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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Golroc" data-source="post: 9111613" data-attributes="member: 7042497">Not that it applies very well to encumbrance, but I actually do think a mechanic can bring value without producing interesting/compelling/enjoyable gameplay. For some groups (mostly new players or those on a nostalgia trip) a mechanic can bring value without any, or even negative, impact on gameplay. For example, character creation may involve things that are completely irrelevant to gameplay, but that still bring excitement to players. One could make the point that this is merely semantics, and/or that I have a too narrow definition of gameplay, but I think those of us who are jaded or just more cynical by nature can sometimes forget. Sentimental or symbolic value. Contradicting my initial statement, I just realized that there might even be players who find value in playing with D&D encumbrance despite not being appreciative of mundane resource management or weird physics, simply out of nostalgia. I've seen plenty of people stick almost religiously to a specific set of rules for sentimental reasons.I don't think designers should generally cater to such things when the mechanic in question is otherwise really bad (as in this example), but for other mechanics, a new edition can easily be better off not (or only lightly) touching certain mechanics, to preserve some of symbolic and/or sentimental value.But if anything, WotC designers seem too restrained currently. And that comes with issues in itself. I think it's a shame they don't have the guts to evolve D&D more. I guess 4th edition is still a boogeyman in that regard - but 1st edition to 2nd edition was a pretty strong improvement, so it can be done. Pathfinder also did an admirable job with their first edition bump - and I'm seeing their 2.5 (or remaster as they seem to prefer) continue that trend.5th edition certainly isn't perfect - so if the coming revision (even if they don't call it a new edition, it is a version bump if there's a new PHB with rules changes) is anemic and doesn't show any courage in changing or adding to the game, I think D&D will end up gradually losing ground to 3rd party content and competitors. Which isn't a bad thing as such. Just a shame if they keep having such a weirdly low level of ambition.</blockquote>

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