Deekin
Adventurer
DM_Blake said:My take, which will no-doubt be buried in the pile of unread replies, is that video games like WOW need to focus classes into set roles. You expect a warrior to tank, a wizard to blast, a priest to heal, and a rogue to sneak around and backstab. That's fine for WOW.
That isn't fine for a PnP RPG game.
For me, I like flexibility. I like being able to create a race/class combo, then take it where nobody usually takes it. A mage who specializes in spells that enhance his weapons and likes to mix it up with the other melee group members. A rogue who prefers heavy armor and huge 2-h polearms. Whatever the mind can conjure up.
4e seems to be taking away flexibility and moving more toward a PnP version of a video game.
No moreso than previous versions of D&D. In nearly all class based games, you will be penailized for going outside of your class. A mage that specializes in buffing his weapons will be eaten by monsters that were designed to hand someont with 2x as much HP, AC, and attack bonus. A rogue is heavy armor will eat huge ACP till he's proficent, and even then, it reduces his effectiveness with all he thievery skills.
4th edtion seems to be moving away from that, though, with feats that let you pick up other classes talent trees. A fighter might learn a few spells to enchant his blade. A rogue might pick up the talents that cut down on ACP, allowing him to sneak full well in fullplate.