Similarities/Differences between the current official D&D settings?

Goodsport said:
Thanks for the info, everyone. Keep 'em coming! :)

I knew that Ravenloft was an official setting in AD&D, but is currently a third-party product. Is Dragonlance (Krynn) also currently a third-party product? :confused:
My understanding is that the main DLCS book is official, while further DL support is 3rd party.
 

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The_Gneech said:
{Greyhawk}also has a lot of unfortunate place names, such as "Verbobonc."

Oy. No kidding.

Too many names (both of places and people) that harken back to the time-tested technique of "somebody's name spelled backwards".
 

My opinions on them:

Greyhawk: The_Gneech got this one pretty right--nice straddling of S&S and high fantasy, has probably enough cohesion, yet still lots of DM wiggle-room. In fact, it's not so much wiggle-room as DMs are required to do a lot of work on their own; either that or hunt down products that have been out of print for decades. Silly names. The setting is also boring as all heck. There's nothing about Greyhawk to condemn it really (other than the Rose Estes novels) but by the same token, I can't think of anything about the setting to recommend it either, unless you just really like the legacy or the nostalgia; two things about which I care very little.

Forgotten Realms: I also agree with The-Gneech for the most part here; FR is big and silly, baroque and colorful. It's got some cool idea (Red Wizards, anyone?) but doesn't always utilize them in a good way. Also hampered by a long history of fanboys--heaven help your campaign if you've got one in your group while you're trying to run--and novels, most of which range from mediocre and forgettable to "time for a good ole fashioned book burning." Because the setting developed along lines explored in the books, that often led to some extremely awkward game products. More recent products have mostly corrected the most egregious of the 2e excesses, but to me, FR is still more about one of three things depending on the DM and players, 1) power-fantasy wish-fulfilment, 2) some cool stuff that can be stolen and used in a setting that isn't so cheesy, 3) folks who either remember original FR products, or otherwise tweak the tone of the setting somewhat.

Kingdoms of Kalamar: You either really like or really can't stand this setting, it seems. It's M.O. is realism within the confines of the D&D ruleset. It's for folks who are also hobbyists of anthropology, geology, climatology, linguistics, etc. and it has (relatively) rigorously applied concepts from those fields to the setting development. It's lower (or rarer, to be more accurate) magic than even Greyhawk, IMO--it's like Greyhawk, but less organically grown and with a greater eye for consistency. For those who don't like it; it's too dry and dull. I'm a big fan--for my traditional D&D needs, this is my setting of choice.

Eberron: This is also built with an eye towards consistency, but with a slant; incorporate the D&Disms more thoroughly while simultanously putting the "noir" or "pulp" filter all over everything. There's still lots of Eberron for DMs to explore (or create) although as the years roll on that'll probably eventually shrink. I really like the design philosophies and the tone of Eberron, and I like that it can accomodate all kinds of setting very well. It also not only has some great content to crib for other settings (even if you don't like warforged, the changelings and shifters are great additions to even uber-traditional fantasy campaigns) and lends itself fairly well to borrowings from other settings too (I'd love to put Red Wizards in there somewhere, although I haven't yet figured out where...)

Coming soon... I have to take a friend to the airport, but when I get back, I'll do a bonus analysis of some of the unofficial 3e settings that I have.
 

What is an "official" setting?

WotC has released:
A Forgotten Realms CS
A Dragonlance CS
An Eberon CS

There are two Greyhawk Gazateers, and yes, their are references in the various books to it.

There are two "Planes" books (if not planescape)--which are more and different then Oerth--and also a number of refrences in the core books to the planes.

There is Ghostwalk, don't forget that (though you might try).

EDIT: And of course Oriental Adventures, which had that 5 rings setting in it!

There is Pazio, which releases "official" content, and they have covered all kinds of things in varrying degrees.

And yes, Kalamar and the first World of Warcraft have(had) some kind of "official" status, as may Ravenloft.

Impressions of the four listed in the first post (and most of the others): Each has been aimed at a fairly broad market, and that is fine, but it means that none stick out as that distinctive (compared to say 2nd Darksun). I guess the exception is Ghostwalk, but that shows the dangers of trying to be too inovative.
 
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Goodsport said:
As far as I know, those four I listed are the only ones that are currently designated by WotC as Official D&D settings.

You did forget Dragonlance. The books from Sovreign carry the Dungeons and Dragons logo.
 



Ankh-Morpork Guard said:
Anyone else seeing an echo? ;)

I don't know, but I think you can add Ravenloft to the list of official campaign settings. And Dragonlance. But did you know that Greyhawk, which has published gazetteers and modules that use the names, locations, geography, and history that is found within the gazetteers is not?

BTW, did you know that Ravenloft is an official campaign setting? I sure did, and now you do too!
 

Psion said:
Ravenloft.

And Dragonlance.

Gee I echo well here, huh Alan? ;)

Oh yeah one key difference between the "four" of WotC. Only ONE has Ken Lay as the offical Overgod. :p :)
 
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