These are the Good Days [+]

[GuyBoy]

I can, and do, look back to playing as a kid in the late 1970s/early 80s, with glasses that are tinted with a whole garden of roses. Similarly, I also loved the days of 3e, gaming with many of the friends I still game with today, including the OP of this thread.
But there is no question in my mind that these are the best of times for gaming due to the amount of “stuff” available, the awesomeness of VTT gaming and the aforementioned inclusivity of the gaming community.

 

[cranberry]

VTT's are by far the best thing to happen to TTRPGs. It opens up the possibility of playing with people you simply couldn't before.

Further, some VTT's do the "heavy lifting" of the game mechanics, making onboarding newbies easier, and allowing people to focus on the game world.

 

[TheSword]

VTT's are by far the best thing to happen to TTRPGs. It opens up the possibility of playing with people you simply couldn't before.

Further, some VTT's do the "heavy lifting" of the game mechanics, making onboarding newbies easier, and allowing people to focus on the game world.

Yes integrating choices with rules available at the click of a button. Automated random tables etc. makes things dramatically easier.

I remember trying to onboard four new players to Pathfinder 1e and explaining that they could choose between roughly 500 feats. (There were more like 2000 but I just don’t include many, just the main books). People just can’t digest that kind of menu.

Now you go onto Foundry or Roll20 and drag and drop - expanding more if you want the details. It’s great.

 

[Sacrosanct]

I admit this happens to me pretty often. I think it's true of most people. Also see: Rosy retrospection.

 

[TheSword]

I love the fact that the wider Forgotten Realms have been detailed for 5e - particularly Calimsham and the Dalelands - and brought into the 21st century.

I’ll go farther and say it’s pretty amazing that FR Wiki exists. All indexed, linked, spanning multiple editions. Well organised and damn comprehensive. It is an amazing resource for anyone who enjoys lore and it’s totally free.

 

[Distracted DM]

2. Humble bundle is bloody excellent. Not just the value but the fact that so many companies engage with it. I’ve recently discovered it and been blown away. Love that you can give to charity while engaging with rpg games and companies I might not otherwise have taken a risk on.

Remember to edit your Humble Bundle contribution if you want a significant amount to go to the charity!
Also check out Bundle of Holding, that site has great bundles as well (and automatically gives you the stuff on DTRPG).

 

[Clint_L]

Nerds have never had so many options. TTRPGS, digital tools, online options, FLGS and board game cafes...people - normies! - just wanting to try out the stuff that I have always loved. Who'd have believed it?

For me, the best has been the miniatures and terrain boom. As a young DM I daydreamed about having all the miniatures and terrain to be able to put any option I wantd on the tabletop. And now, I can pretty much do that, thanks to the huge boost that Kickstarters have given to my little niche hobby.