Is D&D outdated ?

[Shadowlord]

Re: Re: Re: It is dated in one way...

I read enough of this kind of ill-conceived criticism of D&D on other boards. If you don't like D&D, don't play it, and more importantly, don't post about it in D&D forums.

Or maybe you shouldn't post here if the topic doesn't interest you!
I can ask whatever I want as long as it's about the game, and discussing the D&D evolution is hardly off-topic. And since I got 3 pages of replies in less than 2 days and this is my very first topic here, I doubt it's not worthwile.

So, back on-topic...

The biggest difference is that 3E has truly brought the skill system and non-combat activities to the forefront, IMHO.

The skills are indeed very good. I was saying that other d20 products put more emphasize on them and offer more uses. Even then D&D skills often present combat benefits (bluff in combat) and assume you're tracking a round rigidly (this skill uses a partial action, this a standard action... ). Which you don't outside combat. It's like skills are there to get you a benefit in the dungeon when the sword or spell isn't enough.

 

[buzz]

Or maybe you shouldn't post here if the topic doesn't interest you!
I can ask whatever I want as long as it's about the game, and discussing the D&D evolution is hardly off-topic. And since I got 3 pages of replies in less than 2 days and this is my very first topic here, I doubt it's not worthwile.

I'm not sure the fact that your post drew a lot of replies that both disagree with you and reiterated that this subject has been argued to death is really evidence of its inherrent value. Besides, negative posts tend to draw more responses than positive posts; an unfortunate law of 'Net communities.

But I'm not telling you to censor yourself. You're free to post what you want. And I, also exercising my freedom, am simply saying to you that a) you're making a tired argument, 2) said argument doesn't hold a lot of water, and iii) it's a lot more constructive to post about what you like about something than to prove its superiority by tearing down something else.

Should I be posting in this thread? Maybe not. I guess I'm a sucker for lost causes.

Even then D&D skills often present combat benefits (bluff in combat) and assume you're tracking a round rigidly (this skill uses a partial action, this a standard action... ). Which you don't outside combat. It's like skills are there to get you a benefit in the dungeon when the sword or spell isn't enough.

I'd really like to know what other d20 rulebooks you've been reading, as the skill chapters from the ones you have already cited are virtually identical, down to all of them mentioning that Bluff can be used to feint in combat. Not to mentoin, the 3e PHB generally does not mention what type of action a skill uses in the skills chapter; the other d20 books you mention generally do (which is indeed an improvement). Nonetheless, I don't see you writing that SWd20 is "dated."

I guess my biggest beef is that, despite the topic of this thread being phrased as a question, your posts assume it's a statement of fact. Your attitude has been essentially, "D&D is antiquated, and I'm going to show you why." The thing is, I don't think any of the reasons you've given have much value, especially in the context of your presenting other d20 games which differ so minimally from your target as "not dated."

Basically, your premise was proven wrong before it was even stated. Tons of people on these are already playing D&D campaigns that are not all about combat, and the system seems to be serving them just fine.

Ergo, you may simply not like the way D&D3e does things. And that's fine. But telling people why their preference is wrong becasue it differs from yours is pointless.

 

[Shadowlord]

Hey, I like being proven wrong about the topic's title.

 

[Jemal]

Originally posted by EarthsShadow
And D&D does what it does best: combat. Not only that, but sometimes getting people to really roleplay D&D is like pulling teeth out of a dragon trying to eat you. People are so used to it being combat, combat, combat that anything else is almost impossible. I say almost, not is.

Head over to the Playing The Game Forum, right here on ENWORLD.
Most of the games there, even the ones that are BASED on combat, involve a great deal of role playing.

Hey, is that your bubble? *Poke*
OH, it burst... sorry.


And yes I know you said "ALMOST" Impossible, I'm just trying to show that there are a great deal of people, not just a few, that roleplay AND rollplay BOTH at the same time, and you have to look no further than this very website to find it.