Why all the hatin'? Let's love.

[Olive]

Well, to be honest, if it's not d20 I'd rather play soemthing other than D&D.

 

[Akrasia]

It seems to me that many people can't state their preference for one edition of D&D without in the same sentence stating their dislike of another edition. Or they can't compliment one edition without insulting another.

It is very hard to express the virtues of one edition of D&D without at least implying that these are virtues that other editions lack.

E.g., "I like to DM the Rules Cylcopedia version of D&D because it is very easy and fun to DM, has a great pace, handles high level play well, etc." [Implication: other versions of D&D are too slow, fail to handle high level play well, etc.]

Or: "I like to play 3.x D&D best because it allows for great customization of PCs, highly varied combat situations, etc." [Implication: other versions of D&D force PCs into 'straightjackets', etc.]

In both statements there is an implicit criticism of other versions of the game. It is hard to see how this is avoidable.

Do you actually dislike [or hate] any edition of D&D? Can you like an edition without disliking another? Can you state your preferred edition without backhanding another?

One thing I have learned is that my likes and dislikes depend very much on whether or not I am DM.

As a DM, I have come to somewhat dislike 3e. I have run two 3e campaigns, each of which lasted about a year. In both cases the players seemed to really enjoy them, and I felt a sense of accomplishment at how well the stories went (lots of twists, etc.). Yet, in both cases, prepping for sessions came to feel like a tedious chore. The first time around I thought it was just because I was not adequately familiar with the system. But after the second time, I realized that I simply did not like all the 'crunch' involved. Instead, I prefer to DM systems with simpler rules -- I just find that they enable me to allow my 'creative juices' to flow more freely, so to speak. And they don't feel like work. So if I were to DM a version 'D&D' today, I would insist on the Rules Cylcopedia version (albeit with a number of house rules). Fortunately, though, Castles and Crusades has come along, which 'feels' like the RC, but with a lot more flexibility. In short, my tastes as DM strongly incline me towards 'rules light' systems.

As a player, however, I am happy to play 3e. Indeed, I probably prefer it over 2e or even 1e. (Nostalgia and my love for a brisk game pace prevents me from ever placing 3e ahead of the RC.)

But in general, I have found that, as a player, the skill of the DM is far more important than the system used in creating a great game/campaign. As a result, if I know that the DM is really good, and the campaign sounds interesting, I will play pretty much any edition. (Indeed, I will play pretty much any game system with a great GM. There are a few exceptions, but IMO the GM makes all the difference. Conversely, I will not play with a crappy GM, even if he is using my favourite system in my favourite setting.)

 

[MonsterMash]

I also like beer AND wine. I know...crazy.

As long as it's not mixing them (in the same glass )

I started with OD&D(1974) in 1977 and enjoyed playing that for a few years until I went off down the route of playing RQ2, CoC and Paranoia.

I started playing D&D again in 2003 with 3e and have enjoyed playing it as well.

There are things I like and dislike with both versions - I mainly play 3e and D20 games at the moment as its easier to find games and other gamers, but I might look at playing another system for reduced prep time and work for the DM (C&C?).

Isn't it typical of the internet that people tend to take extreme positions and get heated over minor details - so just how many angels can dance on the head of a pin anyway?

 

[Desdichado]

Well, to be honest, if it's not d20 I'd rather play soemthing other than D&D.

Me too -- d20 is the only version of D&D I have any interest in playing at all. Even then, I prefer other d20 games to D&D these days, although I'm still in a fitfully played 3.5 Eberron game. I think... :\

 

[diaglo]

...so just how many angels can dance on the head of a pin anyway?

none. that baseball team is all pumped up on steroids.

 

[Akrasia]

Well, to be honest, if it's not d20 I'd rather play soemthing other than D&D.

To be honest, the quality of the DM/GM counts 10 times more than the system. (IMO, etc.)

 

[Desdichado]

To be honest, the quality of the DM/GM counts 10 times more than the system. (IMO, etc.)

Quite true. But in my current group, the quality of GMing is a given, so we have to look for something else to complain about... like the system.

 

[Henry]

I can state what I love about D&D gaming: The fantasy genre in general as envisioned in the early products (circa 1980 or so) excites me, sparks my imagination, and the thrill I get sharing gaming moments with my friends drives me in a way that makes me want to repeat the experience.

In two words: It's fun.