Repost from what I said on the WotC Forums
So far, I really don't have too many good things to say. I do like the at-will attack spells being available for the cleric and the wizard. While I was apprehensive about the return of Vancian casting, it does seem to be okay. However, the spellcasting attack mechanic is kind of overly convoluted. Why not just say you use your Intelligence score +2 for all magic attacks? However, the fighter is back to being boring. The character sheets also have a great deal of redundant information. Instead of saying "you have this, go here to find out more about it" why not just say "you have this, it does this"? It almost feels like characters could fit on a 3x5 in notecard.
Bottom line Recommendations:
1. Make the mechanics more clear. Tell us what it does and nothing more. Don't bury mechanics in the text. For example, if a theoretical lightning bolt spell, say you create at 50 ft. line of lightning. Creatures in the line take 3d6 + your magic ability modifier lightning damage. If the creature succeeds on a Dexterity saving throw, they take half damage. Don't say stuff like they can duck out of the way and make a Dexterity saving throw, we know what a Dexterity saving throw is. If a wizard gets a bonus to their Intelligence to magic attacks, say their magical attack bonus is their Intelligence plus the bonus. Do not say "they make attacks with their Intelligence, also they gain a bonus to attack. Their magical attack bonus is their intelligence plus this bonus."
2. Clean up the character sheets. Don't list something as a benefit and then say look elsewhere for it, only to have that elsewhere list all of the benefits. Just say You are A race, you gain B benefit that does such and such, C benefit that does such and such, and D benefit that does such and such. I had an impossible time figuring out how cantrips work. Make sure to list that in the Class Features section. I shouldn't have to go tearing through the book to find that, it should be with the class.
3. Give the fighter something to do besides hit stuff with his weapon.
4. Why in the name of all that is good does the friggin Cleric have a much higher AC than the Fighter? I thought Fighters were supposed to be the AC kings? We are barely into the playtest and already the Cleric has made the Fighter irrelevant.
5. I really don't like how skills work. As in, I have no frickin' idea HOW they work. What do I do if I want to open a lock? Saving Throws are pretty straight forward, why can't skills? They need to be codified better. Open Lock, Stealth, etc. should trigger off of Dexterity, and the rules should say that. Lore skills should trigger off Intelligence. Don't leave this stuff up to the DM to make up on the fly, make it coherent and consistent.
6. Monsters: Open the 4E MM, look at how monsters are displayed in it, DO THAT and then attach all the lore and whatnot.
Most importantly though, MAKE IT COHERENT.
