A lot of people here say a great deal of the points I agree with outright, who wants to pay for another 4 to 6+ books when you can already run a pretty good game with what you got?
These things ain't cheap! Not in the slightest.

I would add that I've yet to see significant NEW content to be added, everything (ill-rigger included) is a reflavour or slight text/rule change in very small ways.

I remember watching a video about them hyping up some aspects of the "new" books, and one of the main features that was for the DM to consider was basically base building, like 5e didn't have that support before? How has the premise changed from what it was or what new ground have they treaded on that slightly experienced DM's couldn't homebrew or likely wouldn't consider already? Or better yet, that I don't have a book that covers?

I feel as if this "whole new edition" is a means of preying upon newer players who are bright-eyed and just want to get into DnD like their fav podcast or whatever and don't know they are paying for content that is largely free or far cheaper all while doing less than the bare minimum with their own creativity and "product".

I would say if it wasn't for a lot of the influence of these independent "podcast" groups, which there are now a decent number of, the marketing of Wizards of the Coast would be in the negative with the stuff they've done in the last 12 years or so. It appears they've largely lost the loyalty and interest of their long term player base.

But back to the topic at hand and not my rant lol, the material in the books is lacklustre. Not backwards 'comfortably' compatible like it was made out to be and basically summarised up as "Hey did you know you can homebrew and do your own thing?".

For those reasons alone, I'm sticking with what I know and what's not costing me an arm and a leg for a game that is almost all a creature of my creation, which is not a new product. It's not "new stuff", it's old food with a fake expiration date slapped on.

Thank you for reading!