How does it run at the table?
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
So, for any of the Old School inclined Playtesting D&DNext...
How does it run at the table?
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How does it run at the table?
How does it run at the table?
I haven't kept up with the latest playtest packets, but when I did play it, I thoroughly enjoyed it. The fiddly bits don't seem to be integral to the design, which brings it back to the modularity of earlier versions, which I like a lot. If they keep things that way (which seems to be the direction they're consciously heading in), I'll definitely be playing it.
ReplyDeleteReading it and playing it (only a little) it comes across as yet another variant of classic D&D. Something you would expect from a D20/OSR publisher. While that may seem like faint praise I think that is a good things after the debacle of 4th edition.
ReplyDeleteI also think that they may have shot of regaining their market led in regards to Pathfinder. Not because the system is more innovative. Because rather they seem to be focusing on making a system that it as quick to setup and play as classic D&D but with some new school options. And I think they have done that.
However this same focus means that the rules themselves really doesn't have any more (or less) to offer than any other variant of classic D&D. It not worse nor it is better.
However I think it will make a big difference in going against Pathfinder. Plus there is a good chance that supplemental products (adventures, settings) will be far more useful than d20/Pathfinder products.
Right now I am awaiting to see what kind of third party program they come out with.
Saying it's not any worse than variants of 0e,bx,1e is praise enough.
DeleteReading through it and playing, to me, have been different experiences. When I first read through it I was mildly interested, but it didn't "wow" me.
ReplyDeleteWhen I brought it to the table, however, it seemed to click together really quickly. The fast, very very fast, pace of combat is a breeze of cool air. You can actually get through a good sized dungeon in a session, rather than having to stop after two "encounters".
I've enjoyed it immensely. Whether or not it will reach the goals set out by the developers, however, is a whole other story. I'll buy it simply because I'm a collector. I'm not sure if they can climb back on top.
I really like it. It's far simpler to run than 3e, Pathfinder or 4e, and is flexible in a way the 4e certainly isn't. I run entire sessions without referring to the rules at all, now that I have the basic "saves with sats" concept on-board.
ReplyDeleteThe big thing for me is that it's easy to modify and I can use material from pretty much any pre 3e version, as well as all the retro-clones with very little work. But the nice thing is that it doesn't come with some of the silly baggage of the retro-clones, like descending AC or THAC0.
TL:DR it's really good and I like running it.
I should note that I'm not really "Old-School". I played lots of Basic, 1e, 2e over the years, but I like 4e OK for what it is, and my main objections to 3e/Pathfinder relate to how hard it is to DM.
DeleteIt felt a lot like playing most retroclones. The two things that really set it apart, IMO, are the (sorta) new magic system and the advantage/disadvantage mechanics. Otherwise, little things like backgrounds, the lore and proficiency systems and the (much improved) optional feat system are all useful and don't bug me at the table. I really like the system, since I love the idea of "D&D" being actual D&D again.
ReplyDeleteI finally got a chance to play the latest version and I dug it too. I've been playing alot of DCC, so it was really similar to that in terms of power level and speed of play. In comparison to that game, the spells were a lot simpler.
ReplyDeleteI agree with others, I'm happiest not to look up Saving Throw charts and skill points, and I don't mind the little bump of extra spells and special moves all the classes get.