D&D 4E 4E: What we think we know

[Brennin Magalus]

I'm calling it now. They are eliminating Gnomes...

Hallelujah if they do!

 

[WhatGravitas]

Hallelujah if they do!

But... but... in Eberron, Gnomes are cool!

Honestly, removing a core race? What are the repercussions for the settings?

FR gets a Time of Gnomish Troubles? Eberron gets a metaplot?

That's strange.

 

[Sammael]

Removing them from the core books doesn't mean that they will be removed from the settings. After all, FR has a dozen additional "core" races included in the campaign setting, and Eberron has four (Kalashtar, Warforged, Changeling, Shifters). I'd say the impact will be minimal.

I also predict that a major draw to buy the CS books will be the fact that FR will present drow as a race playable from the start, and Eberron may do the same for, say, hobgoblins...

 

[Nebulous]

I think it would be better with 30 levels. People have often said that they miss the slower character progression, or rather than the faster character progression of 3.5 doesn't allow for keeping characters around for many adventures.

Now, here is something i think needs to be more clearly defined in the DMG (and maybe it's there now, but i don't recall): instructing a DM (especially new ones) how to deliberately slow down level progression to fit the type of campaign they want. If you want characters to grow slowly over a period of years, D&D should be flexible in some ways to accommodate that. If you want characters to ramp up in a level every time they descend into a dungeon, the rules can do that too (and are probably skewed in that direction currently)

Personally, i would really like to see a slower 30-level progression where the game isn't bulky and screwed up by 15th.

But what i want to see most of all are scalable spells and feats.

 

[EditorBFG]

Just writing to say I think this forum is doing a great job getting all the info the together, especially MerricB. Seriously, everybody, keep it up, many of us are very grateful.

 

[humble minion]

But... but... in Eberron, Gnomes are cool!

Honestly, removing a core race? What are the repercussions for the settings?

FR gets a Time of Gnomish Troubles? Eberron gets a metaplot?

That's strange.

To be honest, the easiest way to do this would be to have gnomes reduced to a halfling subrace. A few differently-focused skill bonuses (or 4e equivalent) would pretty much do the trick, you'd think, without eating up too much in the way of page count.

 

[Nebulous]

I couldn't care less about a virtual tabletop - the day I stop playing D&D on an actual tabletop is the day I stop playing D&D period. Just not the same without people sitting at the table, might as well play WoW then.

Amen! I'm sure it will have its uses for gamers that can't actually meet up, or for friends who moved away, but i can't imagine gathering together like that. It's the rules tweaks that will push me to 4th edition if ANYTHING, but i'm liking what i see so far.

 

[Drkfathr1]

My guess on the race and class that will be eliminated: Half-Elf and Sorcerer.

 

[RigaMortus2]

Posted my own thread about this, then I noticed this one, so might as well post it here. This may be old news, if so, apologies


http://theminiaturespage.com/news/519193/


August 16, 2007 (Renton, WA) – Whether you storm a mad wizard's tower every week or haven't delved into a dungeon since you had a mullet and a mean pair of parachute pants, one thing is certain - millions of D&D players worldwide have anticipated the coming of 4th Edition for many years. Today, Wizards of the Coast confirms that the new edition will launch in May 2008 with the release of the D&D Player's Handbook. A pop culture icon, Dungeons & Dragons is the #1 tabletop roleplaying game in the world, and is revered by legions of gamers of all ages.

The 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons game includes elements familiar to current D&D players, including illustrated rulebooks and pre-painted plastic miniatures. Also releasing next year will be new web-based tools and online community forums through the brand-new Dungeons & Dragons Insider (D&D Insider) digital offering. D&D Insider lowers the barriers of entry for new players while simultaneously offering the depth of play that appeals to veteran players.

The 4th Edition rules emphasize faster game play, offer exciting new character options, and reduce the amount of "prep time" needed to run the game. D&D Insider includes a character creator that lets players design and equip their D&D characters, dungeon- and adventure-building tools for Dungeon Masters, online magazine content, and a digital game table that lets you play 24/7 on the internet — the perfect option for anyone who can't find time to get together.

"We've been gathering player feedback for eight years," said Bill Slavicsek, R&D Director of Roleplaying and Miniatures Games at Wizards of the Coast. "Fourth Edition streamlines parts of the D&D game that are too complex, while enhancing the overall play experience. At its heart, it's still a tabletop game experience. However, D&D Insider makes it easier for players to create characters, run their games, and interact with the rest of the D&D community."

Wizards of the Coast will release two 4th Edition preview books in December and January — Wizards Presents: Classes and Races and Wizards Presents: Worlds and Monsters. The first live demos of 4th Edition will happen at the D&D Experience gaming convention in Washington D.C. in February 2008. The full scope of 4th Edition books, miniatures, and adventures will be available in the spring and summer of 2008.

Since its first release in 1974, the fantasy roleplaying game Dungeons & Dragons has taken millions of players on imaginary adventures of epic scale. Today, D&D is universally regarded as the original game that created the roleplaying game category, and the inspiration for generations of game designers. D&D is enjoyed by millions of players worldwide, while countless more remember it with fond nostalgia.

 

[OptionalRule]

If I wanted to turn D&D into a money making machine I would do the following:...

The big problem with these statements about how WotC could bleed more money out of us if they wanted is it assumes people will keep playing. RPGs are seriously competing with other forms of entertainment for time and money and while the product managers could do more to get money out of us there is no assurance that people wont just lose interest and wander off to another hobby. Even if the die hards of DnD continue to buy that wont translate into a sustainable business model for them.

If they want this to succeed they're going to have to deliver a tangible benefit for people who use their product. I believe that is their aim with 4th edition but it will remain to be seen how well it's executed and if fans think it's interesting enough to stick with it.