meomwt
First Post
I'm certainly in the anti-4E camp, though there are things there which I can cope with -and, indeed, am using in the campaign I am currently writing for my group.
Good stuff
Things I don't like about 4E
For me, 3E is a good solid system, and I have plenty of support material and adventure sources to keep going for a long, long time...
Good stuff
- Skill challenges. One failed roll needn't de-rail an adventure. Exellent. It can almost be ported as-is into 3E and I intend to highlight it in my game.
- Treasure packet system. Trailblazer will be using this - details are in the free preview available - and I think the implementation works well.
- Minions. Someone has done some work on them here on ENWorld, and I've taken that ball and run with it. I like the idea and I like the concept.
- Encounter building by point-buy. I've spent many a happy hour adding up non-linear CR's in my head to work out whether an encounter was fair and balanced: this system is a winner in my book.
Things I don't like about 4E
- Fort/ Will/ Reflex as defences, not saves. I see these as a PC getting a chance to avoid a Fate Worse Than Death (i.e. the roll simulates actively doing something) rather than a static defence. A Rogue rolling out of the way of a Red Dragon's fiery breath, for example, rather than just getting armour (or whatever) in the way. YMMV.
- The Powers system. Feels a step removed from what D&D has always been, IMO. Fighters swing swords, not adopt "The Stance of the Constpated Dragon" (or whatever the powers are called) to hit the oncoming Orc.
- Deity List. They have been playing mix'n'match, pulling Greyhawk Deities together with some others to produce a disparate mis-match.
- Alignment. Unaligned I can cope with. I can almost use that. But I don't like the other changes, they seem arbitary.
- Marking. Seems to over-complicate an already complicated combat system with another Condition to use.
- The new power system means that Wizards, Clerics, etc., who are primarily spell-casters, get nerfed on the battlefield and over-complictaed (rituals) when not.
For me, 3E is a good solid system, and I have plenty of support material and adventure sources to keep going for a long, long time...