Essentials: why the hate?

[herrozerro]

You could be forgiven for thinking so, but no it ain't. Of course people can build whatever characters they want at home. But bringing a godamn slayer to MY GAMETABLE! Now that... shudder... splutter... fhtgan....

Hm, let's run with an analogy. (In fact, it's not analogy at all, it's the real thing.)

So me and my manly friends have this monthly meet up to celebrate our high levels of testosterone. Lots of booze and cigars, shouting and dueling.

Now imagine what'd happen to that meekly guy (you know who you are!) who'd turn up with alcohol free beer cans and nicotine free cigarettes. (Actually, on reflection - don't imagine, it's not pretty.)

Similarly with Essentials. If 4.0 is D&D on steroids, Essentials is steroids on weaksouce. You get the picture.

That whole analogy is quite telling of you and your group. Quite the exclusive club that no one that doesn't conform to is not welcome in.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

You could be forgiven for thinking so, but no it ain't. Of course people can build whatever characters they want at home. But bringing a godamn slayer to MY GAMETABLE! Now that... shudder... splutter... fhtgan....

Hm, let's run with an analogy. (In fact, it's not analogy at all, it's the real thing.)

So me and my manly friends have this monthly meet up to celebrate our high levels of testosterone. Lots of booze and cigars, shouting and dueling.

Now imagine what'd happen to that meekly guy (you know who you are!) who'd turn up with alcohol free beer cans and nicotine free cigarettes. (Actually, on reflection - don't imagine, it's not pretty.)

Similarly with Essentials. If 4.0 is D&D on steroids, Essentials is steroids on weaksouce. You get the picture.

Yeah, you got no sympathy from me at all. It is like you said "Hey, lets get together and drink a few beers!" and you and your buddies brought Bud and I brought over some Mic and you're telling me I gotta drink your beer because you don't like my brand. It's just dickish, pure and simple.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

Really, really NSFW, but I couldn't help it....

[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snhiofL2Rh4"]link[/ame]

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

lol

 

[Neonchameleon]

You could be forgiven for thinking so, but no it ain't. Of course people can build whatever characters they want at home. But bringing a godamn slayer to MY GAMETABLE! Now that... shudder... splutter... fhtgan....

Hm, let's run with an analogy. (In fact, it's not analogy at all, it's the real thing.)

So me and my manly friends have this monthly meet up to celebrate our high levels of testosterone. Lots of booze and cigars, shouting and dueling.

Now imagine what'd happen to that meekly guy (you know who you are!) who'd turn up with alcohol free beer cans and nicotine free cigarettes. (Actually, on reflection - don't imagine, it's not pretty.)

Similarly with Essentials. If 4.0 is D&D on steroids, Essentials is steroids on weaksouce. You get the picture.

Honestly, when I want to celebrate my testosterone I find a mountain to go and climb. Or head off to somewhere I want to see with just the pack on my back. Or play sports. Or dance. Or swordfight. Or put the testosterone to use in ways I won't mention to keep the forum clean. The concept of a circular bonding session about our high levels of testosterone just strikes me as missing the point.

Likewise Essentials D&D. Last time I made an Essentials pregen (a knight), he rocked. He smashed people to the ground or out of the way of attacking his allies. Whenever he killed someone he knocked everyone around him to the ground. And he was always there, always right on the front lines, and in the lead. Calling weaksauce about anything (except in character, between the ears) is just silly. He was at least as kinetic and metal as the rest of the party.

And when I play (I was DMing that), I have nothing to prove. I can create horrendously complicated old school characters that burn with the fury of nine hells (literally in the case of my current warlock). I can also take simple characters like thieves or hexblades and make them rock every bit as hard. And so can many of those I play with. That you are unable to do so is more a reflection on you than it is the classes themselves.

 

[Tony Vargas]

|Originally Posted by Lord Zardoz =========
I like that each class gets encounters, dailys, and at will powers at about the same rate. Finding out that the fighter from essentials is built around making basic melee attacks with modifiers rather then the at will / encounter / daily system was a deal breaker for me. |
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Did you have the same problem with PH3 (Psionic classes)?

Yes.

However, The Psionic's systems in every version of D&D since the 2nd edition have always been the 'And Now for Something Completely Different' chapter of the D&D rules. Since Psionics are often hard to fit into many D&D settings, it was always a 'nod, smile, and ignore it' kind of problem.

I've never cared for psionics for the 'hard to fit into D&D settings' reason, or I'd've had a stronger reaction to the PH3's departure from the AEDU structure. Never cared for the Monk much, either. Or Gestalt (Hybrid) characters.
Really, the only thing in PH3 that was remotely a good idea was Skill Powers. As much as I dislike Essentials, you could peg PH3 as the end of decent 4e content, it'd be near as valid.