Mercurius
Legend
A couple months ago I posted a poll about hypothetical 50th anniversary core rulebooks, and where on the spectrum of revision they might be. With the hullabaloo of the last months and upcoming changes in the works, it could be that the likelihood of revised core rulebooks has increased, and possibly before 2024.
In recent weeks, I have noticed a shift in conversation towards more mechanical changes. Maybe it is just aberrant noise, but it does bring to light that to whatever degree cosmetic changes occur, there may also be significant mechanical changes as well. If the changes are enough, new rulebooks would seem in order...and if WotC is going that route anyway, it may be that we'll see a more significant revision than it looked like in that poll, where the center of gravity seemed around "5.15" - or a bit more than "almost entirely cosmetic, maybe with a few minor tweaks."
All we really know is that WotC is revising some of the 5E line, has placed a disclaimer on older products, and has promised to "do better" going forward, clearly with the guidance of whomever they hire for their new positon. We also know that an upcoming book provides new rules for player options around ability scores, and probably more.
But how does this impact the likelihood of revised core rulebooks, even--dare I say--a new edition? Do you feel that:
A) It is now more likely that we see revised core rulebooks within the next few years?
B) Substantial revision is now more likely?
C) We may even see a new edition sooner than later?
My answers to A, B, and C are "Yes, Somewhat, No." My sense is that we'll see micro changes over the next few years, mostly reflected in new products, as WotC tries to figure out the best direction that supports the widest swath of the community, and that we'll see revised core rulebooks in 2024 that reflect all of those changes. In the poll I posted I voted for 5.1/5.2 (you could vote for two), but now would probably adjust it to a solid 5.3. That would bring it to the edge of easy backward compatibility, but still involve noticeable changes.
What do you think? I'm hoping to keep this thread more focused on speculation than argumentation, if at all possible.
In recent weeks, I have noticed a shift in conversation towards more mechanical changes. Maybe it is just aberrant noise, but it does bring to light that to whatever degree cosmetic changes occur, there may also be significant mechanical changes as well. If the changes are enough, new rulebooks would seem in order...and if WotC is going that route anyway, it may be that we'll see a more significant revision than it looked like in that poll, where the center of gravity seemed around "5.15" - or a bit more than "almost entirely cosmetic, maybe with a few minor tweaks."
All we really know is that WotC is revising some of the 5E line, has placed a disclaimer on older products, and has promised to "do better" going forward, clearly with the guidance of whomever they hire for their new positon. We also know that an upcoming book provides new rules for player options around ability scores, and probably more.
But how does this impact the likelihood of revised core rulebooks, even--dare I say--a new edition? Do you feel that:
A) It is now more likely that we see revised core rulebooks within the next few years?
B) Substantial revision is now more likely?
C) We may even see a new edition sooner than later?
My answers to A, B, and C are "Yes, Somewhat, No." My sense is that we'll see micro changes over the next few years, mostly reflected in new products, as WotC tries to figure out the best direction that supports the widest swath of the community, and that we'll see revised core rulebooks in 2024 that reflect all of those changes. In the poll I posted I voted for 5.1/5.2 (you could vote for two), but now would probably adjust it to a solid 5.3. That would bring it to the edge of easy backward compatibility, but still involve noticeable changes.
What do you think? I'm hoping to keep this thread more focused on speculation than argumentation, if at all possible.