D&D 4E Should 4e convert to metric?

[Kzach]

One thing that has always thrown me about running D&D games is the whole metric vs. imperial thing. Does my head in 'cause I naturally think in metres (not meters) and kilometres (not kilometers). So for me, it's a mental gear-shift to convert anything.

Sure, it's not a big deal, but it's still irksome when you're DM'ing and would rather be thinking of how the monsters are going to chew through the PC's rather than how many feet away they are and if the bows are medium or long-range.

To some extent, 4e fixes this with the simplification of counting squares rather than distance, but there are many other aspects of the system which imperial could affect. And I figure if they've gone far enough to eliminate feet by the use of squares, why not just nudge the system over the line into metric?

So, metric or imperial? And why?

 

[Romers]

metric, its... metred into mitres

 

[Deep Blue 9000]

A switch to metric removes "gear-shifting" from metric users but adds it to imperial users. As wotc is an American game company, I think it's obvious to place this onus on metric-users instead of imperial-users.

However, I think wotc should just add an imperial to metric conversion as part of the localization to non-American markets. This would satisfy everyone.

 

[Derren]

A switch to metric removes "gear-shifting" from metric users but adds it to imperial users. As wotc is an American game company, I think it's obvious to place this onus on metric-users instead of imperial-users.

You are aware that the US officially uses the metric system?

 

[Kzach]

Maybe for the older generations but hasn't metric been taught in American schools for some years now?

 

[Roman]

Let's keep it imperial. I am a metric user by default, but the imperial system is more flavorful for a fantasy RPG. Besides, D&D has taught me the ability to think in the imperial system too, which is definitely useful.

 

[mach1.9pants]

I would love to vote, but I cannot. As a holder of a commission from her Majesty I would have to tick Imperial. Yet I am a kiwi of (relatively) tender years so I have been raised with the metric system; but I cannot vote for France with good concience.
To put it bluntly where is my vote spamming option!
Really I do not care I can figure either way...& squares apply to both!

 

[Derro]

Does it even matter? I thought everything was now measured in squares?

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

Nah, they should just convert everything into squares.
- "What's your weight?"
- "34 squares"
- "Dang, I can only teleport up to 30 squares!"

Okay, really, I don't care that much. I would find it easier to use the metric system, since I am familiar with it and my instinctive understanding of it is somewhat better then with the Imperial system.
Considering the inability of the Americans to adapt to the metric system, I suppose it's better to stay archaicimperial. Even if this just means that the need to adaptation doesn't increase...

 

[trancejeremy]

You are aware that the US officially uses the metric system?

Yeah, but I don't think Americans are aware of that. We only really use it for sodas (2 liter bottles), pills (milligrams) and occasionally guns.

Most know it, but aren't used to thinking in it. And honestly, the Imperial system is more intuitive for distance, at least short ones. A foot is pretty much the length of a foot. Most people have feet. Someone's foot might not be a foot exactly (though mine actually are), but it's going to be close.

OTOH, it's hard to visualize what a meter is, if you aren't familiar with a meter stick