In non-D&D related news, I played BattleTech this weekend for the first time in maybe 13 years. It reminded me why I like the game so much. To me, the best games are ones that evoke a specific feel. When I play BattleTech, I really feel like a 'mech commander, worrying about the holes in my armor, managing my 'mech's heat load, coordinating fire with my lance mates to take down an enemy 'mech.
I think this sense of immersive gaming is critical to D&D. It's not the only reason why people play D&D, but I think it's a huge one. One of the goals I have for this development pass is to pay attention to the soul of the game, to make sure that any given part of the game feels right. If you play a halfling, you should feel like a tricky, agile little guy bouncing around the battlefield, dancing just out of reach of the orc's scimitar. The dwarf should shrug off attacks that would drop a twee little elf, while the elf is the first guy you want along when you go marching into the woods. Obviously, the classes fall into the same category. A ranger should feel like a ranger, a wizard should feel like a fighter.
