The "3.XE/PF Crowd" - where will they go? What will they play?

[the Jester]

Since 3.x (not [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate]) players are still playing a game that is no longer in print, I suspect that there will be a number of groups that keep playing 3.x. Likewise, [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] will probably still be in print, and it will likely keep a lot of its groups because of continued excellent [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] adventures.

I'm sure 5e will capture some 3.x and [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] players, though.

 

[Sunseeker]

I feel this is less of a discussion, and more of a counterthread. The 3.X/PF folks have already demonstrated that they don't have a pressing desire to more forwards, at least not any further than [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] plugged the obvious holes in 3.X. While DDN is obviously and HEAVILY catering to that crowd, which I suspect is more of a ploy to dethrone [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] than a real effort to appeal to 3.Xe fans.

I question the reasoning behind these threads on a number of levels.

People who enjoy a specific product will continue to utilize that product. I drive an '87 Fiero, '92 Explorer and an '89 Suburban for a reason far beyond they're "cheap". People who are not satisfied, or want to have as diverse a palate as possible will play DDN, perhaps it will satisfy them, perhaps it won't. Maybe it'll just be another notch on their belt.

 

[Lwaxy]

Up until the latest playtest, we were fine with 5e. However, where it is going is a big nono for me and most of my players so we'll do what we always did. Take what we like from it and add it to the house rules of our own version. of DNDPF.

 

[Starfox]

I feel this is less of a discussion, and more of a counterthread. [...]

I question the reasoning behind these threads on a number of levels. [...]

I question the validity of meta-posts discussing the validity of a tread. As long as people post in a tread, it obviously has some interest to those who do. And posting in a thread that you are genuinely not interested in is a bit of a "feed the troll" thing - its better to let such threads lie and hope they die than to feed them with meta-discussions like this one.

I realize this post is a meta-meta discussion and that made me doubt its validity, but here it is anyway. If we wish to discuss the subject of meta-discussions more, I suggest we make a new thread for that.

 

[Primal]

I run PF for D&D games and I play in a PF game right now so I'm a 3
x'er.

Same here; running and playing [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate]. I'm also playing occasionally in a 3.5 campaign, but I find it irritating; I often find myself thinking about how PF is more elegant, plus they're using all the 3E supplements the books are in use, and I'm not as good at min-maxing as I'm supposed to be.

Besides D&D, I've also played Dragon Age, but it's far too simplistic for my taste (and IMO lacks the excitement and spirit of the video game).

I love PF and I haven't yet seen anything in D&DN that would make me excited about it. I do think I'd like to try running 4E in the future, though.

 

[Ahnehnois]

The 3.X/PF folks have already demonstrated that they don't have a pressing desire to more forwards

I don't think that's true at all. I know I'd sure like to move forwards. I just don't see any options that allow me to do that. 4e definitely isn't going to do that for me, 5e is now looking like a backwards step at this point (from 3e), and PF is more treading water. There is no game on the market that I'm aware of that even attempts to take the 2e-3e transition and do the same thing to 3e, which would be my definition of "forwards".

If anything, I'm itching for a new version of D&D. The market just hasn't stepped up to the table with one that I can use.

***

So I'll probably keep playing my (increasingly houseruled) 3e, mixed with the occasional non-D&D game, for the foreseeable future.

 

[Mercurius]

It would seem that WotC is banking on the idea that there are a number of people out there that aren't glued to any specific edition and waiting for something new/better. I imagine that the 3.x/[notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] group is comprised of two general types: those that love 3.x/[notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] and won't be converted, and those that play it because (they feel) it is better than 4E. WotC, I imagine, is trying to grab the latter group, combine with the bulk of current/lapses 4E players, and hopefully attract a bunch of new folks (and maybe one or two old schoolers in the process).

But unlike 4E, I think most of the [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate] players will remain with [notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate]. Even if Next is wildly popular, the folks at Paizo are smart enough to know how to hold onto their core crew; they might lose a third or even half of their players, but not the core that pays the bills (e.g. the subscribers).

 

[Greg K]

If 5e continues in its current direction which I do not like, I will continue to do what I have been doing since the release of 4e.
1. Play Savage Worlds
2. Play True20
3. Play my house ruled version of 3e which in addition to my own created house rules:
a. incorporates several variants/options form the 3.0 DMG and Unearthed Arcana
b. incorporates a few elements from Oriental Adventures (the shaman replaces the PHB monk) and WOTC web enhancements (e.g, the Cityscape enhancement's urban/wilderness skill swaps)
c. utilizes third party material including: Artificer's Handbook (Mystic Eye Games), Book of Iron Might (Malhavoc), Poisoncraft (Blue Devil Games), Psychic's Handbook (Green Ronin),Shaman's Handbook (Green Ronin), Witch's Handbook (Green Ronin), From Stone to Steel (Monkey God/Highmoon)
d. drawing ideas/inspiration from 2e (kits, specialty priests, wizard variants, PO: Combat and Tactics) and tries to capture a less over the top and more 2e feel (as played by my friends and I)

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I like what I see, but I will not be switching my main game to it - after years of adjusting my game with the various D&D/[notranslate]Pathfinder[/notranslate]/3PP stuff I like, I'm not going to chuck it for the new system. But that isn't a new thing for me - I've played Hero since '85, still playing it, and did not move to 5E there.

 

[Roland55]

Like I said in the other thread, we'll be waiting until I get the core books before we decide.

I think this is also where I am.