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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Akrasia" data-source="post: 2150606" data-attributes="member: 23012">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.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.)</blockquote>

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