D&D 5E (2024) If D&D 2024 Had Been Radically Different, Would You Have Stuck With 5E

[Umbran]

And before every single poster says "it depends" -- assume that whatever the innovations were, they were at least palatable to you.

Sorry, but I cannot say if I would adopt a hypothetical game whose rules are only described as "different from that". That's just not how I choose what games to run or play.

 

[kigmatzomat]

Well, yeah, I'd buy it. You give me the weak 5E casters, stronger 3E melees with great cleave & ToB power levels, 3E DMG NPC & magic item rules, 3E MM monster upgrading rules, and a skill system that's less fiddly than 3E but more fiddly than 5E and I'd be happy as a clam. I'd even say pull the ritual magic from 4E, that had potential.

But I also bought 4E even though I disliked the core conceit because I had to give it a real chance. I felt 4E was a very good implementation of an approach to mechanics I don't want to play outside of conventions, where "beer & pretzels" systems shine.

Would I play it? That depends on my group.

 

[Marc17]

Sorry, but I cannot say if I would adopt a hypothetical game whose rules are only described as "different from that". That's just not how I choose what games to run or play.

I think the question is more "would you refuse to adopt another version of D&D if the only thing against it was it was different from 5E".

 

[Zaukrie]

I've played every edition of the game. I can't imagine that changing.

 

[Rainbow Scissors]

bring on 6th Edition. I'm ready for it.

 

[AlViking]

I would take a look at it, but that's pretty meaningless. I'm happy with 5e, it brought back what I loved about TSR versions of D&D and combined it with the rules fixes (i.e. no more THAC0) and organization of 3e. I think the 2024 update was necessary even if I don't care for all the changes. But radically different? At a certain point it's just a different game and I learned with 4e that there are certain things I want out of my D&D game. If I want radically different I'll find a different game.

The problem with the hypothetical is, of course, that everyone answering that they would jump on the new version because it's so different will have unique ideas of what that means. It's a pretty meaningless question to ask. Would I like a flying car? Sure. Is it going to cost 10 times as much as my current car, do I need to get a license, is it safer, I live in the upper Midwest can it handle weather, will it fit in my garage, how much will it cost to run and maintain? All of those things change my decision from "it sounds cool" to "absolutely not". Same with any hypothetical game. Seems like the people who complain about D&D the loudest want a game I don't.

 

[Reynard]

I would take a look at it, but that's pretty meaningless. I'm happy with 5e, it brought back what I loved about TSR versions of D&D and combined it with the rules fixes (i.e. no more THAC0) and organization of 3e. I think the 2024 update was necessary even if I don't care for all the changes. But radically different? At a certain point it's just a different game and I learned with 4e that there are certain things I want out of my D&D game. If I want radically different I'll find a different game.

The problem with the hypothetical is, of course, that everyone answering that they would jump on the new version because it's so different will have unique ideas of what that means. It's a pretty meaningless question to ask. Would I like a flying car? Sure. Is it going to cost 10 times as much as my current car, do I need to get a license, is it safer, I live in the upper Midwest can it handle weather, will it fit in my garage, how much will it cost to run and maintain? All of those things change my decision from "it sounds cool" to "absolutely not". Same with any hypothetical game. Seems like the people who complain about D&D the loudest want a game I don't.

For a hobby built around pretending to be someone else, it seems like many folks have difficulty imagining hypothetical scenarios.

Imagine if a new version of D&D came out while you were still in the midst of playing the current version. The new version is Official D&D, and there is nothing in its core design that trips one of your "Nope" switches (whatever those may be for you personally). Now what? Do you stick with the current version because you are invested in it? Do you buy the new version and put it on a shelf for when your current game ends? Do you immediately switch to a new campaign because "ooh! shiny!"? Etc etc

These are the SAME EXACT question folks wrestled with with D&D 2024, with the notable difference that the system changes significantly.

 

[AlViking]

For a hobby built around pretending to be someone else, it seems like many folks have difficulty imagining hypothetical scenarios.

Imagine if a new version of D&D came out while you were still in the midst of playing the current version. The new version is Official D&D, and there is nothing in its core design that trips one of your "Nope" switches (whatever those may be for you personally). Now what? Do you stick with the current version because you are invested in it? Do you buy the new version and put it on a shelf for when your current game ends? Do you immediately switch to a new campaign because "ooh! shiny!"? Etc etc

These are the SAME EXACT question folks wrestled with with D&D 2024, with the notable difference that the system changes significantly.

Can I imagine purchasing a game designed specifically for me and my players? Sure. But it likely wouldn't meet your criteria of being "very different" because I like the current version. If I wanted to play a significantly different game there are plenty of options out there.

 

[Umbran]

I think the question is more "would you refuse to adopt another version of D&D if the only thing against it was it was different from 5E".

If it is that... I don't "adopt" games. Meaning, I don't pick one, and just play that. I don't have a lot of system-loyalty. I just finished up a 5e14 game earlier this year. Before that was Ashen Stars. Next on tap is Savage Worlds.

When I run games, typically no two campaigns in a row are in the same system. When someone invites me to play, I play what they offer to run, and rarely do I decline over system.

 

[DEFCON 1]

The overwhelming majority of people in this poll have said that they'd at least look at this new edition. No guarantees of switching, nor running it co-currently with 5E, only that they are willing to keep their eyes open.

Which is a pretty good indication that WotC changing editions just isn't really necessary right now. Most people apparently don't care or don't need it to happen. Yeah, there are the few of us who hate 5E and want anything but 5E right now... but not nearly enough to inspire anyone up in Renton to get back to the design tables any time soon.

At this point, anyone who doesn't want 5E but still wants/needs "Dungeons & Dragons" (for whatever good that gets you)... (general) you will just have to work extra-hard to go find some other version of it you are okay with, and extra-extra-hard to find other players who will agree with you and will join you on your journey.

Either that, or you just play the hand you've been dealt.