d20 CoC--a preview of 4th Edition D&D?

[Geoffrey]

Unlike 3E, d20 Call of Cthulhu doesn't include the following things that I've seen a number of 3E fans gripe about:

1. character classes (Characters are all skill-based.)
2. attacks of opportunity
3. a division between arcane and divine spells (There's a single, unified spell list.)
4. alignment

Could this be a foretaste of 4th edition?

 

[NiTessine]

In my opinion, no. Alignment, character classes, and the division of arcane and divine spells are all 'sacred cows' to the game. Without them, D&D is no longer D&D.

 

[Crothian]

No, the PHB characters are too diverse to be done that simple as skills and feats. AoO are simple to use and I don't see what's the problem with them. The spells of CoC are spells for the setting and have really nothing to do with Arcane and Divine. Alignment is needed in fantasy for many of the abilities, spells, and classes.

 

[Kanegrundar]

WHile I like the way CoC handles a modern day low-power setting, it doesn't fit with common heroic fantasy at all. Alignments, classes, and divine and arcane magic are all iconic parts of D&D. Once you remove those items, you're not really playing D&D anymore...no matter what name is on the cover.

Kane

 

[jaerdaph]

Unlike 3E, d20 Call of Cthulhu doesn't include the following things that I've seen a number of 3E fans gripe about:

1. character classes (Characters are all skill-based.)
2. attacks of opportunity
3. a division between arcane and divine spells (There's a single, unified spell list.)
4. alignment

Could this be a foretaste of 4th edition?

I highly doubt it, or they would have most likely included these changes in d20 Modern as well.

I also wanted to point out that the d20 CoC rulebook makes it easy to add back in AoO if you so desire, for more of a "pulp" feel, as the book puts it.

Interesting to speculate about, though

 

[tieranwyl]

1. character classes (Characters are all skill-based.)
2. attacks of opportunity
3. a division between arcane and divine spells (There's a single, unified spell list.)
4. alignment

I would like to see feats locked into classes. There is too much fiddling with character creation and maintenance. The experts can't even make a computer program that handles 3E character creation. I think the present muliclass system is an improvment to previous editions. Maybe eliminate cross-class skill options all together. Maybe have two categories of skills: 1) Skills that anyone can take and 2) Skills that only spellcasters can take.

AoO are something that I love and hate. AoO's require a combat grid. I think miniatures should be compatable with D&D combat but not be a necessity. On the other hand AoO's are a very nice ability for thieves. If AoO's were removed I would like to see them replaced with an ability that was as effective.

I don't really have an oppinion anymore about separate arcane and divine spell lists. Having them all in one list would not bother me one bit.

I think three alignments for D&D characters are adequate. Nine alignments are really unecessary. Other personality traits can be more helpful in fleshing out a character and less confusing.

A final comment is that I have never played CoC. But my oppinions are based on just playing D&D and 3E D&D.

 

[Psion]

Unlike 3E, d20 Call of Cthulhu doesn't include the following things that I've seen a number of 3E fans gripe about:

1. character classes (Characters are all skill-based.)
2. attacks of opportunity
3. a division between arcane and divine spells (There's a single, unified spell list.)
4. alignment

Could this be a foretaste of 4th edition?

Not a chance. Look to d20 modern if you want to see a few changes that you might see in a 4e, such as feat and talent chains. D20 modern is also a lot slicker when it comes to adding occupations separate from classes. d20 CoC is pretty clumsy by way of comparison.

D&D will always have classes, alignments, and divine/arcane spell, I imagine.

As for AoO, I think it's mostly squeaky hinges, and clearer explanations (such as in SWRCRB) go a long way towards dispelling confusion. I like AoO and like another poster said, I don't see what the big deal is.

Don't pretend that because you have problems with certain aspects of the system, everyone does -- or even that everyone who has problems with the systems have the same problems you have.

 

[jaerdaph]

Re: Re: d20 CoC--a preview of 4th Edition D&D?

As for AoO, I think it's mostly squeaky hinges, and clearer explanations (such as in SWRCRB) go a long way towards dispelling confusion. I like AoO and like another poster said, I don't see what the big deal is.

SWRCRB?

 

[Old Fezziwig]

Star Wars Revised Core Rulebook.

Best,
tKL

 

[tieranwyl]

I thought about it a little longer, separate spell lists for arcane and divine spells in D&D makes more sense for the game.