What do you like about D&D?

[Asmor]

Here's a question that's popped into my head... As this is a D&D-centric message board, it's taken for granted that a large percentage of us like D&D.

So I pose this question to you: Why do you like D&D? Specifically, what is it that D&D has to offer you that other systems do not?

Me, I like the swords & sorcery, of course, but I also really like the entire paradigm of classes and levels. Points-based and freeform systems abound, but class-and-level-based systems seem pretty rare. Off the top of my head, the only non-d20 game I can think of that comes close is Warhammer FRP, where the careers are kind of like classes. It's sort of a hybrid between the two options, since it lacks levels and you have a bit of choice in the order you advance.

So what about you?

 

[robertliguori]

Here's a question that's popped into my head... As this is a D&D-centric message board, it's taken for granted that a large percentage of us like D&D.

So I pose this question to you: Why do you like D&D? Specifically, what is it that D&D has to offer you that other systems do not?

Me, I like the swords & sorcery, of course, but I also really like the entire paradigm of classes and levels. Points-based and freeform systems abound, but class-and-level-based systems seem pretty rare. Off the top of my head, the only non-d20 game I can think of that comes close is Warhammer FRP, where the careers are kind of like classes. It's sort of a hybrid between the two options, since it lacks levels and you have a bit of choice in the order you advance.

So what about you?

Great Wyrm dragons, renowned for their arcane prowess, cap out as 19th level casters.

Humans that choose the path of sorceror cap out at 20th level.

I think the fact that the peasants from unnamed village #832 can eventually warp reality with a word, sneak up on a beholder and stab it in the central eye, smash through iron walls with a head-butt, or survive a brief dip in lava, and can do all of that with just your inborn talent is a feature, not a bug. I like the fact that by about 8th level, your capacities, limits, and expected challenges have more to do with myth and folklore and less to do with what is physically possible.


I like the looting. I know that the game mechanics of it are hellish, but I like the paradigm of beating someone up, taking their stuff, and using it to beat up more people.


I like the unification of the system, and the fact that the PCs can start their own stronghold and defend it against aggressors, if they want a change of pace. I like the paradigm of offering (at least theoretically) every power available for the forces of evil to the forces of good.


Finally, I like the general lack of singular solutions. Extremely rare is the threat which requires a single method of attack; you can sneak by, or convince allies to investigate, or fool an enemy into thinking that your other enemies are working with you, or even just show up and start blasting. When Nar the Advanced Balor, herald of the end times shows up in your campaign world, you can challenge him with the legendary Holy Avenger sword, won after many hard-fought battles...or you can simply beat him to death, because regardless of his importance to the campaign world, he is a creature composed of hit points, and if you are a creature of similar power level, you can defeat him not because the plot was on your side, but because you fought and won.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

D&D is like an old sweatshirt. It may have a few holes in it, it isn't something you are going to wear on a date, but it is darn comfortable.

Seriously, I have played D&D for 28 years. I have played plenty of other systems and enjoyed many of them, but I always come back to D&D.

I like rolling high on a d20, I like elves and dwarves amd wizards and clerics. Other systems can do these as well, but to me they feel like they are trying to imitate the real thing. There isn't any specific rule or thing in D&D that makes it better than any other system, it is just the one I enjoy the most.

Actually, I thought of a one specific thing about D&D: You are a heck of a lot more likely to meet gamers who have played D&D than you are ones who have played just about any other single system. That commonality is a nice thing, and it adds to that old sweatshirt comfort factor.

It also is nice that between WotC and 3rd party publishers, there is a good amount of publishing support for the game today (hopefully that will continue with 4e).

 

[WayneLigon]

In general I like the class and level system. It's a convenient shortcut and saves me a lot of hand-wringing over what to take or how best to use a certain feature. It could be done better, but there's very little you could say that can't be done better.

 

[Rabelais]

Honestly?

I love the talking trash portion of the game.

If I played Basketball down at the gym, I would get the same enjoyment, and probably weigh about 30kg less.

As far as game play though... I like those moments after a close shave... you know that you only beat the monster by sheer luck. That single roll that's the difference between a TPK and the dragon's hoard. It always brings me back. For some reason, I just don't find it in other games. I'm sure other people find it elsewhere, but D&D is the one that always brings me back home.

 

[Greg K]

With 3.x
1) The Unifed mechanic: (d20 roll + stat bonus + other bonuses) vs. DC with a high roll being good
2) ability scores and bonuses follow the same progression (e.g., no percentile stregnth, fighters and mages with the same con scores receive the same hit point bonus).
3) The skill system including spending skill points per level
4) 3 saves (although if they went the True20 direction and added a Toughness save I would welcome a fourth).
5) class variants
6) The Demon Princes and Arch-devils
7) Easy to house rule and customize
8) d20 SRD and OGL
9) Several third party companies (including some by former employees and current freelancers) that generally produce support material and alternative rules that are far better than those from WOTC itself, my opinon of course.
10) Easy to find players

 

[DungeonMaester]

1st ed. D&D.

Not just because it is 'old school' but because I felt that it was the closes thing to the spirit of D&D as any edition could get. The classes sounded cool and not bland and generic. Skill came from levels and not from taking the right combo if feats/skill/magic items, and every class brought something to combat that made the effective, even with out magic items.

It is my kind of game.

---Rusty

 

[DragonLancer]

Me? Pretty much what everyone else above has said.

 

[Doug McCrae]

You gets to play a pretty elf and kill stuff.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

The customization of the system. It isn't D&D I'm in love with, its the D20 mechanics. I look at it and see a toolset, not a game.

To that end, I love that I can tinker with it to no end and create, recreate, reimagine and retool the system into any form imaginable. The sky is the limit (okay the heavens beyond really, considering Dragon Star ).