Every revolution of 'Core' books themed by Power Source?

[Monkey Boy]

I like the idea of different powers sources for the new player handbooks.

I think they will likely do 2 power sources for each additional PHB then in 5 or 6 years reboot with 5E.

 

[JVisgaitis]

I really, really expect that every Player's Handbook in 4e will be "stand alone". You won't need the others to play the game. They'll all explain creating characters, the basic of combat, and equipment you can buy.

That would be an incredible waste of space with all of the reprinted material. Plus, how would you feel about repurchasing the same material over and over? There is no way they'll go with this approach.

 

[psionotic]

I like the idea of different powers sources for the new player handbooks.

I think they will likely do 2 power sources for each additional PHB then in 5 or 6 years reboot with 5E.

I'd be good with that. I'd even be happy with a new edition every 5-6 years instead of 8-10 assuming there is no .5 edition silliness. (Maybe what they should do instead is, halfway through each edition cycle release ONE hardbound 'Rules Cyclopedia' type book that contains all of the key clarifications, errata, explanations, and balance changes.)

 

[ShadowX]

I don't understand the fascination with power sources. We aren't even sure if there is any mechanical basis for power sources or if it is solely marketing jargon like "siloing." Besides, the whole point of making sequel PHBs rather than another Complete series is to have a breadth of options such that no player can dismiss them as inconsequential to his character. What good is a book on warriors for a player that only plays mages? Instead you sprinkle a little something for everyone into the books.

 

[Exen Trik]

I don't understand the fascination with power sources. We aren't even sure if there is any mechanical basis for power sources or if it is solely marketing jargon like "siloing."

This came up in an earlier thread, and the idea was it would probably help define what set of feats would be made available by each class. Like the fighters list of bonus feats, feats requiring arcane or divine caster levels, or feats tied to specific class abilities. So it might not have a direct mechanical role, but it would have some significance.

Theres also the matter of theme and aesthetics, which is at least appealing if not occasionally useful, such limiting class selection in a setting where a given power source isn't available, for example. It helps when developing new classes and other ideas as well: what power source does it use? is it consistent with this? what other things can be based on this source? what if I take this thing and change it's power source? Stuff like that.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Why not just make a Spellcaster class that chooses a specialty. Wizardry or Sorcery. That would solve the problem. Even in 3e, there was very little difference in Wizard and Sorcerer.

 

[The_Fan]

That's part of the problem. There really WAS no difference, something they wish to change.

In another (dying) thread I suggested other power sources:

Incarnum: Probably not, since it didn't do well.
Draconic: Sorcerers, Dragon Shamans, etc.
Shadow: Illusionists, possibly Ninja

 

[PeterWeller]

Why not just make a Spellcaster class that chooses a specialty. Wizardry or Sorcery. That would solve the problem. Even in 3e, there was very little difference in Wizard and Sorcerer.

Because they've already said numerous times that the Wizard and Sorcerer are very different from one another in 4E.

 

[MerricB]

That would be an incredible waste of space with all of the reprinted material. Plus, how would you feel about repurchasing the same material over and over? There is no way they'll go with this approach.

You might be surprised at how little really needs to be reprinted.

Cheers!

 

[coyote6]

You might be surprised at how little really needs to be reprinted.

Ability scores.
What's a roleplaying game, dice notations, and other basics (not much in 3.5e, but maybe 4e will be more newbie-friendly).
Glossary.
Combat.
Skills.
Basics of feats.
Basics of classes & levels, including multiclassing.
"Adventuring" -- overland movement, lighting, encumbrance, etc.
Alignment (however it works).
Basics of non-mechanical character stuff, maybe.
The "core" deities (even if there are no divine-powered classes, presumably they'll still include stuff like that).
Coinage, armor, weapons, and other equipment.

It gets to be a fairly sizable list. Glancing at the 3.5e PH table of contents, it's about 120 pages -- more than a third of the book.

With repeated info, by PH IV, one will have essentially paid for 1280 pages of material but gotten only 920 pages -- slightly less than three books for the price of four. That doesn't sound like a good deal to me.