The "Brandon Don't Read This" Update Series, Part 1
I don't do many updates, but I figure I'll do one over the new D&D edition. I'll present my opinion of it, but I'll do my best to present informed opinions and not the typical gush of negative or positive feedback.
So far I've read the Table of Contents and first chapter of the Player's Handbook (PHB). I don't know most of what they've changed by this point, though their first chapter does provide a nice explanation of the game (pretty much all stuff I already knew, other than the history of the game). Six years ago, when I first started playing, it would have been an extremely useful chapter to read to dispel the myths and rumors about the game.
However, I was most pleased with the Table of Contents. They've moved Magic Items into the PHB, for instance, which makes a lot more sense than having them only where the Dungeon Master (DM) will be looking with much consistency. That in and of itself makes this PHB a much better purchase than those of 3rd and 3.5 editions. Furthermore, they seem to give a lot more focus on classes, as there are approximately 120 pages devoted to them (Granted, I don't know what those pages say yet. This is just all gleamed from the Table of Contents). However, there is no "Spell" or "Magic" section, so presumably some of those pages deal with that.
There are still sections for Skills and Feats. Combat is given good length, and hopefully it will be a bit clearer, but that is pure speculation on my part. There's a section on Rituals which I'll admit curiosity and hesitation to; as with anything new, I need to analyze it before drawing opinions. The style of writing draws attention more to subject headings with its highlight schemes, which makes things easier to find but draws away from some of the fantasy feel of the book. Artwork, however, is still as good as ever (though I have only seen one section's worth).
Present Impression: Undecided, need to read more
So far I've read the Table of Contents and first chapter of the Player's Handbook (PHB). I don't know most of what they've changed by this point, though their first chapter does provide a nice explanation of the game (pretty much all stuff I already knew, other than the history of the game). Six years ago, when I first started playing, it would have been an extremely useful chapter to read to dispel the myths and rumors about the game.
However, I was most pleased with the Table of Contents. They've moved Magic Items into the PHB, for instance, which makes a lot more sense than having them only where the Dungeon Master (DM) will be looking with much consistency. That in and of itself makes this PHB a much better purchase than those of 3rd and 3.5 editions. Furthermore, they seem to give a lot more focus on classes, as there are approximately 120 pages devoted to them (Granted, I don't know what those pages say yet. This is just all gleamed from the Table of Contents). However, there is no "Spell" or "Magic" section, so presumably some of those pages deal with that.
There are still sections for Skills and Feats. Combat is given good length, and hopefully it will be a bit clearer, but that is pure speculation on my part. There's a section on Rituals which I'll admit curiosity and hesitation to; as with anything new, I need to analyze it before drawing opinions. The style of writing draws attention more to subject headings with its highlight schemes, which makes things easier to find but draws away from some of the fantasy feel of the book. Artwork, however, is still as good as ever (though I have only seen one section's worth).
Present Impression: Undecided, need to read more