I wonder how I didn't notice this before...

[hbarsquared]

Afraid I disagree. I don't think the choices of classes and races make or break the game.

I would actually prefer the Next PHB is not inclusive. There will be "nerdrage" no matter what, so why not just aim to displease everyone?!

4 classes: fighter, wizard, rogue, cleric.
4 races: human, halfling, elf, dwarf.

Done.

This I would consider the core of D&D, this selection of classes and races. Yes, half-elves, half-orcs, gnomes, dragonborn, paladins, bards, sorcerers, warlocks... are all D&D to somebody, and they should be added on as the game develops. Preferably sooner rather than later (because I'm a fan, too!)

If everyone's disappointed by the exclusion of their "favorite class/race," perhaps everyone will be happy just roleplaying D&D Maybe?

Of course, I sincerely doubt this will happen.

 

[Savage Wombat]

While I might prefer that the PH be more inclusive, I don't think I'm expecting it to be. The business model of "save some core content for the 2nd book" is much better for WotC at this point. Otherwise they're back to splatbooks 3 months after the core books come out.

 

[Jack Daniel]

While I might prefer that the PH be more inclusive, I don't think I'm expecting it to be. The business model of "save some core content for the 2nd book" is much better for WotC at this point. Otherwise they're back to splatbooks 3 months after the core books come out.

And herein lies another interesting question, I think. Is the "endless parade of core books" actually the best business model, particularly since it's associated with what has been (so far) the shortest-lived of all the major D&D editions?

5th edition is being aimed at modularity and, perhaps (as one can always hope and dream) evergreen status for the core. That's a model that lends itself better to discreet supplements than to an ever-expanding (thus increasingly unwieldy) core. WotC is all but admitting to the fact that most groups won't have need of every splatbook that they put out, if every table is using a different mix of modular options.

Given those circumstances, WotC's best move at this point is to focus on delivering a solid and complete core game in the first three hardcovers, and then doing its damnedest to ensure that the inevitable splatbooks on the horizon aren't poor-quality and imbalanced schlock. They can do this if their supplements are focused on rules modules, setting material, and adventures, rather than just delivering more empty content and bloat (feats, spells, items).

 

[Savage Wombat]

But again, the question becomes - do people buy these supplements in sufficient quantity to make their nut?

I don't know much about the publishing industry personally, but you can tell that businesses with no printing costs whatsoever - i.e. e-reader books etc. - still have a significant minimum price point they have to charge to make it worth publishing.

WotC has some accountant's model somewhere telling them "We must sell X books priced at Y dollars every year" and if they don't hit those numbers, they go broke. (The D&D division anyway.) And if they don't sell nearly as many copies of setting material and other DM-only books, they have a harder time reaching that goal.

I don't like the splatbook merry-go-round, but I don't know what else WotC can do to stay in business. They can't release a new set of "must-have" cards every quarter like they do for MtG.

 

[ForeverSlayer]

I hate Dragonborn.

 

[Remathilis]

And herein lies another interesting question, I think. Is the "endless parade of core books" actually the best business model, particularly since it's associated with what has been (so far) the shortest-lived of all the major D&D editions?

I don't think so. There were three PHBs and MMs, but the third DMG was vaporware (along with its high level support). From what I heard, PHB3 wasn't all that well received either. I suspect we may see a PHB/DMG/MM 2 (and MM 3 even) later down the road, but I suspect the new core every year is a thing of the past.

 

[The Red King]

I don't think so. There were three PHBs and MMs, but the third DMG was vaporware (along with its high level support). From what I heard, PHB3 wasn't all that well received either. I suspect we may see a PHB/DMG/MM 2 (and MM 3 even) later down the road, but I suspect the new core every year is a thing of the past.

I hope so. Trying to get us to buy new or even suplimentiary core books every year stinks of a cash grab.

 

[Stormonu]

At the OP:

Yes, the "incompleteness" of the first rounds of 4E disturbed me greatly; that was why I went to work on my 4E Races/Classes document. Over its first six months, it racked up around 20K reads, with nothing but positive comments (the doc is still available in my sig). Lots of folks were hungering for those "missing" elements.

If the core books of 5E are missing 1E/2E/3E/4E core (1st round of books) material (and I include dragonborn and tiefling PCs as well as Warlocks and Warlords in this), there's a fair chance I'll pass.

I'm not in the mood to repeat fill-in work like I had to do for 2E and 4E.

 

[Tony Vargas]

OK, 4e failed to punch the right nostalgia buttons for the OP. Don't worry, 5e is zeroing in on those buttons.

 

[ForeverSlayer]

OK, 4e failed to punch the right nostalgia buttons for the OP. Don't worry, 5e is zeroing in on those buttons.

Why does it always have to be about the nostalgia?

Can't you just accept that people actually like things that came before because they felt it was better?