Pulling the plug

[Jacob Lewis]

So today I made the decision to let go of my 5th Edition D&D books by putting them up for sale. I've been playing the game and collecting books since the 80s before there was an edition. It was just Basic and Advanced. I stuck with it through the ups and downs with mixed emotions and perspectives, but still I played and collected the books. I've downsized my collection many times, cutting the fat from previous material that was no longer looked at or relevant. But now for the first time in over three decades and no less than eight editions/revisions/variations of the game, I am willing to part with the current edition still in use and supported by the parent company,... and it feels so strange.

I'm not here to cry or complain about it. I just came to the realization that after so many years of running the edition treadmill, this is the first time that a new edition fails to inspire and maintain my interest. I suppose that means that I am no longer inside the target audience, but that's okay. I don't feel like I am missing out on anything. In fact, it has freed me to explore different systems, and revisit the older editions.

I was just wondering if anyone else feels like this. Nothing bitter. No reason to be sad, angry, or disappointed. Just feeling content to leave it behind and find another option. Its so strange, but in a good way. Anyone else?

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Been in the D&D family since 1977. With 4th, I at least bought all the player-oriented stuff. 5th left me so cold, I didn't even buy the PHB.

 

[ccs]

Best advice? Just keep playing whatever editions/systems work for you & your group.
And when you find an edition/system that you don't like? Ignore it & don't worry about it.
Eventually 6e will arrive. When it does check it out.


As for walking away from editions (D&D or otherwise)? Been there, done that, & I'm sure I'll do it again.

 

[MNblockhead]

I was like that with 2nd edition. Had no interest. Was done with DnD. Started running Warhammer for my fantasy kick and played lots of other systems: Gama World, Star Frontiers, Boot Hill, Star Wars, Paranoia, and games my friends designed. Then I went to college I stopped playing. Was into a different scene and lots of other things to do. In my sophomore year I traded all my gaming stuff, save stuff signed by Gary and or where I was published in, to some friends for several crates of homemade wine and mead. Kinda wish I kept some if it now, but it was freeing at the time.

I got back into TTRPG with 5e. I love the system and I don't see myself turning away from it anytime soon. But I enjoy checking out and playing other systems. It is not a religion. It's just a game. Like you said, nothing to get emotionally invested in if it no longer entertains you.

But my experience is different than yours. As I've said, I love the system. I wonder if that is because I had only played basic redbox and 1e and skipped all other editions and came back to discover 5e after a long time away from TTRPGs. 5e seems to be targeted at bringing older players back to the fold and bringing in brand new players who may have never played a TTRPG. I wonder if 5e is less interesting to more hard-core players who play a lot and have had exposure to many systems.

 

[Dioltach]

I gave up with 4E. I bought the core books, had a look at them and then left them on the shelf for years. In the end I gave them to my nephew.

 

[Nagol]

There are a lot of RPGs. I can find one to scratch any particular itch for roleplaying I feel. I haven't felt an itch to run that later editions of D&D would scratch best so I've run other systems that better fit. Maybe someday; maybe not. We'll see!

 

[Blue]

Go for whatever edition you prefer, or many of the other RPGs out there. You're absolutely right that no game is for everyone and find one that fits you and your table's gaming needs and wants.

I started with red box Basic D&D and have played every edition since, as well as a bunch of other games. Not all of them had the same love from me, either. I happen to like 5e a lot, but that doesn't mean it's for everyone. My current favorite fantasy D&D-like is 13th Age, but 5e shares a lot of DNA and philosophy with it (it came out first) so I won't recommend it to you.

Luckily we live in an age with lots of choices for RPGs, I wish you the best of luck with finding ones that scratches your itch.

 

[Jacob Lewis]

There was always something appealing and unique about every edition for me... up until 5e, that is. But to be honest, my (surprisingly) favorite experience has been with 4th Edition. Not that it was an easy sell for me, mind you. It took a while for me to warm up to it. When I did eventually buy into it, however, there were still a lot of aspects that I really disliked. So it was a real love/hate relationship with the system, but overall the positive outweighed the negative. In the end, the company seemed to finally began to hit their stride on the design end of things, but then suddenly shut it down just when they were winning me over again.

To me, 5e most closely resembles a revised 3rd (or 3.5) Edition, with just a sprinkle of 4e in it. So for those who may have opted out of 4e and feel like you've been waiting for a return to where 3e left off (and have not given in to the Pathfinder spin-off), this edition may appear to be your salvation. And if you lapsed since 2nd Edition and completely missed out on the D&D revival brought on by 3e, this is essentially your D&D Woodstock. Its nothing like the original, but you wouldn't know it if you weren't there, so have at it. This one is yours.

To be fair, there are some things I like about 5e. But at the end of the day, the positives are not enough to keep me interested or get me to play more often. I've stuck around waiting to see how it would evolve and where it might start to pique my interest again, as it took some time with me and 4e, but I've grown tired of waiting and being underwhelmed by announcements. I can't even say I would be interested in another edition again if the only thing to get excited for is another rehash of classic adventures, or hoping for a particular setting to return with more than one or two supplements to support it.

But I suppose I already have enough material from previous editions to run those classic adventures in my favorite settings. And this edition may be Wizard's way of reminding me of that, intentional or not. I just don't want to believe I am the only one that feels that way.

 

[Aenghus]

5e is the first edition of D&D I haven't supported since AD&D and B/X. I ran some of the playtest, and read the development coverage, but the biased and weasely worded (IMO) polls alienated me well before the books hit the stands, and the retro feel of the edition didn't appeal to myself or my current players.

It still feels weird to not be a current customer, but I'm getting used to it. As a 4e player I may be permanently exiled from the in print edition, time will tell.

 

[Richards]

I've never stopped supporting the current edition of D&D, but that's only because I never even BEGAN supporting the last two editions. When 4E came out I was horrified to see what they were doing to D&D, so I stayed with the 3.5 rules. I've heard some good things about 5E, but I still don't see any reason for me to drop the edition that's served me so well for so long. So I have nothing against 5E, I just never saw the need to switch over.

I do like having new artwork for each edition, though, as I happily mine it for my 3.5 games. Google Images is my friend!

Johnathan