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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ichneumon" data-source="post: 6302778" data-attributes="member: 98772">What would happen if WotC had the freedom to leave out any aspect of D&D they saw fit without risking a backlash from their fan base? Let's say they could safely cut the PHB down to half the classes, half the races, and stick to a tight, compact set of game elements. Imagine that nobody would be upset if the monsters & magic items were pared down considerably, levels were limited to 10 and the ruleset had few variations. D&D could then fit into a single volume like many other RPGs out there.This isn't the case because WotC must include enough classes, subclasses, races, spells, items, playstyle options and other elements to please the diverse tastes and nostalgic expectations of its fans. When 4e was done, Wizards copped considerable heat for leaving some classes and races out of the first PHB. Clearly, they don't want to go through that again, so for 5e everything is there. When a game is 40 years old, people expect a high level of content consistency and continuity. The standard, three-book version of D&D is $150 because it is D&D. On the other hand, the Starter Set promises to show that D&D can be done in a small space. It's seen as an introductory product, but if the general community really wants a pared down D&D experience, they'll adopt the 'Green Box' en masse and consign the traditional three books to history (or a specialised niche)I don't have access to the list of factors driving them towards a $50 price point for each book. But they need to recoup the cost of their investment, and after 2 years of limited product sales I doubt they can afford to give the main books away until a Paizo-esque revenue stream from adventures cranks into gear. $150 is a bigger deal to some of us than others, and I sympathise with those in an economic situation that makes it difficult or impossible to purchase the books. I've been there. Ultimately though, anyone who truly thinks the price is unjustified is better off complaining to WotC, not ENWorld.</blockquote>

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