Sean Merwin

And I think that comes down to time, as you say. It comes down to this will be what it is, but we could tweak it a bit. But part of the reason that it's said that way is often playtesters, and I'm using air quotes because so often playtesters are not actually playing these. Often they are reading them and making assumptions. And it's in the play that the real value lies.

And I think that comes down to time, as you say. It comes down to this will be what it is, but we could tweak it a bit. But part of the reason that it's said that way is often playtesters, and I'm using air quotes because so often playtesters are not actually playing these. Often they are reading them and making assumptions. And it's in the play that the real value lies.

It can totally be true that you could read something and say that will never work. Absolutely. But it's also true that someone could read it and say that will never work when it actually does.

It can totally be true that you could read something and say that will never work. Absolutely. But it's also true that someone could read it and say that will never work when it actually does.

Or say, oh, that looks great, and then it doesn't.

Or say, oh, that looks great, and then it doesn't.

And so yes, in a perfect world, there would be a three-year run-up where we do get which of these two works best at your table. This works best because it's simpler, says one playtester. This works better because it gives the player lots of complicated choices that they love, says another playtester. And you... You start to see preferences.

And so yes, in a perfect world, there would be a three-year run-up where we do get which of these two works best at your table. This works best because it's simpler, says one playtester. This works better because it gives the player lots of complicated choices that they love, says another playtester. And you... You start to see preferences.

You start to see more than just how is this one line of a game. You start to see the preferences that can then move forward to dictate your design, to lead your design.

You start to see more than just how is this one line of a game. You start to see the preferences that can then move forward to dictate your design, to lead your design.

And basically, it's like, play it. Play it either as part of an ongoing campaign or run a special playtest session. Then you can give us your feedback. And they even say use one of the adventures from Quests from the Infinite Staircase to play this.

And basically, it's like, play it. Play it either as part of an ongoing campaign or run a special playtest session. Then you can give us your feedback. And they even say use one of the adventures from Quests from the Infinite Staircase to play this.

So they know that you are using something that they created as opposed to something that you created, which could be wildly divergent from other playtest groups. So at least they're moving in that direction to find a... Thinking about it, maybe.

So they know that you are using something that they created as opposed to something that you created, which could be wildly divergent from other playtest groups. So at least they're moving in that direction to find a... Thinking about it, maybe.

Yeah, yeah. Next is power level. The character options you read here might be more or less powerful than options in 2024 Player's Handbook. If a design survives playtesting, we adjust its power to the desirable level before publication. This means an option could be more or less powerful in its final form.

Yeah, yeah. Next is power level. The character options you read here might be more or less powerful than options in 2024 Player's Handbook. If a design survives playtesting, we adjust its power to the desirable level before publication. This means an option could be more or less powerful in its final form.

What they're saying here is, don't tell me, well, this subclass at level 6 does 2d8 damage, while this other playtest, this at level 6, does 3d8 damage. So it's bad. They're saying, we know that everything is not going to be perfect. Power level is the least thing that you should be focusing on. Focus on the fun and the flavor. That's not saying don't delve into the rules.

What they're saying here is, don't tell me, well, this subclass at level 6 does 2d8 damage, while this other playtest, this at level 6, does 3d8 damage. So it's bad. They're saying, we know that everything is not going to be perfect. Power level is the least thing that you should be focusing on. Focus on the fun and the flavor. That's not saying don't delve into the rules.

That's not saying, you know, it's not saying never look at that. But the useless information we get the most is how this thing compares to this thing. And there is no equal.

That's not saying, you know, it's not saying never look at that. But the useless information we get the most is how this thing compares to this thing. And there is no equal.