D&D 4E Inquiry: How do 4E fans feel about 4E Essentials?

[Kannik]

I thought the classes weren't that great for the most part, and wouldn't want to play essentials only. Also, the fact that instead of making the Ritual system more prominent, they decided to remove it, or at least not mention it, tells you something.

I always wondered what the effect would be if at 4e launch, the classes that got Ritual Caster also got free rituals per day like the Bard (but more) and had a table that showed "Rituals known" and "Free rituals / per day" that looked like the old spell tables...

In one of our campaigns, the Paladin player was feeing a bit bummed at the loss of some of the broader abilities/spells from previous editions. So I did something similar to what you suggest above, selecting a number of the rituals that fit the Paladin theme (and spells from previous editions) to add to his character (without needing to select the Ritual Caster feat). In addition, I allowed most to be cast either using components or, at an option, using healing surges, which allowed them to feel like they were coming from within and their tie to their deity (and to match 'casting' from previous editions). It worked out very well and they loved it, giving them extra flavour and abilities for use outside of encounters.

My favorite thing about 4e is how much flavor and flair you get with each class. I like that we have Avengers with powers tuned to them that take advantage of their class features rather Divine striker powers.

Likewise! Especially in the later books the classes were really evocative, managing similar roles in quite different ways and with a great amount of flavour (visually, thematically, and for RP purposes). That flavour was something the players in my group who hadn't played 4e before noticed and commented on even though we only played for 2 sessions.

 

[Garthanos]

Likewise! Especially in the later books the classes were really evocative, managing similar roles in quite different ways and with a great amount of flavour (visually, thematically, and for RP purposes).

Vivid even if you are martial.

That flavour was something the players in my group who hadn't played 4e before noticed and commented on even though we only played for 2 sessions.

I like how Swordmages defend utterly differently than fighters do....

But I am fine with Poets, Priests and Politicians having words to thank for their positions.

Thank the Police...

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Vivid even if you are martial.

I like how Swordmages defend utterly differently than fighters do....

But I am fine with Poets, Priests and Politicians having words to thank for their positions.

Thank the Stones.

My favorite power is still Vicious Mockery. I mean, its hard to get more cool than "Your father smelled of elderberries!" <roll for damage> lol. For me the Bard was one of the most fun classes to play. Well, that and the shaman "hey, just talk to my fuzzy friend here, KABOOM!"

 

[Joshua Randall]

Poets, Priests and Politicians having words to thank for their positions

That's The Police.

 

[Garthanos]

That's The Police.

ah yes damn this fading memory... must thank the right source

And its another P word

 

[S'mon]

Played 3 hours of 4e Reavers of Harkenwold on Roll20 tonight. A skill challenge (trying to recruit the Woodsinger Elves) and 3 battles (2 notably tough) - our level 3 PCs earned 693 XP each!

The Roll20 VTT definitely works great with 4e.

Didn't go so well tonight, the Iron Circle finally kicked our butts at Albridge due to some idiotic NPC battle deployments*/adventure railroad. Would have been 3/4 TPK (I was Brave Sir Robin-ing away) but for a deus ex machina.

*When your town is called Al-Bridge, maybe make use of the bloody BRIDGE.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

ah yes damn this fading memory... must thank the right source

And its another P word

Huh, I thought it was Sting all the way!

 

[Jacob Lewis]

Huh, I thought it was Sting all the way!

 

[Scott Christian]

My first time starting a thread...be gentle.

I am currently active in the Survivor: D&D Edition thread on the forum and have observed that while there are plenty of participants in said thread who like 4E I have yet to see a single upvote for 4E Essentials. I never played either version of 4E, have only a cursory knowledge of 4E and know nothing about Essentials.

So, 4E devotees, what were the changes made in Essentials that you dislike?

If there are any fans of Essentials actually out there, what were the changes that you DID like?

NOTE: I am genuinely curious about this topic and have ZERO interest in starting any kind of intra edition flame war, so please lets try to keep things civil.

No offense to anyone, but I enjoyed it. I am also a fan of simplification, which it did.