My son and I played in seven D&D RPG events at Origins this past week. Three were 4E events, three in the Blackmoor (DAB) campaign and one using the Pathfinder rules. (not in that order, they were interspersed)
Our first two 4E games were fun. But, they were both consisted of encounters separated by nothing. (No travel, no role playing, no discussion). The first 4E event was two encounters and the second we had three encounters. After those two experiences we were not very impressed.
Then we played a custom adventure using the Pathfinder rules and an intro mod in the Blackmoor campaign (our first experience in the DAB setting). Both of those games were traditional D&D as we know it, including roleplaying, travel and quit a bit of "non-encounter" related gaming.
We had some more open slots to fill on Saturday and Sunday. We registered for two more DAB sessions as we were in agreement that the 4E events, while "fun", were not truly satisfying.
Then we played our third 4E adventure that showed that, with the right DM, the system can work. We had interactive roleplaying, non-encounter events, etc. The DM was VERY prepared and included several game assisting mechanisms I'd never seen used before. (e.g. status cards for characters that were dazed and stunned)
The reason I caveat the statement above "with the right DM" is because it's my impression that the system is prone to type of gaming we experienced in our first two sessions. The DM in our last 4E event was very experienced and a highly talented DM. He brought that experience from past versions of D&D to 4E and made it work. I remain skeptical as to whether those lacking this experience will be able to do the same.
For anyone that may question the motivations in writing this, I provide these observations as simply that - our observations. I have purchased the three core 4E books. We (my son and I) registered in the 4E events at Origins so that we could get exposed to the system. At GENCON we are only registered for Pathfinder events.
Our first two 4E games were fun. But, they were both consisted of encounters separated by nothing. (No travel, no role playing, no discussion). The first 4E event was two encounters and the second we had three encounters. After those two experiences we were not very impressed.
Then we played a custom adventure using the Pathfinder rules and an intro mod in the Blackmoor campaign (our first experience in the DAB setting). Both of those games were traditional D&D as we know it, including roleplaying, travel and quit a bit of "non-encounter" related gaming.
We had some more open slots to fill on Saturday and Sunday. We registered for two more DAB sessions as we were in agreement that the 4E events, while "fun", were not truly satisfying.
Then we played our third 4E adventure that showed that, with the right DM, the system can work. We had interactive roleplaying, non-encounter events, etc. The DM was VERY prepared and included several game assisting mechanisms I'd never seen used before. (e.g. status cards for characters that were dazed and stunned)
The reason I caveat the statement above "with the right DM" is because it's my impression that the system is prone to type of gaming we experienced in our first two sessions. The DM in our last 4E event was very experienced and a highly talented DM. He brought that experience from past versions of D&D to 4E and made it work. I remain skeptical as to whether those lacking this experience will be able to do the same.
For anyone that may question the motivations in writing this, I provide these observations as simply that - our observations. I have purchased the three core 4E books. We (my son and I) registered in the 4E events at Origins so that we could get exposed to the system. At GENCON we are only registered for Pathfinder events.