5th edition smooths out a lot of the classic problems with the series (the caster/martial disparity, monks being utter garbo, the game breaking at level 10)
The game still breaks around level 15 but it’s less a problem.
I started on 2nd, still have all the books. Wouldn’t say it’s the best by any means, but holds a nostalgic spot in my heart. Would love to try 5e, I’ve heard very good things. Recently done more in the Fate system.
@UncleVinny that’s pre-3.0, but considering you can find groups clinging to every version, even today, we have no guarantee it was 2nd, just that it was nothing later.
The Venn diagram of those who can discuss the poll options in detail and those who have ever had sex with another human being cannot possibly include overlapping circles.
@shahnm whoa, chill your batteries, buddy. I’m a 3rd generation D&D player. My father and my father’s father have rolled a d20 in their day. My mother as well. I teethed on miniatures, much to their chagrin.
@spitfire6006006 Just doing my part to add the obligatory standard response comment. My Venn diagram as a kid included Midi music and model rocketry, and not much in the way of overlapping circles either…
I can hardly pick one. It all depends on the crowd, whether I’m a player or DM, how long I have to prep if I am DM, how long the sessions last… Really, in a perfect world, I’m a homebrew guy. Little of what I like from various editions. Except 2nd. 2nd have been awful every time. Though that has more to do with the DMs who have pulled it out than the rules themselves.
I can see how I might have been a D&D player, in the same fashion that an extrasolar object could have collided with the Earth.
…
So, I have to sit around this table with other people, and I have to pretend that I am an elf, with a lot of fantasy proper nouns? And this is not an excrutiating experince?
Is that when Satan sends his demon lieutenants to possess me?
@InnocuousFarmer
<laugh> I’ve been in groups that used very few proper nouns of any sort, and groups that did extensive research to prepare their characters. Most are somewhere in between.
For any of those people that chose the “never have but wish I had” option, it’s not too late. It’s a great game, a great way to make friends, and 5th Edition is easy to learn for beginners. Just google your friendly local game store, and you’ll likely find public games nearby. Adventurer’s League is the sanctioned D&D group/joint campaign, and the more experienced players in the store will help you get your character set up. Seriously, last year I just showed up at a store, and asked if I could join. Everyone was glad to help me get acclimated and educated. People that play the game are always happy to see new players. It is a friendly, quirky community that’s not wholly unlike the community here, and with the recent mainstream spotlight; mainly Stranger Things, but also some big-time actors stating that they are D&Ders(Vin Diesel, Joe Manganiello); the game is growing an exponential rate. New players show up at our store every week.
@DVDBZN I feel ya. I’m pseudo-rural in SW PA, but the drive is only 45 minutes or so to find a game. There’s always Roll20. I’ve never tried it, but some of my gaming buddies love it.
@rawhite37
It’s like that with everything. Our town literally does not have any non-local chain or franchise stores, restaurants, or gas stations. The biggest “city” in the county is less than 23,000 people.
Nevertheless, it is nice having no traffic, pollution, or high crime rates, so can’t really complain too much.
I liked the editions I played, though I’m not entirely sure which ones they were. I played a squishy little druid in my first campaign. It really didn’t work for my play style. I tend to favor tanks because I like to really get into combat, not stand back, cast spells and heal other people. I WANT TO SMASH AND STAB THINGS.
The next campaign I did, I played a Genasi Swordmage. I think she may have been my favorite character. She was pretty strong, but still got to do cool stuff, like use a lightening lasso.
Overall, I think the people you play with are really what make the difference. I started playing when I was 18 or 19. The first group I played were friends of a friend of mine and they were all exactly what people think of when they play D & D, a bunch of dudes in their 30s who had been playing for a long time and would say things like, "Well, on page ## of the [insert manual here], it says “exact quote”. In short, they were exhausting.
The guy who hosted game day had a special room reserved for gaming complete with a ridiculously expensive “gaming table” that you were not allowed to put drinks on, even with a coaster. In fact, I don’t think food and drink was allowed in the room. Additionally, the characters were ill-suited to fighting together. There was no balance and we had to deal with a guy who wanted to run a pirate who didn’t have a ship, but insisted upon bringing his wagon everywhere.
After that, I played with my roommates. They were a lot more fun. Most of us took it less seriously, but the guy running the game would still make up super interesting stories and puzzles for us to solve. He also reacted better to witty dialogue and actual scientific fact. If you had a valid argument for something, he’d allow it. For instance, my lightning lasso did extra damage in water. I had a lot of fun with the relaxed group. We’d always play on from Friday night until 6 in the morning on Saturday, Then we’d go get biscuits. Good times.
I’ve played a few other table top RPGs that were really fun, too, like Gurps and Marvel. I think I played one that was based on Marvel rules, but took place on a cruise ship. That one was great because there were zombies on the ship and I was the activities director, so I was acting all perky and trying to get people to play shuffleboard amongst the bodies. Creepy, but kind of interesting.
I’d like to play again, but @pantheist is understandably nervous about playing because one often runs into people like the ones in my first group or people like some friends I used to have, who, among other offenses, had a psycho dog… Since the former group sucked the fun out of it and the latter group’s dog bit him, I think his concerns are pretty valid.
So, here I sit, waiting for the day when we meet a group of delightfully weird, cool, nice people who want to run a not too serious, but seriously awesome campaign.
@PolkSaladAnnie That’s great. Reminds me of the running joke my friends and I have that everyone’s first character is a half elf druid for some strange reason.
If you are of the group that has never played a pencil-and-paper RPG before, but would like to, I suggest giving Risus a try. Lightweight and free rules that can allow for almost any setting. Ideal for a one-off game to test the waters, before diving into more complex and pricey waters.
@awilkey I’ll have to check that out. I would recommend Fate Accelerated Edition as a good lightweight system for beginners (or more serious players looking to make a quick campaign).
Never have, not because it’s lame, but because I don’t have the time in my life to deal with one more thing.
My son actually proposed to his wife via D&D. Son was DM and it was a quest to find a valuable treasure, and when she found it (for some strange reason, she had some fantastic plot armor), he pulled out the ring and proposed.
5th edition smooths out a lot of the classic problems with the series (the caster/martial disparity, monks being utter garbo, the game breaking at level 10)
The game still breaks around level 15 but it’s less a problem.
Sadly, I’ve only ever played 5e because I start last year for the first time in my life.
I started on 2nd, still have all the books. Wouldn’t say it’s the best by any means, but holds a nostalgic spot in my heart. Would love to try 5e, I’ve heard very good things. Recently done more in the Fate system.
I played once in ~1991, and was underwhelmed. So…whichever version was out then, that’s my answer.
@UncleVinny that’s pre-3.0, but considering you can find groups clinging to every version, even today, we have no guarantee it was 2nd, just that it was nothing later.
There were many good weekends of my youth spent chugging mountain dew and eating fudge rounds whilst playing second edition campaigns.
The Dead and Dying?
I was more of a card flopper than a dice chucker.
I’m saying Pathfinder because that (or variations of it) is the only one I’ve done.
I put on my robe and Wizard hat
@rkess88 god level meme
The Venn diagram of those who can discuss the poll options in detail and those who have ever had sex with another human being cannot possibly include overlapping circles.
@shahnm whoa, chill your batteries, buddy. I’m a 3rd generation D&D player. My father and my father’s father have rolled a d20 in their day. My mother as well. I teethed on miniatures, much to their chagrin.
@shahnm Surely this is a joke nobody has ever made before!
@spitfire6006006 Just doing my part to add the obligatory standard response comment. My Venn diagram as a kid included Midi music and model rocketry, and not much in the way of overlapping circles either…
@simplersimon Bravo on “chill your batteries, buddy”. Made my day!
I’ve never played because I’ve never gone out of my way to find people that played.
@RiotDemon Come play with me and @pantheist!!!
@PolkSaladAnnie can i wear a wizard’s robe and beard?
@PolkSaladAnnie That’s so awesome that you two play together!
I can hardly pick one. It all depends on the crowd, whether I’m a player or DM, how long I have to prep if I am DM, how long the sessions last… Really, in a perfect world, I’m a homebrew guy. Little of what I like from various editions. Except 2nd. 2nd have been awful every time. Though that has more to do with the DMs who have pulled it out than the rules themselves.
@simplersimon House Rules all the way.
I can see how I might have been a D&D player, in the same fashion that an extrasolar object could have collided with the Earth.
…
So, I have to sit around this table with other people, and I have to pretend that I am an elf, with a lot of fantasy proper nouns? And this is not an excrutiating experince?
Is that when Satan sends his demon lieutenants to possess me?
@InnocuousFarmer
<laugh> I’ve been in groups that used very few proper nouns of any sort, and groups that did extensive research to prepare their characters. Most are somewhere in between.
D&D is storytelling, and you get to help tell it.
For any of those people that chose the “never have but wish I had” option, it’s not too late. It’s a great game, a great way to make friends, and 5th Edition is easy to learn for beginners. Just google your friendly local game store, and you’ll likely find public games nearby. Adventurer’s League is the sanctioned D&D group/joint campaign, and the more experienced players in the store will help you get your character set up. Seriously, last year I just showed up at a store, and asked if I could join. Everyone was glad to help me get acclimated and educated. People that play the game are always happy to see new players. It is a friendly, quirky community that’s not wholly unlike the community here, and with the recent mainstream spotlight; mainly Stranger Things, but also some big-time actors stating that they are D&Ders(Vin Diesel, Joe Manganiello); the game is growing an exponential rate. New players show up at our store every week.
@rawhite37
Just another downside of living in rural America.
@DVDBZN you people would starve without us.
@DVDBZN I feel ya. I’m pseudo-rural in SW PA, but the drive is only 45 minutes or so to find a game. There’s always Roll20. I’ve never tried it, but some of my gaming buddies love it.
@therealjrn
On the contrary, you all would starve without us. Where do you think your food is grown?
@rawhite37
It’s like that with everything. Our town literally does not have any non-local chain or franchise stores, restaurants, or gas stations. The biggest “city” in the county is less than 23,000 people.
Nevertheless, it is nice having no traffic, pollution, or high crime rates, so can’t really complain too much.
OG OE.
My DM composed variations on 1st ed. AD&D. Mostly, though, we show up to watch him smoke weed and giggle a bunch.
Never played D&D, that I recall, but played others (the wolf one). I don’t think they are lame but the not-fun outweighed the fun for me.
I
though. Have a nice dice collection.
I liked the editions I played, though I’m not entirely sure which ones they were. I played a squishy little druid in my first campaign. It really didn’t work for my play style. I tend to favor tanks because I like to really get into combat, not stand back, cast spells and heal other people. I WANT TO SMASH AND STAB THINGS.
The next campaign I did, I played a Genasi Swordmage. I think she may have been my favorite character. She was pretty strong, but still got to do cool stuff, like use a lightening lasso.
Overall, I think the people you play with are really what make the difference. I started playing when I was 18 or 19. The first group I played were friends of a friend of mine and they were all exactly what people think of when they play D & D, a bunch of dudes in their 30s who had been playing for a long time and would say things like, "Well, on page ## of the [insert manual here], it says “exact quote”. In short, they were exhausting.
The guy who hosted game day had a special room reserved for gaming complete with a ridiculously expensive “gaming table” that you were not allowed to put drinks on, even with a coaster. In fact, I don’t think food and drink was allowed in the room. Additionally, the characters were ill-suited to fighting together. There was no balance and we had to deal with a guy who wanted to run a pirate who didn’t have a ship, but insisted upon bringing his wagon everywhere.
After that, I played with my roommates. They were a lot more fun. Most of us took it less seriously, but the guy running the game would still make up super interesting stories and puzzles for us to solve. He also reacted better to witty dialogue and actual scientific fact. If you had a valid argument for something, he’d allow it. For instance, my lightning lasso did extra damage in water. I had a lot of fun with the relaxed group. We’d always play on from Friday night until 6 in the morning on Saturday, Then we’d go get biscuits. Good times.
I’ve played a few other table top RPGs that were really fun, too, like Gurps and Marvel. I think I played one that was based on Marvel rules, but took place on a cruise ship. That one was great because there were zombies on the ship and I was the activities director, so I was acting all perky and trying to get people to play shuffleboard amongst the bodies. Creepy, but kind of interesting.
I’d like to play again, but @pantheist is understandably nervous about playing because one often runs into people like the ones in my first group or people like some friends I used to have, who, among other offenses, had a psycho dog… Since the former group sucked the fun out of it and the latter group’s dog bit him, I think his concerns are pretty valid.
So, here I sit, waiting for the day when we meet a group of delightfully weird, cool, nice people who want to run a not too serious, but seriously awesome campaign.
@PolkSaladAnnie That dog bit me more than once. Remember- it punctured my arm so I kicked it, then it tore a hole in my jeans.
@Pantheist Right, so… like I said… it’s a perfectly reasonable complaint.
@PolkSaladAnnie That’s great. Reminds me of the running joke my friends and I have that everyone’s first character is a half elf druid for some strange reason.
@lordSalem Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever run something that squishy again. I just can’t seem to stay out of the fray.
At one point I considered doing a rogue changeling for an all pirate campaign, but it just never worked out.
@PolkSaladAnnie You and @Pantheist should definitely see Gamers: Dorkness Rising- I think you’d enjoy it a lot.
If you are of the group that has never played a pencil-and-paper RPG before, but would like to, I suggest giving Risus a try. Lightweight and free rules that can allow for almost any setting. Ideal for a one-off game to test the waters, before diving into more complex and pricey waters.
@awilkey I’ll have to check that out. I would recommend Fate Accelerated Edition as a good lightweight system for beginners (or more serious players looking to make a quick campaign).
Fantasy Hero, and Champions 4th Edition.
Never have, not because it’s lame, but because I don’t have the time in my life to deal with one more thing.
My son actually proposed to his wife via D&D. Son was DM and it was a quest to find a valuable treasure, and when she found it (for some strange reason, she had some fantastic plot armor), he pulled out the ring and proposed.
Version ODB!
Is there an ADD version of D & D?
Ooh … look … Something shiny!
@rtjhnstn All D & D is for ADD people. Ask any DM. Not to be confused with AD&D…
Love it
Started playing 5e a year ago after not having played since AD&D was current. Our group is called D&D&B
B=Beer.
It’s fun. Especially when the DM gets hammered.
I don’t play D&D, but I seem to watch a lot of shows that use D&D rulesets.
One of my favorite is Perception Check: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLHKocVDXoWBuQiWnbJfLctnfXaop-2kyu
They also do a regular stream on their own channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNiUxGmPemPENAJE-baUn5g