Above is a copy of the D&D Starter Set, which is going to be the first release of the new D&D line, followed by a Players Handbook, Monster Manual, and DM Guide, each a month or two apart. I haven't been keeping up with the playtest versions of the rules, so I don't really have any opinions on the new edition other than the artwork. Which so far I like. They appear to have ceded the crisp, Vallejo-like detail to Pathfinder, and gone with a more raw look.
One of the real outstanding issues is what the third-party publisher agreement (if there even is one) will look like. I think that's going to shape the success of this edition a great deal.
I know many of my Grognard friends will disagree with my on principle, but I've been playing the beta for some time, and I have to say it is my favorite edition of them all. Just about anything you might not like is imminently house-rule-able (such as healing; they even will mention this as part of the rules). The battlemat isn't needed. Very easy to learn. I do hope people will give it a chance. And I do hope WOTC comes out with a generous 3rd party license.
ReplyDeleteI'm not impressed with the art. Looking at the examples provided today, one would come to the conclusion that the game was exclusively about combat.
ReplyDeleteI have Swords & Wizardry. What more could I possibly want?
ReplyDeleteAt this point, the new D&D line would have to be phenomenally fantastic, and phenomenally adopted by players for me to jump back in under the D&D label. "Dungeons and Dragons" as a brand has no particular attraction to me.
ReplyDeleteHaving said that, I'm not sure what "phenomenally fantastic" would even look like. I'm happy as a lark with Swords and Wizardry. It does everything I need for my base ruleset.