It has been a little while since I’ve posted here about Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition. Hasbro/Wizards of the Coast has announced release dates for D&D “Next.”
WotC is dropping edition numbering from the titles of the latest core books, although I think that many experienced role-players will continue informally referring to this iteration as “D&D5e.” We’ve already seen much of the rules during the lengthy playtest period, but let’s hope the kinks have been worked out.
I’m not sure what I think about the cover art. It reminds me of later AD&D2e through D&D3.x/D20, with representational art rather than fake leather. I do have fond memories of the illustrations in past editions, but these look a bit exaggerated in terms of action — D&D should be a tabletop RPG with action scenes, not combat game with occasional role-playing.
Even with discounts through Amazon.com and other retailers, the high price point is daunting but not surprising. Also, shouldn’t we support our local game shops? What do you think about D&D “Next?”
For now, our D20/FATE house rules are working fine for both adventuring parties in my long-running “Vanished Lands” fantasy campaign setting, so I’m in no hurry to pick up D&D5e. Still, I am curious about whether it can bridge the gaps among fans of other editions (not to mention Pathfinder) and whether it can encourage more than a temporary uptick in interest in our hobby.
There are more than enough other indie systems, genres, and scenario proposals to keep our groups busy!
Boston-area role-playing games, late spring 2014:
- “Vanished Lands: Vistel’s Circus,” Gene D.‘s fantasy campaign, using the D20 Basic Fantasy Role-Playing Game (“BFRPG”) and FATE 3e Legends of Anglerre
- “Vanished Lands: A New Dawn,” Gene D.’s telecom fantasy, using “BFRPG,” AD&D1 Oriental Adventures, Skype, and the Rolz online dice roller
- “Glassworks: the Devil’s Den,” Jason E.R.’s superhero scenario, using Icons
- “Into the Far West,” Josh C.’s telecom wuxia/Western, using Wushu, FATE, Google+, and Roll20
- “Big Trouble in New Vegas” Rob H.’s telecom game, using Apocalypse World, Google+, EpicWords, and Roll20
- “Star Trek: Restoration,” Gene D.’s telecom space opera, using D20/FATE, Skype, and Rolz
- “Eberron/Reign of Winter,” Bruce K.’s high fantasy, using Pathfinder
Gene's Worlds 