The synergy between the DnD channels is really cool. Feels like a news community, but individuals not corporations, and built on working together instead of screwing each other over for the latest story.
Perhaps it is just how the suggestions work, for "my viewing" or however they do the recommended page, but unfortunately I see 2 different communities for DnD. Most sync up and "play nice" but then there are those who get recommended to me that seem to be against the others. Like, real drama stirring and insulting against. Probably because I clicked one anti-video about a woodworking company, I don't know. I like to hear differing view points (for or against the new DH for example) but I don't get why they then also go against the creators.
In a conversation I once had with Mr. Gygax, he told us that the real secret is that all you need to play are these and your imagination, and he held up a d20 and a pencil, always ruling over rules. The big three, "Have Fun", "Don't Be Afraid to Try Anything", and "The DM is always right!".😀
The DM is always right if the DM is at least half as brilliant as Gygax. If the story being told off the cuff is middling at best, it's best to follow the rules.
I hate being in the age category (re: grognard) where one of my favorite or at least nostalgic celebrities seem to die each week. RiP Mr Ward. Thank you for years of happiness and enjoyment.
Is it a balance patch? And between what? Casters and Martials? I'm not to sure it about that, and I am certain it isn't helping with balance between player characters and monsters.
I believe the core of these changes is to support their VTT, not to address real issues. Will they fix a few things along the way? Sure, but not without mucking up stuff that was fine already for the sake of easier videogame... I mean VTT coding.
I've been running Dragon Bane at my local game store and it's made a few of the players realize that they were getting major 5e fatigue and didn't even know it. The things they thought they'd hate about Dragon Bane like fewer HP and character options ended up being their favorite part. But alas, Free League doesn't have Hasbro's marketing budget.
That's why this game is excellent: you fear to kill your character and you have to play with caution. You want beefy character and epic combat, then go for D&D5e, it's made for that but like everyone is saying, after the 7th level, it's no more fun at all...
I can attest to this as well. Learning one game opens up the door to learning others through commonalities. Four Against Darkness, through its solo-centric system, introduced me to dungeon crawling and random tables, which helped me understand OD&D through White Box. White Box helped me understand Basic Fantasy. Another game, Olde Swords Reign helped me understand 5e through its use of White Box's design philosophy applied to 5e's mechanical base. Never think you can't learn a new game just because the first you tried was a time sink. That effort to learn makes further learning easier over time. Kind of a lesson for real life too, come to think of it.
Yeah, I took Bob's survey. I think D&D has always suffered at the hands of whatever company that owned the IP, starting when TSR fired Arneson. That's when I started writing my own rule set.
7:07 The reason why campaigns start to break down at seven is because of a breakdown of game design. Gold power starts to mean less, levels start to drag, level benefits are less thought out. If it were just about options we would expect a game like 3.5 to break down sooner, yet it didn't. Games typically went on past level 10 and were largely halted by game balance problems, not option problems.
Question: when you say balance problems, do you mean in relation to monsters or the characters functioning in the setting? I've frequently seen non-epic (not beholders) monsters because of their stats, abilities or flavor text be very game breaking for their CR. The type of thing that when you look at a CR 6 creature and see it destroying a local area unopposed and then expect a full lvl 6 party struggle against it? Or do you mean that the PC's themselves get out of balance vs the local mayor and become despots of a local town?
Agreed. In 3.5 we often played characters at levels 7-12 and had a lot of fun. That's where you could also go with all the non-standard stuff like vampire and half-dragon PCs to just screw around.
I've never personally seen a game in any edition go past level 8, and that was a weird exception since most peter out at level 2 or 3 in my experience. Or you have the one guy who wanted to play a Chaotic Evil Fighter in a team mostly of Lawful Good Paladins and Chaotic Good Mages rage quit partway through the first session because he was upset at a game mechanic limiting how many spaces he can move on the board during his turn and he'd have to wait until the _second_ round of the tutorial combat to kill people with his melee weapons.
@@RoninCatholic 3e allowed you to play as monsters, but had level adjustments to balance them out. Thus if we wanted to play a team consisting of a liche, a vampire, a Darkling, and a dwarven cleric (yes that actually happened), we had to start the cleric at a much higher level than the rest of the party. Personally, I only really had two problem players in my gaming history: one that decided to take revenge on the party for his own incompetence leading to his character dying, and another one that would randomly kill people.
I'm shocked how much I'm enjoying Pathfinder 2. After 3.5 & Pathfinder 1, I didn't think I'd shift systems again, but I'll actually buy Pathfinder 2 products. I just use online guides for D&D 5e, won't buy the books.
If you pay close attention to Paizo, they are no different than WotC. They have taken some incredibly bad actions in the past few years that is just as bad (or worse) than WotC. I wouldn't give either company any of my money.
I had a similar experience and was pleasantly surprised with PF2e. They addressed many of the issues I had with the previous edition and streamlined things nicely. Love the new action economy.
Thanks for the shout-out about James Ward. That's one of many reasons... I love ALL Dungeoncraft content. I know you see what I did there. Myself, I'm trying to work out a TTRPG that's a Mashup of Runequest, BECMI, DnD1e, 5e, and Pathfinder 1e. I'm trying to get the simulation feel with the speed and ease of more modern games. It's difficult to accomplish.
RIP Jim. Your work on Greyhawk and AD&D is beloved by me. Prof DM - another great video. I enjoyed the extra interaction with being able to play along when I went to the survey. Might be neat to figure out other ways to do this periodically.
Professor DM just gained 42 cool points for the Talking Heads reference, and for the respectful acknowledgement of the passing of Mr. Ward and his numerous contributions to the game we all love.
Rest well James Ward, and enjoy your new adventure. I took the survey from Bobs link yesterday and my responses were more negative than yours Professor. Love your videos and the fact that you are a snappy dresser! Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks PDM. Good answers. Personally, I'm not with you on the corporate thing. Reckon they'll probably kill us all for short term pleasures, but I get that you're from stock market land and work in the kind of Ivy League surroundings founded by East India Company dodgy cash. There's definitely more centuries of 'institutional thickness' in the discourse propping up the status quo than my anarcho-pinko notions - lol Still think you're a total star. Keep posting 'em. I love to hear what you have to say!
I don’t always drink Dos Equis, but when I do I love all Dungeon Craft, Lunch Break Heroes, and Bob the World Builder videos. I also like to pretend like I can thwart an algorithm in my own personal struggle against the machine that I chose as my slavers.
I took Bob's survey. I'm not as neutral on Hasbro/WoTC. Their actions, both recently, and Habro's historically, have put them very low in my opinion. I'd love to see D&D get sold to someone else. Until it does, Hasbro has gotten it's last penny from me, in every way that I know I can stop it. My penny doesn't add to much, to them, but it's valuable to me as much for my principles as my wallet. I have my D&D stuff. I still intend to use it. If I require more, I'm looking for it though the secondary market. As for the hobby shops, they still get my money, but on other systems (which, I'm honestly glad I started branching out into - it has rekindled a lot of my imagination and ideas for my own business venture adjacent to TTRPGs). The only issue that is less black and white for me is the staff at either part of the company who genuinely love working on D&D, have a love for TTRPGs, and are fans and players as well as creators. And it's because they are usually the first to feel the pinch from the C-suite exOrcutives, that I am firmed in my resolve to not give Hasbro more money but know that it hurts the same people I do fear will pay for it ultimately. That's a hard line to walk, and I feel the wobble.
The first moments of a youtube video are the most crucial for snagging your audience and keeping retention high. I respect the hell out of you for opening by honoring James Ward.
I'm not shocked by WoTC, but i did stop buying their products shortly before the OGL crisis. I think i was mad about some other scandal, then i got burned dumping like $500 into Dominaria for the memories. I've washed my hands now and play Shadowdark and a host of other things. Why did i type this?
First, thank you for the tribute to James Ward. He made such an impact to all of us. Next, I agree with you on several points. However, I absolutely LOVE adding races to the game. I have played the Tortle as a Cleric and I am currently playing a Ratatosk (squirrel-folk from Kobold Press) as a rogue. In my other games (as a GM) my players all choose what they would like to play (race/class) that fits with the campaign’s theme. I do understand your position and preference to the classic and gritty dungeon-crawl. Great video as always!
I always enjoy the tone of your channel, it’s rare to find anything nuanced on TH-cam so I am grateful my hobby has a guy like you creating video, content and commentary for it.
RIP James I very honored to have been a FB friend and llistening to yur advice over the years made me a better DM and I will never forget you, condolenses to his Family and his close friends.
They're reasonable answers. May disagree but, I can easily see how many others can have a positive outlook on 5e and the current status. To quote my 5e DM: If I get a last min notice that people are free to run, it takes me 15 min to come up with an adventure that people can have fun with.
I love and totally agree with your monologue on what dnd is and what makes it fun. I just watched a 2.5h video on the entire history of RPGs and it all starts in 1974 with TSR's dnd.
You hit the nail on the head on how i feel about 5e. I'd be cool with a game limited to books up to about XGE. But the reason i don't play 5e anymore is because everyone wants to play some brony/furry/barbie dreamhouse version of the game.
I loved the video and took the survey. I get that mega corporations are ruthless and greedy as a norm, but because something is common practice, it doesn't make it virtuous, or even acceptable. Always stand up for what you believe in.
I'm not much younger than you Professor, yet its interesting how we diverged on our preferences. Your reference to "rulings, not rules" I have been referring to as "DM fiat", and some bad experiences with that early on in my rpg career pushed me toward the more rules-based design and embracing battlemaps. Anything to minimise being "screwed" by the DM making arbitrary desicions that always tended to favour the bad guys than the players. There are many DMs out there who are incapable of being impartial or fair, but being impartial and fair as a DM is something I have always strived to be because of those experiences. I think DMs like this are in the minority and thus there has been that progression away from "rulings not rules"/"DM fiat" as a result. It's a tough thing to balance. I agree wholeheartedly on the scaling issues for higher level play (since 3rd to be honest) and the high PC survivability that has crept in to each subsequent edition - though I think BECMI and 1st edition is too harsh when one swing of a sword can end a character with no chance to bandage or stabilise - that's not fun to me or most players in my experience (though on a nat 20 I'd entertain it but that's a house rule then).
I'm very old school. Been playing D&D since Feb, 1977. Seen all the changes. When 3rd ed came out, I read a friend's copy and said, "They comic booked the game." I didn't buy and kept playing A2e. When 4th ed came out, I again read someone else's copy. To that version I said, "Now they've video gamed it." I didn't buy and kept playing A2e. I never bothered to read 5e until Covid forced me onto VTTs (and thus 5e) just to keep playing. I still prefer A2e, but can't get a reliably regular group together for it. So, I'm stuck with 5e on VTT. When the 'new' system is released, I'll look at it. But I won't buy it. If I can't continue playing without paying out another ton of cash... then I'll retire. 47 years and some change.wull have to do. To quote the inimitable Fort Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."
Thanks again for sharing your perspective. Your videos have helped me a lot in reacquainting myself with the ttrpg world and community over the last couple of years after a 15 year hiatus. Keep up the great work
Even if I thought D&D 5e was a good system - which I sincerely don't - I'd not play a Wizards/Hasbro product. I care about the TTRPG community as a whole.
I personally think the "giant corpos are gunna do what they do" argument for being neutral on them is crazy to me. They are going to do the worst thing for the customer and best thing fro their wallets, which i do not feel neutral about at all XD I feel very negatively about it in fact. Just because "that's how it is" doesn't mean I should expect to be complacent in it. Not being surprised at their decisions does not leave me neutral, it keeps me mad.
Personally, I love DnD and about a dozen other tabletop games. That being said, I do not like the current holders of it and if I can I will avoid them. I do not believe they are professional in their past dealings (and with the past owners/family of the IP) and the blatant lies they are telling now regarding things the fans and players care about, such as A.I. I won't discourage others from playing it if they want and I still make adjustments to the rules to fit us. And yes, I recognize that AI is a tool, and it will be getting used by more and more people and companies. My grump with it is they said it WOULD NOT be used, at all, and multiple times they were "caught" going back on their word.
I must say you recommending the essentials kit was definitely a good choice. I ran it myself for a year and with a few adjustments I somehow managed to squeeze a few extra levels into it and got the players to level 9 upon beating the whole scenario.
The Super Hero style game is what has been getting to irk me... The idea of "Normal People" rising to Epic Challenges excites me! But even a Level 1 character in d&d seems more like an Olympic Athlete (that has magic) than a Normal Person (called to Terrible Destiny)....
Thank you, I was thinking that I was the only one thinking that BECMI is the best edition. The Mystara setting still remains my favorite setting for going from the deadly serious to the wacky (Orcs of Thar)....
I like the fact that my issues with 5th edition are for the most part the same as yours. I add in the fact that psionics aren't in the game, Pathfinder 1st edition still has the best rules IMO with so many of the old loopholes closed off. Thanks for the upload , love the channel!
I’m with you PDM. Moldvay Basic is my favorite of all the editions - it was my first D&D set and I spent many happy hours reading and re-reading that red book. The Erol Otus cover art is still my favorite.
Saying "that's just what big corporations do" is a cop-out. Big companies also steal the hard work of others, dump chemicals into residential water supplies, and claim their vehicles have passed inspections which they haven't. Just because they do it doesn't mean we should tolerate it.
I was running 5E but it was home brewed heavily by me. I was happy with the core rules and the changes I made, but as more and more fake controversies were created to force change on 5E to a dumpster fire it has become I stopped. I am currently playing old early versions of D&D (nothing past 2E) and Metamorphosis Alpha. I am considering purchasing some new modern games. I am also working on a project with a different TTRPG company, and I can only say their vision of what a TTRPG is not WotC’s. So I am not on board with WotC’s master plan, continued assault of old creators of TSR products, the continual false claim of prejudice at the game table in ye olden times, so right now very unhappy with WotC. I may be typing up my tables rules for 5E as honestly it had started to become a new game.. but I gots projects that take precedence. I just have zero faith in WotC right now to produce a game I can get behind.
As far as Open vs Closed Systems - OD&D was an open system and the closed system started with AD&D & B/X - both a reaction to the closed system of RuneQuest and Chaosium. I certainly suggest reading any of Robert Kuntz books about the origins of D&D - "The True Genius of Dave Arneson" or "The 4th Category" to get a full sense of what that means. But D&D with more rules, modules, and settings is part of the closed system.
I love all your videos! I also agree with a lot of your takes here. The thought I would like to push back on is the direction of the company. I agree with your reasoning that big companies are going to act like big companies but I don't like that the company appears to be taking the cash before quality route more often of late, particularly where DnD is concerned. As I'm seeing this as a newer development over the last year or two, I'd say that I don't like the direction they're going even if I understand it and am not surprised by it. Thanks for your thoughts!
RIP Jim Ward. Gamma World 1e was my second RPG after Boot Hill. I have it on my table as I am about to run a post apocalyptic one shot for a group of 40-50somethings. Those flowcharts!
I just stumbled across Tales of Argosa, a revision to Low Fantasy Gaming, that seems to incorporate rules and draw inspiration from a broad range of OSR titles while maintaining the best of modern d20 game design. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
This was an exceptionally good and honest video. I also took Bob's survey and found myself fairly neutral on Wizard's themselves. Frankly, if the surveys would have separated Hasbro from Wizards and asked for them individually, I might have been a little more favorable towards Wizards because I really like some of their staff and I think that reflects positively on them. Hasbro, though...
I have abandoned WOTC. 5E as released had some problems with overpowered, virtually immortal characters, then they went for maximum power creep. It is for all intents a super slow video game played in god mode. The players who are attracted and want to play bunnies and frogs and cry when their character fails to kill the terrasque with one hit. I have started running Gumshoe based games and while it is hard to put a group together they seem to understand that everybody doesn't win.
Boxed Sets for the win: Include One Rule Book, One Module, AT LEAST 4 minis, 7 dice, 1 two sided map or geomorph. If believe it was the 3rd Edition box set that provided all of the above.
I remember being so impressed with 3rd. It's customization and options. "Rules for everything". I found the older versions too restrictive, like all fighters were identical and only the weapon choice and the 18/00 strength to set them apart (other than personality/RP of course). Now I lean way more towards rules light. I see the trap of rules for everything being now you NEED to have a feat or option to try things.
You are far more generous than me! Truth be told: DnD has always suffered from terrible management decisions. The main difference I see is that during TSR days, they also hired creative geniuses to come up with amazing products; now-a-days they simply try to milk old ideas for every last cent (usually while disparaging the very legacy material they're trying to squeeze more money from).
Love the content and this is a story that needs covering! My schooling in designing surveys makes me look at these things differently from most and this survey was AWFUL. It was either built by some one who was trying to gather good vibes for shareholders and some exec board or it was at best half baked before being made live. Plus, it wasn't very widely promoted and I think that had to be deliberate.
D&D 3/3.5 was more modular and a better product than 5. I love other games far more, DCC, D6 Star Wars, Savage World's, even D&D 1st & 2nd ed. The reason 5th ed doesn't go much past 7th level is the rules break and GMs quit.
So glad you acknowledged James Ward. His contributions to the entire RPG hobby cannot be overstated.
Time to drag Gamma World out again.
@@jamesmaclennan4525And Metamorphosis Alpha...
I think you meant to say "overstated." If it can't be overstated, no matter how high you praise his contributions, you haven't overstated it.
@@davidfinch7407 Thank you, sir. 🙂 Thanks to Jim for his contributions as well.
@@iliasmastoris529 which i have the collectors edition off
The synergy between the DnD channels is really cool. Feels like a news community, but individuals not corporations, and built on working together instead of screwing each other over for the latest story.
Perhaps it is just how the suggestions work, for "my viewing" or however they do the recommended page, but unfortunately I see 2 different communities for DnD. Most sync up and "play nice" but then there are those who get recommended to me that seem to be against the others. Like, real drama stirring and insulting against. Probably because I clicked one anti-video about a woodworking company, I don't know. I like to hear differing view points (for or against the new DH for example) but I don't get why they then also go against the creators.
@@RoseKindredDungeoncraft on one end and neckbeardiattrpg on the other end--what a time to be alive.
Fully agree and hope this continues
Prof DM with the subtle nod to Colville’s “dooblydoo”. 😊
Thanks. The creators in this space are very friendly with each other. And we hang out occasionally. (Bob once killed my character, BTW.)
In a conversation I once had with Mr. Gygax, he told us that the real secret is that all you need to play are these and your imagination, and he held up a d20 and a pencil, always ruling over rules. The big three, "Have Fun", "Don't Be Afraid to Try Anything", and "The DM is always right!".😀
I approve this message...
Yup.
THAT defines D&D. Not whichever corporate entity happens to hold copyright at any given time. ❤
Wizards has shot itself in the foot, fire the entire management team.@@JO-uy6zs
The DM is always right if the DM is at least half as brilliant as Gygax. If the story being told off the cuff is middling at best, it's best to follow the rules.
Thanks for acknowledging Ward’s contributions and his passing
Much respect. Always.
I hate being in the age category (re: grognard) where one of my favorite or at least nostalgic celebrities seem to die each week. RiP Mr Ward. Thank you for years of happiness and enjoyment.
Hail to the old school, when being a nerd meant that you needed to hide it.
Ditto.
It makes a little sad that it's the 50th anniversary and we're basically getting a balance patch.
Lol. True.
Is it a balance patch? And between what? Casters and Martials? I'm not to sure it about that, and I am certain it isn't helping with balance between player characters and monsters.
I believe the core of these changes is to support their VTT, not to address real issues. Will they fix a few things along the way? Sure, but not without mucking up stuff that was fine already for the sake of easier videogame... I mean VTT coding.
I've been running Dragon Bane at my local game store and it's made a few of the players realize that they were getting major 5e fatigue and didn't even know it. The things they thought they'd hate about Dragon Bane like fewer HP and character options ended up being their favorite part. But alas, Free League doesn't have Hasbro's marketing budget.
That's why this game is excellent: you fear to kill your character and you have to play with caution. You want beefy character and epic combat, then go for D&D5e, it's made for that but like everyone is saying, after the 7th level, it's no more fun at all...
I’ve always described an RPG ruleset as a language. Hearing you refer to RPG’s the same way convinces me that we are both brilliant.
I can attest to this as well. Learning one game opens up the door to learning others through commonalities. Four Against Darkness, through its solo-centric system, introduced me to dungeon crawling and random tables, which helped me understand OD&D through White Box. White Box helped me understand Basic Fantasy. Another game, Olde Swords Reign helped me understand 5e through its use of White Box's design philosophy applied to 5e's mechanical base.
Never think you can't learn a new game just because the first you tried was a time sink. That effort to learn makes further learning easier over time. Kind of a lesson for real life too, come to think of it.
You've convinced me. You ARE brilliant!
RIP Mr. James...
Yeah, I took Bob's survey.
I think D&D has always suffered at the hands of whatever company that owned the IP, starting when TSR fired Arneson. That's when I started writing my own rule set.
It has really suffered since hasbeen bought it up. Those morons wouldn't know good game design if it came up and ripped off their backsides.
I love ALL dungeon craft videos.
Also, great nod to Ward, heard about it through the Troll Lord guys, sad news for the TTRPG world for sure
7:07 The reason why campaigns start to break down at seven is because of a breakdown of game design. Gold power starts to mean less, levels start to drag, level benefits are less thought out. If it were just about options we would expect a game like 3.5 to break down sooner, yet it didn't. Games typically went on past level 10 and were largely halted by game balance problems, not option problems.
Question: when you say balance problems, do you mean in relation to monsters or the characters functioning in the setting?
I've frequently seen non-epic (not beholders) monsters because of their stats, abilities or flavor text be very game breaking for their CR. The type of thing that when you look at a CR 6 creature and see it destroying a local area unopposed and then expect a full lvl 6 party struggle against it?
Or do you mean that the PC's themselves get out of balance vs the local mayor and become despots of a local town?
@@TchHry The PCs get out of balance with each other.
Agreed. In 3.5 we often played characters at levels 7-12 and had a lot of fun. That's where you could also go with all the non-standard stuff like vampire and half-dragon PCs to just screw around.
I've never personally seen a game in any edition go past level 8, and that was a weird exception since most peter out at level 2 or 3 in my experience. Or you have the one guy who wanted to play a Chaotic Evil Fighter in a team mostly of Lawful Good Paladins and Chaotic Good Mages rage quit partway through the first session because he was upset at a game mechanic limiting how many spaces he can move on the board during his turn and he'd have to wait until the _second_ round of the tutorial combat to kill people with his melee weapons.
@@RoninCatholic 3e allowed you to play as monsters, but had level adjustments to balance them out. Thus if we wanted to play a team consisting of a liche, a vampire, a Darkling, and a dwarven cleric (yes that actually happened), we had to start the cleric at a much higher level than the rest of the party.
Personally, I only really had two problem players in my gaming history: one that decided to take revenge on the party for his own incompetence leading to his character dying, and another one that would randomly kill people.
I'm shocked how much I'm enjoying Pathfinder 2.
After 3.5 & Pathfinder 1, I didn't think I'd shift systems again, but I'll actually buy Pathfinder 2 products.
I just use online guides for D&D 5e, won't buy the books.
If you pay close attention to Paizo, they are no different than WotC. They have taken some incredibly bad actions in the past few years that is just as bad (or worse) than WotC. I wouldn't give either company any of my money.
I had a similar experience and was pleasantly surprised with PF2e. They addressed many of the issues I had with the previous edition and streamlined things nicely. Love the new action economy.
PF2 is Tight!
PF2e is amazing and my group loves it.
The 3-action economy is amazing and makes the game easier to grasp.
Thanks for the shout-out about James Ward.
That's one of many reasons...
I love ALL Dungeoncraft content.
I know you see what I did there.
Myself, I'm trying to work out a TTRPG that's a Mashup of Runequest, BECMI, DnD1e, 5e, and Pathfinder 1e. I'm trying to get the simulation feel with the speed and ease of more modern games.
It's difficult to accomplish.
I suggest leaving out most 5e rotting garbage elements.
RIP Jim. Your work on Greyhawk and AD&D is beloved by me. Prof DM - another great video. I enjoyed the extra interaction with being able to play along when I went to the survey. Might be neat to figure out other ways to do this periodically.
Glad you enjoyed it!
Thanks for sharing. Also saw Bob’s video and not surprised that Wizards squashed the survey straight-away
It was just funny how fast that happened.
Professor DM just gained 42 cool points for the Talking Heads reference, and for the respectful acknowledgement of the passing of Mr. Ward and his numerous contributions to the game we all love.
RIP Jimes, I love all Dungeon Craft videos.
Can we do a documentary on Jim Ward?
Rest well James Ward, and enjoy your new adventure.
I took the survey from Bobs link yesterday and my responses were more negative than yours Professor. Love your videos and the fact that you are a snappy dresser! Keep up the amazing work!
Thanks PDM.
Good answers.
Personally, I'm not with you on the corporate thing. Reckon they'll probably kill us all for short term pleasures, but I get that you're from stock market land and work in the kind of Ivy League surroundings founded by East India Company dodgy cash. There's definitely more centuries of 'institutional thickness' in the discourse propping up the status quo than my anarcho-pinko notions - lol
Still think you're a total star.
Keep posting 'em. I love to hear what you have to say!
I'm right there with you on this.
Thanks. Fortunately, corporations can't kill us--then there would be no more stuff to buy!
You're a good man PDM with a good heart.
Need more like you.
Best
I appreciate the kind words about James Ward, and thank you for sharing the link for BWB's survey.
I don’t always drink Dos Equis, but when I do I love all Dungeon Craft, Lunch Break Heroes, and Bob the World Builder videos.
I also like to pretend like I can thwart an algorithm in my own personal struggle against the machine that I chose as my slavers.
Thank you for the struggle!
Our group just dropped back to playing 2nd edition. Been enjoying it.
I took Bob's survey. I'm not as neutral on Hasbro/WoTC. Their actions, both recently, and Habro's historically, have put them very low in my opinion. I'd love to see D&D get sold to someone else. Until it does, Hasbro has gotten it's last penny from me, in every way that I know I can stop it. My penny doesn't add to much, to them, but it's valuable to me as much for my principles as my wallet.
I have my D&D stuff. I still intend to use it. If I require more, I'm looking for it though the secondary market. As for the hobby shops, they still get my money, but on other systems (which, I'm honestly glad I started branching out into - it has rekindled a lot of my imagination and ideas for my own business venture adjacent to TTRPGs).
The only issue that is less black and white for me is the staff at either part of the company who genuinely love working on D&D, have a love for TTRPGs, and are fans and players as well as creators. And it's because they are usually the first to feel the pinch from the C-suite exOrcutives, that I am firmed in my resolve to not give Hasbro more money but know that it hurts the same people I do fear will pay for it ultimately. That's a hard line to walk, and I feel the wobble.
Rest in peace Mr. Ward. You changed the world and brought joy.
The first moments of a youtube video are the most crucial for snagging your audience and keeping retention high. I respect the hell out of you for opening by honoring James Ward.
He is worth honoring.
I'm not shocked by WoTC, but i did stop buying their products shortly before the OGL crisis. I think i was mad about some other scandal, then i got burned dumping like $500 into Dominaria for the memories. I've washed my hands now and play Shadowdark and a host of other things.
Why did i type this?
I'm surprised that with so many Moldvay-Cook clones that the company hasn't pushed selling .pdf files of those rules more than they have.
First, thank you for the tribute to James Ward. He made such an impact to all of us.
Next, I agree with you on several points. However, I absolutely LOVE adding races to the game. I have played the Tortle as a Cleric and I am currently playing a Ratatosk (squirrel-folk from Kobold Press) as a rogue. In my other games (as a GM) my players all choose what they would like to play (race/class) that fits with the campaign’s theme. I do understand your position and preference to the classic and gritty dungeon-crawl.
Great video as always!
That's cool. If you like them, I support you.
Dungeon Craft videos are my most favorite videos on TH-cam! Thanks Professor DM for producing such great videos!
I love the discussion for each question, instead of just basic answers.
It's the best way to explain your viewpoint. Thanks for taking the time.
I always enjoy the tone of your channel, it’s rare to find anything nuanced on TH-cam so I am grateful my hobby has a guy like you creating video, content and commentary for it.
Dan you are so much nicer than I was. Sadly I only got to put it on BWB's version
I love all Dungeon Craft videos! The Professor and Seth Skorkowski putting out videos almost simultaneously today was a welcome surprise.
RIP James I very honored to have been a FB friend and llistening to yur advice over the years made me a better DM and I will never forget you, condolenses to his Family and his close friends.
He was a great man.
Actually his work on Metamorphosis Alpha was the first science fiction roleplaying game, gamma world was later
I love how all you TH-camrs communicate and help each other out.
Thanks to your episode earlier this month, I’ll never pass by another one without watching. Great work!
Love Dungeon Craft for the content that they create. If you see this Professor, your Daggerheart video still has a typo in the title.
thanks for sharing the survey in the description below👍
No problem 👍 Thanks for using it.
hopefully the results are reflective and helpful
Dungeoncraft always has insightful observations about the state of the TTRPG industry. But I'm looking forward to the DM Screen episode...
Cool
I’ll take the survey too
Only a little surprised by your answers
They're reasonable answers.
May disagree but, I can easily see how many others can have a positive outlook on 5e and the current status.
To quote my 5e DM: If I get a last min notice that people are free to run, it takes me 15 min to come up with an adventure that people can have fun with.
Rest in power, Jim. Gamma World was my first TTRPG to actually play. Thank you, James Ward. Thank you for all you do, Dungeon Craft!
Great designer. He will be missed.
I love and totally agree with your monologue on what dnd is and what makes it fun. I just watched a 2.5h video on the entire history of RPGs and it all starts in 1974 with TSR's dnd.
R.I.P Jame Ward! Gamma World was my jam back in the 1980s. Thank you!
Holy shit I just watched an interview Mr. Ward did with a lesser known D&D channel last week
That's a goddamn shame, gods be with him
You hit the nail on the head on how i feel about 5e. I'd be cool with a game limited to books up to about XGE. But the reason i don't play 5e anymore is because everyone wants to play some brony/furry/barbie dreamhouse version of the game.
I loved the video and took the survey. I get that mega corporations are ruthless and greedy as a norm, but because something is common practice, it doesn't make it virtuous, or even acceptable. Always stand up for what you believe in.
I'm not much younger than you Professor, yet its interesting how we diverged on our preferences. Your reference to "rulings, not rules" I have been referring to as "DM fiat", and some bad experiences with that early on in my rpg career pushed me toward the more rules-based design and embracing battlemaps. Anything to minimise being "screwed" by the DM making arbitrary desicions that always tended to favour the bad guys than the players. There are many DMs out there who are incapable of being impartial or fair, but being impartial and fair as a DM is something I have always strived to be because of those experiences. I think DMs like this are in the minority and thus there has been that progression away from "rulings not rules"/"DM fiat" as a result. It's a tough thing to balance. I agree wholeheartedly on the scaling issues for higher level play (since 3rd to be honest) and the high PC survivability that has crept in to each subsequent edition - though I think BECMI and 1st edition is too harsh when one swing of a sword can end a character with no chance to bandage or stabilise - that's not fun to me or most players in my experience (though on a nat 20 I'd entertain it but that's a house rule then).
I'm very old school. Been playing D&D since Feb, 1977. Seen all the changes. When 3rd ed came out, I read a friend's copy and said, "They comic booked the game." I didn't buy and kept playing A2e. When 4th ed came out, I again read someone else's copy. To that version I said, "Now they've video gamed it." I didn't buy and kept playing A2e.
I never bothered to read 5e until Covid forced me onto VTTs (and thus 5e) just to keep playing.
I still prefer A2e, but can't get a reliably regular group together for it. So, I'm stuck with 5e on VTT.
When the 'new' system is released, I'll look at it. But I won't buy it. If I can't continue playing without paying out another ton of cash... then I'll retire. 47 years and some change.wull have to do.
To quote the inimitable Fort Gump, "That's all I have to say about that."
Thanks again for sharing your perspective. Your videos have helped me a lot in reacquainting myself with the ttrpg world and community over the last couple of years after a 15 year hiatus. Keep up the great work
Jim was always so pleasant the few times we spoke. RIP, sir.
Even if I thought D&D 5e was a good system - which I sincerely don't - I'd not play a Wizards/Hasbro product. I care about the TTRPG community as a whole.
Alright, you're making some real dumb arguments here and intentionally conflating wizards game and TTRPG.
I'm unsubscribing.
You also like to put people out of work so you can feel good for punishing a company for basically nothing.
Nobody cares go clean your attic
I personally think the "giant corpos are gunna do what they do" argument for being neutral on them is crazy to me. They are going to do the worst thing for the customer and best thing fro their wallets, which i do not feel neutral about at all XD I feel very negatively about it in fact. Just because "that's how it is" doesn't mean I should expect to be complacent in it. Not being surprised at their decisions does not leave me neutral, it keeps me mad.
Personally, I love DnD and about a dozen other tabletop games. That being said, I do not like the current holders of it and if I can I will avoid them. I do not believe they are professional in their past dealings (and with the past owners/family of the IP) and the blatant lies they are telling now regarding things the fans and players care about, such as A.I.
I won't discourage others from playing it if they want and I still make adjustments to the rules to fit us.
And yes, I recognize that AI is a tool, and it will be getting used by more and more people and companies. My grump with it is they said it WOULD NOT be used, at all, and multiple times they were "caught" going back on their word.
I must say you recommending the essentials kit was definitely a good choice. I ran it myself for a year and with a few adjustments I somehow managed to squeeze a few extra levels into it and got the players to level 9 upon beating the whole scenario.
Nice!
"Crosseyed and Painless" is such a good jam. Love that reference.
You're welcome.
Love the non biased takes, Professor. Excellent discussion points as always
I would love to see a contrasting poll, gauging the popularity and satisfaction of Baldur's Gate 3 versus the tabletop game.
BG3 is a little over-rated its not D&D and its not DOS, personally i would have rather just had a Divinity 3.
Respect to James Ward!
The Super Hero style game is what has been getting to irk me... The idea of "Normal People" rising to Epic Challenges excites me!
But even a Level 1 character in d&d seems more like an Olympic Athlete (that has magic) than a Normal Person (called to Terrible Destiny)....
Love Dungeon Craft. When WotC made Aragorn black in MTG, I was OUT. Never again WotC. You made my banned list.
Thank you, I was thinking that I was the only one thinking that BECMI is the best edition. The Mystara setting still remains my favorite setting for going from the deadly serious to the wacky (Orcs of Thar)....
I like the fact that my issues with 5th edition are for the most part the same as yours. I add in the fact that psionics aren't in the game, Pathfinder 1st edition still has the best rules IMO with so many of the old loopholes closed off. Thanks for the upload , love the channel!
I’m with you PDM. Moldvay Basic is my favorite of all the editions - it was my first D&D set and I spent many happy hours reading and re-reading that red book. The Erol Otus cover art is still my favorite.
BECMI was definitely the best! That is the one I played first. We really only played the Basic and Expert sets.
Saying "that's just what big corporations do" is a cop-out. Big companies also steal the hard work of others, dump chemicals into residential water supplies, and claim their vehicles have passed inspections which they haven't. Just because they do it doesn't mean we should tolerate it.
I was running 5E but it was home brewed heavily by me. I was happy with the core rules and the changes I made, but as more and more fake controversies were created to force change on 5E to a dumpster fire it has become I stopped. I am currently playing old early versions of D&D (nothing past 2E) and Metamorphosis Alpha. I am considering purchasing some new modern games. I am also working on a project with a different TTRPG company, and I can only say their vision of what a TTRPG is not WotC’s. So I am not on board with WotC’s master plan, continued assault of old creators of TSR products, the continual false claim of prejudice at the game table in ye olden times, so right now very unhappy with WotC. I may be typing up my tables rules for 5E as honestly it had started to become a new game.. but I gots projects that take precedence. I just have zero faith in WotC right now to produce a game I can get behind.
Great video and Thank You for supporting BWB! I watch all his videos and just subscribed to yours.
“D&D is a language and the variants are dialects” is fun and interesting analogy to think about. Great video I’m glad I rewatched
Thank you for your support!
I think I'm going to hold off and buy all the books when 8th edition comes out.
Thanks for mentioning Mr. James, he has some stellar stories and tips in his Facebook page. He will be sorely missed.
Love all of the Dungeon's Craft's videos. I am excited to see the results of the survey.
As far as Open vs Closed Systems - OD&D was an open system and the closed system started with AD&D & B/X - both a reaction to the closed system of RuneQuest and Chaosium.
I certainly suggest reading any of Robert Kuntz books about the origins of D&D - "The True Genius of Dave Arneson" or "The 4th Category" to get a full sense of what that means. But D&D with more rules, modules, and settings is part of the closed system.
RIP Mr. Ward. His works gave us so many good hours of amazing fun.
We crossed the rules not rulings Rubicon way back in the 70s with the release of AD&D.
Negative news always get more clicks. Glad you have a level headed analysis.
Always wanted a copy of Deities and Demigods that had the Cthulhu stuff in it. I'll have to flip through the "updated" copy today as tribute.
I love all your videos!
I also agree with a lot of your takes here. The thought I would like to push back on is the direction of the company. I agree with your reasoning that big companies are going to act like big companies but I don't like that the company appears to be taking the cash before quality route more often of late, particularly where DnD is concerned. As I'm seeing this as a newer development over the last year or two, I'd say that I don't like the direction they're going even if I understand it and am not surprised by it.
Thanks for your thoughts!
Took Bob's suvey, thanks for sharing the link.
My pleasure. He thanks you.
I love all of professors DM videos. I think I will watch them all today while I work
My inner nerd child was born in Gamma World in 1985. R.I.P Sir Ward, your contributions and creations will ripple out into infinity.
Love how you frame dnd as language and dialects. Thanks for another great video.
RIP Jim Ward. Gamma World 1e was my second RPG after Boot Hill. I have it on my table as I am about to run a post apocalyptic one shot for a group of 40-50somethings. Those flowcharts!
I just stumbled across Tales of Argosa, a revision to Low Fantasy Gaming, that seems to incorporate rules and draw inspiration from a broad range of OSR titles while maintaining the best of modern d20 game design. I'd love to hear your thoughts on it!
This was an exceptionally good and honest video. I also took Bob's survey and found myself fairly neutral on Wizard's themselves. Frankly, if the surveys would have separated Hasbro from Wizards and asked for them individually, I might have been a little more favorable towards Wizards because I really like some of their staff and I think that reflects positively on them. Hasbro, though...
Thanks for taking the time to comment and take the survey.
Landed on Shadow of the Demon Lord and not going back.
Sad to hear about Mr Ward. Condolences to his family and friends.
😢😢😢😢
I have abandoned WOTC. 5E as released had some problems with overpowered, virtually immortal characters, then they went for maximum power creep. It is for all intents a super slow video game played in god mode. The players who are attracted and want to play bunnies and frogs and cry when their character fails to kill the terrasque with one hit. I have started running Gumshoe based games and while it is hard to put a group together they seem to understand that everybody doesn't win.
The ruleset is the box of crayons we use to color a picture together. When I ask for the blue crayon, you know what I'm asking for. RIP Mr. Ward.
All of the kudos for using "in the doobily-doo below"!!!
I usually cal it a hooty doot! lol
@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 Not sure if they were first, but this always reminds me of John and Hank, the VLog Brothers. So... don't forget to be awesome!
Boxed Sets for the win: Include One Rule Book, One Module, AT LEAST 4 minis, 7 dice, 1 two sided map or geomorph.
If believe it was the 3rd Edition box set that provided all of the above.
Good video. I feel like the next edition is more of a consolidation of everything out there right now.
Thanks for commenting!
I remember being so impressed with 3rd. It's customization and options. "Rules for everything". I found the older versions too restrictive, like all fighters were identical and only the weapon choice and the 18/00 strength to set them apart (other than personality/RP of course). Now I lean way more towards rules light. I see the trap of rules for everything being now you NEED to have a feat or option to try things.
Another great video. Always thought provoking. Love when you bring in content from your friends like Sly Flourish and Bob World Builder.😊
You are far more generous than me!
Truth be told: DnD has always suffered from terrible management decisions. The main difference I see is that during TSR days, they also hired creative geniuses to come up with amazing products; now-a-days they simply try to milk old ideas for every last cent (usually while disparaging the very legacy material they're trying to squeeze more money from).
Love the content and this is a story that needs covering! My schooling in designing surveys makes me look at these things differently from most and this survey was AWFUL. It was either built by some one who was trying to gather good vibes for shareholders and some exec board or it was at best half baked before being made live. Plus, it wasn't very widely promoted and I think that had to be deliberate.
*I feel that **_Wizards of the Coast_** consulting with **_Sweet Baby Inc_** is a terrible mistake.*
😕
D&D 3/3.5 was more modular and a better product than 5. I love other games far more, DCC, D6 Star Wars, Savage World's, even D&D 1st & 2nd ed.
The reason 5th ed doesn't go much past 7th level is the rules break and GMs quit.