Is the New Edition of DnD worthwhile?

[ericthered]

Originally Posted by DeadParrot

I had a similar reaction when I saw the mention of 5e-2014 edition being updated by the 2024 version. Especially when they went from 3.0 to 3.5 to 4.0 in less time. Hasn't seemed like 5e has been out that long.

I think 5e kind of snuck up on the community. I started with 3e, and I was aware of 3.5 through various sources. I got used to it. Then 4e came out and there was this "Yuck" that went through the community. It made waves.

Meanwhile, when 5e came out the expectations were low, and the vocal people were still talking about pathfinder and the SRD and 3.5. I was running gurps by then, but I looked up impromptu monsters for GM to throw at a party at one session (I was a friend, not a regular player).

But 5e had enough power to stick around and get traction. Critical Role. Stranger Things. Baldur's Gate 3... 5e is bigger now than it ever was when it came out. So it sort of feels new, even though its not.

[L.J.Steele]

Originally Posted by Anthony

This sounds more like talking about 5e in general than about the differences between the 2014 edition and the 2024 edition (the 2024 edition generally increases the power of PCs relative to 2014).

I've run in both 5e and the new edition. I didn't have the same feeling of blandness from 5e -- couldn't tell you why, just an emotional reaction to it.

[The Colonel]

I renounced class-and-level systems a while ago (hence GURPS) but there are a bunch of kids at work who play it, and some who have played earlier editions.

From talking to them, I get the impression that 5E is, by default, less challenging to players, having greatly reduced the resource economy aspects and cut back on lethality. On the plus side, this makes it easier to keep a character alive (which helps with the transition from wargame to storygame that D&D seems to be making), but I'm told it can also give a distinct "playing on easy mode" feeling once you are used to it.

[Michael Thayne]

I've been waiting until the new MM comes out before trying to form any opinion of D&D 2024. But I kind of doubt I'll buy the books. I've played in a couple long-running 5e campaigns, and the rules are OK, but seem to really suffer from trying to be all things to all people.

[Astromancer]

I'm playing DnD because that's what I can get around here. From Runequest 2nd Ed and Ars Magica 2nd Ed I've gotten away from Class/Level games. GURPS, M: the Ascension, C: the Dreaming, Ars Magia, and Trinityverse (especially Adventure!), are what I want to play. None these are played here. Drat!

[ak_aramis]

The nature of the changes is pretty profound; this isn't a 0.1 revision; it's as big or bigger a gap from 5.0 to 5-2024 as from 3.0 to 3.5.

Based upon the preview materials and vids by youtubers...

It deletes the links from race to attributes.
It alters class advancement for many classes.
There are minor changes to combat.

It's worth noting that the reports of sales through dead tree channels look really low, but the sales reported by WotC are claiming it's going faster than free pancakes. Which implies most sales are either direct purchase or D&D Beyond. Which implies also that WotC has decided it doesn't need the industry.

It also implies that most players are going paperless...

I hopped off the D&D treadmill after Tasha's, specifically due to it deleting the link between attribute mods and D&D race (which I've ALWAYS interpreted as either species or subspecies).
I've been on the fence about D&D 5e for years;IMO, it's the best game marketed under the label, but also right about the limit of my willingness to play.

Someone compared it to Windows; while not entirely meritless, it's not as close as comparison to McDonalds...
Most who will eat burgers will find McD's edible, if a bit bland. But almost always consistent flavor wherever and whenever, based upon what you order. A Big Mac everywhere tastes almost identical; it always tastes different than the basic cheeseburger... and you can always order it with no salt on the meat and no salt on the fries for a slightly different flavor... but that difference will be the same everywhere.
D&D and McD's both have a core of people who think it's the best of its kind. But many who play it or eat there prefer other places, but choose it because of either availability or being the highest common denominator of the group going.
Yes, this implies Pathfinder is Burger King...
I'd argue that Traveller is taco bell and RuneQuest is Panera...

[Astromancer]

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

The nature of the changes is pretty profound; this isn't a 0.1 revision; it's as big or bigger a gap from 5.0 to 5-2024 as from 3.0 to 3.5.

Based upon the preview materials and vids by youtubers...

It deletes the links from race to attributes.
It alters class advancement for many classes.
There are minor changes to combat.

It's worth noting that the reports of sales through dead tree channels look really low, but the sales reported by WotC are claiming it's going faster than free pancakes. Which implies most sales are either direct purchase or D&D Beyond. Which implies also that WotC has decided it doesn't need the industry.

It also implies that most players are going paperless...

I hopped off the D&D treadmill after Tasha's, specifically due to it deleting the link between attribute mods and D&D race (which I've ALWAYS interpreted as either species or subspecies).
I've been on the fence about D&D 5e for years;IMO, it's the best game marketed under the label, but also right about the limit of my willingness to play.

Someone compared it to Windows; while not entirely meritless, it's not as close as comparison to McDonalds...
Most who will eat burgers will find McD's edible, if a bit bland. But almost always consistent flavor wherever and whenever, based upon what you order. A Big Mac everywhere tastes almost identical; it always tastes different than the basic cheeseburger... and you can always order it with no salt on the meat and no salt on the fries for a slightly different flavor... but that difference will be the same everywhere.
D&D and McD's both have a core of people who think it's the best of its kind. But many who play it or eat there prefer other places, but choose it because of either availability or being the highest common denominator of the group going.
Yes, this implies Pathfinder is Burger King...
I'd argue that Traveller is taco bell and RuneQuest is Panera...

Can GURPS be the local joint that gets on Guy F's show?

[Anthony]

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

The nature of the changes is pretty profound; this isn't a 0.1 revision; it's as big or bigger a gap from 5.0 to 5-2024 as from 3.0 to 3.5.

No, it really isn't. It's comparable to 3.0 -> 3.5.

Originally Posted by ak_aramis

It's worth noting that the reports of sales through dead tree channels look really low, but the sales reported by WotC are claiming it's going faster than free pancakes. Which implies most sales are either direct purchase or D&D Beyond.

It's actually bad data collection. The category changed from "Books" to "Toys and Games", which means the Amazon sales data the reporters were relying on reported zero sales.

[Varyon]

Originally Posted by Astromancer

Can GURPS be the local joint that gets on Guy F's show?

GURPS is more akin to something like HelloFresh or similar services, providing you with ingredients and instructions and having you do the cooking.

[malloyd]

Originally Posted by DeadParrot

I had a similar reaction when I saw the mention of 5e-2014 edition being updated by the 2024 version. Especially when they went from 3.0 to 3.5 to 4.0 in less time. Hasn't seemed like 5e has been out that long.

I think that's just we are all a lot older now. Early stuff went into new editions every year or two: GURPS 1, 2 and 3 spanned, what, 3 years, Runequest spanned 3 editions in 6 years, Paranoia did 3 in 9 years (though it called the 3rd the 5th edition), Top Secret got a year to its second edition, and 7 to its conversion to an utterly different game engine. Now a decade for a modest revision is quick.