D&D 4E [Continuation 4e] - a manifesto

[GreyICE]

Okay, lets break down where we want things to end up by power source.

Martial

Protector: Fighter
Assault: Rogue, Ranger (Fighter)
Synergist: Field Marshal? (something along these lines)
Strategist: Monk (Monk has always fallen between the cracks, lets slot him in here)

Arcane

Protector: ?? (does Arcane need one?)
Assault: Summoner
Synergist: Alchemist?
Strategist: Wizard

Divine

Protector: Paladin
Assault: Inquisitor?
Synergist: Cleric
Strategist: Priest

Primal

Protector: Shifter?
Assault: Barbarian (/Protector?)
Synergist: Shaman (we can trash the mechanics anyway, they weren't great)
Strategist: Druid

 

[Xethreau]

The thing to remember about role and power-source is that they are guidelines and not mechanics, as they were in 4e. Power source informs what shared lists you will draw from, and "role" informs what features and techniques you get. But they are not be alls or end alls.


As for classes, we also have the Magus, which is an arcane warrior. For that, sellectable features could include Spellshield (protection), Arcane Strike (assault) and Spell Combat ("flexi-sault," or assault that can instead function for attacking multiple targets at once).

(More description on the magus)
Spellshield - You choose an ally to defend, who either recieves a benefit or someone attacking it takes punishment.
Arcane Strike - + ability score damage on arcane melee attacks
Spell Combat - Hit in melee, cast a spell as a free action

 

[GreyICE]

The very fact there is a common library makes power sources more of a mechanic and less of a theme here, I believe. Back in 4E they were only, vaguely, unifying mechanical themes (Martial classes tend to do good damage, Divine classes have channel divinity, Psychic classes have PP (except monk), Arcane and Primal classes have a grab bag).

I'd like to establish unifying ideas for them.

I probably have to refix the math, but I figure go back to underlying assumptions.

- How long do we want an on-level combat to take?
- How fast do we want monsters to scale? (4E was +1 defenses per level, right now we're aiming for 1 per 3 levels)
- How fast do we want damage to scale? +10% per level?
- What is average weapon die size? D8 or D10?

Once we have that we can generate everything else.

 

[Neonchameleon]

If we attempt to remain backwards compatible with 4E, we almost certainly WILL be infringing on WotC's property rights, and they would have the legal right to shut us down and/or sue us.

For instance, we cannot:

1) Reproduce 4E specific names or charts

Tell that to OSRIC.

2) Alter any existing 4E races or powers

You can't copywrite mechanics, merely the presentation of those mechanics. Of course Trademarks are another matter. Which is why we go OGL.

3) Use any specific 4E terms that may be copyrighted or trademarked.

It's the Trademarks that are the problem.