V6

[Ben Linus]

If we have a V30 that reverses most of the V5 changes (including the basic structure of the fiche). What would V5 be maintained? What changes would not be reversed?

[CTPhipps]

If we have a V30 that reverses most of the V5 changes (including the basic structure of the fiche). What would V5 be maintained? What changes would not be reversed?

Could you be a bit more elaborate?

I mean, if they got rid of the Second Inquisition and retconned away Chicago by Night 5E then I'd be out of here.

There's other settings I can spend my money on.

[Ben Linus]

I do not believe that the Second Inquisition was an element that they would get rid of. But it is precisely this kind of answer that I hope.

The Second Inquisition does not need revised Humanity and Hunger rules, as well as Amalgrams of Disciplines to exist, works perfectly in the V20 rules and it actually advances the scenario in a natural way, although some achievements can be minimized.

[Tubect]

It's not going to happen.

[CTPhipps]

I think supplementary rules are probably going to happen.

Probably, for example, Loresheets for Paths or maybe an optional system for Sabbat.

Like Pack as Touchstones.

[Nosimplehiway]

I'm not sure I can picture an active retconning away of V5 core.

For one thing, there are certain stories V5 can tell very well. If you want your vampire stories to be reminiscent of, say Trainspotting, SLC Punk, or, maybe, Less Than Zero, then V5 will work. I for one, would love to see a sort of V5.1, or V6, which would just do a few simple things:

• Fix the frustrating layout, graphics, and organization. Don't think there's a problem? The Firearms skill description begins on p160 and ends on p163. No, it's not four pages of firearms rules, it's assorted illustrations, and a sidebar about adding new skills randomly plopped into the middle of the firearms skill description.
• Reduce the overall column inches given to illustrations. Don't get me wrong, there is some awesome art. (I want to buy, frame, and hang the gay punk pieta on p112-113. If the photographer is reading this, msg me.) However, there is also a lot of filler, repeated images, and random negative space. Don't think there's a problem? Explain to me what the illustration on p357 is, what it coneys, and how it improves the game.
• Expand the section on customizing the rules to tone down different mechanics, and allow a broader range of stories to be told. A surprisingly large part of the book is how to go further with V5's innovations; little is given on how to dial it back or soften the effects.
• File down some of the more intentionally provocative content. This is, of course, a ymmv kind of thing. As a general rule, I should be able to read the book in the breakroom at work without expecting HR to get called. I get it. It's an "adult game", but sometimes being an adult means not having to constantly push buttons just for fun. Don't think it's a problem? One word: Chechnya.

All that said, there is a lot of good content in there I would not want to lose. I hope the problems with V5 gets fixed so those good ideas become more accessible and user-friendly.

For another, there is no inherent reason there couldn't be four basic streams of Vampire games: VtR mechanics and setting, V20&pre mechanics and setting, MET mechanics and setting, V5 mechanics and setting, and video game mechanics and setting.

If V20&pre and V5 are considered to have branched off from one another, rather than one replacing the other, then it opens all kinds of possibilities for cross-pollination and porting things back and forth. The difficulty is when a corebook that radically resets the mechanics and setting is said to replace one of the other streams. That's where things get... contentious.

[PMárk]

If V20&pre and V5 are considered to have branched off from one another, rather than one replacing the other, then it opens all kinds of possibilities for cross-pollination and porting things back and forth. The difficulty is when a corebook that radically resets the mechanics and setting is said to replace one of the other streams. That's where things get... contentious.

Well, yes. The problem with V5 isn't that people got a new vampire game that they like more than the existing. The problem is that people who liked the existing one more, lost the chance of getting that updated and getting new content in the future.

Again, since V20, nobody really complained about Requiem any more. They had different focus, style and was preferred by different people who wanted to play a modern vampire game differently, with different backgrounds.

[PMárk]

It's not going to happen.

D&D 5e. Shadowrun 5e. Both curbed back a lot of the changes their respective earlier edition's implemented. D&D 5e has thrown out most of the 4e mechanics and retconned almost all of 4e FR. Shadowrun 5e made a big metaplot around getting rid of the more outlandish nanotech-transhumanism elements, getting back the punk vibe and bringing back things like cyberdecks.

V6 will happen as D&D 6e will happen, Shadowrun 6e will happen and CoC 8e will happen.

People said in 2004 that the "old WoD" is done and dead and yet, we're two editions further since that.

How much it'll advertise itself by going back to the earlier editions, or go further in the direction of V5, or find a middle ground will depend on how V5 will do long-term and who'll writing it.

[Grumpy RPG Reviews]

I'm more interested in V7 where they undo the undoing that was done.

[Ben Linus]

What do you believe would survive in a PMárk rectification? Since we both wish and believe that people would react better to one.

[Trippy]

Yep. Not going to happen anytime soon.

[The Gentleman Gamer]

I'm hoping for V8, personally. Yum. Vegetable juice.

[Aleph]

Much like with M20 I would hope more for reconciliation than substitution or retcon. Probably V5 it's going to add more and more options with the Sabbat Guide and PLayers Guide. I think we can hope for Elder rules, a playable Middle East, and onwards. After these happen they're going to be part of a (maybe less controvertial, maybe) V6.

[PMárk]

Much like with M20 I would hope more for reconciliation than substitution or retcon. Probably V5 it's going to add more and more options with the Sabbat Guide and PLayers Guide. I think we can hope for Elder rules, a playable Middle East, and onwards. After these happen they're going to be part of a (maybe less controvertial, maybe) V6.

Most likely, though I'd say I think the best would be V5 getting that material, in a couple years, then we getting a smoothed-out V5 Revised, or 30th, that incorporates those from the get-go and revises the rules (because they need serious revision at places). Then, 6-8 years from that, in the future, we'll get a V6.

Honestly, the only things that could make us stuck with V5 as it is, in my eyes, are the resources of Modiphius to make a new corebook in 2-3 years and the willingness of WW to let it happen.

But the thought itself, isn't outlandish, it happened with several games, including Vampire itself. That we have a corebook doesn't necessiates that we're stuck with it for the next 10 years.

[Trippy]

Maybe we could all request that Modiphius can produce a bespoke edition for each and every one of us?

Yay.