D&D 5E Origin New Edition Panel

[GMforPowergamers]

I am both Paraxi

I don't see a conflict, I don't care that a sidebar is included to make what I assume to be a very small portion of the fan base happy, because it makes them happy. But I still think it is a whacky mechanic, I used it for 15 years.

not to put words in [MENTION=2525]Mistwell[/MENTION] mouth, but I think the joke only works that he kinda assumed you were the same poster...

 

[thalmin]

not to put words in @Mistwell mouth, but I think the joke only works that he kinda assumed you were the same poster...

Oh, sure. Like anybody would use the same identity on multiple boards!

 

[an_idol_mind]

Note, this is Redbadge, I accidentally posted on my brother-in-law's account while at his house:

Now that I'm on a proper computer, let me revise my analogy.

To be clear, I don't think Magic really has annual "editions." Magic 2.0 was never announced; it would have been suicide (you think the edition wars are bad?!). Magic is just Magic, regardless of the number of "editions." However, Magic in 2014 is significantly different from Magic in 1994. The changes have just been incremental enough that few have noticed or cared (although a number of people have decrietd "the death of magic" with each major new change from the beginning).

In the same way, Dungeons and Dragons will look significantly different, if still recognizable, 20 years from now. With each year, splats, errata, and changes will be introduced, even in an evergreen scenario (assuming WotC actually intends to sell new stuff every year). Hopefully, a new set of Core Rules will have been published one or more times in the interim.

Honestly, the model is not that different from what has been tried in the past: core rulebooks, supported by splat, refreshed occasionally by rules updates and new editions and new "half editions."

However, the point I'm trying to make about Magic is that when WotC introduces a new expansion, a new core set, even a major new rules overhaul (planeswalkers, Commander, etc.), people don't argue (for the most part) about the new changes or additions. They don't say, "So are you switching to Khans of Tarkir or sticking with Theros?... Well, I've already got so much buy in on this edition and don't like the new mechanics." For the most part, they just accept that these things come every year and just pay out (lots, in the aggregate) of money so that the Magic juggernaut marches on.

My conjecture was that WotC would like to match this dynamic with D&D going forward, such that periodic "edition" changes are whole-heartedly accepted and expansion material rakes in the dough, in perpetuity.

Any points about switching costs and length of play with regards to Magic seems to mimic the direction they are trying to go in D&D with quicker, more stream-lined character creation, play, and character advancement in the newest edition, such that you've finished a campaign with your druid (about 8 months) by the time the next best thing comes out. And just like people will always play slivers at the Magic table, there will always be someone to play the basic classes no matter what the newest thing is.

Basked on track record, I would say thatthe thing preventing this scenario for WotC is that they can't seem to decide what they want D&D to be.

I played Magic in the 90s, then took a 15 year break from the game. While there were some new terms to become familiar with, I was able to jump right back in when a fiend reintroduced it to me. Had I kept my old cards, I could even have played most of them alongside the new cards.

Taking a 15 year break from D&D, on the other hand, means coming back to a radically different game. For WotC to get the results they want, they need to keep things consistent for a while. Maybe 5th edition will be that magical edition, but WotC's track record suggests otherwise.

 

[Redbadge]

Basked on track record, I would say thatthe thing preventing this scenario for WotC is that they can't seem to decide what they want D&D to be.

I played Magic in the 90s, then took a 15 year break from the game. While there were some new terms to become familiar with, I was able to jump right back in when a fiend reintroduced it to me. Had I kept my old cards, I could even have played most of them alongside the new cards.

Taking a 15 year break from D&D, on the other hand, means coming back to a radically different game. For WotC to get the results they want, they need to keep things consistent for a while. Maybe 5th edition will be that magical edition, but WotC's track record suggests otherwise.

The whole revelation (and a happy one at that) is that WotC seems to have had this epiphany.

In fact, someone coming back to D&D today after a 15 year hiatus would likely be able to jump right into a campaign with minimal fuss. Learning the rules for advantage/disadvantage, etc. would be no more difficult than learning the rules for Planeswalkers for you (and likely much easier). And converting his AD&D character from 15 years ago (circa 1999) will certainly be easier than if it was 4th edition, or even 3e.

Time will tell, I guess.

 

[TarionzCousin]

Demons - locked in the Nine Hells. Need mortals to help release them.

Um, what? Is this brand new, or did 4E introduce something like this? Can we now declare the Devils the victors of the Blood War?

 

[GX.Sigma]

My conjecture was that WotC would like to match this dynamic with D&D going forward, such that periodic "edition" changes are whole-heartedly accepted and expansion material rakes in the dough, in perpetuity.

I think what they learned from 3e->4e (and the reason why they are pushing adventures and stories in 5e) is that this doesn't work for D&D. The fans literally won't buy it.

Um, what? Is this brand new, or did 4E introduce something like this? Can we now declare the Devils the victors of the Blood War?

He later clarified this was a typo, and he meant devils.

I think it's a pretty good lore addition (or is it from an old supplement?). Instead of the Hells just being a place where devils live, it's actually their prison and they want to get out. It actually makes a lot of sense with pre-existing lore, considering they can't leave the Hells without being summoned by a mortal. Maybe play up the idea that the devils are all actually souls of evil mortals, and they really want to go back to the Prime Material Plane (and rule it!).

 

[Patrick McGill]

Um, what? Is this brand new, or did 4E introduce something like this? Can we now declare the Devils the victors of the Blood War?

The tweeter mistyped, and corrected his mistake.

 

[tuxgeo]

Holy. Crap. Can I just talk about how everytime someone from WotC opens their mouth and says something about 5e I just get more excited? It could be something like, where Mearls says, "We're printing the new D&D on books, with words." And I'm like "HOLY CRAP THAT IS AWESOME I LOVE WORDS!"

It has gotten to that point. Fanboi5ever.

Here's another possibility: Instead of saying, "Fanboi5ever," try "Fan5fever."

It looks a lot less like trying to "5ever" something, which looks distinctly painful.

 

[Ichneumon]

Holy. Crap. Can I just talk about how everytime someone from WotC opens their mouth and says something about 5e I just get more excited? It could be something like, where Mearls says, "We're printing the new D&D on books, with words." And I'm like "HOLY CRAP THAT IS AWESOME I LOVE WORDS!"

It has gotten to that point. Fanboi5ever.

Great to see another 5th Edition Fanboi Server. Welcome to the farm.

 

[GravyFingerz]

Here's another possibility: Instead of saying, "Fanboi5ever," try "Fan5fever."

It looks a lot less like trying to "5ever" something, which looks distinctly painful.

I'm not sure if you're aware, but I'm linking just in case anyway, 5ever is internet slang.

Giv me XP if u crey evrythyme