4e: big change in essentials: no more daily powers!

[On Puget Sound]

$%##%^@#!!! Finally, I thought, a set of books I don't have to buy. I mean, it's aimed at beginners, right? Nothing new for us, just a smaller version of D&D to entice non-gamers into trying it....

But noooo, they are gonna get my money after all. New builds, new options...those evil bastards!

 

[ggroy]

I wonder how many happy and satisfied 4E fans are grumbling about Essentials?

A new generation of 4E core "grognards".

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Really people? How is a new book of options for the game a call for 4.5? How is this any different than any book that has released since the core 3? Just because of the new power structure? Really? Then someone should tell the Pathfinder fans to stop nicknaming their game 3.75 because there were a whole bunch of books released during 3.5 that introduced new mechanics. I guess Pathfinder should actually be dubbed 3.99995 or somesuch.

What this sounds like to me is the second phase of marketing. I seem to remember that 4E was targetted at disenchanted 3.5 players and new blood. The next phase was to try to get players of older editions back into the game. The terminology they use, like Sub-Classes, makes me beleive that D&D essentials isn't truly aimed just at new players, but previous-edition veterans as well.

 

[Mallus]

Color me... interested.

I like the idea of an evolving design, from both a creative, and let's be honest, business perspective --WotC does need to keep move product/hold on to subscriptions.

However, I also liked the original class design/power structure. Sure, they read alike, but played different. Homogeneity was never a problem for my group.

Well, at the very least least, we'll have some new toys to play around with/evaluate. Looks like I'll be keeping my subscription...

 

[Zaran]

I have to wonder how they are going to support the new design of no dailies. I haven't seen any mention of any essentials product that takes a class beyond 3rd level. I would think that many people who pick up the red box will peg at 3rd level quickly. So does that mean they will have to switch to having dailies?

 

[Vyvyan Basterd]

A new generation of 4E core "grognards".

Nah, we'll just call them "Non-Essentials" ...oops...

 

[thecasualoblivion]

I have to wonder how they are going to support the new design of no dailies. I haven't seen any mention of any essentials product that takes a class beyond 3rd level. I would think that many people who pick up the red box will peg at 3rd level quickly. So does that mean they will have to switch to having dailies?

The Rules Compendium for Essentials contains rules for levels 1-30, and though not specifically stated I can't see why the two Players books wouldn't do the same.

 

[ggroy]

I wonder how many happy and satisfied 4E fans are grumbling about Essentials?

It probably won't be much different than the hardcore 1E AD&D people, who have banned 1E Unearthed Arcana from their games. Or for that matter, the hardcore 2E AD&D groups which banned the Player's Options books.

 

[ExploderWizard]

This reminds me of when it was stated (by Rouse?) that there would be no 4.5, only 4e.

Interesting times. Interesting times.

Yeah. Kind of wonder if he chose to leave once he found out that there would actually be a 4.5.

I was honestly expecting a major change of some type. It was hard to believe that a whole new product line would be released just as a gateway for new players. There was no way this thing was hitting the shelves without including something for the core market of existing players.

As it stands now, the product includes a great entry point for newbies and an irresistable lure for existing players with all the new material. Both markets hooked with a single product line.

 

[Shazman]

Yeah. Kind of wonder if he chose to leave once he found out that there would actually be a 4.5.

This is a bit of a sidetrack, but I read one of his blogs, and he didn't choose to leave. He left the same way most people leave WotC. He was laid off. He was a victim of the "every six month" layoff cycle (at least that's what it seems like) which has been in place at WotC at least since 4E was released. I fully expect to see a number of people laid off from WotC in mid-late November or early December.