OK, here's my can o' worms question!

[Treebore]

I read several threads today that seem to indicate one edition of D&D rules them all, and that no other game system or "interpretation" holds a candle to 3E D&D.

So I want to know, does anyone, or everyone, really believe that 3E D&D is the end all, be all RPG? Or are there any, or tons, of other RPG's out there worth playing?

For the record, I play lots of different RPG's. I even prefer others over 3E D&D (GASP!!).

Do I think there is a system that "rules them all", no. Every system has its strengths and weaknesses. Do I think 3E is the best? Not for me. I don't like the endless number of feats. I think if I threw out all of the feats and PrC's I would actually like 3E D&D a whole lot better. Unfortunately, Fighters in particular, would suck without feats.


Others like all the detailed "building" that they can do. I recognize the appeal of that. I even like it at times. However, I don't like it when I have to build a half dozen, or more, NPC's and spend hours deciding what "build" will make them a challenge to my players "builds".

So I wanted something simpler, and I found it.

Does that mean I think 3E sucks and that my new find is awesome? No, it just means I found a system which I "prefer". Does it mean I will never play 3E? No, because I can have fun, and lots of it, playing 3E. Does it mean I'll never DM 3E again? I sure hope so, but I could probably be persuaded (coerced) into it after my current 3E campaign ends.

So am I saying 3E sucks? No, I'm just saying I prefer Pepsi over Coke, but I''ll still drink Coke if that is all that is in the fridge.


So what is your real attitude about 3E and all the other RPG's out there? Are you a "3E rules all" kind of person, or are you a "I'll play anything as long as I have fun" kind of gamer, or are you some "other" definition?

 

[EricNoah]

D&D 3e and d20 do the trick for me, and I don't have much of an incentive to spend yet more time on the hobby playing even more games. I can barely fit the D&D in as it is!

 

[JoeGKushner]

I'll play most fantasy RPGs but I'm not crazy about sci-fi (but do enjoy Space Opera) and while I like the occassional Western, would rather just stick with... fantasy.

D&D 3.5 (OGL variants go here)
Warhammer FRPG
Elric/Stormbringer
Fantasy Hero
GURPS Fantasy
etc...

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

I'll play pretty much anything, though I've gotten to the point where I do prefer d20 games.

 

[Greatwyrm]

I think 3e is the best version yet, but at heart I'm a gamer. If the only game I could be in was Synnabar, I'd play it anyway.

 

[Treebore]

Eric,

Does that mean you are a 3E only type, or one of the thousands of other opinions type? Meaning, if you had time, you would play other RPG's?

 

[EricNoah]

Not being in that situation, it's hard to know if I'd spend more time on the RPG hobby or do other hobbies. Well, maybe I do -- I don't think I would branch out. I have played other games, don't get me wrong -- Mutants & Masterminds (which is d20 and thus not too far afield), a few games of Alternity -- but it was only a one-shot type deal and not enough to get me hooked. I don't think I would enjoy a long-running supers campaign. I would play in (but not run) a d20 Modern or d20 Future or Star Wars game if someone would run one. But making me learn another system .... I just don't think it's going to happen. I don't have a good reason to do so.

edit:

Can ... open. Worms ... everywhere!

One more thing to add -- I think of a game system as being like a foreign language. I know D&D language well. I don't know any other language well. When I go into a shop, I don't feel the other games calling to me. I don't have any interest in flipping through Vampire or GURPS or whathaveyou. It would be like learning a new language.

 

[Desdichado]

I read several threads today that seem to indicate one edition of D&D rules them all, and that no other game system or "interpretation" holds a candle to 3E D&D.

So I want to know, does anyone, or everyone, really believe that 3E D&D is the end all, be all RPG? Or are there any, or tons, of other RPG's out there worth playing?

I have no interest in any non-d20 version of D&D, but that's true for D&D pretty much and not necessarily other games. I like d20, I can (and generally do, these days) use it for any game I play or run, but I certainly could play some other system.

In other words, 3e is the only version of D&D I'll touch, and while I very heavily use (in fact, pretty much to the exclusion of anything else currently) d20 beyond D&D, I don't believe d20 is necessarily the best or only system for any other game.

 

[JimAde]

I'll play any RPG any time anywhere. I have no shame.

I've been in this hobby for a long time, and I've found people make the difference far more than rules.

 

[diaglo]

OD&D(1974) is the only true game.

edit: for Quasqueton's benefit

All other editions are just poor imitations of the real thing.