D&D 4E What to do with 4th Edition

[UngainlyTitan]

Hey, I don't want to get us off the topic of @Jacob Lewis 's original post about missing 4e, wishing we could play it, or how we could bring it back.
I'm sorry for my part in getting us off topic.
And I have no desire to block anybody. I've been enough of a curmudgeon lately that I've brought this on myself.

But back to the original topic ...
What if there was a way to play 4E, using the original books, with a very limited tabletop? Not automated like Foundry or FGU? Maybe more like Owlbear rodeo with our original books?

The VTT is the least of your problem. The fact that FGU could support a lot of automation is beside the point. For instance that the character sheet could be made parse powers list is nice but not needed one could set up the dice rolls or just roll the dice manually and add things up.
The issue is getting a pool of players together that are interested. Letting people that you are there to run a game or willing to play in one to make it sustainable.

 

[Retreater]

The issue is getting a pool of players together that are interested. Letting people that you are there to run a game or willing to play in one to make it sustainable.

I don't know. I think we have enough people in this thread alone to run a game.

 

[kenada]

I also wanted to apologize for my part in the earlier digress. That was my fault.

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Rather than the 3e or 5e SRDs, I wonder if Pathfinder might be a better place to start a retroclone effort. There are still big differences between the systems, but there is a ton of content available under the OGL.

 

[Retreater]

Rather than the 3e or 5e SRDs, I wonder if Pathfinder might be a better place to start a retroclone effort. There are still big differences between the systems, but there is a ton of content available under the OGL.

PF2 has the nonmagical healing support. I think one could make a minion template. They also have flat saves in a lot of cases.
To paraphrase Young Frankenstein: "It! Could! Work!"

 

[Cadence]

How much virtual support is needed to run 4e online in a reasonable way? Can it be run ok enough with just a mapping program and dice roller with each character having their own character sheets?

 

[Jacob Lewis]

I just gotta say it. Seeing two people put aside their differences, owning up to their actions, then moving forward together on this topic has put a smile on my face today. Thank you @Retreater and @kenada for that.

 

[kenada]

PF2 has the nonmagical healing support. I think one could make a minion template. They also have flat saves in a lot of cases.
To paraphrase Young Frankenstein: "It! Could! Work!"

Let’s just hope Igor grabs the right brain this time. Wouldn’t want to try to play the 4e retroclone and end up with Cyborg Commando accidentally.

 

[Jacob Lewis]

How much virtual support is needed to run 4e online in a reasonable way? Can it be run ok enough with just a mapping program and dice roller with each character having their own character sheets?

Probably. But that assumes all players have some working knowledge of the rules, and how their characters work. There is also the issue of building their characters. Do they already have access to the books and materials for what they need? Keep in mind there is no support with ALL the options in a digital character builder.

To put it in perspective, if you were joining a game today, how would you make a character right now?

 

[Cadence]

Probably. But that assumes all players have some working knowledge of the rules, and how their characters work. There is also the issue of building their characters. Do they already have access to the books and materials for what they need? Keep in mind there is no support with ALL the options in a digital character builder.

To put it in perspective, if you were joining a game today, how would you make a character right now?

I never used an online builder until 5e, so I wasn't sure. Are the .pdf of the 4e rules available in .pdf still?

Just wondering if there are enough on ENWorld who have the stuff and no how to play that a virtual game or two could be done. Sounded like it might be appreciated by some.

 

[Composer99]

I never used an online builder until 5e, so I wasn't sure. Are the .pdf of the 4e rules available in .pdf still?

Just wondering if there are enough on ENWorld who have the stuff and no how to play that a virtual game or two could be done. Sounded like it might be appreciated by some.

PDFs of the books are available for sale on DrivethruRPG.

(Edit to add: I haven't played 4e before, but I am interested in giving it a shot.)