Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Montgomery
Having just finished reading the first three core books, it strikes me that Wizards has decided to target a very specific audience with this edition, people who like the "game" aspect of role-playing games.
That's not a bad thing, mind you. Most role-playing games attempt to appeal to one type of player of another. Nobilis, for example, is wonderful if you like deep immersive storytelling, but would suck if you dig tactical combat.
D&D is now, more than ever, a miniatures skirmish game, and a decent one at that. And yes, they have chosen to emulate online game experiences like WoW or Everquest. But that isn't so terrible either, as a lot of people play them.
D&D is great for people who think of characters in terms of "what they can do" rather than "who they are." The idea of character roles, for example, encourages you to design a character with a combat role in mind (Leader, Striker, Defender, whatnot). The very specific, detailed Powers for each class change the game from a general "I jump into the midst of the Goblins and swing my sword!" to "I use 'Dance of Steel'" or "I use my 'Reckless Strike.'" The way you feel about this depends on why you game. I suspect a great many people are going to love it.
Some of us don't, and that's fine too. If you like more free-form "D&D" there is still Classic D&D, Labyrinth Lord, or Castles & Crusades. I think Wizards went the more "game" route to make their product different from such games.
Is it a bad game? Of course not. Will it appeal to everyone? Nope. But then again, no edition of D&D ever did.
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I agree with you 100%. The new D&D skews very specifically toward a certain style of play; it is designed specifically for it, and i think I would be very disappointed if I tried to use this game for things it is not intended for, such as narrativism or simulationism. That's not a bad thing; it's just that D&D has become an even more specialized game than before, and if you don't want that kind of game experience (which is the case with me), then you're better off looking for another game. That doesn't make the new D&D a bad game - I suspect that for those looking for a fantasy mini skirmish game, they might be really happy with what WOTC has provided. For those who prefer a different kind of roleplaying experience, the good news is that there are a ton of other options out there.
As for me, looking at the new D&D convinced me that it's time to stop dithering about and buy the PDFs of Castles & Crusades to go along with my print copies. That's the game I really want to play, not this. To those who want the new D&D, I kind of envy you, for you are at the beginning of what looks to be a wild and wooly ride. Have fun!