D&D General The Crab Bucket Fallacy

Tony Vargas · Sep 25, 2023

...for a sec, I read that as ...align with the 70s...

James Gasik · Sep 26, 2023

Micah Sweet said:
Old Spelljammer was derived from old scientific theory. I don't know what they were trying to do with the new stuff.

The true origins of 5e Spelljammer, as found in Dragon #159 revealed!

James Gasik · Sep 26, 2023

cbwjm said:
Pretty sure that 3e reserve feats were the root of at-will cantrips.

Either that or the Complete Arcane Warlock.

Deset Gled · Sep 26, 2023

cbwjm said:
Pretty sure that 3e reserve feats were the root of at-will cantrips.

If we're going to be pedantic (and, given that we're nearing page 40 of the thread, let's assume we are) I believe the reserve feats weren't published for standard casters until the Complete books in 3.5e. But they were predated by reserve power point feats in the Psionics Handbook in 3.0.

So, blame psionics.

Micah Sweet · Sep 26, 2023

Umbran said:
Neither of those fiascos says any such thing. Those fiascos were about controlling their own IP, not the universe of RPGs.

They haven't had the ability to claim all fantasy adventure going through them since Tunnels and Trolls came out in 1975. The barn door has been open for nearly half a century, and they know it. The worms do not go back into the can.

WotC is not perfect. They screw up. They misjudge. They've ad and considered some policies I didn't/don't like. I expect some calls have gotten made by ignorant folks who didn't know much about the market. But mustache-twirling villains bent on world domination? No.

Heck, WotC isn't even a single entity with only one goal!

Hasbro might be though.

tetrasodium · Sep 26, 2023

cbwjm said:
Pretty sure that 3e reserve feats were the root of at-will cantrips.

Reserve feats were a bit different, you usually needed a qualifying spell prepared & kept in reserve. The power of the attached action was tied to that unused slot. Storm bolt for example requires a 3rd level or higher electricity spell to be prepared v& does 1d6 per level of that spell save for half. That might sound like a lot from a 5e perspective, but at the time a 5th level wizard just qualifying to take it would have a 5d4 burning hands in a first level slot. The reserve feats were interesting but pretty different from 5e's cantrips & far from must take feats.

Micah Sweet · Sep 26, 2023

Minigiant said:
They were about controlling all aspects of the IP with that IP being the gathway.
That's through them.

You come into fantasy adventure gaming through D&D and they'd control all of D&D.
Meaning the 3PP who publishes the warlord or the gadgeteer or the treefolk or the exmen I want answers to them.

Good thing it didn't happen then.

Micah Sweet · Sep 26, 2023

James Gasik said:
The true origins of 5e Spelljammer, as found in Dragon #159 revealed!

View attachment 296230

Excellent point. I'd forgotten about that article. I'd prefer it like this though (separate from Spelljammer) than the new smashed together way.

cbwjm · Sep 26, 2023

Deset Gled said:
If we're going to be pedantic (and, given that we're nearing page 40 of the thread, let's assume we are) I believe the reserve feats weren't published for standard casters until the Complete books in 3.5e. But they were predated by reserve power point feats in the Psionics Handbook in 3.0.

So, blame psionics.

Those dirty psions with their reserve power point feats, it's all their fault!

Neonchameleon · Sep 26, 2023

cbwjm said:
Those dirty psions with their reserve power point feats, it's all their fault!

Given that the 5e magic system is closer to the 3.5 psionic system than pre-4e "Vancian Magic" I wouldn't be surprised.

D&D General The Crab Bucket Fallacy

Tony Vargas

Legend

James Gasik

We don't talk about Pun-Pun

James Gasik

We don't talk about Pun-Pun

Deset Gled

.

Micah Sweet

Level Up & OSR Enthusiast

tetrasodium

Legend

Micah Sweet

Level Up & OSR Enthusiast

Micah Sweet

Level Up & OSR Enthusiast

cbwjm

Seb-wejem

Neonchameleon

Legend

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