So guys, I was considering.
I really, really miss my PnP days, I would like to sort of test the waters and see if it's possible for me to re-enter the scene somehow.
I did try for a while with Roll20 but it didn't work out very well and we stopped after a while.
To be fair, it was a half-assed attempt on my part (no camera, no microphone, only text and so on). Also, too much age difference I guess.
Suppose I get motivated to do better this time.
How is the scene nowadays?
Is 5e a good edition for an old fart who would LIKE to spend time on things like builds, but won't be able to do it ever again? Who, at his current age, could see the merits of a simple system, and a somewhat detached approach with the goal of having fun with like-minded people?
Is there a chance to find people like that on the net, and I also mean reasonably functional human beings, or should I abandon all hope about online play?
Yeah, I know about 5e and SJWism corruption, but I might be able to look past that (if other conditions are met, shall we say?)
Has been a while since I interacted with the online scene. Some general observations, all from roll20.
50% of DMs are straight trash. People without a damn clue, way too big groups, people with a lisp so strong you literally can't understand what they are saying etc, etc.
It's generally harder to get into the good games, than to get into the bad games. Those games which went longer were usually those where I had to write longer applications about preferred gameplay stile and hand in my character beforehand.
Being a DM is a very favourable position for finding a game. It's probably more work than you are willing to spend but It flips things on it's head and makes finding online games super easy. You could probably even get a text only game rolling if you are willing to DM.
Cameras are very rare if not nonexistential. Microphone is an absolute must. I was only in a single text based pen&paper game ever, and it didn't run extremely long. Was fun tho.
Its a long process. From checking out games and writing applications to having a good group was a month I think.
As for 5e, the edition is super rules light. It has more than enough depth, but if you just choose a class at random and only ever take levels in that class without any fancy feats or tricks you will be at 80% power of an optimised character. As such an easy entry drug rules system it attracts a lot of people who are searching for a super rules light experience aswell. Coming across as a powergamer makes it much harder to find a group, and a lot of DMs ban multiclassing outright.
The few games which cater specifically to powergamers aren't usually very good. Its just floods of combat interrupted by occasionall lore dumps. Rather boring imo.
As it is with the internet in general you will find a good deal of people who are just very odd. Lowkey retarded or constantly drunk. Just being old shouldn't be too much of a dealbreaker if you are otherwise an alright lad.
Edit: Also stay the HELL away from offical adventurers league play. Super retarded rules and the most ruleslawjery sharks I have ever seen in my life. Zero creativity in thos people.
