Link to Original - Cross posted on my blog.
I'm excited that D&D is coming out soon for many reasons. Here are my top 5 reasons why I am looking forward to the new version.
5) Alignment Has No Mechanical Benefit. I really do like alignment as a way to help you define your character. But the moment you give it a mechanical benefit then it put a whole different spin on everything. Spells and abilities can target alignment. Being "mostly good, so I'll just call myself good" still means that an evil cleric's spells that target good still hurt you. And someone that has done evil and is working to redeem themselves can still be hurt with a smite evil. A mechanical benefit to alignment means that there is less room for roleplaying. And besides, a paladin with smite evil is always better than a fighter. Maybe this will change things.
4) The In-Class Choices. I never liked the fact that every wizard has the same class options or that every ranger had either a choice of two-weapon fighting or use a bow and were otherwise identical. And if you want something different you have to multi-class, prestige class or etc. I much prefer having different schools that have their own take on the class. This means it is much easier to customize campaign setting as well. Want a different feel to a class? Just give it a new style or order or whatever for the class. This keeps ever class something new without jumping classes.
3) Increased Digital Tools. I live online these days. I use Android more than Windows and I read my books from PDFs more than I read paper books anymore. Heck, I read a story to my girlfriend every night from the kindle. Since Wizards wants a minimum of an equal amount of digital support for 5e as there was with 4e, that is a great sign.
2) A Focus on Adventure. This one would be number 1, but I am not sure how this one will hold over the long haul. But it sounds like that Wizards wants to focus on telling stories (so more adventures and campaign settings) over options for your character (like the Complete series). If this means that it is easier for a DM to run his or her home campaign, I'm all for it.
1) Easier Adjudication. This is why I loved D&D 5e from the first version of the playtest. A player can describe some wild and crazy thing he wants to try and if I am running, all I have to say is, "Ok, you can try that and I'll give you advantage/disadvantage for it." That's it. It is that easy. I don't have to have the endless debate about how a +2 bonus just isn't good enough or how it can only be doe with some seldom used rules. Just a quick roll and it is done. So much easier.
So there you have it, the top 5 reasons why I am looking forward to D&D. Why are you looking forward to it? Leave your reason in the comments below.
In the meantime, have fun.
Well thought out, Dale! I am with you pretty much throughout.
The ease in which the "shared story" is being told so far in our play sessions is very encouraging. The generalization of Ability Checks was a bit startling at first, having come from the world of many skill points to spend (and I had some past history with Rolemaster where skills are listed on pages of character sheets), but the freedom and imaginative ways that this style encourages more than makes up for any sense of loss for the days of minute specialization (and don't get me wrong, specialization is still there... it's just not the focus anymore).
It feels much more like being about 10-years-old again, when D&D was first introduced to my friends and I (too long ago!). In those days, it was more about the imagination of the fantastic as we played with youthful enthusiasm.
5th Edition, in its presentation and its early foundation, appeals greatly to me (and the players in my campaigns so far) for the reawakening of the unfettered possibility.
What I hope to see is for this to continue for folks like me while they offer a multitude of options for others who do prefer more tightly controlled and detailed rules. I am sure everyone would benefit from being exposed to the possibilities that lie between.
Because of the bad things I'm still on the fence but here are my five best reasons I'll play D&D if I play it.
5 Rules compatibility with pre-3e adventure modules.
4 Build your own philosophy. Actual rules for creating your own subclasses, spells, and monsters. Ability to add levels like 3e or just pick something like 4e. A monster manual with rules beyond stats!
3 Fast Play. I like a game where only 20% of the time is spent in combat not 90%. I want it to be intense and dangerous but not long.
2 Big Feats. I like an all in one package instead of chains. I think they are flavorful. I like even that they are optional and anyone can choose a passive +2 or two +1's instead.
1 DM empowered. Instead of a million rules you just have principles and guidelines. The game again feels like it encourages trying anything at any time.
I agree with some of yours Dane too. I don't mind alignment mechanics though in moderation.
Good stuff.
5. Regular games with good people! (This holds for any TTRPG)
4. Faster combat
3. Focus on Story
2. Flexibility and Transparanecy so Hacking is Easy and Intuitive
1. More balanced use of Combat, Exploration and Interaction in games because the mechanics encourage it.
Emerikol. wrote:
- Electrum pieces, I can't enjoy a game without them.
- Being able to prove I am a roleplayer and not a rollplayer by using leather armor instead of studded leather armor.
- Rolling for important things that matter the most in my characters life like ability scores and hit points every level.
- High damage and low hit points, everyone can die and make new characters every session.
- Flumphs and modrons, just like electrum pieces how on earth could I call what I have been playing D&D without them in every encounter.
I am not sure if I have them prioritized but 5 things I am looking forward to are: the new bards, skills based on background instead of class, quick build options, bounded accuracy over eeking out stacking bonuses, and players building for their roles instead of classes dictating roles. Variety of roles within classes has appeal to me and I can't see bards not being fun whether I am a scholar, a skald, or a scoundrel. I don't like roles or character traits forced on me and this looks like we are moving away from that situation.
Rhenny wrote:
5 - Modularity. I like being able to add what I like and ignore what i do not without having to rewrite the game or have a debate about what is and is not "core D&D"
4 - A return to the roots of what made D&D great. I like the modern conventions of ascending AC and skill system while keeping that awesome AD&D feel.
3 - Compatibility with my old BECMI/AD&D modules and source material.
2 - Advantage/disadvantage system.
1 - DM empowerment.