Creating Mundane Items

[HeavenShallBurn]

Don't be mad at 4th Edition for excising the simulationist elements. That's what it was built for.

My central problem is that I'd hoped 4e would be a better game for me than past editions, the way 3e brought me back after I left near the beginning of 2e. I like D&D, it's been my favorite rpg since the first time I played it, and now it's turned into something that doesn't appeal to me. With a design philosophy at odds with my style to the extent that it can't even be house ruled back into shape. D&D has gone off and become something that's no longer D&D to me.

 

[Hella_Tellah]

My central problem is that I'd hoped 4e would be a better game for me than past editions, the way 3e brought me back after I left near the beginning of 2e. I like D&D, it's been my favorite rpg since the first time I played it, and now it's turned into something that doesn't appeal to me. With a design philosophy at odds with my style to the extent that it can't even be house ruled back into shape. D&D has gone off and become something that's no longer D&D to me.

So stick with 3rd edition, then. It's a rad game that almost all of us have been playing for years. If you're ever running a game in Pullman, Washington, save me a seat. 4th Edition is supposed to be different, though, and if leaving sim players behind will bring in more players overall, and if it will make the experience better for the majority of current players, then WotC will have succeeded. Not everyone will like it, but there you go. 3rd Edition books will be a lot cheaper, at least.

 

[Zaruthustran]

So stick with 3rd edition, then. It's a rad game that almost all of us have been playing for years. If you're ever running a game in Pullman, Washington, save me a seat. 4th Edition is supposed to be different, though, and if leaving sim players behind will bring in more players overall, and if it will make the experience better for the majority of current players, then WotC will have succeeded. Not everyone will like it, but there you go. 3rd Edition books will be a lot cheaper, at least.

I find your attitude cheerful and refreshing.

High five!

 

[Jhaelen]

And what happens when a player wants to build a fortification?

The pc hires some npc specialists?

Or for that matter when they have to mine their way into an ancient tomb to rob liberate its treasures from the arch-lich?

The pcs hire some specialists?

Or when they've been beaten and left for dead on another plane and need to slap together some improvised weapons quickly.

Umm, without any tools? Craft skills clearly wouldn't be of much help here. I'd say it either takes a feat (for good results) or is assumed to be general knowledge which is part of a character class's training (for, well improvised results).

I'd like to point out Earthdawn's way to do this: Every discipline (read: class) is assumed to have the basic skills that are required for a member of the discipline, e.g. if you're an archer, you'll know how to craft/repair bows and arrows. If the DM requires a check they get to add half their circle (read: level) to the skill check. Sounds familiar?

Many things in 4E remind me of Earthdawn - which I consider to be a good thing. In Earthdawn every character is also assumed to have some basic artisan (read: craft) and knowledge skills. Clearly a good way to reintroduce 'hobby' skills that don't have any impact when adventuring.