Neonchameleon
Legend
I have seen considerable debates as to what the relationship of Essentials is to 4e; whether it is a separate edition, part of 4e, or, as you say, a "betrayal". I have not read Essentials. Since I don't know which is the case, I tend to avoid the issue and speak only to things that I know about; the intent is not to create a double standard.
Oh, it's 4e's own internal edition war, undoubtedly. It is a lot less heavy on the AEDU than other versions and goes for more fluff baked into the classes. I prefer it as an option because it opens the game up while not breaking the math or being incompatable.
In specific, the three martial melee classes I named - the two fighters (Slayer and Knight) and the two weapon ranger (Scout) get no daily attack powers at all, and their only encounter attack power is Power Strike (do +1[W] damage after you've seen whether the attack connects) which they get more uses of as they level. They also attack with melee basic attacks all the time.
Instead of At Wills they get stances that modify their melee basic attack, and they are in that stance until they change it. And they always roll their melee (or ranged) basic attack.
They get utility powers on the same level structure as any other 4e character. But I don't recall a single utility power in Essentials for these three classes that isn't either At Will or Encounter. (Which isn't to say that they can't get daily powers - they are allowed utility powers from other fighter or ranger subclasses respectively). Nothing daily at all except healing surges.
I assume the "IMO" is implied? My point is not that 3e is better in these regards (though I happen to think that it is). My point in that reflective post is that (as the saying goes) anything you freely assert I can freely deny. Posting something on a message board doesn't make it true. To wit:
Posting something on a message board doesn't make it true. However I try to post only things that are true. Such as 3.X being the worst balanced versions of D&D - compare druids to fighters.
Telling people that they can only perform a certain action if they have a power card and selected it during character creation is a limitation.
You can attempt any action you like in 4e. You just are only especially good at the tricks you have practiced. And the encounter powers reflect the tricks you practice and are good at.
Your fighter already had the ability to try anything you could think of; it's a make-believe game.
Fine. My fighter tries to cast fireball.