D&D 5E Ruminations on 5E (serious)

[hbarsquared]

Just as everyone knew that 4E would come eventually, let's assume, for now, that 5th will get here soon enough, as well (though, I hope, 4E will last at least a couple years longer than 3E's reign).

My question is this: barring a complete paradigm shift (making D&D solely computer-based, or using a quantum nanotube die of the future), what can possibly be done to *improve* D&D over what 4E has to offer?

For instance, 4E has built "the math" from the ground up, balancing practically everything for every level, for every character. If "the math" is already balanced for every possible iteration of combat interaction, how can this be made better in the future? It's already perfected (in mathematical terms).

We've also seen how broad some of the rulesets can be, and are. For instance, the Skill Challenge mechanic seems to apply as narrowly as the DM likes (THievery DC 28 check), to as broad as the DM likes (Mike Mearls's recent post about his group overcoming the rotating laser trap) - both extremes allowable, possibly even encouraged, by the core rules.

Besides simply adding in concepts missing from the first three core books that one likes (monsters, abilities, classes, etc.), I don't see how the mechanics of 4E can possibly be improved. I can definitely be wrong, and who knows what quirks gamers will notice in the coming years, but I don't foresee any mechanical abominations that arose from 3E.

And if the system can't be improved mechanically, what will 5E be?

 

[Fallen Seraph]

I don't think any system can be "perfect" in that every person (as we have seen) likes a different thing.

So just like 4e has gone in a different direction. I would like to see 5e to also go in a different direction.

A edition change, isn't a time to simply tweak some minor rules or add things ontop of pre-existing rules. It is about creating a brand new ruleset and game.

As for what that new system be in 5e, I have no clue honestly, it will share somethings from 4e, obviously. So more likely then not Powers will be there in some form, as well as mostly likely classics like attributes, skills and feats. But beyond that, who knows.

 

[DandD]

You are far too early to discuss what an upcoming 5th edition (which is guaranteed to come) will have to do to be better than the upcoming 4th edition.
At least let's wait for the rulebooks to come and disect and search for mistakes or design flaws in it. Perhaps it turns out that the math didn't function at all, and an even more artistic approach would have been better, or some "sacred cows" still needed to be slaughtered. Perhaps the roles for each character is too narrow, perhaps it doesn't do enough. So far, we need to have the material in the first place to be able to speculate what 5th edition will have to do better, wouldn't it?

 

[Lanefan]

After there's been time to digest 4e properly, I hope 5e takes the best design elements from all previous editions and incorporates them without trying to overdesign or micromanage the game, then turns the DMs loose to tweak it to suit the preferences of themselves and their play groups.

Seems simple enough, right?

Lanefan

 

[frankthedm]

"5E" I'd suspect will take the form of 4dvanced Dungeons and Dragons with rules tweaks focusing on deeper simulation along with move flexible character design. It will be sold as an upgrade / Parallel of 4e rather than a replacement.

 

[cthulhus_pinky]

Aren't we a wee bit early to be talking about such things. Most of use haven't seen the 4e rules in thier entirety, so lets at least wait on June 6 (or june 12-17 for me) until we start talking next edition. ;P

 

[cdrcjsn]

Greater integration with technology.

Seriously.

Look around now. Everyone has a cell phone with more features than my computer had when I was in highschool (yay learning BASIC on computer cartridges). Handheld devices weren't so widespread or popular a mere 5 years ago.

In 10 years, by the time the new edition arrives, I wouldn't be surprised if my Cell Phone/PDA is more powerful than the laptop I'm currently typing on now.

So, in 10 years I can see:
1) A WotC run site where players post their virtual dungeons for others to download and run through.
2) groups playing (either through the internet or face to face) around a TV or computer instead of a table/battlemap, using a laptop or console system to control their character's actions (Dungeons and Dragons on your Wii).
3) better graphics and online battlemap features (currently very rudimentary) will be greatly improved, allowing quick creation of maps and more online play.
4) We won't ever get rid of books, but I wouldn't be surprised if WotC eventually move into a PDF format for most of their supplements.

As for the rules themselves, there might be some tweaks, but I think once the concept of "math first" takes hold, it will be very similar to the current ruleset so the core will basically stay the same. Things like where powers take place or the effects/frequency of feats might change, but the fundamental concept of "add level to dice rolls, everyone's on the same framework of powers" will stay.

 

[Mr. Wilson]

Personally, I'd actually like to read the rules of 4E before even beginning to think about 5E.

 

[Rechan]

4e, in general, sprang from the desire to fix the problems that 3e present.

I assume then that 5e will come to fix the problems that crop up in 4e. Because problems WILL come.

It will also come in hopes of getting new gamers, because as technology and video games advance, the more likely it is that we lose young gamers.

 

[frankthedm]

Personally, I'd actually like to read the rules of 4E before even beginning to think about 5E.

That is a valid desire, but I do think we have seen more than enough to see some of the directions where 4e has headed.