Damn, it feels good to be a gangsta.
Well, the dust is indeed settling on the 4E announcements. Wizards of the Coast has been relatively forthcoming with info since the announcement, and I have to say that I’m liking most of what I am seeing. Sure, there was the scuttlebutt about “random virtual miniatures”, but it seems that that fiasco has come to an end.
Here’s what I’m liking about 4E:
- Race matters. Maybe it is because I started D&D with the Basic Set when an Elf was a class and a race all rolled into one, but I like the idea that race matters, even at higher levels.
- Tiefling and Gnome. ‘Nuff Said.
- The new cosmology. While I like the Great Wheel and Planescape, I feel like there are better ways to arrange the multiverse. 4E gives me tools to do that.
- Spell levels that match class levels. Should have been as obvious as THAC0.
Here’s what WotC has promised that I’m hoping will turn out the way they say, but I’m skeptical:
- Faster combat. This might be a stretch, at least at low levels. Things are pretty streamlined early in the 3.5 power curve.
- DM Tools. Will be great if they work. E-Tools, anyone?
And here’s what I don’t like:
- It’s a bit nebulous, but the “World of Warcraft” feel that creeps up in some of the new flavor material. We’ll have to see how this pans out.
- All-digital Dungeon and Dragon. Sometimes, it’s just nice to have shiny maps.
Look for some 4E summary materials on the main site in the coming days.
