D&D players - do you prefer 5e, or an older version?

Godfather Punk · January 25, 2021, 07:07:57 AM

I started in the late 80's with AD&D and later a few sessions on 2e.
Then the group tried about anything else that came around the corner (RQ, CoC, MERP, D6 Star Wars, Shadowrun, JB007, Gurps 3, Savage Worlds, Toon, etc..)
When 3e came out, we played until level 7 or 8, but I dropped it when 3.5 was announced.
We played a lot of 4E and enjoyed it, but after a few years swithced to a WH3rd campaign.
I played some PF1, which was indeed a lot like 3.*
And now we're playing 5e for a bit over a year.

My preference? 4E, with 5e a close second. Fuck silex and rubbing sticks together, when you can use a lighter or matches.

Omega · January 25, 2021, 07:39:12 AM

Both.

I like BX and AD&D and have DMed those a long time. But 5e works for me and its easy to get new players into as basic is free.

Wicked Woodpecker of West · January 25, 2021, 08:01:56 AM

I'm mostly player of 3,5/Pathfinder mix.
I have lot of beefs with this system.

I like 2ed cRPGs, but they seems even clunkier and less rounded than 3e.

TBH I'd probably have to do my own version - sort of grimmer darker more deadly mix of all D&D's - but also with lot of customisation options from newer editions.

And definitely - monsters working on the same level as PC's like in 3.

Marchand · January 25, 2021, 08:48:20 AM

Quote from: Omega on January 25, 2021, 07:39:12 AM
But 5e works for me and its easy to get new players into as basic is free.

There are a load of free rulesets for earlier editions, too. Swords and Wizardry, OSRIC, Lab Lord, For Gold & Glory, Basic Fantasy etc.

Theory of Games · January 25, 2021, 10:00:16 AM

All I need:

"The new D&D is too rule intensive. It's relegated the Dungeon Master to being an entertainer rather than master of the game. It's done away with the archetypes, focused on nothing but combat and character power, lost the group cooperative aspect, bastardized the class-based system, and resembles a comic-book superheroes game more than a fantasy RPG where a player can play any alignment desired, not just lawful good." - G. Gygax (R.I.P.)

Wicked Woodpecker of West · January 25, 2021, 10:06:33 AM

This Gygax quote is so, so bad.

RandyB · January 25, 2021, 11:02:05 AM

AD&D. 1e as the base, with 2e materials as optional and supplemental.

JeffB · January 25, 2021, 01:06:55 PM

I prefer my OD&D/S&W variant/hack, 4E , C&C , and 13th Age. All of which *I* consider D&D. 13th Age is my personal fave to run. C&C and my OD&D/S&W hack are preferred by my players.

5E is a good set of rules, IMO. My players like it, but don't prefer it. I don't find it brings much to the table other games have not already, nor does the product model/line get me excited in the least to run it.

Eirikrautha · January 25, 2021, 01:14:11 PM

Quote from: Wicked Woodpecker of West on January 25, 2021, 10:06:33 AM
This Gygax quote is so, so bad.

And yet it is true...

Krugus · January 25, 2021, 01:36:11 PM

If we went back to playing D&D then it would be 2nd ED. I have a lot of 2nd ED stuff. Never bought 4th or 5th ED.

Reckall · January 25, 2021, 06:01:23 PM

Either Rules Cyclopedia with the Gazs or 3.5E/Pathfinder (I still think that the fluff in 3/3.5E is the best in all D&D and quite underrated).

Wicked Woodpecker of West · January 25, 2021, 06:01:48 PM

QuoteAnd yet it is true...

Nope. Especially beginning and end.

Snowman0147 · January 25, 2021, 06:09:17 PM

I go with Old School Essentials which is B/X.

Abraxus · January 25, 2021, 07:02:28 PM

Quote from: Wicked Woodpecker of West on January 25, 2021, 06:01:48 PM
Nope. Especially beginning and end.

Seconded.

Gygax rant has not aged well imo and it shows.

Mistwell · January 25, 2021, 08:09:29 PM

I will play any version of D&D with a decent group of people. The only version I've never played is 2e and that's just for lack of opportunity. I've played 2e adventures, and I own a bunch of 2e rulebooks, and it's a perfectly fine edition too.