Should WotC update the rules WITHOUT issuing a new edition?

[Hussar]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but when 3.0 came out, the first printing had a fair number of really glaring mistakes. The second and subsequent print runs corrected many of them. I remember because one of my players had a first run PHB and I had a later one. I see no real beef with correcting errors in the text with each new print run. It's not like its a huge amount of work to add the line "Ammended - Date" to each print run. I'm pretty sure that people can figure out that a later date means a newer update. I have that much faith in the reading abilities of people. Every new print run, simply put a note up at the WOTC board with a current revisions list, same as you see with computer games.

It's not a bad idea at all. Saves on people like me thinking that stoneskin (2e) lasted until expended rather than actually having a duration. Would have made my games a whole lot more lethal.

 

[Ranger REG]

Except 3.5 was met with a lot of disdain because of the amount of changes it made. It also upset the d20 industry, because of the number of products that were now "incompatible."

Honestly, although I dived into 3.5, I wouldn't upgrade event to a 3.6 anytime soon. If WotC goes to a 4E anytime soon, I might honestly just jump ship to a different game (and maybe continue playing in Eberron with what I have). However, I don't necessarily want to see such things in the game sit there and not be fixed because WotC is waiting for a "new edition."

For me, it was the timing of 3.5e. That's why I never bothered to pre-order like I used to for 3.0e. Up until 2005 I boycotted from buying 3.5e core rulebooks. Even when 2005 is here, I will not buy any First Printing.

If I should continue my hobby, I promise never to buy any First Printings. If that means I'll be lagging behind on the latest rules discussion, then so be it.

 

[tetsujin28]

Do you think WotC should follow this procedure?

No.

 

[tetsujin28]

If I should continue my hobby, I promise never to buy any First Printings. If that means I'll be lagging behind on the latest rules discussion, then so be it.

Even more than WotC, this really holds true for White Wolf. Their first editions really should say "playtest" on the front cover.

 

[jodyjohnson]

I'd be just as happy if rules changes be presented in the guise of 'rules options'.

Say in Player's Handbook II or a future Unearthed Arcana II.

I was kind of hoping Spell Compendium might have some alternate versions of problem spells or spells that many campaigns tend to change for flavor. Since some spells swing in different directions for different styles of games (perhaps A is a better than core/old school, B is magic restricted/balanced, and C might be for low magic or grim and gritty just to give an example).

i.e.

Polymorph A, Polymorph B, Polymorph C

Teleport A, Teleport B, Teleport C

Mages Disjunction A, Mages Disjunction B

 

[Ranger REG]

Even more than WotC, this really holds true for White Wolf. Their first editions really should say "playtest" on the front cover.

Or "Beta version." But I need incentive to want to buy such a product and offer them assistance in spotting mistakes and rules ambiguity, like say, trade-in my beta copy for the corrected thing?

 

[tensen]

I think the next edition should be a technology edition, a digital copy sold with/as a PDA device, no other features but the books, chip set ID for upgrades and new books to be purchased on demand.

but where would that but the next instance of gaming geeks in our schools?
No more lugging around horrendously oversized bookbags so you could have your favorite core books for reference on the split second of a discussion. Or combing through piles of pages for your latest aventure when you are in study hall, or supposed to be doing other work?
It would all be in a PDA? No one would have to make fun of your scantily dressed cover art?
The shame, the shame. It is inconceivable

 

[Ranger REG]

It is still a few years out, maybe 5, but it would almost be a disposable media, cheap color thin screen about 7 inches by 5 inches and 1/2 or less thickness, good memory for storage and a USB port and will play music, you will download newpapers to them, books, mags. They are out now, price out of reach and not as compact but soon, very soon, some publishing company will start mass producing books directly on them.

"Some publishing company" better not be WotC.

Until PDAs are $100 or less for 1 GB hi-res color versions, stick to ink-n-paper book.