I would still NOT be playing D&D, nor understanding what I do now. He explained everything to me. Multiple editions, the books I (the DM) actually need, the books the players actually need, etc. I was a "wanna-be D&D'er" lost in a sea of confusion. I imagine there are a LOT of potential players exactly where I was about a year ago. To solve this problem, WotC needs to educate the consumer. They can start with re-vamping their horrible, horrible web site. It cannot be navigated successfully by anyone!!! Heck, there's even a thread dedicated to that fact on this very forum. WotC need to make the "landing/home page" a "Welcome to d&d 5th edition" type page. On this page, begin explaining to new visitors that D&D has been through several editions in the past, and that 5E is the latest and greatest. Then explain that ONLY 5E books and materials are needed to play. Clearly state that anything NOT 5E is essentially a different game, with different rules. They need to clearly explain what the 3 core books are, and how they relate to each other. Then explain what adventure paths/modules are, and how they relate to the 3 core books.Make it obvious that no other (older) books, or non-core books, are required to play the game. State all of this with the least amount of wording necessary. Make it very clear that "Dungeons & Dragons IS fifth edition".Explain the basics of players needed. A DM and PC's. Explain that there needs to be one DM and at 3-5 PCs for a good game. Explain the DM is only one who needs to purchase all 3 core rule books, and that players only need to purchase a SINGLE book, the Player's Handbook. That's it, one purchase, and you have what you need to play the game. If that purchase is too steep for you at the moment, or if you want to "try it before you buy it" then direct them to the free, legal, PDFs available on their website. The home page for the TTRPG must also be free of the other D&D branded stuff such as boardgames (can be confused for as box set), video games (I thought D&D was a PnP game?), or ANY other D&D merch that is NOT the PnP TTRPG. Do not confuse already confused consumers.As someone who wanted to play D&D long before I ever did, I felt the #1 "barrier" (by far) was not knowing where to start & what books I needed.With the seemingly endless slew of books available for D&D, and non-players not being aware that there are several different editions (and essentially several different games all called D&D), it becomes VERY confusing quickly when you head to a game shop without a clue...even when the desire is there.Now that I have said all of that. WotC also needs to make the rules for creating a character easier to understand. I had to use several different online sources before I finally figured it out. The instructions in the PHB aren't very good at all IMO. Confusing, in the wrong order, and doesn't explain how to get the info they are asking you to fill in. Suggested up thread was the idea of well made videos. I think a series of short videos for noobs would go a long way in attracting new players, Explain everything I have mentioned regarding the books, past editions, etc in the first video. Give a little history of the game, then explain where it's at now. Talk about the 3 core books, talk about the players, talk about what each of those players need to play the game, etc. The second video should be how to roll up characters. Third video should be a combat tutorial with a sample combat encounter or two.Fourth video can put it all together have have a short, sample game session.IMO, VMMV, Etc</blockquote>

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