D&D 5E What would be your preferred format for the core rules of 5E?

[Mercurius]

I'm fairly certain this decision was made long ago and that it will probably be the Holy Trinity, but I'm curious: if it were up to you and your preference, what would your choice be? Try to balance your personal preference with what you think is best in an economic sense, but if in doubt default more to the former.

Poll to come.

EDIT: Please note - the choices aren't necessarily mutually exclusive in that what I'm asking for is the format for the core game, not for the beginner's starter game or supplements. So, for example, if you want the Holy Trinity as core but the starter game to be a box set, you should vote for the Holy Trinity. But again, the question is: what format do you want the core rules of the game to be in, that is the default reference for D&D 5E?

 

[Mercurius]

I voted Holy Trinity although not without a pause. I find the idea of a single book appealing, and a series of box sets ala BECMI to be rather fun, but in the end I have to go with the Holy Trinity.

That said, I'd love to see a desk reference single book ala 4e's Rules Compendium, which was possibly the single most useful D&D product I've ever owned. I'd also like to see the starter set as a deluxe box set, even series of box sets, ala the Pathfinder Beginner's Box. But for the core game, I've got to stick with the Holy Trinity. I like the fact that players only have to buy one book, and I like the feeling of the DMG as a "tome of secrets" (including magic items, please!), and the MM as the DM's reference that players shouldn't own.

 

[Kobold Stew]

I voted for the big three, though there would be other ways to accomplish my main goal, which is a a low barrier for entry.

I'd like there to be a single book that I could press into new player's hands that has all the necessary PC information, that is at a reasonable price point. Pathfinder, for me, doesn't do that -- it's too much in one place. A PhB (possibly available in a boxed version, like the 3.5 player's Kit) does that.

If they could et it into a paperback the size of one of the 4e Essentials volumes, that would be better still, though that might be hoping for too much.

 

[howandwhy99]

I think there should be different publications of the same game. Silly right?

But what can happen is a boxed set could be published with only the core rules that appeals with its art and design to younger ages of players, say 9-14. The game would include dice, grid paper, slim rulebooks, an introductory adventure or two, character sheets. And there should be toys. Miniatures to play with. Pictures to color. Anything and everything age appropriate for audience the game is meant for. Puzzles to play with. Stories to read. Origami instructions for folding (and coloring!) their own terrain and fortifications. Heck, the box itself should be designed for use during play.

And then there should be another version of the game where the rules are bound in books. Maybe 1 or 2 or the traditional 3. It doesn't matter if we follow tradition here. The goal is to design for utility and according to any natural breaks in the game. Formatting should be clear; fonts easy to read. Indexes should be thorough and content easy and intuitive to find. There should be illustrations demonstrating particularly complicated rules. And the presentation should aim at satisfying an older crowd of players. Say teens, college age, and adult. And if the publishers want to include some of the big, optional game modules in this version, then the book format could potentially support that too.

I also think there should be hardcover and paperback versions for the sake of the economics of the consumers, but that's definitely more of a business end decision.

 

[Umbran]

I voted for the big three, though there would be other ways to accomplish my main goal, which is a a low barrier for entry.

I'd like there to be a single book that I could press into new player's hands that has all the necessary PC information, that is at a reasonable price point.

I agree. I expect the trinity is most likely to fit the needs, but I'm open to other formats if they can be shown to work better.

 

[TrippyHippy]

My personal preference would be for a pdf. They must, however, have a very clear single entree point for newbies this time round (i.e. a box set, including introductory adventure material) with maybe the 'Holy Trinity' released in conjunction with it. The mega-core book is a nice idea, so long as the book itself doesn't get to be 500pp+ as Pathfinder did.

 

[Jacob Marley]

I agree with [MENTION=3192]howandwhy99[/MENTION] that ideally they should have different formats to satisfy their primary distribution channels: big box stores, small game stores, and online; and for their end-users: new players, existing players, and lapsed players. I am not sure that it is economically feasible, though. I think that we are likely to get the Holy Trilogy and a Beginner's Box - neither of which are satisfactory to me. At this point, I am moving toward a digital collection/experience. A collection of the core rules (i.e. the 3.5 Rules Compendium) coupled with an extensive online database of monsters, classes, skills, etc. would be perfect for me.

 

[Jeff Carlsen]

Personally, I would like there to be three books, a small Rules Compendium (with basic classes) for easy reference, an advanced player book with additional classes, subclasses, feats, and player advice, and an advanced DMG with adventure building material, monsters, and advice.

The boxed set would included the Rules Compendium, adventures, and a small Bestiary, as well as dice and tokens. The Rules Compendium would also be sold separately.

 

[Ahnehnois]

The existing structure doesn't make much sense. No one seems to know what a DMG is for or what should be in it. I would publish one core book for everyone that has all the actual rules and explanations of how things work, and leave the "soft rules" (like XP and CRs and treasure allocation and so on) for some other book to be released later. Get rid of the bloat and cut the fluff and we could have one very reasonably sized book that feels like a full game.

 

[dmccoy1693]

I'll take it how they give it. No preference from me either way.

Although I'd prefer a thinner book than a thicker book. That 500+ page PFRPG book is killer sometimes.