Comment from discussion I’ve been playing DnD since the mid 90’s and back then the campaign settings felt more like they were each their own game systems rather than just a couple new races and a different map and feel. Some examples are things like Birthright and Darksun. When 3e came out the settings felt like they still needed to “fit” inside the game system to me. More about small tweaks to generate a feel and less about sweeping changes.
What’s your take on campaign setting design? Do you like it when it makes the game almost unrecognizable or do you prefer DnD to have a more stable core?I think a stable core is useful, because it makes it easier to focus on the differences. The administrative stuff in a system – AC, hit points, checks, etc. – I’d prefer to remain stable.
With that in mind, I think it’s reasonable to ask one of two things from a setting (though a setting can have both):
What game mechanic does the setting use that I don’t see elsewhere?
What’s the one big thing I put on my character sheet for this setting that I don’t see elsewhere?
I think the best settings have interesting answers to those questions. That said, something like FR is what establishes the baseline from which other settings deviate. You do need that foundation for everything to play off of.AMA: Mike Mearls, Co-Designer of D&D 5, Head of D&D R&D.
What’s your take on campaign setting design? Do you like it when it makes the game almost unrecognizable or do you prefer DnD to have a more stable core?I think a stable core is useful, because it makes it easier to focus on the differences. The administrative stuff in a system – AC, hit points, checks, etc. – I’d prefer to remain stable.
With that in mind, I think it’s reasonable to ask one of two things from a setting (though a setting can have both):
What game mechanic does the setting use that I don’t see elsewhere?
What’s the one big thing I put on my character sheet for this setting that I don’t see elsewhere?
I think the best settings have interesting answers to those questions. That said, something like FR is what establishes the baseline from which other settings deviate. You do need that foundation for everything to play off of.AMA: Mike Mearls, Co-Designer of D&D 5, Head of D&D R&D.