D&D 5E (2014) Would you play in or run a 2 hour pick up game of D&D ?

[DM Howard]

If we already had characters ready to be used, I'd say yes. If we're talking having to create the characters and then play, I'd say no. That really goes for any system as my group just tends to take a good amount of time during the character creation process.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Okay picture the scene, you've got a few friends over and you decide to play a game. You've only got a few hours together and you have a few options. You could play a board game, or you could have a game of Magic the gathering or you could play a game of basic D&D.

So how many of you would op for the game of D&D?

EDIT: assume this isn't your normal game night. More an evening where a bunch of friends came over and people wanted to play a game.

Not unless Keeping on the Borderlands counts (or arguably Dragon Slayers or Dysfunctions and Dragons)

Seriously, I know of no version of D&D that really plays in two hours. Fiasco definitely does so it would be my first choice, followed by Dread. And possibly Apocalypse World in third as the most traditional option.

 

[Tovec]

I was originally going to say Yes. But given the conditions I have to say No.

- 2 hours to play a session in an ongoing/campaign game? That's kind of short but if it is all I had then yes absolutely I run that game.
-> But 2 hours that interrupt my ongoing game to play something random? No. Why would I do that when I can go campaign time?
- 2 hours to play a one-off game? Simply put, that isn't enough time for me. I don't care about running a random combat or clearing a random cave/dungeon. I like stories and a 2 hour one off simply doesn't give me enough time to work with. Plus it just isn't meaningful.
- 2 hours to introduce someone to the game as a one-off or side-mission or something along those lines? Possibly, but it would have to be for this specific purpose, otherwise why not just do a proper session. Plus again, it isn't very fulfilling. I've done it, and it feels like a vignette that was barely affiliated with the main game.

So, given all I just said, 2 hours as a pick up and play a random game? No, I can't see getting enough done. And even if the combat rules were infinitesimally quick then what am I going to accomplish anyway? I need a bit more time to crunch into to feel full on my RP and 2 hours doesn't provide that either.

I've done longer (usually 6+ hours) single shots like on Halloween and stuff using other systems but those weren't pick up and play, they were scheduled in advance. Even if there is learning in there, we get something done, we advance, we develop as characters and we feel it is a complete enough timeframe. I don't feel that with just 2 hours. Plus Halloween is a special occasion, thus the change of game, we didn't do it just because we were bored and had a system lying around.

 

[Mistwell]

Yes, absolutely. It's something I am starting to plan right now.

I am trying to come up with short adventure seeds that could be completed in two hours. Something that let's me give the players 5-6 one-sentence ideas to choose from, and then we're off to the races. I'm looking to make each a one-pager of notes, for use with some random generation tools on the fly (probably using the O.G.R.E. system here, which I found I liked quite a lot when I made the treasure generator for the playtest).

 

[Shiroiken]

No. I already have a ton of really, really good board games, so we'd likely do that. Even if it was my normal RPG group, we'd still probably rather play 3 Dragon Ante than try a pick up game up D&D.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Seriously, I know of no version of D&D that really plays in two hours. Fiasco definitely does so it would be my first choice, followed by...

Agree.

D&D would not be my go-to in this case. What has been my go-to is Fiasco and Hollowpoint, both of which are skinnable, lo-prep, one-offs that play well with non-grad rpg-ers.

Conceivably if my son wanted to have me ref a short game for his friends, we could, but two hrs is short for D&D -- in the past we've pulled out KAMB or (again) Hollowpoint.

(disclosure: H'point is high in the rotation because I'm an author.)

 

[jadrax]

Okay picture the scene, you've got a few friends over and you decide to play a game. You've only got a few hours together and you have a few options. You could play a board game, or you could have a game of Magic the gathering or you could play a game of basic D&D.

We have done similar in the past, but its more likely to be a game of CoC or WFRP.

Although if 5e plays as fast as the play test did, it may well be a contender.

 

[Plaguescarred]

I definitly would! I never miss a chance to play some D&D whenever i can even thought i already have a weekly 4E, bi-weekly 5E and monthly 2E campaigns! #ItsMyPassion!

Plus things done on the spur of the moment, totally unexpected, can be so fun! A quick 2 hour pick-up games would make me thrilled. I often run 3-4 hours pick-up games online and always enjoy playing D&D in such manner and meeting new folks!

 

[Blackbrrd]

Do I have the 5e starter set or some other easily prepared adventure with the characters already made? If so, yeah, I would try it out.

 

[Li Shenron]

Okay picture the scene, you've got a few friends over and you decide to play a game. You've only got a few hours together and you have a few options. You could play a board game, or you could have a game of Magic the gathering or you could play a game of basic D&D.

So how many of you would op for the game of D&D?

I certainly would. D&D can be played intuitively and rules-light (and thankfully, 5e is going to support this much more than 3e and 4e), and that's a great advantage over MtG or a board game, even tho their "full rules" aren't nearly as complex as D&D typical full rules.