Yo! so this has nothing to do with the devs who are just following orders and doing their job you guys are great keep being great! im also no web dev so if theres something thats not doable i may just not know it. but!
why are they replacing every spell from the 2014 with the new 2024 versions? as far as i can tell its not a choice you are just getting your content taken from you and getting it replaced. What about the people who chose not to buy the 2024 PHB and disliked the changed? are they just SOL? so long leave? just deal with it? yea they can recreate the spell on the homebrew stuff but thats like 200 spells i think? theres no reason to get rid of the spells if they are already there when they could just add a new filter too the spells and an optional option to allow players to use the 2014 options.
also whats up with this?!
"This older content will be flagged with the Legacy badge. In many cases, it will be usable with the 2024 rules. If a subclass received an update in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, you will not be able to use the older version with the 2024 class. However, you can continue using it with the 2014 class."
i cant use the old subclasses if they have been reprinted. i knew that was a thing awhile ago tho like spells there should be an optional toggleable rule for the players and DM to decide. yes i know we can just remake them for the 2024 version but why should we? all of the content is right there! just have the old subclasses changed to fit.
tho maybe im wrong? any devs or anything DDB dev ors just web devs id love to hear if there was reasons you couldnt do it these ways or ways like it. again also no hate to the devs you guys work hard thank you for the hard work!
If you want to " Own" the content.....buy the non digital books.
Whatever happens on the digital dnd beyond site is not technically content you own. Just like how digital store fronts D list games.....if you want to keep something buy a tangible written.physical product or switch to a platform that has the digital versions of what you want. Pretty sure the Digital books you have bought will still be accessible just not integrated into the character creation or VTT
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
There's a simple solution to the long spell list when legacy is enabled.
Step 1: Enable legacy content while choosing your race/class/background.
Step 2: Disable legacy content.
Step 3: You now have the legacy content you want without the legacy content you don't want showing in your spell list.
I've done this with homebrew where I have a hotfix or something I need to add from my homebrew and then don't want others' homebrews clogging up my spell list. It works fine.
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
There's a simple solution to the long spell list when legacy is enabled.
Step 1: Enable legacy content while choosing your race/class/background.
Step 2: Disable legacy content.
Step 3: You now have the legacy content you want without the legacy content you don't want showing in your spell list.
I've done this with homebrew where I have a hotfix or something I need to add from my homebrew and then don't want others' homebrews clogging up my spell list. It works fine.
That’s a solution which puts the onus of a work around on the players who are adopting the new system, while still using some older content. This will also not solve the fact that the list of legacy spells will only increase, making the need for utilization of the work-around more important as time progresses. Common sense dictates you don’t alienate new customers or use a work-around that results in the system increasingly growing worse.
They are - correctly - doing the opposite. They have a work around folks can use (homebrew) which puts the burden of a work around on the folks who refuse to use the newer content. This work around also will become less and less needed as folks using 2014 either convert, build up their homebrew library, or quit - all of which mean the work around becomes less necessary as time progresses.
Wizards made the right call here - they chose a solution which is simple and forward-looking, instead of wasting resources or implementing a sledgehammer solution which puts the burden on the players more important to the game’s growth.
And, sure, their solution is making the Luddites angry - but a vocal minority being angry over a pretty minor non-issue is not really a reason to waste resources on something that won’t be all that important a year or so out.
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
There's a simple solution to the long spell list when legacy is enabled.
Step 1: Enable legacy content while choosing your race/class/background.
Step 2: Disable legacy content.
Step 3: You now have the legacy content you want without the legacy content you don't want showing in your spell list.
I've done this with homebrew where I have a hotfix or something I need to add from my homebrew and then don't want others' homebrews clogging up my spell list. It works fine.
That’s a solution which puts the onus of a work around on the players who are adopting the new system, while still using some older content. This will also not solve the fact that the list of legacy spells will only increase, making the need for utilization of the work-around more important as time progresses. Common sense dictates you don’t alienate new customers or use a work-around that results in the system increasingly growing worse.
They are - correctly - doing the opposite. They have a work around folks can use (homebrew) which puts the burden of a work around on the folks who refuse to use the newer content. This work around also will become less and less needed as folks using 2014 either convert, build up their homebrew library, or quit - all of which mean the work around becomes less necessary as time progresses.
Wizards made the right call here - they chose a solution which is simple and forward-looking, instead of wasting resources or implementing a sledgehammer solution which puts the burden on the players more important to the game’s growth.
And, sure, their solution is making the Luddites angry - but a vocal minority being angry over a pretty minor non-issue is not really a reason to waste resources on something that won’t be all that important a year or so out.
Wouldn't the forward thinking way, by your definition, be to know that all material will become legacy so there's no point in trying support people trying to mix and match? Since mix=-and-matchers' needs are going to become less and less needed as folks continue to adopt further 5.5 updates? Therefore why bother making that experience 100% seamless?
Plus if you consider turning a toggle on/off to be a huge inconvenience, wouldn't it be even more logical to recognize deleting spells/items and replacing them with different versions so that people using them have to homebrew them and look in an e-book for how they work is an even bigger inconvenience?
EDIT: We also have concrete proof that they are capable of tagging magic items as legacy. The LMoP and Shattered Obelisk versions of Staff of Defense and Staff of Defense prove this. That's a pre-existing system they don't even have to develop in order to let us continue to use legacy magic items in the character sheet. So the choice to delete them is an active, not passive, one. It's reasonable to assume that legacy spells would similarly not be a coding imposition.
Those of us asking to keep using our currently materials aren't asking for anything major. We just want DDB to use the pre-existing functionality of tagging legacy content as legacy so that we can continue to use what was already created.
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
There's a simple solution to the long spell list when legacy is enabled.
Step 1: Enable legacy content while choosing your race/class/background.
Step 2: Disable legacy content.
Step 3: You now have the legacy content you want without the legacy content you don't want showing in your spell list.
I've done this with homebrew where I have a hotfix or something I need to add from my homebrew and then don't want others' homebrews clogging up my spell list. It works fine.
That’s a solution which puts the onus of a work around on the players who are adopting the new system, while still using some older content. This will also not solve the fact that the list of legacy spells will only increase, making the need for utilization of the work-around more important as time progresses. Common sense dictates you don’t alienate new customers or use a work-around that results in the system increasingly growing worse.
They are - correctly - doing the opposite. They have a work around folks can use (homebrew) which puts the burden of a work around on the folks who refuse to use the newer content. This work around also will become less and less needed as folks using 2014 either convert, build up their homebrew library, or quit - all of which mean the work around becomes less necessary as time progresses.
Wizards made the right call here - they chose a solution which is simple and forward-looking, instead of wasting resources or implementing a sledgehammer solution which puts the burden on the players more important to the game’s growth.
And, sure, their solution is making the Luddites angry - but a vocal minority being angry over a pretty minor non-issue is not really a reason to waste resources on something that won’t be all that important a year or so out.
if WOTCs idea of fixing the website is having everyone homebrew all the content they paid for then why would they pay for content? theres plenty of websites that tell you everything about a book. so why pay? just homebrew everything in and never pay WOTC again right?
if WOTCs idea of fixing the website is having everyone homebrew all the content they paid for then why would they pay for content? theres plenty of websites that tell you everything about a book. so why pay? just homebrew everything in and never pay WOTC again right?
You're not "homebrewing all the content you paid for." Just the subset of spells for that character that changed, whose changes you don't like, that you want the sheet to calculate for you. If you're homebrewing more than that, that's your own time to waste.
if WOTCs idea of fixing the website is having everyone homebrew all the content they paid for then why would they pay for content? theres plenty of websites that tell you everything about a book. so why pay? just homebrew everything in and never pay WOTC again right?
You're not "homebrewing all the content you paid for." Just the subset of spells for that character that changed, whose changes you don't like, that you want the sheet to calculate for you. If you're homebrewing more than that, that's your own time to waste.
im asking whats the point of buying content if ill have to homebrew it eventually? i might as well look up the info and just homebrew it then at least i keep my money and WOTC gets nothing
What some seem to be missing is that enabling Legacy Content in the character builder's home tab, doesn't mean your character sheet uses 2014 content (That's what we're asking for). Enabling Legacy Content on home tab just allows you to select legacy content as race and subclass, etc. But the rules, skills, spells, conditions listed out on your character sheet will all link to the 2024 versions.
If someone is running a 2014 campaign (like we ALL are at this point), if they don't want to use any 2024 content, there's no way to keep 2024 content and rules from every character sheet used by your players or the NPCs. If that player wants to see how Stealth works, and clicks stealth skill on their character sheet, they won't get the 2014 explanation, they'll get the 2024 version. Want to assign 2014 exhaustion points? You can't, you can only assign 2024 exhaustion (which has changed). Click on any ability, and it will link to the 2024 version/explanation.
Anyone who wants to continue running a solely 2014 campaign, is going to have to deal with players saying, "but my character sheet says that works differently". Like Shove, being an attack instead of an action. Enabling the current Legacy Content switch only allows you to select Legacy races/subclasses for use WITHIN THE 2024 RULESET.
That's the issue. There's no way to keep character sheets using 2014 ruleset with the way they've done this.
Rollback Post to RevisionRollBack
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
if WOTCs idea of fixing the website is having everyone homebrew all the content they paid for then why would they pay for content? theres plenty of websites that tell you everything about a book. so why pay? just homebrew everything in and never pay WOTC again right?
You're not "homebrewing all the content you paid for." Just the subset of spells for that character that changed, whose changes you don't like, that you want the sheet to calculate for you. If you're homebrewing more than that, that's your own time to waste.
im asking whats the point of buying content if ill have to homebrew it eventually? i might as well look up the info and just homebrew it then at least i keep my money and WOTC gets nothing
If you feel that strongly about every scrap of 2014 content remaining static, sure, you can go this route. Speaking for myself though, my time is a lot more valuable than that, and I'm on board with pretty much all of the spell changes anyway.
And I'm not sure what you think the alternative is. Do you want them to maintain "Legacy" duplicates of every single spell and magic item in the game in their search engines and tooltips? There are literally hundreds just in core.
Yo! so this has nothing to do with the devs who are just following orders and doing their job you guys are great keep being great! im also no web dev so if theres something thats not doable i may just not know it. but!
why are they replacing every spell from the 2014 with the new 2024 versions? as far as i can tell its not a choice you are just getting your content taken from you and getting it replaced. What about the people who chose not to buy the 2024 PHB and disliked the changed? are they just SOL? so long leave? just deal with it? yea they can recreate the spell on the homebrew stuff but thats like 200 spells i think? theres no reason to get rid of the spells if they are already there when they could just add a new filter too the spells and an optional option to allow players to use the 2014 options.
also whats up with this?!
"This older content will be flagged with the Legacy badge. In many cases, it will be usable with the 2024 rules. If a subclass received an update in the 2024 Player’s Handbook, you will not be able to use the older version with the 2024 class. However, you can continue using it with the 2014 class."
i cant use the old subclasses if they have been reprinted. i knew that was a thing awhile ago tho like spells there should be an optional toggleable rule for the players and DM to decide. yes i know we can just remake them for the 2024 version but why should we? all of the content is right there! just have the old subclasses changed to fit.
tho maybe im wrong? any devs or anything DDB dev ors just web devs id love to hear if there was reasons you couldnt do it these ways or ways like it. again also no hate to the devs you guys work hard thank you for the hard work!
If you want to " Own" the content.....buy the non digital books.
Whatever happens on the digital dnd beyond site is not technically content you own. Just like how digital store fronts D list games.....if you want to keep something buy a tangible written.physical product or switch to a platform that has the digital versions of what you want. Pretty sure the Digital books you have bought will still be accessible just not integrated into the character creation or VTT
This is being discussed in far greater length, over in the News and Announcements forum.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
holy cow i see that thank you for informing me
Despite what all those fear mongering are trying to push, the answer to your question is fairly obvious - this is the easiest way to ensure major legacy content is still accessible, without creating an untenable user experience.
Right now, the legacy option in the character builder is an all or none thing - if you have legacy content enabled, you get it all. You cannot just enable legacy for spells - and making that an option would require Beyond to build that as an option.
For things like species or classes, where the list is fairly small, it is not all that hard to scroll past double entries without feeling overwhelmed… but, for items and spells? Anyone who has played with a new player has seen someone get overwhelmed when they first look at how many options for spells they have. Having that list become drastically longer - particularly when many of them will be the exact same rules text - exacerbates a known problem.
Now, could Wizards have come up with a more elegant solution? Sure. But any elegant solution takes time and effort - and that is time and effort with limited return. After all, while that might help some people now (and probably help them less than they think), as time progresses people either convert, come up with their own homebrew solutions, or leave the game - three options which all mean your infrastructure you spent effort creating is increasingly less important as time progresses.
if by all or nothing you mean all your 2014 spells and magic items are gone if you got the new book or not then sure. its not like WOTC knew they were making this book for how long now? nah lets give all the excuses to the multi million dollar corp
No. By all or nothing I mean exactly what I wrote, had you bothered to actually read. When you toggle on Legacy content, you get all Legacy content. When you toggle it off, you get none of it. For long lists like spells or items, having "all" enabled is unwieldy. Legacy content should continue to exist - but it should not result in an unwieldy user experience. Sacrificing the long lists of spells and items to errata makes it easier for people to use 2014 species, classes, etc. without their players being overwhelmed. And, of course, there are other mechanisms if you really want to preserve the pre-errata spells--in fact, it is easier to preserve them than it would have been under true errata.
Pointing out something common sense clearly establishes is not making an excuse for a corporation--it is just exhibiting a basic level of analysis and critical thinking... and realizing that this probably will result in a better user experience for players of both 2014 and 2024.
There's a simple solution to the long spell list when legacy is enabled.
Step 1: Enable legacy content while choosing your race/class/background.
Step 2: Disable legacy content.
Step 3: You now have the legacy content you want without the legacy content you don't want showing in your spell list.
I've done this with homebrew where I have a hotfix or something I need to add from my homebrew and then don't want others' homebrews clogging up my spell list. It works fine.
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That’s a solution which puts the onus of a work around on the players who are adopting the new system, while still using some older content. This will also not solve the fact that the list of legacy spells will only increase, making the need for utilization of the work-around more important as time progresses. Common sense dictates you don’t alienate new customers or use a work-around that results in the system increasingly growing worse.
They are - correctly - doing the opposite. They have a work around folks can use (homebrew) which puts the burden of a work around on the folks who refuse to use the newer content. This work around also will become less and less needed as folks using 2014 either convert, build up their homebrew library, or quit - all of which mean the work around becomes less necessary as time progresses.
Wizards made the right call here - they chose a solution which is simple and forward-looking, instead of wasting resources or implementing a sledgehammer solution which puts the burden on the players more important to the game’s growth.
And, sure, their solution is making the Luddites angry - but a vocal minority being angry over a pretty minor non-issue is not really a reason to waste resources on something that won’t be all that important a year or so out.
Wouldn't the forward thinking way, by your definition, be to know that all material will become legacy so there's no point in trying support people trying to mix and match? Since mix=-and-matchers' needs are going to become less and less needed as folks continue to adopt further 5.5 updates? Therefore why bother making that experience 100% seamless?
Plus if you consider turning a toggle on/off to be a huge inconvenience, wouldn't it be even more logical to recognize deleting spells/items and replacing them with different versions so that people using them have to homebrew them and look in an e-book for how they work is an even bigger inconvenience?
EDIT: We also have concrete proof that they are capable of tagging magic items as legacy. The LMoP and Shattered Obelisk versions of Staff of Defense and Staff of Defense prove this. That's a pre-existing system they don't even have to develop in order to let us continue to use legacy magic items in the character sheet. So the choice to delete them is an active, not passive, one. It's reasonable to assume that legacy spells would similarly not be a coding imposition.
Those of us asking to keep using our currently materials aren't asking for anything major. We just want DDB to use the pre-existing functionality of tagging legacy content as legacy so that we can continue to use what was already created.
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if WOTCs idea of fixing the website is having everyone homebrew all the content they paid for then why would they pay for content? theres plenty of websites that tell you everything about a book. so why pay? just homebrew everything in and never pay WOTC again right?
You're not "homebrewing all the content you paid for." Just the subset of spells for that character that changed, whose changes you don't like, that you want the sheet to calculate for you. If you're homebrewing more than that, that's your own time to waste.
im asking whats the point of buying content if ill have to homebrew it eventually? i might as well look up the info and just homebrew it then at least i keep my money and WOTC gets nothing
What some seem to be missing is that enabling Legacy Content in the character builder's home tab, doesn't mean your character sheet uses 2014 content (That's what we're asking for). Enabling Legacy Content on home tab just allows you to select legacy content as race and subclass, etc. But the rules, skills, spells, conditions listed out on your character sheet will all link to the 2024 versions.
If someone is running a 2014 campaign (like we ALL are at this point), if they don't want to use any 2024 content, there's no way to keep 2024 content and rules from every character sheet used by your players or the NPCs. If that player wants to see how Stealth works, and clicks stealth skill on their character sheet, they won't get the 2014 explanation, they'll get the 2024 version. Want to assign 2014 exhaustion points? You can't, you can only assign 2024 exhaustion (which has changed). Click on any ability, and it will link to the 2024 version/explanation.
Anyone who wants to continue running a solely 2014 campaign, is going to have to deal with players saying, "but my character sheet says that works differently". Like Shove, being an attack instead of an action. Enabling the current Legacy Content switch only allows you to select Legacy races/subclasses for use WITHIN THE 2024 RULESET.
That's the issue. There's no way to keep character sheets using 2014 ruleset with the way they've done this.
Playing D&D since 1982
Have played every version of the game since Basic (Red Box Set), except that abomination sometimes called 4e.
If you feel that strongly about every scrap of 2014 content remaining static, sure, you can go this route. Speaking for myself though, my time is a lot more valuable than that, and I'm on board with pretty much all of the spell changes anyway.
And I'm not sure what you think the alternative is. Do you want them to maintain "Legacy" duplicates of every single spell and magic item in the game in their search engines and tooltips? There are literally hundreds just in core.