Thoughts on D&D Next

I try to avoid discussing games other than Vampire the Masquerade, Werewolf the Apocalypse, Mage the Ascension and the other Classic World of Darkness games on this blog.  Plenty of blogs and podcasts exist for fans of Dungeons & Dragons and Pathfinder.  However, I’m going to take a moment and discuss D&D Next, which is the forthcoming version of Dungeons & Dragons.  Wizards of the Coast has just released their latest and final play test packet for free on their website. 

With that in mind, I’m going to talk about some suggestions that I have for the future of Dungeons & Dragons.  I’m not going to complain about a new edition.  I’m not going to make suggestions for how to improve the rules.   I’m not going to complain about 4th Edition or any edition.  What I am going to discuss are the things that I like about older editions of Dungeons & Dragons and how certain parts of those editions should be incorporated into D&D Next. 

These are broad suggestions and not rules suggestions.  I’m not an expert on rules and I know almost nothing about the development of RPGs, their marketing, etc.  I do know what I like and what I think makes an edition “better.”  In the case of D&D, I believe that a better edition is broader, offering a variety of settings and adventures for players.  D&D and more specifically AD&D was one of the first games that I played.  Even though Vampire the Masquerade is my favorite game, I still enjoy D&D and like many of you, I will continue to play D&D. I want D&D to do well, because it's always been the best medieval fantasy RPG. 

I suggest that all of you download and read this new play test packet.  Take a chance and play them.  This is a great time for role players because the development process has become democratic.  The fans can offer suggestions and ideas that will impact development of the system.  Take advantage of this, but make sure to provide constructive criticism.

With all that said, here are my suggestions:

1.  Stick with an Edition

Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Second Edition was released in 1989.  Dungeons and Dragons 3.0 was released in 2000.  D&D 3.5 was released in 2003.  4th Edition was released in 2008.  D&D Next will most likely be released in 2014.  It’s time for Dungeons and Dragons to settle down into one edition for more than five years.  Yes, I understand that WotC/Hasbro needs to make money, and they get the most money by releasing a new edition.  However, I’ve been hurt too many times by these rapidly changing editions. I know that I’m under no compulsion to purchase these new editions, but I want to.  I want to be a part of the new edition and the new conversations and the new adventures available in the newest edition. 

So, all I ask is that WotC sticks to an edition for at least 10 years.  10 years would give time for a new edition to mature.  It would allow the developers a chance to explore the new edition beyond just adding new classes.  They could add new campaign settings and revisit old ones.  Developers and writers need time to create these settings and adventures.  

2.  Explore New and Old Campaign Settings

One of the biggest problems with 3rd edition was the lack of campaign settings.  Eberron was released but many of the older campaign settings didn’t get updated.  Some, like Ravenloft, were even licensed to other companies.  It wasn’t until 4th edition that WotC printed new versions of Ravenloft and Dark Sun.  While Forgotten Realms has always received new editions, other settings have been pushed aside.  I believe that WotC should be publishing a new campaign setting each year. 

Starting by updating the two biggest campaign settings, Greyhawk and Forgotten Realms, and then branching out into other settings such as Dark Sun, Ravenloft and Planescape (oh please, new Planescape!  PLEASE!), WotC can provide not only provide new options for their players but they also get to make money by selling tons of new material.  Sure, it’s great fun to go back to old favorites, but WotC should create new settings for players to explore.  It’s been over a decade since Eberron, the last major new setting to be released.  The developers have a chance to offer something new for players rather than more of the same. 

 3.  Bring Back Campaign Box Sets

I like box sets.  I love pulling the shrink wrap off a box, opening it up and finding all kinds of books and adventures and maps and posters inside.  Unfortunately, WotC has moved away from box sets.  In third edition, WotC released the Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide as a single box with a map glued to the inside back cover.  Boxed campaign settings provide a great way of packaging a lot of material together but in separate books with lots of additional material that can bring a setting to life.  Having separate books for players and the DM and putting an introductory adventure in another book makes it much easier for everyone to reference material at the table.  I’m not sure if these are still economically viable in the changing RPG market, but box sets offer a great introductory product for a campaign setting. 

 

4.  Produce Less Class Books

Players love new character classes and new prestige classes.  Players love options.  I love options and I love new prestige classes.  However, at some point, these books are less about options and more about escalation.  The biggest lesson that I learned from D&D 3.0 was that players love to stack character classes and prestige classes to build the most optimized and badass character that they can get away with.  And if WotC offers too many of these options, players will start building Pun Pun or worse.  I’m not against new versions of the Fighter’s Handbook or the Complete Fighter, but eventually, there will be too many of these books and too many options.  Then the system will deform as players and DMs seek new combinations for more and more powerful games. 

 

5.  Produce More and Better Adventures

Every old school Dungeons & Dragons player has a story about encounters in Keep on the Borderlands or Expedition to the Barrier Peaks.  Just saying The Tomb of Horrors evokes images of despair even from players who have never delved into that dungeon.  Most third edition players have a story about the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil.  Like campaign settings, WotC should produce more adventures and more importantly WotC should create new adventures for players.  Paizo, the publishers of Pathfinder, has shown that good adventures are the cornerstone of a good role playing system.  

I hope that all of you will take a moment to look at the new play test packet for D&D Next.  WotC has put together an amazing play test packet that includes all of the familiar character classes, rules for multi-classing, a bestiary, a how to play guide, and several adventures.  This is as complete of a document as one can expect, and it’s entirely free.  (Unlike Fantasy Flight Games’ Edge of the Empire role playing game which charged for their beta test packets.)  Try playing a session or two of the new system.  Explore this new game, and remember that D&D is not only the grandfather of all role-playing games but it’s also the bellwether of the industry.  I hope that D&D Next is not just a great system, but that it’s also successful.  I also hope that they release a Planescape Campaign Setting Box Set really really soon!  
I'd love to hear your opinion on D&D Next.  As always just leave a comment below!