Does 4th edition hinder roleplaying?

[Ariosto]

In all TSR D&D versions prior to 2nd ed. AD&D, the main source of XP was not combat but treasure.

At least with the core rules sets of all those including 2nd. ed. AD&D, combat proceeded more briskly than in WotC D&D. If as much time per session was spent on fighting, then there were more decisions as to whether to fight on more occasions.

That was in part a product of the combat system's rules-lightness. The majority of game mechanics (including a great many spells) were in some way related to combat -- but that was in proportion to a game with fewer rules over all. Rules-heaviness increased in all aspects of play (not just combat) with 3E.

Prior to late 1st ed. AD&D and Basic/Expert D&D supplements, a "skills system" was considered as unnecessary as a "role-playing system."

Trying to judge how much role-playing goes on based on the mere fact that combat is the activity covered by the most rules can be misleading.

 

[WotC_GregB]

I'm a little late coming in on this thread, but going back to the OP, I would say that as a player, I find my ability to roleplay no greater or worse than in 3rd edition.

As a DM, though, I find I am roleplaying much more. Instead of agonizing over NPC stat blocks, I can spend time putting together interesting character traits and making sure that all my locations have interesting NPCs and that each of those NPCs has something to offer the characters. Spending less time creating NPCs with all the appropriate skills, spells, feats, etc. has really freed me.

 

[Monkey Boy]

To the OP I think 4e hinders roleplaying. 4e stated focus is on 'encounter' which for better or worse really means combat. Some would say combat has always been the focus of D&D and I would be hard pressed to argue otherwise. However with 4e D&D combat has received an overhaul and is now the showcase item. It's slick, pretty and gets the job done very well. When there is a great deal of fun to be had in the mini-game of 4e combat why bother with the RPG peripherals. Or to paraphrase the 4e DMG skip the boring bits and get to the encounter.

YMMV.

 

[Obryn]

Or to paraphrase the 4e DMG skip the boring bits and get to the encounter.

Eh?

I dunno if you have a misprinted DMG, but mine advises DMs to skip the boring bits and get to the fun bits. The fun bits are not necessarily combat encounters. They could be interesting roleplaying encounters, skill challenges, exploration, etc. Whatever you and your group find fun.

-O

 

[Fanaelialae]

To the OP I think 4e hinders roleplaying. 4e stated focus is on 'encounter' which for better or worse really means combat. Some would say combat has always been the focus of D&D and I would be hard pressed to argue otherwise. However with 4e D&D combat has received an overhaul and is now the showcase item. It's slick, pretty and gets the job done very well. When there is a great deal of fun to be had in the mini-game of 4e combat why bother with the RPG peripherals. Or to paraphrase the 4e DMG skip the boring bits and get to the encounter.

YMMV.

In 4E the term encounter isn't reserved for combat. Negotiating with Grand Duke Whathisface for the release of an important prisoner is considered just as much of an encounter as fighting your way into the dungeon to free said prisoner (and the negotiation can net you the xp and prisoner without the risk of a TPK or a price on your heads).

No offense, but the idea that any RPG with a great combat system will discourage good role play is a bit silly, IMO.

 

[Krensky]

I'd say 4e can inhibit roleplaying for certain people.

After all, we're all here arguing over it rather then playing whatever game we enjoy.

On a serious note, I think the only way it could categorically inhibit role playing (as opposed to not supporting or encouraging a certain person or groups style) is if someone who doesn't like the game to the point of refusing to play it without exception can not find a game because everyone in his area has switched.

Otherwise, as much as I don't like 4e and I understand the article's argument, to say it inhibits role-playing is silly.

 

[Remathilis]

Or to paraphrase the 4e DMG skip the boring bits and get to the encounter.

These words you use, I do not think they mean what you think they mean.

The DMG tells you to skip the boring things and get to the exciting things. Its not fun for most groups to haggle over the cost of rope, check off daily rations, explore 60' long corridor with no features after 60' long corridor with no features, talking to the town guards about the road tolls, or roll 30 craft checks to make a masterwork longsword. The exciting things are dungeons, negotiations with powerful allies/enemies, exploring interesting terrain, surviving fiendish traps, exploring mysteries, puzzling out cryptic prophecies, and yes, fighting monsters and taking their treasure.

 

[Krensky]

These words you use, I do not think they mean what you think they mean.

The DMG tells you to skip the boring things and get to the exciting things. Its not fun for most groups to haggle over the cost of rope, check off daily rations, explore 60' long corridor with no features after 60' long corridor with no features, talking to the town guards about the road tolls, or roll 30 craft checks to make a masterwork longsword. The exciting things are dungeons, negotiations with powerful allies/enemies, exploring interesting terrain, surviving fiendish traps, exploring mysteries, puzzling out cryptic prophecies, and yes, fighting monsters and taking their treasure.

To you. I've had, and been a player that found dwindling supplies, talking with the guards, haggling, or crafting to be fun.

EDIT: Although I must apologize for missing the "for most groups" part of the initial post. Never-mind.

 

[Obryn]

To you. I've had, and been a player that found dwindling supplies, talking with the guards, haggling, or crafting to be fun.

Right.

The DMG just says you should concentrate on the fun stuff and gloss over the boring stuff.

It doesn't, however, tell you what your group should find fun, or what your group should find boring.

-O

 

[Sadrik]

No offense, but the idea that any RPG with a great combat system will discourage good role play is a bit silly, IMO.

But one with a grindy, gamey, clunk sure can.