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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Campbell" data-source="post: 5344293" data-attributes="member: 16586">I'll start with what I see as issues with 4e, then move into possible solutions.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Feats are a disjointed mess in 4e. You get too many of them and their effects are largely negligible. On a related note, there is no way outside of paragon paths and epic destinies to add character defining abilities.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Paragon Paths, Epic Destinies, and Themes encourage an inorganic approach to character development and force players to engage the rules in an unnatural way when leveling up.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Racial ability score adjustments have too large an impact on race selection and there is too little in the way of support for more powerful racial abilities..</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">The current implementation of action points leaves a lot to be desired.  They don't interact with the rest of the rules in any really interesting way and lack dramatic editing possibilities.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Skill inequity is a 3e vestige that has come back to haunt 4e even though it doesn't serve any useful purpose. Backgrounds are a nice hack around this, but shouldn't be necessary.</li> </ul>Here's what I would do.<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Every character is defined by their powers, talents, and skills. When you create a character choose a race, class, and optionally a theme. These determine your access to the above.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">For skills every character, regardless of class gets to select a number of skills as trained skills. Classes may receive one or two thematically appropriate skills for free.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Talents take the place of class features and feats - they should all be character defining.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Classes are no longer tied to combat role - instead powers and talents mention what sort of build they're appropriate for. </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Themes take up the design space currently used by 4e Themes, Paragon Paths, and Epic Destinies. They grant no immediate benefits, but provide access to powers and talents. Themes have straightforward requirements to reflect what they're all about. They focus on narrative elements now that they are no longer a requirement. There should be a way for multiple themes to coexist on a single character.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Races no longer provide a bonus to ability scores.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul">Powers are now separated between combat powers and narrative powers that use the new form of action points. When choosing combat powers you choose between defensive and offensive utility.</li> </ul>Of course this is the D&D I would make to please me, not really the same game I would make for the wider audience.</blockquote>

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