This seems to be a big deal for some people... someone here on the boards gets an old thread in their mentions and then read it and respond, not noticing the thread is "old". And invariably there are other who then show up to say "Necro'd thread!"... as if that is actually a problem.
Why exactly? Why is responding to an old thread such a big deal? Quite frankly I think a lot of concepts and ideas would be better off if the person who created a new thread had actually gone back and reread the old ones that had already gone over the same exact ground. Because they'd save themselves a lot of time and energy and seen exactly what everyone had already come up with for an answer. I mean, it seems like ever several months there's a brand-new thread asking why there isn't a Warlord or an Arcane Half-Caster in the game, or how do people run the Stealth rules... despite the fact that we've had three, five, nine, a dozen previous threads about them over the years.
Personally, I think if people are going to keep pointing out "Thread necromancy!", it's only right and fair that when a new thread is made regarding a topic that has clearly been created many times before, that someone immediately post 'Thread conjuration!"
** In the spirit in which this thread was created, I hope and expect someone to please do a search on this exact same topic, then post the link to that thread that also decries the continued castigation of thread necromancy, and follow it up by a "Thread conjuration!" response. Thank you. You do the Arneson's work.**
And when you see a new thread started by a recognizable poster and you don't even have to click through because you already know what it says, that's called Thread Divination.If there's a flamewar, we can post "Thread evocation!"
Seriously, I don't see a problem with it. Maybe you're searching and have information for a post that never got answered--even if it's not going to help the OP, it can help the next person who goes searching. Look at all the witch threads, for instance. I was able to recommend them to someone who wanted to make a 5e witch equivalent, and even the ones that were inactive were helpful.
Thread Transmutation is when a thread goes off-topic.And when you see a new thread started by a recognizable poster and you don't even have to click through because you already know what it says, that's called Thread Divination.
![]()
Thread enchantment is when the reader must make the Wis save or be compelled to post a comment.Thread Transmutation is when a thread goes off-topic.
Thread Illusion is when the poster puts the 5e tag on a TTRPG general post or vice-versa.
and some of us are still hereI find it slightly amusing when somebody replies to somebody 16 years in the past, but it doesn't bother me any.
The latter one is what I found baffling.I don't mind when it's relevant, but I do point out if someone's replying to a person that hasn't been on the board for a decade, or they rez a thread with a really inane/useless response.
Then in 2021 someone pipes up and say "dwarf fighters can be fun*". Really? You dug up a thread from over a decade ago, that has clearly "expired" and that's why you did it?
Why were you reading a thread from 2007 in the first place?!?
Because you're not the boss of me! Dwarf fighters can be fun! Besides, I just learned that they are, like, twice as fun if you play them with a Scottish accent, and I absolutely had to share that.
I wanted to add a P.S. to the post but got distracted. But let me repeat myself, something that I never, ever, ever, ever, ever, do, and restate:
Of course dwarven fighters are fun. But it's like suggesting cheese on pizza, or noting that most kids seem to love candy. Everyone knows that!
Did I mention I never repeat myself?
stop trying to transmute this thread!Wait, you think that Dwarf Fighters are fun?
Well then I need to necro a thread to reiterate that Dwarf Fighters suck!
All the same. Just a bunch of bad characters, wandering around, trying to approximate a bad Scottish accent and pretending they have a drinking problem. "oooh.... you have an axe and dislike elves? QUELLE SURPRISE!"
Dwarf fighters are the bane of D&D.
stop trying to transmute this thread!![]()