D&D 5E Why Do Higher Levels Get Less Play?

[Reynard]

Thinking on this a bit more, one thing they could do is periodically put in 17+ adventures in the anthologies. That way, the tier will get some coverage and material, without worrying about making it the cap of a full adventure path.

They do that. I want to see a dedicated high level adventure anthology with some high level oriented advice and rules, items and monsters.

 

[Zardnaar]

They do that. I want to see a dedicated high level adventure anthology with some high level oriented advice and rules, items and monsters.

How much experience do you have with the various high level products made or High Level Campaigns book?

 

[Reynard]

How much experience do you have with the various high level products made or High Level Campaigns book?

As far as I know, there are only 2 high level campaigns for 5E: DotMM (uninspiring) and Even of Ruin (a mess).

 

[Zardnaar]

As far as I know, there are only 2 high level campaigns for 5E: DotMM (uninspiring) and Even of Ruin (a mess).

Sorry I was meaning earlier editions.

If I'm running a high level campaign those books are still useful for mining.
Eg Labyrinth of Madness or various adventures in Dungeon.

I've got around 400-500 D&D products to draw on and 500-1000 odd adventures.

 

[Reynard]

Sorry I was meaning earlier editions.

If I'm running a high level campaign those books are still useful for mining.
Eg Labyrinth of Madness or various adventures in Dungeon.

I've got around 400-500 D&D products to draw on and 500-1000 odd adventures.

I mean sure, there are lots of old books and magazines, etc. But that is completely unhelpful from the perspective of "WotC can make high level play cool if they decide to." It isn't about MY ability to play high level games, it is about the culture of the game and high level play.

 

[Yaarel]

Maybe countertuitively, if the Players Handbook only covered levels 0 thru 9, it would help high level play. The low tier Handbook would focus and support the low tiers of play. Then a separate high tier Handbook would cover levels 10 thru 19 − and crucially support the flavor of what gaming is like at these levels. Finally an epic tier Handbook can cover levels 20 thru 29. Oughts, tens, and twenties: each book presents a defacto separate genre of roleplaying games.

 

[Zardnaar]

I mean sure, there are lots of old books and magazines, etc. But that is completely unhelpful from the perspective of "WotC can make high level play cool if they decide to." It isn't about MY ability to play high level games, it is about the culture of the game and high level play.

Have you read them?

Running high levels a pain in every edition. I can do it but don't want to.

B/X or BECMI may be exception to that. Great for DM not so great for players though (to basic).

 

[Reynard]

Have you read them?

Running high levels a pain in every edition. I can do it but don't want to.

B/X or BECMI may be exception to that. Great for DM not so great for players though (to basic).

5E is the least offensive game of the WotC era in this regard IMO. Characters are generally simpler, the math is flatter, and monsters don't tend to be particularly complex.

I think it is a cop out to just say "it's too hard."

 

[GobHag]

Well, they copped out then

 

[ECMO3]

I think there is a host of reasons. Here are a few:

1. Most games start at 1st level and a lot of tables many games don't last long enough to get to high level.

2. There is not as much published content for high level play

3. High level play is more difficult to make challenging

I will say I play A LOT of high level games with one of my groups. We almost always go end-to-end 1 to 20. The DM though is not as big a fan as the PCs I don't think and regularly says how difficult it can be.

Personally I don't think 5E is any worse than the other versions in high level play, and is better than most of them.