3e Core Viability vs. 4e " Core " Viability

[malraux]

I don't think I could manage 4e limited to just the PHB's magic items. If you were to toss in AV as well, I think I could handle a core + AV game, maybe. That said, I probably wouldn't get real excited about a core book only 4e campaign.

If I were ever to go back and play 3e again, I doubt I'd stray outside the PHB. For my own sake mostly, but in 3e options tend to explode up in a non-linear fashion the more sources there are. I personally really value at the table speed, so I'd go with something with fewer option just because it has fewer options.

 

[AllisterH]

For me, it depends on what CLASS I was playing...

Spellcaster- 3E
Non-spellcaster -4e

If I was Dming, definitely 4e (especially given the strength of the 4e DMG versus the 3.x DMG)

(Conversely, I rather play a spellcaster in 4e than in pre 3e D&D since my DMs went by the book with regard to the spell-acquisition rules which basically meant, little chance of getting *specific spells* )

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Regardless, I think the problem is likely more pronounced with veteran players rather than new ones. My question, I guess, is: If you were playing 3e, would you feel less hard done by if the DM decided to call Core only than if you were playing 4e and the DM said the same thing?

Been playing D&D since '77, so that's going to affect my opinion.

I have absolutely no problem playing Core Only 3.X for 2 reasons. First, Core 3.X has most of the same stuff in it as in previous editions. Sure, there are some changes, but I'd have access to most of the races & classes that have been around since AD&D...enough that I could translate 90+% of my PCs from previous editions.

Second, Core Only 3.X is a fairly popular format within my particular game group. Certainly, I'd like to try out other stuff, and when given the option, I do. But I don't feel limited.

4Ed, though...that's what we're starting off with in our newest DM's tryout of the system (with non-Core stuff being evaluated for possible inclusion). And the Core excises or changes enough things about the game I grew up with that using only the PHB1 annoys me. Some of the subsequent books bring back options- races & classes I miss; meaningful multiclassing (Hybrids)- that I find more in tune with what I want out of D&D.

Could I play 4Ed Core only? Sure. But doing so would annoy me more than Core only from any previous edition of the game.

Or, to sum it up:

Remathilis
In 4e, I found I couldn't stay core for long. Too many options were missing. No bard, monk, gnome, half-orc, or druid. V shape classes ALL looked the same (your choice for powers was: which one is my prime. I'll take that one) and those who weren't still felt very samey and flat. Oh, and the MM lacked 1/3rd of the monsters I wanted, the magic-item selection in the PHB was a joke (I called AV the 4th core book) and the game felt, for all purposes, 1/2 done using just the 1st set of books.

QFT.

Kobold Boots
1E - entirely playable as core only but no one did once they had Unearthed Arcana or Oriental Adventures.
2E - entirely playable as core only but no one did once they had a splatbook.
3E - entirely playable as core only but no one did once they had the second phb or a complete handbook.
4E - not meant to be played with just the core, can be played but is advanced greatly by the other books.

QFT.