Is it worth buying stuff especially for 3.5 anymore?

[Cergorach]

If the best guess is that it's two years away, and mr. Pramas is a very good guesser, then it's still two years away... If i started scratching my head everytime i buy something and think "Jolly gosh, when is this going to be 'obsolete'?", i wouldn't buy anything, especially no clothing (these days 'fashion' fads are rather short lived, not that i care or anything) or computers. The thing i do ask myself is "Is this thing going to be worth it for me for the euros i spent on it?". I bought Stargate SG-1 (a $50 book), i'm not ever going to play it, it has some good ideas in it, and i found it an enjoyable read, it's still cheaper then a single evening at a bar... Hell, i'm still looking to get a couple of 2E expansion to complete my 2E 'collection', and that has been obsolete for years.

 

[satori01]

The real question is: are you willing to change your spending habits because of a rumor?

Short answer, yes, yes I am. 3.5 was planned from day one of 3.0, and released one year before the expected date. One can assume that '4.0' is being worked on as we speak,(at least in the planning stages).
Frankly after getting burned on Savage Species,(3.5 compatable my ass, 3.5 obsolescent is more like), unless a book really excites me on a creative level, or is in an acceptable "loss" price range, I have no intention of buying it.
The Irony is, if a substantial number of people feel like I do,(trepdation concerning new products), then sales will fall for products, which in turn will probably accelerate plans for releasing 4.0 for the bump in revenue.

 

[DaveMage]

I'll bet the invent of 4th edition will be simlilar to the transition from 3.0 to 3.5.

If it's more drastic than that, then I have enough 3.0/3.5 stuff to last several lifetimes and I'll be able to spend my money on something else.

However, since WotC is currently working on expanding the player base, I think the last thing they want to do is confuse the market by coming out with yet another edition any time soon. Besides, I'll bet the success of the miniatures has delayed the financial need for a new edition for some time.

So, John, to answer your question: go ahead and buy the 3.0/3.5 stuff and don't worry about it.

 

[Olgar Shiverstone]

When WOTC announces the imminent release of 4.0 I'll consider ceasing the purchase of 3.5 stuff. Since that hasn't occurred, I wouldn't worry about buying 3.5. Besides, judging from the number of people still playing older editions, your 3.0/3.5 material will last forever!

 

[Darklone]

Davemage: WWAAAAAAAAAaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Another guy with the Shilsen/Tatsukun or whoelse avatar???????

But you're right.

 

[res]

Theres not going to be a 4.0 any time soon. It was 10+ years between 2nd ed and 3rd, 3.5 came out with a lot of fixes and works well in many cases. I can't see how they will re-design everything.

There will probably be a new edition to the Core Books that update them for errata and maybe fix a few small things. Thats about it.

What the frick? Are you serious? What rumors? Where? When? Can anyone else verify this?

Rumors like this usually start by one guy going on a message board and saying something like "Should I buy anything because 4.0 is coming in 2 years" and then everyone reads them and starts telling their friends. Calm down people.

But I wonder, with rumors increasing of 4.0 edition coming sooner rather than later (2006 seems to be a popular guess), I'm really wondering whether it's worth using this as a guiding principle. At this point, anything I buy will officially be out of date in two years. OK, you can keep playing an edition beyond that, but I'm a sort that probably will convert (like it or not ).

Think of it this way. If 4.0 comes out within the time frame that people are guessing, then it would be a fair bet that there will be a 4.5 and a 4.6 and a 6.7 coming along within a few years after each other. So by your logic, whats the point of buying this 4.0 stuff? It'll be replaced in a few years too, so why bother.

I look at it this way. Buy the 3.5 stuff you want. If Wizards of the Coast decideds to release a 4.0, they will make an announcement. Then you can stop buying 3.5 stuff. When 3.0 came out, we had a years notice. 3.5 had about 6 months or so. We'll probably get at least that much if a 4th Edition came out. No need to worry now. Buy the stuff you like, if it becomes out of date, take the time to update it.

 

[Turanil]

But I wonder, with rumors increasing of 4.0 edition coming sooner rather than later (2006 seems to be a popular guess), I'm really wondering whether it's worth using this as a guiding principle. At this point, anything I buy will officially be out of date in two years.

There is another problem: three years after the 4th edition is released, they will release the 4.5 edition, and THEN, all your stuff 4.0 compatible will be obsolete. Hence, I would suggest to wait 2009, and directly buy 4.5 ed supplements.

Note that this rumor about the 4.5 edition starts right now!

 

[Ottergame]

WOTC said several times late last year that they had no plans on doing a 4th edition.

 

[Zappo]

Meh, I've been using 3.0 books with no problem at all in my 3.5 game. I guess I must be doing something wrong.

BTW, Ottergame is right, I too recall WotC people stating that there's no 4e under development or even currently being planned.

 

[Turanil]

BTW, Ottergame is right, I too recall WotC people stating that there's no 4e under development or even currently being planned.

WOTC said several times late last year that they had no plans on doing a 4th edition.

Maybe, but this does not imply in any way, that they don't plan to make a 4.5 edition!