D&D 4E Catching up with 4ed - let me know if I've got some of this right

[Mercurius]

I've only recently been really following the emergence of 4ed for the last month or so, although still not in a play-by-play manner--I'm just trying to get the gist of it, with a few of the details). Let me know if I have some things right:

1) 4ed is much more like a CRPG.
2) Overall it is much more streamlined (that is, simple) than 3ed. For example, there are a limited number of skills--about a dozen from the character sheets at D&D Experience.
3) D&D Insider - is it just an online resource or is it also a place where you can actually play games?

That's it for now.

 

[Shroomy]

I've only recently been really following the emergence of 4ed for the last month or so, although still not in a play-by-play manner--I'm just trying to get the gist of it, with a few of the details). Let me know if I have some things right:

1) 4ed is much more like a CRPG.
2) Overall it is much more streamlined (that is, simple) than 3ed. For example, there are a limited number of skills--about a dozen from the character sheets at D&D Experience.
3) D&D Insider - is it just an online resource or is it also a place where you can actually play games?

That's it for now.

Mercurius, I would recommend that you read through the EN World 4e news page.

 

[sukael]

1) 4ed is much more like a CRPG.

Actually, it's much more like a fantasy-genre action movie than anything else, IMO.

 

[Mercurius]

I've read some of it, but more in a skimming manner. It is easier--and quicker--to ask here (the news page is huge).

 

[sukael]

2) Overall it is much more streamlined (that is, simple) than 3ed. For example, there are a limited number of skills--about a dozen from the character sheets at D&D Experience.

A basic goal seems to be to make it faster, not simpler.

Look at the character sheets released so far, where even a first-level fighter will have three or four distinct combat options most of the time... it's just that they can be prestatted instead of requiring math on the fly.

 

[neceros]

Fourth is taking bits from successful games all around and incorporating what is best for the game. It is not a computer game, but some people may notice a few bits that seem familiar.

It is, essentially, a game to allow heroes to be heroic. They are try8ing to allow PCs to actually adventure without fear of dying over stupid rules and reasons: Like running out of inherent power.


Read the big page. I did.

 

[Mercurius]

Read the big page. I did.

OK, OK :\

 

[Lurker37]

Uhm, the questions you're asking don't have simple answers.

Well, not unless we cop out with: "no, no and the latter."

First of all, what do you mean by "like a CRPG"?

As to the streamlining, while some skills have been consolidated the system does, for most characters, present far more options for character customisation (while holding faster to the core aspects that define each class) and more possible actions each combat round. So rules have been made clearer, but gameplay has not been dumbed down - in fact quite the opposite according to playtest reports. Does that make sense?

 

[Mercurius]

Uhm, the questions you're asking don't have simple answers.

Well, not unless we cop out with: "no, no and the latter."

First of all, what do you mean by "like a CRPG"?

As to the streamlining, while some skills have been consolidated the system does, for most characters, present far more options for character customisation (while holding faster to the core aspects that define each class) and more possible actions each combat round. So rules have been made clearer, but gameplay has not been dumbed down - in fact quite the opposite according to playtest reports. Does that make sense?

Yes, that is a good explanation, thanks--and exactly what needed to happen, imo--a "cleansing of the palate" without losing the multiplicity of options.

What I mean by "like a CRPG" is rather general...Not being a fan of CRPGs, I don't know a lot about them. But I've gotten the sense that 4ed has some similar qualities: A cleaner stat block, and particularly the whole "healing surge" concept.

 

[Tantamo]

quick question on how per encounters work.

Can you use each per encounter once per encounter, or are they like sorcerer spells, where you have a certain amount of per encounters and you can choose when to use each.

like, i have 3 abilities, A, B and C. They are all per encounters. I am capable of using 6 per encounter abilities. So, i can use A 6 times, or A 3 times B 2 times and C once, or C three times and B three times, so on so forth.

Thanks ahead of time.