DnD® comes to Middle-earth®.

[farinal]

@Majestic yeah I know but as I said I am still bitter and I do not accept the changes they made and the timelapse so... but I don't want to derail the subject.

[Kurt]

Did you mean to use the word "precious" here, Kurt? Perhaps it has a different meaning Down Under? Maybe Aussies use it like Gollum "my precious..."

Yes, that is how I meant it, it's a little sarcastic

[Falenthal]

As to the other posts, I think a lot of people are making a lot of assumptions, both about what the new product will be and about how C7 might integrate the line.

My thoughts, also.
We don't know if C7 will rework the rules of D&D to offer a low-magic setting, for instance. Or if their version will forbid certain combinations of races and professions. Or anything else needed for a game set in Middle-Earth to feel... well, Middle-Earth.
And maybe they'll open up the limitations and we'll be able to play with Mirkwood elves that swing two long knives and fire two arrows per round.
I don't know, but let's not assume the game will be about killing Saruman with your group and looting Orthanc. And if it is, then let's go for that Balrog's XPs!!

[Kurt]

I don't think this will be a loss for the TOR system, as long as it is generating a profit there would be no reason to discontinue it. Jon has also stated that C7 will continue to develop TOR and it will lead the way for the D&D variant to follow.

Let not jump to conclusion too fast. The D&D crownd is maybe bigger but nothing say that supplement will bring flow of cash. It would depend of how much Cubicle 7 are ready to destroy the essence of Middle-Earth. Like Zedturtle wrote previously on this thread, D&D players have certain expectations you must respect if you want to sell them a product.

Yeah I appreciate that. I just don't see any reason to change (or destroy) the feeling and thematic style of TOR. As the saying goes "If it's not broken, don't fix it". For me, much of feeling of Middle Earth in TOR comes from the game system itself. The way that skills and traits work together, the choice of cultures and callings, the journey and encounter elements of the game, the way that hope and shadow work, and the wonderful artwork all contribute to a genuine Middle Earth experience. The rest of the thematic components comes from the books and insight that the literary lords and ladies on this forum have given me. A D&D variant may play in a Middle Earth setting, but it will not have the same feeling. I can't see C7 changing the TOR system (at least I'm hoping they don't), so as long as the TOR product line continues this won't impact my gameplay or the enjoyment that I get from playing TOR much at all.

On a side note, if I were to put in a product request I'd love to see (and buy) products that detail Gondor and Mordor and perhaps new campaign products which continue the timeline from The Darkening of Mirkwood.

Cheers,
Kurt

[Stormcrow]

Modern D&D tends to cater to the most general gamer, the lowest common denominator as it were. Players who might have tried The One Ring because it was the licensed Tolkien game will be able to continue to play D&D. The One Ring will be seen as the "elite" Tolkien game, and less desirable for beginners.

The Hasbro behemoth surfaces again! Don't get caught in its wake.

[frodolives]

Modern D&D tends to cater to the most general gamer, the lowest common denominator as it were. Players who might have tried The One Ring because it was the licensed Tolkien game will be able to continue to play D&D. The One Ring will be seen as the "elite" Tolkien game, and less desirable for beginners.

The Hasbro behemoth surfaces again! Don't get caught in its wake.

Jeez, that's quite insulting to D&D players. I do not consider D&D to be a lowest common denominator game. It has its place and does what it does very well. TOR does what it does very well. I enjoy both for different reasons.

[Glorelendil]

D&D 5e is a great game. With the return of Ravenloft (such fond memories of playing the original as a teenager) I've started driving 45 minutes to play in a weekly game. And it's a blast.

I'm going to enjoy killing Strahd and taking his treasure.

And you know what? If some day..."worst case" scenario here...I get a chance to kill Saruman and take his treasure, so that I have enough magic items and XP to kill his Sauron and take his treasure, I'll do it. Then maybe we'll raid Aman and take their treasure. Or Astral Walk to Earrame, take over the ship, and tear a Silmaril from Earendil's brow.

It'll be a hoot. I'll have just as much fun...maybe even more fun...than I would killing Orcus or Tiamat or whoever. Heck, I'll take Middle Earth over Forgotten Realms or Greyhawk ANY day.

Then I'll switch gears and play my Barding blacksmith, toiling across Mirkwood, heart heavy and body weary, hoping to slow down the Shadow in some insignificant way, playing my walk-on role in the great saga.

Different games, different goals. Both are fun.

If C7 didn't undertake this, somebody else would. So I'm glad that not only is it going to be done by people who have proven, beyond a shadow of the doubt, that they love the source texts and know how to treat them with respect, but there's a chance that there will be a cross-sell to the D&D players because it's the same publisher. AND it will lower production costs on TOR supplements because so much of the work (writing, artwork, legal) will be the same for both lines.

I think we have a lot to look forward to. Including +3 Great Swords of Balrog Slaying.

[Kurt]

If C7 didn't undertake this, somebody else would. So I'm glad that not only is it going to be done by people who have proven, beyond a shadow of the doubt, that they love the source texts and know how to treat them with respect, but there's a chance that there will be a cross-sell to the D&D players because it's the same publisher. AND it will lower production costs on TOR supplements because so much of the work (writing, artwork, legal) will be the same for both lines.

Well said.

[DavetheLost]

I get that we are passionate about Middle Earth. So are the C7 crew. I think we can trust that they won't release a horror of a game. D&D-ME may be closer to the Peter Jackson movies, but that is fun for a lot of people. If the D&D version is like the movies and the TOR version is like the books both groups of fans win.

No need to be elitist and look down our collective noses at D&D players.

[DaviSalles]

I am very happy about it. I have to admit I am not a future consumer of D&D-ME, but I think it will also be great for TOR for the synergy resources people have already mentioned. There are many people not willing to learn a new system but would love to play a D&Desque ME. Even though TOR is an awsome game, I don`t agree as it being light on rules, it is quite rule heavy imho, but the rules are so awsome and so well placed that they don`t get on your way after a short while.

On another note, when will we start to speculated on the D&D rules? Are callings becoming classes? Or will it use the D&D classes? Will races become peoples? Barding, Treasure-hunter level 5? Will hope add an extra d4 to a d20 roll? Looking forward to know more, just to get my geek on game design going.