D&D 3E/3.5 Does 4e sound more D&Dish to you than 3e did?

[Simia Saturnalia]

I know -I- kinda feel like I'm twelve and flipping through a 2e Monster Manual again, marveling at the fantastic stories the illustrations and fluffy little snippets paint in my head.

 

[hazel monday]

I understand your question Merric. But any answer anyone can give would be idle speculation based on hype, meaningless buzz-words, and manipulative advertising.

 

[RigaMortus2]

As of now, it sounds less D&Dish to me. At least, what my personal idea and feelings on what D&D is...

 

[cwhs01]

I understand your question Merric. But any answer anyone can give would be idle speculation based on hype, meaningless buzz-words, and manipulative advertising.

Or needless worrying and unfounded negativity?

All we have to go on is what is advertised, tidbits presented by WoTC. The game isn't remotely finished yet and they can't really show us more than they have. So i guess you are right if you advice caution in proclaiming 4e as the ultimate incarnation of DnD. Equally valid would be the supposition that it isn't the epitomy of evil, an end of roleplaying as we know and love it.

People can be optimistic if they like what they hear though, or pessimistic if not.

I think what was really asked by the OP was: are you an optimist or pessimist?

 

[The_Gneech]

No, not particularly. Less, actually.

Whether that's good, bad, or indifferent, I can't say. But no, 4E seems to be about "getting away from D&D as much as possible while still keeping the name," as far as I can tell.

I have no particular loyalty to D&D in and of itself, but I do think that if you're going to have the IP, you should cleave as much to that IP as possible, not do your best to toss it out the window.

-The Gneech

 

[Henry]

I understand your question Merric. But any answer anyone can give would be idle speculation based on hype, meaningless buzz-words, and manipulative advertising.

Well, we do have a little more than that to go on. Some of the things I noted in one previous post was a number of things that in some ways remind me more of AD&D than 3rd edition:

• The talk about striker, controller, etc. that goes back to stronger archetype roles for PCs;
• The "all multiclassing works" response points to strengthening of spellcaster/nonspellcaster multiclassing;
• More creative mechanics that emulate story concerns, a la the dragon's immediate tail sweep;
• Simpler stat blocks for monsters;
• Monsters with only a few direct powers to use in a combat

And several more I'm not thinking about right now.

Some things I don't like the sound of (the whole "a core book a year" thing is one, making me think we're not getting a complete game in the sense of previous versions) but in many other ways this edition sounds like they are actually returning to some of the tropes established by Gygax and Arneson, having come full circle on what makes a good game system for both players and DMs. It's still true that we won't know the final result until next May, but there's as much for me to be optimistic about as there is for me to be wary of.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

…Would you settle for Reflex Defence?

Hope not.

 

[hazel monday]

All we have to go on is what is advertised, tidbits presented by WoTC.

And I'm saying: That's really not much to go on at all.
I, personally, don't think anyone can really answer Merric's question until they have the new PHB in hand. So far, what I've heard isn't encouraging to me. But my general impressions might be wrong. And I'd hate to miss out on a good game because of a premature decision based on WOTC's clumsy and unconvincing PR campaign.

 

[Desdichado]

No, it doesn't sound more like D&D than 3e did. Sorry.

But---I actually think that's a good thing. D&D is a pretty fun game and all, but it's not the be all end all.

 

[Sammael]

Nope. 4E sounds like the lovechild of Hero and Exalted, with little to no relation to previous editions of D&D.