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EvilDrPuma wrote:

I seem to recall reading somewhere that non-English versions of 3.X use metric units, but I've never seen a copy myself. Unfortunately for the majority of the planet's population, though, I've seen no sign that 4E will renounce the American predilection for imperial units in the English text.

Russian PHB (the only book we have in Russian ) uses imperial system and has a quick conversion table. That's fine for me. Fantasy characters should be talking in feets and miles, save kilometers and meters for Sci-fi.

Nox_Noctis wrote:

You can't define a "better" measurement system. Measurement systems are just relative definitions.

No, but you can define a common measurement system. That is what Convention du Mètre did in 1875.

Now that I've offered my logic, offered the opposing logic, and refuted said opposing logic, please continue.

Since I don't understand your logic and you don't seem to understand mine, I suppose we have to agree to disagree.

I stand by my conviction that SI is the international measurement system and even US products should to adopt it.

Nox_Noctis wrote:

See my above posts in regard to feet/inches/etc. being internationally adopted(thus constituting a common measurement).

As for agreeing to disagree, that is fine.

The fact that the US and the UK (with its "Commonwealth") removed the difference between a number of imperial and US measurements does not constitute an international adaptation.

But disagree we surely do.

duke_Qa wrote:

A is probably the most likely choice, since its an American game and America is one of the 3 remaining countries in the world who has not officially gone over to metric yet(along with Liberia and Myanmar).

Technically, America does officially use the metric system; the decision to switch was made in 1975, but only mandatory among government agencies. Conversion among the private sector was to occur on a volunteer basis. Private industry, in large part, decided to continue using imperial. Even though both metric and imperial are taught in schools, metric is typically left there as individuals begin their professional careers.

Metric is the system of measurement used by American scientists, doctors, engineers, and other professionals that might have to work with individuals in other countries. However, this is more to communicate effectively with their colleagues that it is to comply with the change in standard.

As far as my personal opinion on the subject, count me as one more American in favor of the metric system for D&D.

oldtimer & nox_noctis: hehe, figured someone would start arguing about the advantages of imperial and metric quite quickly, though i have to say it was a fair fight compared to many others i've seen on forums :P

imperial might be a standard recognized around the world, but its a bit like 2e vs 3e(or 3e vs 4e if you wish); theres so many things that have been streamlined and made easier in the newer versions that you really don't want to go back to the old stuff. Naturally someone will stick to the old stuff because they like the soul and feel of it, but the majority will move on.


Everyone should be able to understand peoples feelings about measurements that we might understand but not really have any experience with. It's a bit like knowing a curse-word in a foreign language, you can say it open in public and feel no effect out of it, but the people around you might have different opinions on it if they are more used to that language :p(hehe, one example i like. 'puta' would be 'The pillow' in my language. funny how things works now and then).