Why do you choose to play d20 games?

[Kanegrundar]

I play D20 because I honestly like it better than anything else on the market. I can use it to run just about anything from fantasy to Supers. It's all a matter of ease. Better to know just one syste than learn a different system for everything that I want to run.

Kane

 

[Inconsequenti-AL]

Is it just me or do feats (combat feats in particular) make D&D feel kind of like a video game. To me they feel too much like a "Secret Move". They also remind me of Diablo II. Some of the abilities that the Barbarian got weren't exactlly magical even if they did eat up your mana.

Can see where you're coming from...

In CG terms, I'd say far closer to the Fallout series - 'Perk' system... it's damn near identical, in fact.

IMO, the bulk just let you do something better - i.e. Sunder, Improved Disarm, Stealthy, Heighten spell, etc. A few do come across quite 'special movish' - Whirlwind 'Spring Attacks' to mind for some reason...

I do like feats. Helps differntiate combat styles from the very 'archetypal' classes - without them, every 10th level barbarian would almost exactly the same. I much prefer it to the clunky old weapon proficiency slot system from 2nd ed.

 

[Psion]

Is it just me or do feats (combat feats in particular) make D&D feel kind of like a video game. To me they feel too much like a "Secret Move". They also remind me of Diablo II.

I hear this from time to time, but I just don't see it.

I think what is going on is that Diablo II is reminding you of D&D. Your claim, to me, is almost like saying "is it just me, or do races in Lord of the Rings remind feel like D&D." It should, but you mistate the order of inheritance.

D&D has had this sort of stuff in it since first edition. There were non-weapon proficiencies that gave you special tricks. As those became more prevalent, they pretty much totally displaced "skill like" NWPs, thus necessitating their separation.

Staging them into pre-requisites appeared in 2e in the form of psionic powers, but also became more graphical and clearly presented as part of other RPGs like Feng Shui, still predating Diablo II.

In Diablo the original, characters tended to look a lot like each other at high levels. It's no surprise that they opted to follow in the footsteps of tabletop RPGs did before them when looking for a way to differentaite characters for their follow-on game.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

I've learned my lesson... when you want people's honest opinions about something don't put up a poll. They'll pick apart your poll options rather than present an interesting opinion discussion.

 

[Henry]

I've learned my lesson... when you want people's honest opinions about something don't put up a poll. They'll pick apart your poll options rather than present an interesting opinion discussion.

I think an interesting opinion discussion is what you got INSTEAD of the answer to your poll. The answers don't fit the exact opinion, nor come close, of the people who answered. Wormwood might have been the only person happy with his choice in the poll.

I've often found that polls are too narrow for the answer that the person asking the question seeks. In most answers here, it seems that d20 is not the favorite system, but ONE of the favorites, meaning they are just as happy playing other things.

My group plays d20 variant games, but also Feng Shui, Alternity, and Continuum, as well as Magic the Gathering, and Battletech. There's a huge gap between "it's my favorite" and "not my fave, I just play it because there's support and I can find players." Possibly Alternity might be my favorite, because of the wound tracks implementation if nothing else - it gives the feeling of multiple levels of hurt, as well as the ability for body armor to stop a serious wound, and also for body armor to be blown away by superior firepower, all without dice pools, damage soaking, and things which games like Shadowrun is celebrated for, but I just can't really get into.

Even then, I'd like to put Alternity's wound tracks into D&D as the default instead of hit points, because it's such a good fit for heroic yet semi-realistic wounds.

 

[Kormydigar]

D&D is my favorite RPG.

but since i can't find a group to play real D&D.

i play the imitations.

OD&D(1974) is the only true game. All the other editions are just poor imitations of the real thing.

I kind of know how feel. I really like the D&D Moldvay boxed set (mainly because it adds thieves to the mix) but cannot find anyone willing to play with those rules. With all the complaints I hear about the 3.X magic and how nerfed all the spells are (which I agree with) it is somewhat surprising that these same players won't play a system with more powerful magic. I guess giving up the option of playing a halfling barbarian/rogue/outrider is too high a price to pay for some.

 

[Henry]

With all the complaints I hear about the 3.X magic and how nerfed all the spells are (which I agree with) it is somewhat surprising that these same players won't play a system with more powerful magic.

I'm not sure I can understand calling the Moldvay boxed set magics "more powerful" unless you are talking about the sleep spell specifically. I think one problem people have with the older sets (besides the unfamiliarity) is the seeming lack of choice involving the core 7 class/races. You couldn't beat it for starting play quickly, though, because of that narrower focus.

 

[Nifft]

I honestly like d20, but I like other systems as much or more.

If it were possible to play D&D with a Storyteller system, I'd be stoked. Combat just would not work though.

So, I play D&D with the d20 system. It's not my favorite, but it's fun, and it's certainly good enough.

-- N

 

[Kormydigar]

I'm not sure I can understand calling the Moldvay boxed set magics "more powerful" unless you are talking about the sleep spell specifically. I think one problem people have with the older sets (besides the unfamiliarity) is the seeming lack of choice involving the core 7 class/races. You couldn't beat it for starting play quickly, though, because of that narrower focus.

The narrower focus does make it easier to get to the meat of the adventure quickly, and with the time to play becoming more precious, it is one of the main reasons I like the system. I still contend that magic users had more powerful spells, although it was somewhat of a tradeoff because of the higher XP required. Some examples besides sleep: Disintegrate- you failed the save, and you are gone regardless of hp. Polymorph- you actually got the powers of the creature you assumed. Fireball- If you are 18th level you do 18d6. Haste- can affect up to 24 creatures at once and they all get double move and number of attacks. I realize that the new edition is more balanced and works like it does because of the need to make all classes equal. All I am really rambling about is the fact that I miss the flash and pop that magic users could once produce.

 

[megamania]

The only other system I liked was White Wolf's Vampire game. Otherwise, D20 is easy and makes sence. It dosen't take 2+ hours to creat a character but you can make it very complex if you so wish. Support is good also.