D&D 4E How does 4E cut down on DMING Workload? DM's take to heart!

[Emirikol]

Anybody know how 4E cuts down on DMING Workload and time?

Does it go to a Players Roll All the Dice or somethign? ARe they eliminating all the stupid extras from stat blocks? Are monsters really simply extra generic? Is it basic D&D?

Man, I'm sure looking forwards to less prep time and whatnot. DMing prep time is what kind of ruins it for me. That's why I was so dismayed when DUNGEON was "removed."

Jay

 

[der_kluge]

Anybody know how 4E cuts down on DMING Workload and time?

Does it go to a Players Roll All the Dice or somethign? ARe they eliminating all the stupid extras from stat blocks? Are monsters really simply extra generic? Is it basic D&D?

Man, I'm sure looking forwards to less prep time and whatnot. DMing prep time is what kind of ruins it for me. That's why I was so dismayed when DUNGEON was "removed."

Jay

It sounds like the spells lists have probably been simplified, so statting out spellcasters is probably easier, and it sounds like stat blocks have been greatly simplified - they probably reduced, or eliminated skills.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Well stat blocks are apparently smaller, which suggests that NPC/monster details are "less involved" (at least for core). I'm betting a lot of the "less prep time" thing is going to direct you to D&D Insider and it's many computer-based tools. Use the NPC generator, use the monster generator, download (buy) the digital maps and figures for Yet Another Expedition to Myth Drannor, et cetera.

 

[Dalberon]

I'm betting a lot of the "less prep time" thing is going to direct you to D&D Insider and it's many computer-based tools. Use the NPC generator, use the monster generator, download (buy) the digital maps and figures for Yet Another Expedition to Myth Drannor, et cetera.

That is what I first thought after hearing about the site intergration.

 

[Grazzt]

Anybody know how 4E cuts down on DMING Workload and time?

Does it go to a Players Roll All the Dice or somethign? ARe they eliminating all the stupid extras from stat blocks? Are monsters really simply extra generic? Is it basic D&D?

Man, I'm sure looking forwards to less prep time and whatnot. DMing prep time is what kind of ruins it for me. That's why I was so dismayed when DUNGEON was "removed."

Jay

If they used SW Saga as inspiration, then it kinda cuts down on dice rolling. I mean...the attacker is always rolling (against static Defense scores). No iterative attacks definitely speeds up combat for sure.

 

[The_Gneech]

SWSE's much-streamlined system makes building critters and NPC's a lot faster and easier. For my Sword & Sorcery conversion (see sig), I built all of the beasts and pregenerated NPCs over the course of two evenings. So yeah, if 4E follows that pattern, prep will be much easier.

-The Gneech