For the dnd thing, 11 & 16
11. What is your favorite edition of d&d?
i’ve actively played 4e and 5e, and the only slightly dabbled with 3.X and 2e via spiritual successors and clones so those last two can’t really count. between the former, its a tough call. i really like how classes advance in 4e. getting to pick out powers at basically each level is very satisfying, and there’s enough choice to add meaningful depth to building up your character. skill challenges are great, i liked the weird cosmic horror stuff that seemed to be going on in the nentir vale setting, and it was the first d&d edition i played so that gives it a few points. as a player though, i’m not a fan of the combat. i appreciate the combat and think it gets a bad reputation for being clunky and slow. but dang, if you like strategy games this is the d&d edition for you. i just prefer combat to be more cinematic, slightly more abstracted, and much quicker (see Dungeon World etc).
5e is in a weird spot. i prefer it as a GM, just b/c of how simpler it is but i think they streamlined in some wrong spots. there’s essentially no meaningful class choices generally after level 3 (barring feats or spell choices, but feats are an optional subsystem so they can’t fully count when it comes to design intent of the system as a whole). there’s less weird experimentation you can do within the given rules of 5e, but that also makes it easier to pick up and run. it also lacks any compelling narrative rules, but that’s a d&d problem over all for me. also just like. look at the ranger and sorcerer. on the other hand the warlock is incredibly well put together so. lots of conflicting feelings about 5e.
so, overall, when it comes to actual playing and running d&d, unless i specifically want strategic combat i choose 5e as my favorite. but i’ll also never stop complaining about it.
16. What is your favorite spell?
eldritch blast for the ridiculous range you can get out of it with invocations/feats. power word kill for the memes.
