[Folks that like 4e] What are some things from previous editions that you miss?

[joela]

More unique mechanics to differentiate classes.

Now the at will/encounter/daily structure works well, makes for good balance, and I don't think the classes play the same or feel indistinct, but I still miss classes operating in completely different fashions mechanically.

This

 

[Mouseferatu]

[thread hijack]
I have, multiple times, and played a character like that myself.
I have yet to meet a player who had a Cleric "that out fights the fighter" that gets commented on so much online.
[/thread hijack]

Nor have I, actually. (Thanfully. ) I'm not talking about anything so extreme. But even the players I know who like both playing clerics and focusing on healing still want to have some reasonable amount of offensive/non-healing and non-buffing options.

 

[davethegame]

Although I don't miss a single 2e rule, it did have the best artist to ever illustrate for D&D: Toni DiTerlizzi. I really miss those quirky dream-like paintings, and I miss Planescape. If I could reboot an old supplement for 4e, it would be PS complete with DiTerlizzi artwork.

This, totally.

I miss being able to report on D&D without trolls coming out of the woodwork to say "your game suxxors."

 

[Dykstrav]

Wow. I don't think I've ever met anyone, in RL or online, who wanted to play a character like that.

Count me the second. The apostle of peace prestige class and the associated Sacred Vow-based feats in Book of Exalted Deeds made me fall in love with the cleric and wizard all over again.

 

[fafhrd]

I miss a lively ENworld. Not sure I can lay it at the feet of the ruleset, but this place seems dead.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

Getting to play a straight healer, with slim to none offense. But other than that, I'm pretty happy with 4th. Moreso when psionics comeback, and maybe a good Elements of Magic Conversion

Definately would like a good Elements of Magic Conversion.. just not too sure how to accomplish it!

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

Time for some brutal self-honesty.

I'm a big fan of the balancing/levelling-out of all the classes in 4E, but I secretly really enjoyed finding the loopholes and combos in 3.x and earlier that let me make crazy broken stupid PCs in ways that none of my friends could predict. I know I wasn't the first person in the world to think of them, but I was usually the first one in my circle to come up with them.

This.

I miss making monstrosities that I could be proud of. Now I have to squeeze for a point of damage or two. While still fun, I'm just a bit wistful.

Brad

 

[Rechan]

There are monsters out there. Namely taking advantage of rules loopholes. Like the guy who had a +20someodd to Intimidate at level 2 or something. Or the Paladin/Hospitalar who could stunlock anyone, or at least prevent them from attacking. Or something like that.

Part of the trick of making real monstrosities is making a team that works to create the monstrosity. Which I think is a more challenging task for the char opper. No longer do you just get by with one - you to balance 5 characters worth!

 

[Remathilis]

Really? I've met a couple people who are stuck in the '4e is WoW' mindset, but I've managed to get together a solid group of 4e lovers in my little boondock town. Where do you look for players?

My players (all friends of mine) much prefer 3e/Pathfinder to 4e. There are a few of us who are still trying to get a 4e game going, but most of our game-pool prefers the last edition to the current.

 

[Turtlejay]

From 3.5 I miss:

- Skill granularity. Not the sheer list of skills (and the inherent redundancy with spot/listen hide/move silent), but the fact that you could have +15 in some skills and -6 in others. With no two at the same value. It made your character feel more unique.

- Wands. I liked finding a little packet of magical treasure. I liked that you could tell when the party was being run ragged because the wizard was dipping into his wands.

- Mithril Armor. I liked different materials for armors and weapons, and how they influenced things in other ways besides enchantments. Now masterwork armors are just tied to enchantment level, and it is hard to get excited about that.

- Specialist Wizards - It was cool to have prohibited spells and to work around those. I liked the PHB2 substitutions that further differentiated you from the pack.

- Some of the batman wizard. I understand that it totally overshadows or invalidiates a large party at times, but I liked wizards with tricks up their sleeves, and scrolls secreted away for just the right occasion. Rituals only go halfway.

Of course, a whole bunch of what has been mentioned by me and by others is pretty easy to implement into 4e as it stands. I still appreciate the excersize, though.

Jay

Oh, and I really liked playing a strong healer only cleric, and look forward to my chance to do so in 4e, finally!