this post was submitted on 01 May 2024
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I would actually casualize the shit out of it. Streamline combat, make it so that most minor combat encounters end after like 5 turns max. Collapse skills down into like 10 max, maybe even combine two attributes to lower that number. Remove all the component stuff from spells, you can cast a spell as long as you aren't unconscious. I think the D20 system is too ingrained to change now, but I'd want to try something that's faster to grok, either by going for a system where you roll under your stat or moving to more D6s. I'd also want to jazz up character building.
Basically, make D&D into actually babby's first tabletop RPG. It's currently treated as such, despite being a terrible system for newcomers IMO. Most of the new crowd of TTRPG players I've played with want to hangout with friends, do some silly improv bits, maybe have a cool moment where they kill a goblin in a creative way, and go home. D&D is way, way too crunchy for that crowd, they quickly stop paying attention during combat if it drags too long, and nothing drags a game to a halt like one of those players needing to make a check they haven't "practiced" before. Assuming I'm still trying to do Cynthia's job of making more money than God, I think that's the clear way forward, because all the videogames and movies and marketing don't mean a damn thing if the new people bounce off the ruleset.
I mean if you're going to simplify D&D that'd be great, but a lot of people would hate it.
I routinely tell people that Fate is more in line with how people new to RPGs imagine them to go. It's sad watching D&D crush the creativity out of players. "I'm a pirate, surely I can sing a sea shanty!" "Sorry, you only have 8 charisma and no proficiency in perform because you're a fighter." "But I'm a pirate." "That's just flavor."
Though it does have a higher burden on the players to actually be creative. "Bob the fighter" works fine in D&D, but not so much in Fate.
I mean, I'd hate it as well, but I already avoid D&D, and Wizards of the Coast has shown over and over again that they're more than happy to burn out committed fans in order to chase the potential of new players. Also maybe it's just the pick-up games that I've been in, but playing a creative character is often a huge part of the draw that people come in for. People are becoming aware of TTRPGs through improv comedy clips on TikTok from funny people like Critical Role or Dimension20, and those are the moments they want to emulate.
5 turns or 5 rounds? 5 turns means some players are only getting one turn which might not be great fun. 5 rounds is probably longer than most combats I've ever had!
You can still sell the original rules as Advanced D&D. :)
Nah, you gotta hit people with the nostalgia bait. Sell 3e again as D&D Classic, reusing artwork from 1e, with Minsc & Jaheira on the cover.