Search results

I think rather than watering the game down, they are trying to refocus on the core, highly identifiable elements of D&D. Recapture the lost Pathfinder audience. I don't think they are planning to have 1e, 2e, 3e, and 4e style characters coexisting either. But modularity aims to make it...

I put roles in the same category as power sources - a way of describing the class template in the scheme of the larger game. It is descriptive, not prescriptive. Clerics heal - they have since OD&D and calling them a leader role basically says they tend toward support and that as a class they...

Remathilis, I like a lot about the mechanics of 4e, but I would definitely concede the point about the core rules being dry and low on fluff. I'd actually have preferred less powers but greater scope to tweak those powers (ie have wizards be able to cast 'elemental bolts' of which they could...

I don't understand all the roles hate. Looking back at the first D&D iterations the classes were all extremely pigeonholed. Everyone got a weapon that they swung each round: fighters usually a sword, clerics got a mace, thieves a dagger or shortsword and mages a staff or dagger. Mages got to...

As a 4e player I am concerned about ongoing DDI support but this is unlikely to be an issue until 2014 at the earliest. I only hope that 5e will allow me to transition to similarly developed online tools (that I am happy to pay for). This may be challenging for a modular game with a plethora...

I don't see aging as in pcs getting too old as a problem in most games. In fact, I often see the converse, which is the 18yr old level 1 who gains 9 levels in 6 months of game time. I have found a couple of ways to stretch this out (traveling, inter adventure downtime) but it is something I...

I stand by my statements regarding splatbooks and rules bloat but I don't want you to think I haven't enjoyed or dropped a chunk of change on supplements over the years. Personally I've loved some of the setting expansions - Spelljammer, Ravenloft, Birthright and recently Eberron have been some...

Lots of great comments and thoughts here but I'd like to echo with bargle0 that I think players should live or die based on their decisions. If they choose to take on a too tough enemy under unfavorable circumstances, they should have dire consequence that could but not necessarily involve...

Healing surge drain is often thought of as trivial, but I've found a way to get my pcs to care. I've dumped them in the shadowfell and told them they do not regain surges by sleeping. They need special 'spirit shards' to get them back. It's amazing how they now try to fight smart when surges...

I like APs or stunt points or those mechanics that allow for spectacular success when the PLAYER deems it important. It is great for heroic style games, but i admit it is probably less suited for gritty games. I find xp rewards for roleplaying don't work well in D&D - as a DM I feel compelled...

Not saves, defenses - Self love = Reflexes Seduction = Will Ménage = Fortitude

Next, can I also role 3d6 and add/subtract my Comeliness modifier to determine my ErP (Erotic Proficiency) trait?

I agree the model is flawed as it is exclusionary rather than recognizing all elements contribute to a great game. As a side note, I can't believe how many votes Johnny is getting. Hey, I consider myself a heavy narrativist, but I don't think your teenage creation of a unique 1/2 pixie 1/2...

There is often a mixed response to the standard, move, and minor actions all in the same turn. Like you, I'm now a convert. When I started 4e I would have disagreed with you with selecting 3 actions adding to slow combats. But after 3-4 months of weekly gaming my players now just know what...

A common complaint is that of rules bloat - there are increasingly more options as more material is published, paralyzing players (and DMs) with options. First, I don't see how making a modular game to play however you like will trim down the bloat - quite the opposite. Second, WOTC like all...

Recently my 4e group of 4 split the party - a long term campaign split due to differing goals. As a result I am running the two groups in parallel (3-4 sessions then swap). I took the opportunity for the players to create 4 new essentials characters to join the long running PCs for the off...

There are a couple of problems with the concept that a player 'knows exactly what they can do' based on their sheet. First, it removes the random factor from the game, which adds excitement and risk to attempted actions. Second, when there are factors the player doesn't know about (ie the new...

I hate the buzzword 'granularity' nearly as much as 'modular'.

I use maptools and make maps in Photoshop - but I am a Photoshop genius. One cool tip - make a couple of colored translucent circles (30% opacity) in Photoshop and add them as tokens. You can the add them to the background layer to mark out zones and AoE spells.

As someone who uses the character builder, the incapacity to add new languages is frustrating as is the lack of rules on how you do this. As previously mentioned, The linguist feat gives you 3 extra languages. Note also that the scholar theme gives you extra languages as you level up. If you...