A few days ago Mike Mearls made a fairly exciting post on the D&D Next website. In it he expands on some earlier discussions outlining plans to craft a two-tier system for D&D Next, where there would be a completely stand-alone basic core set that could then be expanded to make a crunchier 3.5/Pathfinder like game if players so desired.
Mearls description of the core set makes it sound like it would be squarely aimed at OSR-types, new gamers, and returning gamers. His vision essentially describes as a virtual re-release of the 1981 Basic/Expert set combo. I am stoked! This model would be something that would differentiate 5e from Pathfinder while also leveraging D&D's pop cultural visibility to attract new players into roleplaying. I like it and I hope it happens.
Mearls' post is also kind of amazing because it reads like he is making a point-by-point response to my previous musings on the last D&D Next playtest packet, right down to paring down combat options and citing Settlers of Catan as a model for maximum rules complexity. Hmmm....
I just want to express how excited I am by what is being expressed. I am hoping to see a playtest packet of the new Basic Set soon!
I agree. Encouraging. We need a Basic D&D for under the Christmas trees.
ReplyDeleteI noticed the same thing about how his post seemed to be directly relevant to yours. I assume either a) he reads OSR blogs (which I am sure he does) and potentially yours, b) your concerns were common to many other people (which is likely), or c) a combination of both.
ReplyDeleteRegardless, I share your enthusiasm.
That post also sparked a little hope on me regarding D&D 5E (I only liked the 1st package and the Sorcerer/Warlock classes). But I guess its still a 'wait and see'.
ReplyDeleteBut if 5e is essentially Basic/Expert, why would one need buy 5e if one has B/X rules already? And with the plethora of retro-clones out there, what is the appeal for 5e?
ReplyDeleteFinding people to play with. Most gamers look at me like I'm insane when I say I like playing 1970s or 1980s editions. They just don't get it, and won't even try to understand. I want to be able to walk into the local game shop or game club meeting and not feel like a leper. This doesn't matter for you in SoCal, but it matters for me in this little town in the middle of upstate NY.
DeleteYeah. New gamers, new interest, and new product.
DeleteWell SoCal is still difficult to find players who like old school versions of D&D. I tried with a re-formed group of players to try Castles & Crusades and they wanted to play Pathfinder instead. Grrr.
DeleteYou know, Cyc, when I saw Mearls' announcement, I SWEAR he was addressing the questions and issues you had on the blog.
ReplyDeleteFunny, that. :)
- Ark
I'm hopeful and now paying attention to Next. That's more than a few weeks ago! I'd like to see those guys get it right and recapture some of the magic. Reaching that unreachable star, even.
ReplyDeleteSadly the basic monsters are full page characters.
ReplyDeleteHuh. I just now read your post (and the link to the Mearls article). Personally, I really don't see anything here worth getting excited over...which is to say, I don't seem to be inferring the same things you are from his post.
ReplyDeleteMaybe I'm just cynical?