Wizards of the Coast just opened up a thread on Reddit to take questions on D&D Next because … well, becuase they’re gluttons for punishment, I suppose. Or maybe they want to seem all Web 2.0 and stuff.
Anyway, Mike Mearls doesn’t start answering questions until tomorrow, but the thread is already a treasure trove of fun and games. For example, can you read through the thread and spot the douchebags? Here’s a handy guide:
Legitimate poster:
It’s been said that 5E seeks to unite the best parts of each D&D edition under one system. What do you see as some of the best aspects of each of the previous editions?
Douchebag:
Mike Mearls, can you please explain why including 18 rats in a single encounter of the playtest was ever a good idea, especially since you included no rules for handling such large groups of enemies (Swarms, mooks, minions, etc.) and especially since they have ‘Advantage’ constantly thanks to such high numbers meaning you roll 36d20 every time you want them to do anything?
Legitimate poster:
The lack of tactical support in the D&D Next packet suggests that “battlegrid” support was being considered as a non-core and available as a supplement. Is some of that (such as lack of “obstruction” mechanics like OoA’s) being reconsidered for the core rules?
Douchebag:
How do you justify going back to antiquated design decisions (like debalancing classes so magic users are more interesting) and telling DMs to restrict certain races from the getgo because they aren’t D&D enough with the idea that D&D should be an introduction to the hobby? Namely what are you doing to make sure that this kid gets to play a D&D he will enjoy and have fun rather than having to play a D&D that a 40 year old who stopped buying D&D stuff when TSR went out of business will enjoy?
I hope this helpful guide helps you separate the wheat from the chaff as you browse the Reddit thread. As for me, I’m not touching it with a 10′ pole, or even half a ladder. I know a train wreck when I see it.
2 Responses to “Let’s Play Spot The D-Bag!”
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Let me get this straight. People asking open, pointless questions that basically give an excuse for Mearls to say some vague PR crap are “legitimate posters” while people asking questions about major flaws in the system, why they’re like that, and how they plan to, if ever, fix them, are “douchebags”?
How must it feel to live in Bizzarro world?
There’s nothing wrong with critical questions. But when you ask a question in bad faith, in such a way that you load the question with negative assumptions and virtually guarantee that it won’t get an answer … You’re a douchebag just trolling the thread.