D&D 4E 4E: New power sources, new resource management

[WayneLigon]

So from one of the previews, it was said that D&D 4E will have "new power sources" and "new resource management".

Link?

 

[Simplicity]

Link?

http://www.icv2.com/articles/home/11123.html

 

[Aaron L]

Yeah, really. I'm twenty-bloody-nine and been playing AD&D/D&D since I was ten and I've never liked the Vancian stuff (not that I dislike Vance, it just doesn't feel very... "medieval fantasy") - it felt a bit off even when I was first introduced to it (probably because I'd already played computer games with mana or even free spells, and read books where spells took effort, not weird "memorization"). Per encounter would be neat, so long as it's well-handled, and some kind of mana-type system could be okay, but as you say, it would have to be low-book-keeping (i.e. no more complex than HP).

Oh my goodness, it's Ruin Explorer!

You're still alive!

 

[GreatLemur]

I do wonder how a per-encounter system would translate to the computer realm, and I'm sure that must be on the minds of designers. For a real-time D&D game, do you have a cooldown timer for per-encounter abilities? The definition of "encounter" sure seems fuzzy at times.

Actually, most computer RPGs almost operate on this paradigm already, between those that let you "rest" instantaneously wherever you want, and the common MMORPG practice of giving characters very fast, free/cheap health and mana regeneration while not in combat.

 

[Simplicity]

Oh my goodness, it's Ruin Explorer!

You're still alive!

Seriously. Long time no internet messageboardings.

 

[Ruin Explorer]

Oh my goodness, it's Ruin Explorer!

You're still alive!

4real

I just kind of got out of D&D for a few years. Anyway, I'm back for the run-up to 4E. I love a good bit of anticipation and gradual revealing of a system, and the associated tomfoolery.

Plus, I'm quite excited about 4E, because it might give me a good excuse to run D&D again, and I rather feel like doing so. And yes, I do need an excuse...

 

[Remathilis]

"New resource management" I get, but the meaning of "new power sources" eludes me. What are power sources in D&D 3e? Is the Wizard's class his power source? His spell book and components? I have no idea what this means.

Maybe they'll have Tokens like Iron Heroes? Possible, I guess, though I'd rather they didn't.

I expect per encounter casting, and that's a good thing. I dislike the current state of the Wizard and the Sorcerer. A Warlock who can cast hold his own with the Fighter and Cleric in a round to round basis, but also cast Wall of Stone or Rope Trick when necessary would be an awesome thing.

New Power Sources could be

Action Points
Invocations
Maneuvers
Psionics
Infusions
Pacts
True Names
Mysteries
Incarnum
D-Cell Batteries.

However, I'm thing AP and Invocations are the most likely...

 

[TerraDave]

Per day vs. per encounter:

Bo9S and SAGA may have a lot of per encounter stuff.

BUT, the magic item compendium (which I am guessing is also an indicator), tons of X per day uses. Just gobs of them

 

[TheCrazyMuffinMan]

Encounter-based systems eliminate difficulties for low-level players, but the distinction seems incredibly arbitrary and stifling when one considers that some runs may have no encounters, and the definition of an 'encounter' can become even more abstract than AC and strictly-RAW hitpoints. My feelings are mixed on that.

It would make sense to canonize the "spell recharge" variant in the d20srd, where some spells take longer to recharge than others, and the times are usually from a few rounds to a few hours.

The rest, however, is golden.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Im not a fan of per encounter. There tends to be a rift between the player/DM opinion of that is Per encounter.
In my Dm opinion it's when ever I ask you to roll for initiative. SO this means if the BBEG shows up half way through a fight then your stuff doesnt renew.

I would like Action Points to become core. Though Im only getting Forgotten Realms 4e stuff for sure and only 4e stuff if my old stuff is still good, ala 3e > 3.5E.