In any case, they were going to lose this one, and all sides lose here. Critical Role's decision not to use Daggerheart for Campaign Four creates a huge mess.
Those who bought into Daggerheart are now wondering why.
Those who don't like D&D are now less interested in the show.
Those who are suspicious of everything in the hobby have had various conspiracy theories "proven right."
Those who like D&D, but not Critical Role, wish they had used the system and taken the dramatic play crowd with them.
I remain optimistic about Daggerheart and envision a promising future with the system. I might have been interested in Campaign Four had they used it, to see how the game plays from the perspective of the people who created it, to fit that play style. I never really got into the show, but I had some interest in it; however, that interest is now gone.
I have zero interest in seeing people play D&D 2024.
Seeing the term "West Marches" being thrown around like a new buzzword by people who have no idea what it means is nauseating. It means as much to these people as a "North Trails" or "South Wilds" campaign style, which I just made up, but hey, open your eyes a little wider and lean towards the camera when you say it to feign excitement and hype your game on OSR buzzwords rather than deliver a fun show. That reliance on meaningless appropriated buzzword hype is a huge warning sign to me.
Why bring up Cracker Barrel? I never ate there, and it was far too high in fat, calories, and sodium to ever fit into my diet or be good for my heart. It was likely great comfort food, but I never feel comfortable a few hours after I eat it, so I don't dine there. People enjoyed it, so it was good for them. The company changing its logo and store atmosphere was like McDonald's changing its sign; who cares?
Yes, oh no, we are "losing something," but that opens the door for thousands of local places to fill that market. I would trust a local place with that atmosphere if the food and service were good. Why do I care that a chain brand is changing? I will find a local spot and visit the small business that caters to the nostalgia, old-time, and Americana crowd.
And you know, once Cracker Barrel goes Chili's, the small, local, mom-and-pop restaurants are coming by the thousands. They will likely be better, more honest, and more authentic, too. The chain restaurants are all part of the Wall Street uni-brand. It is nice to see them take the mask off and see the sterile, corporate face that they really are, and be honest with their customers. They may get healthy options.
But marching out "West Marches" feels like something that both Critical Role and D&D 2024 are not. Part of D&D's problem is that it tries to do everything, but it doesn't excel in any particular area.
How can you even do a "West Marches" game in D&D 2024 with the current resting mechanics? It is a sandbox and time-focused play style, and these epic-length sandbox games require downtime to heal and recover, or spend a few months in training. Some players will "sit out" and be assumed to be healing, training, managing a stronghold, or engaging in other sideline activities. In D&D 5E, everybody fully heals and recovers all resources in one day of downtime. There is no need to train. Given a high enough level, travel time is zero.
Time means nothing in D&D 5E. It is a pen-and-paper MMO. Everyone heal, repair gear, and let's raid the boss lair again.
Then again, "West Marches" is so nebulous that it is three blind men and an elephant. Just wait, every D&D YouTube channel will have a different definition for this, and will "fix your campaign problems once and for all!" As an OSR player, I think of "sandboxes, resting, and downtime" when 5E players are sitting there, thinking, "it is scheduling sessions and running multiple groups." Beware of nebulously defined buzzwords. Is the dress blue or gold? Does it matter?
Saying "we are West Marches" is like they put up the old Cracker Barrel sign and say, "Look, it is us! We are this now!"
When it isn't who they are.
There are strengths and compelling reasons to play Daggerheart and watch Critical Role, rather than leaning on an OSR buzzword. The storytelling stuff in Daggerheart is strong enough.
Oh, they are playing D&D 2024? Now I see why they need to create buzz.
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