I actually want a 4th edition! [semi-rant]

[shadow]

I've thought about it a little, and have come to the conclusion that I'm dissapointed at Abyssal Maw's news that 4th edition won't be coming out for some time. Why? Well to tell the truth, I've come to the conclusion, I'm getting really pretty tired with the way the current edition of D&D is going. (Yes, I've said the blasphemy!)

Like most D&D fans, I was excited about the release of 3rd edition back in 2000. Back then everything was new and exciting. It was obvious from the core books that a lot of thought and planning went into the new edition. Even some of the early splatbooks were good in spite of the errata. But lately, it seems that D&D has really gone downhill. For me it started with the release of 3.5. I hated almost everything about the revision (especially the fact that "3.5e" sounds like a computer geek term ) Since then there have been a few good releases (e.g. the Eberron Campaign Setting), but they have been few and far between. The current edition of D&D is suffering greatly from rules glut. Every new book has to introduce more feats and more prestige classes. Prestige classes were originally a good idea - the first prestige were generic enough to include in most campaign settings; now prestige classes are getting to the point of being absurd. Feats, originally a great way to custimize a character, have gotten out of hand with the 1,000+ feats we have (I never thought that I would get tired of seeing new feats)! Then we have so many optional rules introduced with each supplement that I yearn for a time of simplicity.

I would really like to see a 4th edition of the game to bring freshness and wonder to all this staleness we've been seeing lately. Of course 4e would have to be done right for me to buy into it (for starters, throw out the over-dependance on miniatures that 3.5 introduced). But at this point, I've been so sick of the way that the game has been heading, that I look forward to throwing everything away and starting from scratch.

 

[MadMaxim]

Well, I don't see it as blasphemy by pointing out that you don't like the current edition of D&D. That's your point of view and I think we all respect that. I'm not interested in a new edition at the moment. There's still a lifetime of good gaming to be had with the current edition and I don't see myself switching to a new edition whether it's released next year or within the next ten years, because I like the current edition of D&D.

You don't have to include everything in your campaigns. You can just use Player's Handbook and tell the players that it contains all the options they have, period. It may seem hard to say no to all the new shiny stuff that's being released, but nobody is forcing it down your throat. They're just options. If you don't want to include them, then don't. And why are we seeing a ton of prestige classes and feats? Because of the modular nature of the rules, it's relatively easy to introduce new mechanics, prestige classes and feats into the core ruleset. Wizards of the Coast have to make money somehow, right?

But I don't need a new edition of D&D for the rest of my life. I like it in its current incarnation.

 

[RainOfSteel]

I recommend learning to live with dissapointment.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Sorry, we arent going to see 4e for a long time. There is still so much left in the system and with the versatility of 3.5 they could release new stuff for another decade, especially in the area of campaign specific books such as Eberron or Forgotten Realms that have special items, magic, monsters, classes and characters and even regions to write about.

And what about stuff from earlier editions that havent even been touched yet. Spelljammer, Planscape, anyone? There is enough old game material to be converted that they really dont even need to make new stuff, but I predict we will see tons of conversions near the end of 3.5. How many monsters still havent been touched from older games that could fill several monster manuals?

 

[JRRNeiklot]

I'd take that news with a grain of salt. I remember the "problem with the printer" line they kept feeding us before WOTC bought TSR.

 

[BobROE]

I find it interesting that one of the main complaints about 3E (and 2E before it) is rules glut (and I'm not trying to say anyone is wrong about this), but how is 4E going to be any better? To make money WOTC (or anyone who own's D&D) has to release more books, which leads to rules bloat.

 

[Keoki]

Of course 4e would have to be done right for me to buy into it (for starters, throw out the over-dependance on miniatures that 3.5 introduced).

The minis are a cash cow right now. Don't hold your breath for a new edition to feature them less any time soon.

 

[I'm A Banana]

I'd take that news with a grain of salt. I remember the "problem with the printer" line they kept feeding us before WOTC bought TSR.

*whap*whap*whap*

Bad rumormonger! Naughty!

Who is this "they" that always crops up in these 4e convos?! They seem to be even able to cross companies...they were once at TSR, where they knew of the buy-out. They're now at WotC, where they know of 4e being just....around....the....CORNER!

Hehehehe.

 

[Razz]

I've thought about it a little, and have come to the conclusion that I'm dissapointed at Abyssal Maw's news that 4th edition won't be coming out for some time. Why? Well to tell the truth, I've come to the conclusion, I'm getting really pretty tired with the way the current edition of D&D is going. (Yes, I've said the blasphemy!)

Like most D&D fans, I was excited about the release of 3rd edition back in 2000. Back then everything was new and exciting. It was obvious from the core books that a lot of thought and planning went into the new edition. Even some of the early splatbooks were good in spite of the errata. But lately, it seems that D&D has really gone downhill. For me it started with the release of 3.5. I hated almost everything about the revision (especially the fact that "3.5e" sounds like a computer geek term ) Since then there have been a few good releases (e.g. the Eberron Campaign Setting), but they have been few and far between. The current edition of D&D is suffering greatly from rules glut. Every new book has to introduce more feats and more prestige classes. Prestige classes were originally a good idea - the first prestige were generic enough to include in most campaign settings; now prestige classes are getting to the point of being absurd. Feats, originally a great way to custimize a character, have gotten out of hand with the 1,000+ feats we have (I never thought that I would get tired of seeing new feats)! Then we have so many optional rules introduced with each supplement that I yearn for a time of simplicity.

I would really like to see a 4th edition of the game to bring freshness and wonder to all this staleness we've been seeing lately. Of course 4e would have to be done right for me to buy into it (for starters, throw out the over-dependance on miniatures that 3.5 introduced). But at this point, I've been so sick of the way that the game has been heading, that I look forward to throwing everything away and starting from scratch.

It could be because you fail to realize that there are a lot of people that enjoy new prestige classes and feats. I know people who go through characters like a pair of socks. And, yes, some players have only a few long-term characters so new prestige classes may not mean much, but that does not mean DMs can't make use of them nor does it mean that new players won't make use of them.

As for feats, anyone enjoys new feats. Apparently, you haven't read Player's Handbook II and the retraining rules. It used to be new feats sucked because if you have a high level character, new feats meant little to you because it was most likely too late to go the route you could've gone. But with Retraining rules, you can take it all back.

People like new things, and new rules is one of them. As a DM, I enjoy new prestige classes and feats. I can always surprise my players with their foes using them. As for my players, they love it too, because the more prestige classes and feats that are released then the bigger the chance something will come along that they've always wanted for their character.

And, another note, I really do not want to WASTE another $2500 dollars on a new edition. I had to switch from 2E to 3E, then 3.5E...4E can shove it where the sun don't shine cause it will not get anymore money out of me. You do realize people complain enough that they can't afford the new 3E books, especially the ones they really want, and for them to realize all their money was wasted being spent and saved when hearing a 4E is coming out will start a world-wide boycott of D&D.

Pretty much, a release of 4E at anytime will start a huge schism in the gaming community. You'll have those that stay at 3.5E, those that quit D&D entirely, and those few that stick around to pick up the pieces and try and get 4E D&D running.

 

[Hussar]

The rules bloat complaint has never really made sense to me.

If you don't want new rules, don't buy books. That's pretty simple. I'm down to about two books a year plus a subscription to Dragon because I have so little interest in new rules. Poof, problem solved.