WotC comes to you and asks you to pick a setting...

[DragonLancer]

Though not my favourite setting, for the requirements I have to pin FR as being the setting that (in my mind) best showcases D&D.

 

[Scharlata]

What do you pick?

Pirates! Intrigue! Fiends! Moral Uncertainty! Ethical Ambiguity! Paler Shades of Grey! Heroes! Secrets galore! Black Sails!

FREEPORT rules!

 

[Asmo]

Greyhawk!

Asmo

 

[MrFilthyIke]

Greyhawk, all the way

 

[Bobitron]

I think Eberron best exemplifies the rules without sliding into the (sorry, GH fans) boring, generic feel that Greyhawk has.

 

[Ankh-Morpork Guard]

The problem with Eberron in this situation is that it IS different that Core D&D in several instances. Really, I think the only thing that fits the criteria given here are the more generic settings like Greyhawk and FR.

 

[danbuter]

I went with Eberron, given the restraints. Of course, I wouldn't want default setting status pushed on any setting I liked.

 

[William Ronald]

I chose Greyhawk as both the Forgotten Realms and Eberron steer a bit from the core rules in certain areas.

In terms of magic, FR has the Weave -- which is not part of the core rules. Similarly, Eberron does use the core rules but is not truly a traditional high fantasy world. Indeed, I think that although Eberron does use the 3.5 rules the technomagic aspects of it do not really model the fiction and legends that inspire the game.

Also, Eberron has several races that are not part of the core rules -- or even derivations of standard races. I am not knocking Eberron but I think that it has a flavor that does not translate as universally as the Realms or Greyhawk.

For the Forgotten Realms, it is a more complex setting in some ways than Greyhawk. The world is far more developed, and this might intimidate some GMs who want an established setting but a little room to develop things.

 

[Woas]

You idiot! You forgot The Diamond Throne/Arcana Evolved!

I don't mean the first part of course... just repeating what the poll says and all...

 

[WayneLigon]

The City State was a good intro to the original game and it probably has enough legs that it could be further developed to showcase the Rules As Written. I'd be very surprised if they'd pick something other than FR from sheer recognition.