We began playtesting “D&D Next” (as it was called) back before the release of the Dungeons & Dragons Fifth Edition in 2014. The Friday Night Roleplay group returned to playing D&D soon after and we continued through until about 2016, when I shifted to Mythras Classic Fantasy.
In actuality, I played Fifth Edition online some more between 2016 and 2018 through the Fantasy Grounds application. These games were homebrew scenarios based around classic D&D modules but using the newer rules. We had some good times, although I was increasingly bored as a GM.
As we approach the 10th anniversary of that shift in 2014, the world is about to receive Hasbro’s “One D&D” to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the publication of the title. As I wrote just a few days ago, and I am pretty much done with it. Except… in my quest for a face-to-face group, I have been invited to play Fifth Edition.
And so I once again have unearthed the rulebooks for Dungeons & Dragons (2014) and spent last Friday evening at the table as a player. My character is (of course) Goriel Swiftfoot, a Halfling Rogue, and we are engaged in a poorly executed raid on a Dragon Cultist camp.
It feels a little weird because the group has been very welcoming but I am finding myself feeling like the newbie when it comes to D&D. As ridiculous as it sounds, playing Basic D&D from 1983 and then Fifth Edition is quite a jarring comparison. Goriel is incredibly capable and has many powers, including (being 6th level) casting spells.
It’s interesting that in a four-hour session on Friday, we accomplished less than the School D&D group would cover in 1.5 hours, largely due to combat being so slow and involving. Goriel has lost just 3 hit points across three battles and the resolution of a trap. But I felt like we accomplished very little.
For all the talk of “cool combos” and the myriad of additional rules and options in the system which purport to give me choice, I felt very little agency in the play. You might think this is perhaps a criticism of the GM more than the system, but the GM is running a Wizard’s campaign book as-written, so it’s presumably how the game is intended to play.
I’m sticking around because the group were kind enough to have me along and they are lovely people. I’m hoping that the game becomes a little more engaging over time and considering that my struggles might be me learning the game again. But, in the meantime, revisiting the Fifth Edition is a little like drinking sparkling water: there’s a lot of fizz but very little flavour.
Game on!
Roleplay Rescue’s Blog 
We’ve been playing 5e for years in our game group. I’m slowly starting to go away from it, partly because of power bloat, and partly because Wizards have not been good custodians of the IP lately.
I don’t find fights taking any longer than previous editions. It really depends on players being ready for their turns (5e requires more player knowledge, so there’s that).
I can’t go back to B/X or AD&D, ’cause the fights are often dull and static, opponents standing toe-to-toe, bonking each other until somebody hits 0 hp. Fighters in particular are boring as a box of rocks to play. Thieves are hopelessly inept at any task except climbing – not even coin-flip odds until 7th level.
What I need is an OSR system that bridges the divide: Fun for players, but not bloated either.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Well, I am not advocating play of Basic D&D beyond the use I have made of it at the School Club which has allowed for quick dungeon play. Personally, I would not choose any edition of D&D except that it’s a recognised brand. That “bonking” toe-to-toe combat is pretty much standard in D&D and why I opted for other systems designed for more dynamic play.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“…fizz but very little flavour,” that’s hysterical! 😉
I’m strictly 1e AD&D myself, when it comes to D&D. I’ve let myself get talked into various incarnations of Basic et al, I’ve played OD&D, Holmes, 2e and even 3e, but I always ended up dropping out (sometimes after only one session). Not getting what I want, and IMO life’s too short. Heck, I’d prefer non-gaming entertainment over a game that I don’t like. My account of my first experience with 5e is here: https://themichlinguide.wordpress.com/2020/10/06/the-5e-crowd-and-goblins/
I also got talked into trying another friend’s 5e game for a session or two, but bumped hard against the rules and so he switched the game to 1e.
So you’re a stronger man than I am. I hope you end up enjoying it, but maybe you’ll find a group more suited to your tastes. And maybe I will, too! Good luck!
LikeLiked by 2 people
“I’m sticking around because the group…..are lovely people.”
I’m no D&D 5e fan but I’ve played it since the beginning because my face to face group wanted to. I have absolutely no system mastery but I enjoy the roleplaying we get into as a group of friends who’ve been playing since 2014. Also they’ve let me run Traveller for the same amount of time, so that’s a consolation.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Perhaps think of it as a fantasy skirmish game with a story wrapped around it? 🙂 I’m in a similar situation to several other commenters – I like the people in my group enough to live with the system.
On the other hand, I also quite like sparkling water, so I guess it’s all just a matter of taste! 😅
LikeLiked by 1 person
I’ve no particular interest in 5E. Indeed, my tolerance stops after 2E, with 1E being my desert island game. My early days were spent playing T&T, which is a blast and doesn’t take itself very seriously – to its detriment at times, I think.
LikeLiked by 1 person