Why do you buy Dragon?

[Mercule]

I remember in the 1980s/1E days always loving Dragon. I really probably should have had a subscription. It seemed like there was always something cool. Things that stick out are the pain system, more "realistic" height/weight tables, tips on the psychology of the various races, and entire issues devoted to building cities or religions.

Since coming "back to the fold" with 3E, I've found Dragon very hit-or-miss. The themed issues like Swashbucklers and Gladiators were stellar. And some of the early "Class Acts" where they were still showing great ways to do multiclass builds to suit a concept really inspired me on how to use the ruleset and make it my own.

There has been a lot of stuff that just doesn't seem to have much use, though. I don't need any more PrCs, spells, feats, or monsters -- I've got way too many already. Pulling them out of novels or movies would be a cool way of illustrating how to add a flavor to your game, but pulling them out of video games seems the height of banality.

So, since I'm in a fairly open-minded mood today, I figured I'd ask people to sell me on Dragon. I want to be excited and enthused about Dragon. I know there are a lot of people who are excited about Dragon. What am I missing? How do you use Dragon? What are the best bits? Am I just out of the "target demographic" for Dragon, now?

Oh, and don't take the above as a rant. It's more "full disclosure". Ditto if I dig into something posted hereafter.

 

[IronWolf]

I'm keeping my sub to Dragon hoping that Erik will end up doing the same thing for Dragon as he did for Dungeon. It takes time for such changes to take place, but from what Erik has said on these boards it seems he is trying to change its direction towards the stuff I want to see.

 

[Mixmaster]

IronWolf,

My sentiments exactly. I see a return to greatness for Dragon.

 

[DaveMage]

I buy it for the ads.

 

[Mercule]

Um... wow. This is a far cry from the flame-fest I pretty much expected.

 

[DM_Jeff]

Getting better already

Ever since Fall of last year I have found myself reading more and more articles. That's good news. In fact, for the past three months I've found something useful in each issue I was able to use in my two D&D games. Little things, but hey-they mean a lot.

For enjoyment and ideas, too, it's become a much better read, on a regular basis.

-DM Jeff

 

[BOZ]

i buy Dragon when i think there is/will be an interesting article or feature worth my time reading. which may well be more frequently in the near future...

 

[Arnwyn]

My subscription ended in December, and I didn't renew (first time in 8 years). It just wasn't meeting my needs anymore (too many feats, PrCs, spells, and magic items).

I will buy when I see "expansion" material, though. For example, Dragon #329 with a load of material on Pazuzu is exactly the type of material I enjoy. That's worth a single-issue buy for me. The Far Realm info in #330 also looks like something that I would like. Finally, Forgotten Realms material (by Ed Greenwood, Steven Schend, or Eric Boyd) is also what I'd buy it for.

 

[Jdvn1]

i buy Dragon when i think there is/will be an interesting article or feature worth my time reading. which may well be more frequently in the near future...

My sentiments exactly!

 

[JoeGKushner]

I generally subscribe for years at a time. When I wasn't getting my magazine before, or at least the same time, as the store was, I seriously considered dropping it.

Then delivery got better.

Content varies issue by issue as some are better than others, but upcoming articles like the Far Realm, have me hoping that we'll see other large articles covering diverse subjects ranging from the Sheen to Ed updating his Nine Hells article (and please don't tell me it's been done as that was over two hundred issues ago and probably only a handful of people have access to it.)