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Message: <blockquote data-quote="jbear" data-source="post: 5351325" data-attributes="member: 75065">It all seems quite logical and well thought out to me. I can understand that people might feel upset when faced with what may seem like buying the same product in new packaging. I get that and I don't want to belittle anyone's feelings on the issue. But that isn't really what seems like is going on to me.It seems like they are doing what they said they were going to do: redesigning things and organizing things to give a smooth entry point into the game for the new player. What they mean by new player covers both:’ completely new to D&D’, and includes 'played way back when and think that would be a fantastic present for the kids' type new. This means necessarily, they are going to have to cover ground already covered in previous books, because it's the same game.They have done this in a pretty neat way if you ask me (and you can be sure I prefer PHB classes over essentials and would be loving seeing expansions of classes like the seeker and the runepriest as opposed to the current line of products).They have taken this new (positive and necessary) focus and been able to include the following advantages:-All the updated rules together in one book.-The inclusion of some stealth errata that just makes sense (implements, magic item rarity)-A simplified version of classes that work perfectly alongside PHB classes, expanding 'class concepts' and mechanics attractive to players of previous additions (i.e Backstab)-An evolution of current iconic classes: The Wizards new look At Will Powers, and miss effects with their encounter powers (and are the changes to Wizard's Daily Powers appearing in the Red Box going to be updated across the board, if so they just got cooler as well), Wis-based at will melee cleric (reducing the MADness) and the Rogue just that much deadlier dealing Sneak Attack damage 1/turn (will the updated PHB rogue also deal MBA using DEX? Could you have a PHB rogue and take an essentials at will mobility power and a PHB at will attack power?)And now the next step has been announced: the integration of these 'simple' classes into the more complex system. Which will include a system of how to 'hybridise' or incorporate the two??? Fantastic!!! So let's check out the advantages in this new product:-All the classes can be updated appropriately, as per the wizard. (Will the wizard be the only class to have miss effects on encounter powers?? Will Non Str-Based melee classes have features added to allow them to make MBAs based on their prime attack ability as per the Thief)-Errata can be included-And now you know how to use all the essentials material with your current character, material which until now seemed irrelevant.-It proves that Essentials is a 'step backwards' to take two steps forwards arm and arm with the PHB class structures. Call this 4.Whateveryoufeel like. It all sounds pretty positive to me. I can’t see anything gained by pointing the finger and saying ‘haha, I tolllld you I was right! It is such and such!’Of course it would have been great if 4e had been released following the current steps,  but some things you learn as you go along. Creativity is a process. Part of that process is making something positive out of your mistakes, learning from them as best and as fast as you can.That said, I think is unfair to say that you’re paying $80 (4 books) for what was previously contained in one $35 Hardback. Unfair and misleading. I think they've been very clever personally, coming up with a product that is designed as an in way point for new players, yet remains attractive to current players who prefer the 'essentials' feel. Having follow up products that hook back into their previous line of classes, at the same time updating them, which also link the two 'systems' that already work smoothly together within the game system itself... I'm going to remain patient and see what happens. When you’re in the middle of something you don't get a good perspective of it. You can’t see the wood through the trees and all that. Time will tell. Til' then, I remain aloof, interested, patiently waiting to see the big picture. The Essentials line isn’t a product targeted me, but I don’t have the feeling it’s all Essentials from here on out. I think it is what they said it was. I think this class compendium is the step back towards the place where I’ll be patiently awaiting, enjoying all the side effects of these changes and wondering which direction things will go from there, but quietly confident it will be somewhere awesome!</blockquote>

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