Monday 9 January 2012

What you need to know about D&D '5th edition' {D&D}



Earlier today, Wizards of the Coast officially announced the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons, an event that has now been covered in major media outlets like CNN, Forbes and The New York Times. Ever since Monte Cook hopped aboard the WoTC train, we've all been waiting for this reveal and it's a pretty interesting one. Here's what you need to know about the next edition of D&D.

It will encompass all editions
We know that D&D 5th edition, or D&D Next as some twitter users are saying, is going to try its best to please everyone, from the grognards to the new guard. The game will be modular, beginning with a basic game and allowing the players to build on it depending on their own play style. That's right, we're not getting the MMO many of us were worried about, but tailored experience. Mike Mearls said: “We hope to create a system that allows players to use much of their existing content, regardless of the edition. Our goal is to make sure we are on course for a game that hits the broad spectrum of D&D.The question remains that with this new modular take on the game, will WoTC be putting out endless supplements? Very possibly.

It will have open playtesting 
One very encouraging tid-bit from the news is that the new edition will utilise open playtesting, which will allow the players to shape the game before its release. Wizards has been criticised in the past for not quite being in touch with the player-base and it's clear they're trying to rectify this. If you're interested in taking part then you can register here.

Forgotten Realms will be the first setting
Wizards has stated that Forgotten Realms will be the setting that will supported from the get-go. There's no doubt that others will follow, but from the sounds of it they're going to go all out with Forgotten Realms by releasing material for its entire history. Expect this to be massive.


GenCon 2012 will reveal the first draft
Mearls has stated that this year's GenCon will show off the first draft of the game and people will get to have a gander to see what's what. Whether there will be any demo games remains to be seen, but I imagine that they will be saving these for 2013.



11 comments:

  1. Gencon 2012. Now I have a reason to snoop around the Wizards booth. FR to be supported, not surprised, that's a smart move. If they do indeed find a way to support all editions this could bode very well for fans of other settings like Greyhawk for me. Good analysis!

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  2. One thing that sticks out is how they are imitating Paizo and how they handled playtesting. I say this not because I am a pathfinder fan (never really played it) but rather this could be the first step for Wizards not being the leader of the industry but rather just another company copying those that striving forward. On the other hand, nice to see them doing something different and maybe learned from their mistakes.

    Only time will tell.
    www.rpgattitude.com

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  3. @mortellan I can imagine that's one of the things Wizards want to do - include a lot of the classic settings. Wish I could make Gencon though!

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  4. My interest in D&D (which has been in intensive care, on life support, since 4e came out) started towards revival/resuscitation with the news that Monte Cook was coming back on board. It's going to take more than that before it's healthy enough to take off on its own, though. Hasbro's managed to do a lot of damage as far as I'm concerned - they've got a great deal to make up for. Time will tell.

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  5. I will continue to stick with AD&D 2E - with some house rules from 1E - Just don't understand the 'GW' mentality where one constantly is willing to shell out for the newer editions...

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  6. If its a grid based game I won't play it. I haven't enjoyed D&D since 3rd ed came out. That said somehow I've been suckered into game after game of 3rd, 3.5, 4e and finally pathfinder ... never been as much fun for me and about two months ago I finally just called it quits. So if there is a "turn off the grid" option I'm in, otherwise my days of any D&D are probably behind me.

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  7. I invested like a thousand dollars in books and they go 5th? i should have got the PDFs...

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  8. Having bought 2E, 3E, 3.5E and a few books from 4E I can honestly say that, unless 5E is something extremely groundbreaking that I have no intention of purchasing any of the books - think i'll stick with Pathfinder (a system that actually allows me to use most, if not all, of the money i've already spent on numerous D&D supplements).

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  9. Wizards/Hasbro has already betrayed formerly loyal D&D players. They have shown me that they only care about money, nothing more.

    Granted, they are a business and a business needs to care about money. However, they should care first about their customers being happy, then the money will follow if the business does a good job.

    I don't trust Hasbro/Wizards any more. They lost their way and my trust. I will take a wait and see approach. I suspect that many gamers will do the same. I will not rush out and buy a bunch of books like I did with 4th edition, just to be burned. They took my money like that once before. NOT AGAIN!

    I will wait at least four years after 5th edition comes out, read reviews, and flip through books in the book store before I spend one penny.

    Wizards/Hasbro has a long difficult road ahead of them. It will not be easy to get me back.

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  10. I have already lost all respect for Wizards (back when 4th edition was released).
    I'm happy with Pathfinder and that's where I'm staying.

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