Forum adverts like this one are shown to any user who is not logged in. Join us by filling out a tiny 3 field form and you will get your own, free, dakka user account which gives a good range of benefits to you: No adverts like this in the forums anymore. Times and dates in your local timezone. Full tracking of what you have read so you can skip to your first unread post, easily see what has changed since you last logged in, and easily see what is new at a glance. Email notifications for threads you want to watch closely. Being a part of the oldest wargaming community on the net. If you are already a member then feel free to login now.

 Ahtman wrote:
So you are saying you think they may have let Monte Cooke go for being to 4e friendly?

I don't knoe the full reasons he left, but the 'perception incident' was a great example of how not to endear oneself to the community. I've heard he may have wanted to to more with the system than was done, or may have jsut wanted the freedom to do his own (creator-owned) settings such as Numenara.

I grew up with AD&D, moved from Rifts to 3E in some of our gaming years post high school, and eventually embraced 4E when it came out, though by then my group had splintered across the province, and found the online table top tools lacking for our purposes. Had a blast with the campaigns we did run, usually in the Heroic and Paragon tiers, but it's been years since I played.

I've been following the development of 5E on another forum, and from what I've read and seen of the official releases, it just doesn't seem to be for me. Which isn't a bad thing, in general. It just means it's being written for players and groups with preferences different from mine, and while I wish them luck, I am not planning on adding a core set to my current collection. If I feel the need to dungeon crawl with friends (my current crew are more WW and WH players anyway), I've already got 3 systems on hand to do so, and while I have a preference for 4E, I could see myself settling in to play 3E without much difficulty either.

Hell, I've got a couple of character concepts I've been meaning to put to paper for years, and might even get an opportunity to do so one day.

I don't fault anyone for preferring the Red Box or 2E or Next or anything, but the raw venom and loathing aimed at 4E has definitely surprised me. I'm no stranger to "edition wars" in general, but while 3E caused some concerns in the circles I traveled in, and as did 4E and Next alike, the raw anger the existence of that edition confounds me to this day.

Some people take that kind of thing way too personally and seriously.

 Balance wrote:

 Ahtman wrote:
So you are saying you think they may have let Monte Cooke go for being to 4e friendly?

I don't knoe the full reasons he left, but the 'perception incident' was a great example of how not to endear oneself to the community. I've heard he may have wanted to to more with the system than was done, or may have jsut wanted the freedom to do his own (creator-owned) settings such as Numenara.

I was just curious because I have heard people say the he brought to much 3e baggage. I don't really keep up on that sort of thing so I have no idea.

 Manchu wrote:
My own (conspiracy) theory is that this whole episode boils down to an extended marketing platform designed to create both chronological and emotional distance from the latest (and probably worst) bout of edition wars. I think this because (1) 5E as a rule set did not really require years of public play testing and (2) I don't think the slice of the demographic that did the playtesting is WotC's main concern. I really wonder whether it will even retain the name "Next."

Called it.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786965592/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

PHB rumored for August 19 but available at GenCon. DMG rumored for November. I haven't heard anything about the MM.

In the new edition the players are the real monsters.

That's true of all editions!

Ahtman wrote:In the new edition the players are the real monsters.

I see what you did there!

Manchu wrote:That's true of all editions!

I think it all depends on your RPG group - but also, clearly, your perspective.

At least in AD&D, there really is a lot of 'black and white' EVIL in the world!

I was taking Ahtman literally, as in the PLAYERs (not the player characters) are the real monsters. But yes, I have had a lot of parties trend evil. I think it is the nature of D&D -- from the beginning, mind. You play people who don't fit into normal society. Instead of farming, serving as guards, or some other sane and profitable livelihood, PCs decide to raid dark holes in the ground full of lethal monsters on the off-chance of finding stuff they can sell. Sure, there is often a "save the world" bed sheet thrown over it but the basic character motivations inherent to the game (kill things, steal their gak) don't foster pure of heart heroics.

I know!

Good times trying to REALLY play a Paladin in most parties!

I am on the fence about the beginner box. One of the big draws for me in RPG's is creating my own characters and that will be pregens, but they often have handy information on learning the new system as well.

Yeah, poor pallies always have to deal with the "why am I here?" question and I don't mean existentially.

 Ahtman wrote:
In the new edition the players are the real monsters.

How true this is.

So is the new name "Fantasy Roleplaying Fundamentals"? Or just D&D? I'm guessing that may just be the name of the starter.

Stupid question: what good is the PHB if the DMG doesn't come out for three more months? Do people just play with the PHB? Or I guess read and start thinking up campaigns and stuff?

 Polonius wrote:
Stupid question: what good is the PHB if the DMG doesn't come out for three more months? Do people just play with the PHB? Or I guess read and start thinking up campaigns and stuff?

Not terribly hard to play without the DMG. Harder without a Monster Manual though.

There will probably be a fair few monsters available through adventures.

Yeah, you don't really need a DMG if you're running modules.

Ahh, yes. Modules. That makes sense. (I haven't played D&D since 2nd edition).

You could always use nothing but the PHB. Most of the humanoid monsters can be used as versions of the core races.

In a few years we will have D&D "After".

jamesk1973 wrote:
In a few years we will have D&D "After".

Hey-O!

"Next" is not part of the line name.

Probably a bit of that?

1E AD&D had the Monster Manual released first, I think!

Then the PHB and then the DMG!

 Alpharius wrote:
Probably a bit of that?

1E AD&D had the Monster Manual released first, I think!

Then the PHB and then the DMG!

Yep, '77, '78 and '79 respectively.

Well now I feel silly working on getting all three done at the same time.

 Sinful Hero wrote:
Most of the humanoid monsters can be used as versions of the core races.

Yes. In my games, most of the enemies are either human or humanoid. It's an interesting pattern now that I think of it.

Taste the rainbow:

I like them more and more but didn't like them much when i first saw them.

I really hope this new edition has more character customization than 4th when all characters were essentially the same with different names for the power effects. I don't want it dumbed down. I want an RPG that actually makes me feel I'm somewhere else and not a paper version of an MMO. 4th failed so spectacularly for me that I haven't played a game of D&D since.
I've been playing L5R mostly with some Iron Kingdoms and old school Cyberpunk.
This new edition better knock my socks off or I won't bother.

Explore subterranean labyrinths! Plunder hoards of treasure! Battle legendary monsters!

The Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set is your gateway to action-packed stories of the imagination. This box contains the essential rules of the game plus everything you need to play heroic characters on perilous adventures in worlds of fantasy.

Ideal for a group of 4 – 6, the Dungeons & Dragons Starter Set includes a 64-page adventure book with everything the Dungeon Master needs to get started, a 32-page rulebook for playing characters level 1 – 5, 5 pre-generated characters, each with a character sheet and supporting reference material, and 6 dice.

July 15 - Amazon Pre-order Here

In an audacious bid for power the Cult of the Dragon, along with its dragon allies and the Red Wizards of Thay, seek to bring Tiamat from her prison in the Nine Hells to Faerun. To this end, they are sweeping from town to town, laying waste to all those who oppose them and gathering a hoard of riches for their dread queen. The threat of annihilation has become so dire that groups as disparate as the Harpers and Zhentarim are banding together in the fight against the cult. Never before has the need for heroes been so desperate.

August 19

The Cult of the Dragon leads the charge in an unholy crusade to bring Tiamat back to the Realms, and the situation grows more perilous for good people with each passing moment. The battle becomes increasingly political as opportunities to gather allies and gain advantage present themselves. From Waterdeep to the Sea of Moving Ice to Thay, it is a race against Evil. Succeed or succumb to the oppression of draconic tyranny. Win or lose, things will never be the same again.

October 21

 Ahtman wrote:
I am on the fence about the beginner box. One of the big draws for me in RPG's is creating my own characters and that will be pregens, but they often have handy information on learning the new system as well.

I'm grabbing the starter set since it comes out almost a month before any of the actual books do. It should also have a few monster write ups I can use until the MM finally does drop.

Edit: Also I believe some of the books are being made available early at GenCon. If anyone is going (I can't make it) and is willing to pick up a few books for me, please PM me. I'm happy to pay in advance.

I'm interested. I don't know if it solves the linear fighters, quadratic wizards issues, but this news that it's simple and lacking in crunch and a bit more freeform is what I want.