D&D 4E Disguising 4e as 5e/5.5e

[vagabundo]

Hi,

I've had some pressure to run 5.5e DND after our current Masks of Nyarlathotep campaign finishes. I'm not enthused.

I was a big 4e fan and with the way 5e turned out decided to nope out for the first time since b/x. 5.5e looks more of the same. So I was wondering how much work it might be to use the 4e core systems an reskin it to look like 5e to the naked eye.

Obviously it will look like a hack or homebrew to some extent, and I will have to pull in some of the iconic 5e stuff - and I don't mind it all that much. But I want to use 4e monsters and math in the background and I prefer having a power structure more similar for character classes and have them interact with short/long rest in the 4e way.

I also prefer having the three defenses but I might be okay with having these are saving throws - my players low rolling dice - and it pretty each to rejig 4e monster attacks as DCs instead.

Am I insane?

Also I'll be running the original Temple of Elemental Chaos.

 

[iPwnedMSCS]

While it makes for good jokes, I think trying to disguise one system as another will just erode players' trust.

 

[payn]

Just play PF2.

 

[Blue]

4e and 5e (and therefore 5.5) are quite far apart as systems go. This isn't a reasonable disguise.

That said, 13th Age is a d20 from the lead designer of 4e and a lead designer of 3ed that came out a bit before 5e but shares a lot of similarities in terms of streamlining, while under the covers took a lot from 4e. There's a 2ed edition of it coming out soon, the kickstarter already finished.

I'm not suggesting to pretend it's 5.5e - it's not. But I think it can satisfy both you and your players, scratching the itch for both 4e foundation and 5e sensibilities and streamlining.

 

[Distracted DM]

Lots of 5e changes and hacks and advice are just trying to recapture the best parts of 4e, but it's not going to be the same. I'd ask your players WHY they want 5.5e, drill down on that desire a bit. Is it just cuz it's new and shiny? I get that but you could always ask one of them to run it instead.

I'd second checking out 13th Age.

 

[Twiggly the Gnome]

If you can't convince the players to play 4e, I'd say run 5e, but replace the MM with Flee Mortals.

 

[vagabundo]

Lots of 5e changes and hacks and advice are just trying to recapture the best parts of 4e, but it's not going to be the same. I'd ask your players WHY they want 5.5e, drill down on that desire a bit. Is it just cuz it's new and shiny? I get that but you could always ask one of them to run it instead.

I'd second checking out 13th Age.

New shiny and he's played BGIII. His son DMs 5e as well so he's happy enough with it.

I'm forever DM and not happy running 5e, I find it dreary. 4e would be my crunchy DND of choice and B/X my streamlined pick.

 

[Mannahnin]

I'm forever DM and not happy running 5e, I find it dreary. 4e would be my crunchy DND of choice and B/X my streamlined pick.

Those are my favorite two editions too!

I don't think "disguising"/re-skinning will work, but I second the suggestions of using the Flee Mortals! monster book or using 13th Age or PF2.

 

[vagabundo]

Just play PF2.

Yeah I think I could run or tweak PF2 more to my liking. Its a case of selling it to the one person who cares, the rest of the group really don't care what the mechanics are.

 

[payn]

Yeah I think I could run or tweak PF2 more to my liking. Its a case of selling it to the one person who cares, the rest of the group really don't care what the mechanics are.

I think it would be an easier sell than you doing all the work to jack in the box 4E into 5E.