Class Compendium

[Bongo]

I'll always prefer the hardback books. Maybe they could update and reprint them as a "deluxe" option that costs more, like the leather bound core books. I would be willing to pay more for the book, as long as I know the constant stream of PHB1 errata is over.

 

[TerraDave]

So with the Class Compendium out soon, why would anybody buy the hardbacks? I like the new format, but I can't see WOTC reprinting the old core books at this point. Just an observation.

Some of us have been saying this for a while now.

 

[xechnao]

some of us have been saying this for a while now.

+1.

 

[Scribble]

So with the Class Compendium out soon, why would anybody buy the hardbacks? I like the new format, but I can't see WOTC reprinting the old core books at this point. Just an observation.

In the end Who cares?

With the Class Compendium coming out it seems evident they're not looking to "replace" the old classes with the Essentials classes.

So if all of the info is available going forward, what difference does it make if someone else gets it in a different format then you did?

The only time it seems like it would be really a bad thing would be if they didn't release the old classes, and let the old books die off.

Some of us have been saying this for a while now.

I dunno Dave... Maybe I misread your posts? But it seems to be you've been heralding the end of the old classes/rules as opposed to just the end of how they presented those classes...

The Class Compendium seems like it should if anything assuage your fears, not promote them!

 

[MrMyth]

I dunno Dave... Maybe I misread your posts? But it seems to be you've been heralding the end of the old classes/rules as opposed to just the end of how they presented those classes...

The Class Compendium seems like it should if anything assuage your fears, not promote them!

I think part of it is that the same situation seems to have a different message to two different people.

For TerraDave, I believe he sees a book that is basically an update of the PHB, plus errata and interaction with Essentials, and this means it is likely the original PHB will not be reprinted and eventually vanish from the market. And, to him, this means we are in the age of 4.5. (And my apologies here if I am misreading his argument.)

For myself, on the other hand, even if this book totally replaces the PHB in stores and the PHB one day fades away... that still isn't enough to make it 4.5 to me. Because I see a very big difference between the PHB no longer being printed, and the PHB no longer being current. Even if they have a new book designed to fill the same function, tidied up and presented in Essentials paperback format... if the content in my PHB remains completely legal and accurate and usable, then I don't need to replace it.

So... if Heroes of Legend replaces the PHB for new customers, I see that as a different thing from it replacing the PHB for existing gamers. And as long as the second isn't the case, I don't see anything that can legitimately be considered the equivalent of the 3.5 release.

 

[Scribble]

For myself, on the other hand, even if this book totally replaces the PHB in stores and the PHB one day fades away... that still isn't enough to make it 4.5 to me. Because I see a very big difference between the PHB no longer being printed, and the PHB no longer being current.

Yeah- that's just what I don't get... Why would a new book format = new game?

So the Original Fighter class now comes in a soft cover trade paperback sized book instead of a hardbound one.

If I'm using the old book to build my class, and someone else uses the soft cover, and our fighters are indistinguishable... What difference does it make?

Especially since we both probably used the CB to build it.

 

[Shin Okada]

What's actually going to happen in most groups is that newbies will never buy a copy of the RC. It's likely that they'll buy a copy of the "Heroes of" book that contains the race and class they want to play and that's it.

The details of the rules will be bought by the DM or a group will pool its money to buy one copy of the RC.

Plus, a huge variety of choice is good for an experienced player who likes to delve deep into a game. It's actually bad for new players who feel much less overwhelmed by less choices.

Will the next 2 Heroes books also contain character creation and basic rules? Or just new races, builds & new options like PHB2/3? If not, "buying one of the heroes books" will not work for a player.

Another concern of mine is the starting cost for a newbie DM.

Pre-essentials, to be a DM which can continue to run a campaign using pre-made adventures, all they need were PHB and DMG.

Now, it seems that Rules Compendium does not include rules and guidance for running adventures. Such as how to use skill challenges, giving rewards and such.

So, doesn't that mean a newbie DM needs one of "Heroes" book, Rules Compendium, and DM kit, to run pre-generated rules?

Yeah, DM kit also contains some adventures but. I am afraid of that is actually raising the "starting cost" for a DM.

 

[drothgery]

Will the next 2 Heroes books also contain character creation and basic rules? Or just new races, builds & new options like PHB2/3? If not, "buying one of the heroes books" will not work for a player.

I think only HotFL and HotFK are 'heroes books'. The class compendium series is not the same thing, and I suspect it will not contain the generic rules info those books contain, as anyone who buys them will be expected to already own a Heroes book, the old PH1, and/or the Rules Compendium.

 

[Mercurius]

I fail to see how Essentials is not 4.somethingotherthanjust4E. It may not be 4.5 in the same way that 3.5 was 3.5, but it is certainly more than just a series of new supplements for 4E.

TerraDave may have it about right, that Essentials is more akin to a "4.25," although I would nudge that up a bit, especially considering that the differences between 3.5 and 3.0 are usually over-stated, imo (or is Wikipedia horribly wrong?).

Actually, forget it. I'm not going to mince words and try to be diplomatic. Essentials is 4.5. Deal with it.

I think only HotFL and HotFK are 'heroes books'. The class compendium series is not the same thing, and I suspect it will not contain the generic rules info those books contain, as anyone who buys them will be expected to already own a Heroes book, the old PH1, and/or the Rules Compendium.

I would add "yet" to the first sentence. If Essentials is successful I would think we would see Heroes of the Forbidden Regions and Heroes of the Freaky Deaky. I'm not sure what is known about Heroes of Shadows, but it may follow a similar format.

 

[Ahrimon]

I fail to see how Essentials is not 4.somethingotherthanjust4E. It may not be 4.5 in the same way that 3.5 was 3.5, but it is certainly more than just a series of new supplements for 4E.

TerraDave may have it about right, that Essentials is more akin to a "4.25," although I would nudge that up a bit, especially considering that the differences between 3.5 and 3.0 are usually over-stated, imo (or is Wikipedia horribly wrong?).

Actually, forget it. I'm not going to mince words and try to be diplomatic. Essentials is 4.5. Deal with it.

By that logic PHB2 was 4.15 and PHB3 was 4.35 and every expansion book in between would have had a number on it. So if the edition has been constantly increasing this whole time, why is just another number (4.5) such a big deal?