ToV PDF Thoughts, Part 20

Play what you want to play.

ToV's PDFs dropping saved 5E from my sell boxes, but I am still removing the Wizard's version of the game from my library. The 2014 books are old and broken, and I am not interested in the 2024 revision. I also don't like the Wizards business model, which presents a minimal number of character options in a ton of filler I will never use.

I am supporting Community 5E from now on.

Tales of the Valiant is a fresh start, and it is fun to play as the game launches. I like this version of 5E, and my only fault with it now is that not as many options are included for character builds. This will improve as time goes on. ToV is heroic with fixed base monsters and a fresh experience.

Today, we are fortunate to have community-curated and fixed versions of 5E that invite us to participate and have fun. Level Up A5E is a testament to this, exceeding all expectations with its wealth of options and support. It's a nostalgic nod to 5E, incorporating the best of 4E and offering a plethora of character options (with third-party and official add-on books). Level Up is a 2014-like, tightly balanced version of 5E that caters to all play styles.

Why not just play D&D?

My choice to explore other game systems, such as OSR games, is driven by a sense of disillusionment with Wizards as a company. I believe they have veered off course, and this sentiment resonates with many in the gaming community.

There are communities of players enjoying these games, too. Groups of creators are excited about what they are building. Why shouldn't I take part in that? Why not? I love seeing new ideas and people being creative; this is good.

If people reject playing new games and "won't touch other games," they are probably players I don't want to play with. I like people who try new things and experiment and can look at things in new ways. People stuck in their ways should branch out and try new things. I am an old-school player; this is how it was when we grew up. We had so many games to try and play; it was like the videogame market is today, and we had so many choices and options.