4E changed my game

[Lord Xtheth]

So, I was on board with 4e since I even started hearing roumors of a new eddition last year. I picked and dissected evry little tidbit of information I could find from the internet, and searching for 4E information even helped me find THIS site.
I've DMed several adventures with 4E, all created myself. I've played in a couple DM made 4E adventures, and I LOVE the system.

The other day my friend wants to run a 3.5 game. I'm good to go, needing to put my shelves upon shelves of material to use. I blow the dust off some less-used books (DMG, MM1, Complete blah blah etc.) and get to work building a character.

10 minutes into my 3.5 session, I'm already missing the smooth and clear nature of 4E. I'm definately missing the use of my powers. I find myself thinking how clunky and slow the combat is, and some of the old cobat rules that I used to cite off the top of my head seem to no longer make sence to me.

I can't believe how, in only a couple months my game changed so much that I can't enjoy the old system.
I guess thinking about it now, the same thing happened when AD&D2E ended and 3E first came in.

I guess I'm saying, in my little world 4E makes the most sence to me, and fits how I want to play my game best. Its not that 3.x isn't good, because it IS good! Its just I adapted to the new system and have more fun with it than I do with older systems.

On a side note, I can't wait for more material. Spacifically more monsters!

 

[Protagonist]

I get what you mean. For me its like it was with Diablo I and II.
I loved Diablo I and played at an age where it still felt very scary. I played it for thousands of hours (including the addon).
Then I played Diablo 2 and while I didn't like the more colourful graphics as much and foud the atmosphere lacking... I couldn't go back to D1 because all the little improvements on the gameplay just made too much of difference. (not having to buy a new mouse every few months due to excessive clicking, better movement / looting options, no more friendly fire in mplayer etc.)

 

[AtomicPope]

I've been tired of 3e for years but I know what you mean. I still play 3e to hang out with some people I'd normally not have a chance to see. But I play 4th Edition because I enjoy it. When it comes to mechanics, I'm right there with you. The 3e game I play in is petering out like so many 3e games do - characters are higher level, save or die becomes the only challenge, several players roll ones and half the party is incapacitated or dead while the rest flees. This is the rote for 3e D&D games. Either it's a cake walk or a damn near TPK.

So far I've been the only player to avoid a complete TPK and I've been able to save the party. To be honest, it's getting a little stale. I can only put their remains in a Bag of Holding so many times before I call it quits. The last time it was a powerful Sorcerer that charmed several Gorgons. Petrification and Insanity all around. Playing a Beguiler I just got lucky with my Fort Saves. Our Cleric failed his Fort Save and the Elf Rogue failed her Will save - game over. While the last fight was a dragon 3 levels higher that we toasted in 4 rounds. The swings are too great. It's either win big or lose big and it seem more like a crap shoot than a tactical game.