D&D 5E Why do you like single or multi classing

[Dannyalcatraz]

On a long enough timeline, however, options will appear that will obviate the need for multiclassing to build characters that do exactly what you want them to do.

Sometimes, yes. But not always.

 

[Bolares]

Most ideas can be done in a subclass? sure. But sometimes it's not exactly what you wanted, or a multiclass could be smoother/represent your concept better.

 

[payn]

Yeah, exactly. I really am not a fan of system mastery as a part of gameplay. At least definitely if it means that the newbie or the person trying to stick to thematic character development feels like they are playing a wildly different game/don't feel like they could play in the same group as someone looking to play optimization-fu. There's always going to be best and least-best options in a game (at least if decisions matter at all), but I'd like them to be in a constrained spread (best build is no more than maybe 25-30% higher than regular reasonable choices, and certainly such that good decision-making in-game can wildly override optimization at character creation/level up).

The mechanics and the flavor have never really lined up (yet). I would love for a system to allow organic play alongside system mastery play. Though, you usually end up giving up the goods for one group or the other. 3E was punishing to non-optimized players and the gulf is probably the largest in D&D history. 4E kept tight to the guiderails with hybrid approach. Its a hard nut to crack and even 5E doesnt satify everybody, but seems to be good enough for most people. What is the saying? "Everyone's second favorite edition?"

I can see an appeal to that. At that point, though, I don't understand why one would stick with D&D at all in that case. Games like Hero System or SWADE let you build exactly what you want, nothing you don't want, so long as you stay within a build budget, and apply the thematic layer on top at the end.

D&D/PF have a plethora of published adventures and supplements. They also have the largest player bases. That is a clear advantage to them. I have tried some classless systems and I didn't care for them. I want the classes, archetypes, multiclassing, and prestige classes as my building blocks available. I will always have this with PF1 so im good. Though, the closer D&D gets the happier I'll be. (Though, I think staying in the casual lane 2nd best edition is a winning strategy for WOTC)

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

What is the saying? "Everyone's second favorite edition?"

Really? News to me!

I got turned off by what I read during the playtest releases. Maybe I should give it another peek.

 

[Bolares]

Really? News to me!

Wait, are you surprised 5e is popular?

 

[payn]

Really? News to me!

I got turned off by what I read during the playtest releases. Maybe I should give it another peek.

Sure "everyone" is hyperbole, its just a sayin. There are folks that downright hate 5E. Though, in my parts the saying that 5E is the game you want to run, but not the game you want to play.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Wait, are you surprised 5e is popular?

I’ve seen the numbers, so I KNOW it’s popular.

I also know that its sales figures could be due more to expanding the market with new players as compared to bringing a major chunk of the installed player base as implied by “everyone’s second favorite edition”.

Purely from the anecdotal side, I’m in a larger than average game group (8+ core players and some casuals who join occasionally), and nobody’s spent a dollar on 5th.

 

[Bolares]

I’ve seen the numbers, so I KNOW it’s popular.

I also know that its sales figures could be due more to expanding the market with new players as compared to bringing a major chunk of the installed player base as implied by “everyone’s second favorite edition”.

Purely from the anecdotal side, I’m in a larger than average game group (8+ core players and some casuals who join occasionally), and nobody’s spent a dollar on 5th.

Ah, got it. I think our own experiences shape or views a lot. My group can't get enough of it, and I have to convince them to play something different now and then. But as payn said, it's so easy to run I end up relenting.

 

[Vaalingrade]

"Everyone's second favorite edition?"

Are we counting Pathfinder?

 

[payn]

Are we counting Pathfinder?

Sure.