My boy , Bob, here at RPGDigest is putting 4e through its paces and I get the feeling he is loving it. I mean, it does have some nice simplification of the rules, the DMG is nice for beginning DMs, and the art is fabulous. I think some of the mechanics for flying and mounted combat are particularly nice as well. Though I do have all 3 core books, have read the PHB, am half way through the DMG, I belive I’m going to pass on this iteration of the Grandaddy of RPGs. In fact, I have someone who is going to take the PHB off my hands for cheap , and I am willing to sell the other two for a similar ‘good’ deal….any takers? 
I don’t want to start a flame war ,but I just want to put my thoughts out in the ether for posterity. Oh yeah, and so all my buddies can say, “I told you so” when I back track and re-purchase the core books a year or 2 from now when new Pathfinder and Monte Cook tomes for 3.x are no longer avaialable.
Now to squarely put my foot in my mouth.
Why I think that 4e is not for me:
1.)The powers section for pc just scream ” goofy” to me. A paladin smites someone and a nearby ally gains an AC boost….what the? Someone dies from a warlock curse and then the warlock gets to teleport 3 squares….or some such drivel. Fighters using a feat or two and then casting the raise dead ritual or else just buying the ritual on a scroll and casting it without a feat( the scroll part I’m not too sure of ,but I think I read that in the PHB)). However, I do know a fighter can raise the dead with a choice feat and for me that is way too irritating…oh yeah, and goofy. I really did not expect this at all. I was truly flabbergasted at how many times during my read -through of the PHB….I audibly said: “this is stupid”
2.) The game is way too board/minis gamey for me. Now before anyone gets their panties into a wad, you really can’t deny that DND has played more and more like a board game ever since the advent of 3e and minis. Now, I’m not saying that’s all bad , but its just that 4e is move even closer in that direction. I do think that in many ways 4e is a natural progression of the mini’s rules entrenched in 3e and I’ve, quite frankly, had enough. As most of my friends can attest, I find board games and minis games with too many rules and technicalities a real turn off( gimme Heroscape over DnD minis any day).
3.) The game just looks boring. High levels appear the same as lower levels which on the surface sounded good until I realized that everything is just the same. No significant difference except for damage output in the powers. Boring. Oh and don’t even get me started on the cheapening of illusion magic in the recent WOTC article…psychic damage…does every power have to deal damage and some condition? again….boring.
4.) The GSL…need I elaborate. Hey, I respect WOTC’s right to protect their IP ,but please don’t pretend it is really open.
5) The new DnD stuff is cheap looking crap. I mean, just take a look at the 4e Minis. They suck butt! I have been an avid collector of DnD minis since their inception and I can say unequivocally ( IMO) that they are horrendous and cheesy.
Exhibits
A: the new wyvern : horrid!
B: The Keep on the Shadowfell: repeat maps…..
C: The Core books: repeat art…please…WOTC can afford new art.
and
6) Paizo and Monte Cook. Pathfinder and Paizo Publishing is making great stuff that is 3.x compatible and I love it. I am a charter member of their adventure path and can’t wait for their RPG. Also, even though Cook is technically on the fringe of RPG’s these days, I will take his “fringe-work” over anything else …any other RPG creator makes.
Of course, if you love 4e, knock yourself out. It’s just not my cup of tea. At least not until I taste the new flava at Gencon 08″ . Go Gencon!!!!
Shekaka67
{ 7 comments… read them below or add one }
With you all the way on this.
We’re going to use 4e for a short GM-less Gladiator Arena Fight Club mini-campaign. I reckon it’ll be perfect for that.
I’m totally with you on point 1. The cleric did it more for me than the paladin. Number 3 would require actual play from level 1-30, but I can see how it could turn into a grind if the game neglects any roleplaying for strictly encounter power-encounter power-encounter power-extended rest-repeat.
As for number 4, I think people need to realize that WotC never touted the GSL as Open. I’m sad that it isn’t, but I can’t blame them for making a claim they never did.
I like what Paizo is doing with Pathfinder. I’d probably even say I like it more than 4E, but that’s all based on theory. I need to play both. Now, if I can just find a group . . . .
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It doesn’t sound like you actually sat down and played any sessions with the 4E rules. A final analysis of the game without playing it seems premature, at best. You ought to give 4E a try with your group before you exile it to Hell, you may be pleasantly surprised. Or maybe not… but you’ll know for sure either way.
Greywulf: gladiatorial games would be great as it is obvious they have nearly mastered the balance between classes issue…all classes are the same
Kameron: I agree a complete playtest of all levels 1-30 would put all concerns to bed, and rp-ing with a group of buddies is fun no matter the system ,but on a first read through things look pretty …blah
GSL: I know WOTC never said it was going to be OPEN and I respect their protectiveness of their own IP ,but I get the feeling few in the D+D community expected them to make it this tough to publish…if I were a 3PP , I simply would not even consider it
BE: YOu are correct…I’ve yet to play it ,but at Gencon, or hopefully sooner…Mr. DM Yet to Be NAmed?…I’m looking at you, I will be giving it a whirl.
However, I’m going to stick to my guns on what I posted….my first read-through tells me it just isn’t for me.
So as to compromise, I will put it on Avernus ( 1st layer of Hell) where there are lots of portals…maybe one day I’ll step through one and snag it back…it should be cool looking with new horns on the books and an infernal stench of brimstone about it…maybe then I’d be into it.
I haven’t seen the latest rules, but I have to agree as well. Of course, I’m such an old fuddy duddy that I never moved past AD&D 2nd Edition rules. Even 3rd Edition rules seemed kind of “dumbed down” to me. I sort of liked the complexity of it. But then I’m a geek from way back.
Shekaka67 forced me to unlearn THAC0 and play with little metal and plastic idols. He shall be assimulated.
One of us
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Apis
(That is depending on how our 3rd and final? playtest goes)
4th Edition is fun…as long as you do not think about it too much. The Swordmage is especially strange, with the ability to prevent damage from across the battlefield with just a “mark.”
Trask, The Last Tyromancer
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