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Message: <blockquote data-quote="innerdude" data-source="post: 6205723" data-attributes="member: 85870">In the interest of full disclosure: I read through the second or third playtest packet (I forget which) from end-to-end, and had prepped a short adventure to run with my group using the provided pre-gens. We ended up never playing it because as soon as the group found out the system was using 4e-style "healing surges," they wanted nothing to do with it. However, that being said, in my opinion there's more than enough information available about the system to determine that D&D Next "isn't for you" without needing to play it. <ol> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">It's D&D. It's "AC as defenses," "hitpoints as 'heroic stamina depletion,'" class-based advancement, d20 resolution mechanic, "iconic" races, etc. D&D is, if anything, a style of game with very specific expectations surrounding its basic makeup. If you've never liked a D&D-style game, you're probably not going to like it now. For me, it's the same concept as Mac OS X. I've never liked ANY of the core design decisions for the OS; throwing the name of another large, predatory feline at the front of it isn't going to change that for me.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Based on #1, if you prefer games based on the FATE engine, BRP/Runequest percentile, die step systems (Savage Worlds, Coretex+), then the simple fact that it's D&D may mean that it's not all that interesting to you.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ol">Even you're a fan of the general D&D "play experience," you may prefer the intricate character building of 3e, the "tactical fantasy heroes" vibe of 4e. 5e just may not be your cup o' tea.</li> </ol>I've come to believe that WotC is primarily trying to accomplish two things with D&D Next. 1. Convert people who like D&D generally, but are tired of the massive "crunch" of 3e, and to a lesser extent, 4e, and want to enjoy a currently supported ruleset (supplements, active events, etc.).2. Finally--FINALLY!--convince the 1e/2e/BX/BECMI grognards that it's okay to put their collections of massively-houseruled AD&D to bed, and embrace a "modern" game system that captures the essence of the older systems. As a corollary to this, I suspect they're also hoping to capture those that have become disenchanted with more modern D&D flavors, and are considering switching back to a retroclone. Frankly, I'm just not within that target audience, and hence, D&D Next is largely not for me.</blockquote>

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