Prepping for a poll: What D&D topics generate the most discussion (posts) here?

[Driddle]

I'm looking for the classic topics on this message board, those issues that keep coming back again and again, that generate the most thoughtful discussion and/or pompous flame bait, that never seem to put to rest no matter how thoroughly they've been covered. ... The list should include recent and active topics as well as the older cliches (aka "groaners" such as the broken ranger class).

Try to be as specific or differentiate the topic as clearly as possible so we can run a "favorite" poll later -- for example, "The rules are broken," doesn't cut it.

 

[Driddle]

As "meta-board" as this might seem, there's a larger consideration inherent that speaks not only to the message board but to the game itself: Those topics that keep coming up for discussion are probably the defining elements of our game, for good for ill. Or at least that's my initial thesis. People talk about what's important to them.

 

[Ed_Laprade]

Alignment, especially re: Paladins.

 

[ThirdWizard]

Alignment, especially re: Paladins.

We have our winner.

 

[Quasqueton]

Is Quasqueton the coolest ENWorld poster?

Yes
Probably

Quasqueton

 

[The_Gneech]

"Why Is 3.x So Videogamey/Anime?"

or

"Why Were Previous Editions so Clunky?"

or

"Previous Editions Were So Much Better!"

or

"Previous Editions Sucked!"

-The Gneech

 

[Stalker0]

4e threads:

1) When is 4e arriving
2) What will you do when 4e arrives
3) New rumor: 4e in 6 months!!!!
4) Should X stay for 4e?
5) Do you want 4e?
6) Do you want 4e right now?
etc, etc.

 

[Stalker0]

Help me critique this build:

It always comes up again, althoug its obviously not for the same build everytime.

 

[Glyfair]

By setting the view option to include all posts "from the beginning" and clicking of the replies button to sort by the number of replies, I find these the the topics that have brought the most replies (note that many of the most popular have been archived):

Gary Gygax Q&A Part IX
World's Largest Dungeon in Actual Play
Creative Exercise: The Sovereign Dominion of Eyros
Interesting Ryan Dancey comment on "lite" RPGs
The contests are OVER! Thanks very much to everyone for playing!
New Server Drive - donation and prize thread (Final total: $13,310!)
Iron Lore: Malhavoc's Surprise?
New Game of Death: Battle Royale of the GAWDS
[Merged] Morrus' Rant Threads
Hordes of the Abyss
World's Largest Dungeon?
Would you allow this paladin in your game? (fiction added 6/19/06)

 

[sniffles]

The topics that I notice evoking the most active discussion are how to deal with troublesome players and/or DMs, what really constitutes 'railroading', and whether or not the current D&D rules encourage too much 'metagaming' or 'power-gaming'.