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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Weregrognard" data-source="post: 4351785" data-attributes="member: 26396">I hate that I have to make such a disclaimer, but please don't make this an edition war thread.  Everyone has a valid argument for liking or not liking X or Y edition, so no need to argue about it. Okay?Now, I was thinking about why it has been so easy for me to switch D&D editions over the years, when for others it has been much more difficult if not impossible (or undesirable).  Obviously, there are as many reasons as there are people, but when it comes to me I think I've figured it out: I am more attached to the general D&D idea than the editions themselves.First, a little history: My progression with D&D and RPGs over the last 17 years or so has been approximately like this: Basic D&D/Rules Cyclopedia, AD&D 2nd edition, experimenting w/other RPGs, 3.0, 3.5, 4E.My first switch, from Basic D&D to AD&D 2nd, was one born out of curiosity with the D&D universe.  I had received a Mail Order Hobby Shop catalog because I submitted the consumer reply card from my Basic D&D set.  It was like looking at the Sears catalog during Christmas time.  So much cool stuff!  "And, what's this?  An Advanced version of D&D? I have to check this out!"  So I pawned my old Nintendo in order to afford the AD&D 2E core books, and was awed by all the "improvements"* to the basic D&D rules.After a few years, I started seeing the "flaws"* with the AD&D rules, I started to experiment with many other RPG's popular in the late 90's and they were fun in their own way, but they weren't D&D, so I still played AD&D "warts and all".My next edition switch, to 3.0 was a huge breath of fresh air.  Finally, I could have the rules mechanics of "better"* games with my favorite game.  Win-win situation.3.5 was, at first, sucker punch.  Why the changes?  Still, I rolled with it once I realized they "improved"* the system in several respects and went on to play quite happily.So happily, in fact, that the 4dventure banner at Gen Con 07 hit me like a bullet train.  Quite frightening since, you know, bullet trains run on rails and not on carpeted floors indoors.  They were changing a perfectly good game I had spent much, much money on (what a difference from the Nintendo-pawning days).  I felt betrayed.Except, 3.5 wasn't such a "perfect"* game after all. I realized this when I was browsing the 4E preview books at the local bookstore (no, I didn't buy them since I was still huffy about the change, I'm slime, sue me).  I read about the design goals behind it, and it got me thinking about a few things:  When was the last time I ran a D&D game that didn't require so much rules-referencing?  When was the last time I actually enjoyed game prep, or writing original campaign material/adventures, for that matter?  When was the last time I taught D&D to somebody without being looked at with severe confusion?" Etc, etc.  I'm really agreeing with their design philosophy.  Maybe this edition change isn't so bad.My apology for verbose history.  In the end, what I realize is that I love D&D, period.  The game system seemingly mattered, but I don't think it is ultimately what made edition changes easier.  The game continues to evolve and no edition is perfect.  I think the next edition will have its pros and cons just like the others.  I still get inspired when I see Clyde Caldwell or Larry Elmore artwork in some of my older books, for example, but I don't pine for older D&D editions.  It just makes me want to play D&D.Anyone feel similarly?  *Quotation marks added due to high subjectivity.</blockquote>

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