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<blockquote data-quote="Keenath" data-source="post: 4086970" data-attributes="member: 59792">That's funny because every review I've read from finally-ungagged playtesters has said kind of the same thing: &quot;The players' end changes a little, but MAN things are easier on the DM!&quot;A strong example would be Massaworm's review from over at AintItCool news.<a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35776" target="_blank">http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35776</a><a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35799" target="_blank">http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35799</a><a href="http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35811" target="_blank">http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35811</a>I believe part 2 is where he discusses the DM's side of things.If you don't like deciding how to apply mechanics, then you probably won't like being a DM in ANY edition of D&amp;D.&nbsp; The system requires you to come up with answers.&nbsp; 4e is more about giving you easier answers than trying to come up with a specific rule for each situation.&quot;I want to yank the rug out from under those two goblins!&quot;&nbsp; &quot;Um... okay, Strength check vesus their reflex defense.&nbsp; Hit, they drop prone, miss and they stay upright.&quot;Is it really so complicated?&nbsp; I'd say it's far simpler to have a small toolbox with widely-applicable tools (like three defenses and various attack types) than to deal with a massive toolchest full of widgets that only operate in the exact situation they were designed for.And DMs are bound by the rules in most cases.&nbsp; Monsters have HPs and attack bonuses and such like the players do; everything is resolved by d20 rolls... That doesn't mean the &quot;law&quot; covers everything, nor should it.&nbsp; Tyrant?&nbsp; Okay, I guess so -- but the DM has always been a tyrant.&nbsp; 2nd edition forwarded the &quot;DM as God&quot; concept where arguing with the DM was expected to cause &quot;rocks fall, you die&quot;.&nbsp; We're moving AWAY from that here.In fact, 4e is about freeing up the DM to make quick, sensical rulings without loading him down, and without making the players feel cheated if he uses THIS interpretation when THAT one would be more advantageous.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="Keenath, post: 4086970, member: 59792"] That's funny because every review I've read from finally-ungagged playtesters has said kind of the same thing: "The players' end changes a little, but MAN things are easier on the DM!" A strong example would be Massaworm's review from over at AintItCool news. [url]http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35776[/url] [url]http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35799[/url] [url]http://www.aintitcool.com/node/35811[/url] I believe part 2 is where he discusses the DM's side of things. If you don't like deciding how to apply mechanics, then you probably won't like being a DM in ANY edition of D&D. The system requires you to come up with answers. 4e is more about giving you easier answers than trying to come up with a specific rule for each situation. "I want to yank the rug out from under those two goblins!" "Um... okay, Strength check vesus their reflex defense. Hit, they drop prone, miss and they stay upright." Is it really so complicated? I'd say it's far simpler to have a small toolbox with widely-applicable tools (like three defenses and various attack types) than to deal with a massive toolchest full of widgets that only operate in the exact situation they were designed for. And DMs are bound by the rules in most cases. Monsters have HPs and attack bonuses and such like the players do; everything is resolved by d20 rolls... That doesn't mean the "law" covers everything, nor should it. Tyrant? Okay, I guess so -- but the DM has always been a tyrant. 2nd edition forwarded the "DM as God" concept where arguing with the DM was expected to cause "rocks fall, you die". We're moving AWAY from that here. In fact, 4e is about freeing up the DM to make quick, sensical rulings without loading him down, and without making the players feel cheated if he uses THIS interpretation when THAT one would be more advantageous. [/QUOTE]

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