D&D 5th editon Playtest

[Deaths Jester]

So I just noticed, Wizards of the Coast is looking for play testers for their 5th edition of D&D.  Not sure what I think about this after seeing how horribly they fouled up D&D with the 4th edition reworks (those were horrific).  I still think they need to go back to the 3.5 version because even though it had some problems, they were easily remedied with house rules and the game was much closer to the original D&D game.  Thoughts?

[BentonGrey]

Good question DJ.  Personally, I like the universe of 3.5 a lot better than what they've done in their 4th edition version.  However, I've only ever really played 3.5 very briefly and in computer game form.  In the games, obviously, everything is done for you under the hood.  In terms of the simplicity and accessibility, I really enjoy the ease of 4th edition.  I like my RPGs easy to pick up and use, and 4th just makes sense to me.  Now, I'm certainly not saying it's BETTER than other versions, just that I think it sort of works for me.

[Talavar]

I personally really enjoyed 4th edition, but hated 2nd & most of 3rd (except as video games).  The changes they've made going forward into 5th edition seem like throwing the baby out with the bathwater to me, in an attempt to lure back fans of 2nd & 3rd edition (who are mostly playing Pathfinder now anyway).

[Xenolith]

I only play tested the new rules at the beginning when the first packet came out.  Since then I've only read the new stuff.  They started off with Basic DnD, if you remember that from the early '80s, and then have been picking and choosing things from other editions and making them fit.  They really do seem to be paying attention to the reviewers, and they sent out tons of questionnaires asking for the play tester's opinions.  As much as I like their approach, I'm not sure that I like the new rules.  I didn't like 4, but I also didn't like 3.x.  I dunno, i'll wait to decide until I see the finished product.

[Deaths Jester]

I only play tested the new rules at the beginning when the first packet came out.  Since then I've only read the new stuff.  They started off with Basic DnD, if you remember that from the early '80s, and then have been picking and choosing things from other editions and making them fit.  They really do seem to be paying attention to the reviewers, and they sent out tons of questionnaires asking for the play tester's opinions.  As much as I like their approach, I'm not sure that I like the new rules.

Well at least their looking for the opinions of the playtesters this time and perhaps paying attention to them which I don't believe they did so much with the 4th edition rules.  I will say starting off with the Basic 1980s D&D is start at getting back tot he the original D&D but I don't exactly like the idea of them picking and choosing things from other editions and forcing them into the old system, just doesn't seem right.  I say, pick an edition, fix the problems, and then with some real intelligence try to work the few items that came after that edition that people expect to see into the edition with thought.  Just my idea.

[Xenolith]

I agree.  It is kind of rules heavy right now, and you know they will only expand on it to sell more books.