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this post was submitted on 28 Jan 2024
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I really enjoyed the D&D 3rd Edition days, with the popcorn of d20-based games. Star Wars d20, d20 Modern, and the Sword & Sorcery Ravenloft were all great fun. The best part is that it was super easy to get your group to try new things, because the mechanics were all similar, if not exactly the same. People like to hate on D&D, but it's consistently been a great base to start from and inspiration for a multitude of other games.
I don't think I'd call D&D a consistently great base to start from, honestly. For certain settings and genres, yeah, but others are seriously harmed by trying to make it fit a fantasy adventure system. Mysteries and heists are forced to include a lot more gratuitous fight scenes just to balance all playstyles, for example.
Similarly, I worry that using d20 as a one-size-fits-all will reinforce comfort zones than expand them. Why would a person play the Star Wars FFG system (which I prefer) when they can play the Star Wars d20 system instead and not have to learn new rules? And if you're making a new system, then you clearly need to include six core stats, because RPGs have six core stats in them, right?
D&D isn't bad, nor is homebrewing D&D for a new setting. D&D as an assumed foundation of all RPGs can be a serious issue.
Honestly, the "hate on d&d" train really became a thing after WotC bought TSR. Also, I completely agree with you: cross-fluidity of game systems was fun to distro hop, basically, for a change of pace/theme — though the recent boom of innovation is especially exciting! So many new concepts and styles of play, and even reimaginings of timeless classics like Planescape, et al. 🥰
Hating on D&D is a past time that's as old as D&D. I agree though, the attitude towards the franchise ignores that they are generally making a few good small steps for each corporate, huge step back. It's still my workhorse system while I explore games with deeply different tones and mechanics but I haven't found a want to replace it at my table at all.