D&D 4E Gave up 4E would essentialls win us back?

[Elodan]

Interesting takes all around. I appreciate the time everyone has taken so far.

Just to clarify, there were those within the group who had the issues I described with 4E and those who didn't.

As for the predictability issue, I think it was not necessarily that the players win but also "the grind." There were a lot of comments about knowing either the PCs or bad guys were going to win but it taken another 1/2 hour get there.

 

[MrMyth]

As for the predictability issue, I think it was not necessarily that the players win but also "the grind." There were a lot of comments about knowing either the PCs or bad guys were going to win but it taken another 1/2 hour get there.

They certainly have been steering monster design towards "higher damage, more fragile" for a bit since 4E came out. Whether it is enough to address your concerns or not, I can't say for sure - but it is an issue WotC seems aware of and has tried to address. The most recent MM3 was definitely designed along those lines, and I'm relatively confident the Essentials Monster Vault will be the same.