Challenge to WotC: Initiative

[Aloïsius]

actually, when did we learn something "concrete" about the game?

What do we know for sure ?
* save replaced by defense
* eladrins, tieflings, warlocks, warlords IN
* magical implement will do something
* level 1-30. Tier based gameplay
* And ? IIRC, we are not even sure about how skills work in 4e.
Sure, they talk a lot about how wonderful it will be, but we haven't see a lot of real preview. The announcement was made 4 months ago...

 

[Cadfan]

Today I learned that Fighters have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to provoke an attack of opportunity whenever they attack someone other than the fighter.

Today I learned that Paladins have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to suffer -5 if they attack someone other than the Paladin.

Today I learned that at least some people at WOTC feel that these abilities can become broken if used simultaneously on the same foe.

I also learned that trapped doors are in, even though the overall design goals for traps move away from trapped doors.

I also learned that swarms are in.

As are wererats.

There was also some additional confirmation on criticals versus vermin and the undead.

"Bless" is in, but we don't know what it is. It might cure disease.

Critical failures are in for skills, or at least a playtest used that terminology.

 

[mhensley]

I don't know if it's just me, but... I feel like WotC has enacted a blackout about 4e since three or four weeks. When was the last time we learned something about this game ?

Yep, I feel the same. I doubt we'll see anything substantial until the first preview book comes out next month.

 

[Aloïsius]

Today I learned that Fighters have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to provoke an attack of opportunity whenever they attack someone other than the fighter.

Today I learned that Paladins have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to suffer -5 if they attack someone other than the Paladin.

Today I learned that at least some people at WOTC feel that these abilities can become broken if used simultaneously on the same foe.

I also learned that trapped doors are in, even though the overall design goals for traps move away from trapped doors.

I also learned that swarms are in.

As are wererats.

There was also some additional confirmation on criticals versus vermin and the undead.

"Bless" is in, but we don't know what it is. It might cure disease.

Critical failures are in for skills, or at least a playtest used that terminology.

And all we are asking is "how does it work". We don't know. In fact, of all the great things they are speaking about, we have (as far as I know) never see the least crunchy bit.
I can understand that some of them maybe removed/changed, but I'm sure they have other tidbits that won't change.
I guess that's what the OP asked for.

 

[RigaMortus2]

EDIT: BTW, the Warlord controversy has me flummoxed. How do we know a better alternative isn't easy to come by? For all we know, the best name for the 4e Warlord might be "swashbuckler".

RC

I am kinda pushing for Thane as an alt name...

 

[Aloïsius]

I am kinda pushing for Thane as an alt name...

Thane ! Yay ! That's soooo much better.

(now, I need to translate it in french...)

 

[HP Dreadnought]

I don't care if they don't introduce the m16 or the M4 carbine. . . but they absolutely MUST introduce the UMP 45. The fighter needs a good CQB room clearing weapon in a decent caliber to put the hurt on some of those tougher monsters!

. . . I like Myrmidon!!

 

[WyzardWhately]

Today I learned that Fighters have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to provoke an attack of opportunity whenever they attack someone other than the fighter.

Today I learned that Paladins have an ability that causes enemies they threaten to suffer -5 if they attack someone other than the Paladin.

Today I learned that at least some people at WOTC feel that these abilities can become broken if used simultaneously on the same foe.

I also learned that trapped doors are in, even though the overall design goals for traps move away from trapped doors.

See, I'm not sure why the two abilities are inappropriate when comboed. If it's not unbalancing for PCs to have such abilities, why is it such a shock that there might be more than one. If two PCs are ganged up on a bad guy and using special powers on him, then "attack him at -5 or attack me and take an AoP" sounds pretty reasonable. I would concede they might be kind of nasty if they always work, and you brought them down on a boss monster. THAT would be kind of rough. But cool. If I play the monsters smart and do my best to take people down, the PCs should get rewarded for clever teamwork.

I'm not sure what to say about the maybe - trapped door. I'm a little curious about it myself. I think it's not inconcievable for there to be a simple door-trap, if there might be a bunch of guys waiting for it to trigger and cause you grief. Or maybe there is still room for the whole skill-challenge kind of thing to be set up on a door. Not sure, but interesting.

Or maybe the dwarf player is just an old-schooler who hasn't caught on that doors are never trapped these days. I *would* be kind of sad if that old chestnut went the way of the dodo.

 

[Reaper Steve]

See, I'm not sure why the two abilities are inappropriate when comboed. If it's not unbalancing for PCs to have such abilities, why is it such a shock that there might be more than one. If two PCs are ganged up on a bad guy and using special powers on him, then "attack him at -5 or attack me and take an AoP" sounds pretty reasonable. I would concede they might be kind of nasty if they always work, and you brought them down on a boss monster. THAT would be kind of rough. But cool. If I play the monsters smart and do my best to take people down, the PCs should get rewarded for clever teamwork.

I agree...seems like a nice combo to me.

 

[Odhanan]

Initiative will be familiar to anyone who has played a role-playing game. But will be easier and funner, make life simpler for the DM, and give players more options.

LOL you definitely should apply to work for WotC.