I am surprised I am still excited for Daggerheart

[overgeeked]

This is really interesting. This year we have three different RPGs inspired by D&D 4e: 13th age v 2 (I just got the near-final PDFs a couple of days ago), Daggerheart (PDF on my desktop, physical book on the way), and Draw Steel coming out in a few months. All three also have open community licenses to ensure people can write products for all of them for as long as we can see.

I don't want to hear another "I sure wish WOTC would go back to 4e" statement again. We have tons of 4e-influenced RPGs developed by passionate designers unconstrained by the marketing whims of a big publicly traded company. It's a pretty awesome time!

Honestly the only thing I want from WotC in regards to 4E is a CC-BY SRD. I know there’s a snowball’s chance of that, but I still want it.

 

[overgeeked]

Looking across the spectrum, I said it elsewhere, this is literally the best time to be looking at RPGs, and we have zero need for Wizards.

Exactly. The OSR is still growing like mad. Spectacular games, designs, modules, supplements, etc coming out daily. Too many to keep track of, honestly. Lots of great indie games. Lots of great D&D-like games. 5E clones if that’s your thing.

 

[Scribe]

Honestly the only thing I want from WotC in regards to 4E is a CC-BY SRD. I know there’s a snowball’s chance of that, but I still want it.

Yeah, same but for 3.5 and that's it.

 

[Reynard]

I'm not sure I see the 4E influence.

 

[Vael]

I'm not sure I see the 4E influence.

The big one is in monster design, those Stat blocks look 4e ish, with roles, levels and a very functional design.

 

[nyvinter]

One can also argue that 4e's X encounter and Y daily powers prepared are also one of the inspirations behind the vault and the five active domain card limit.

 

[zakael19]

I'm not sure I see the 4E influence.

From the book:

The design of Wizards of the Coast’s Dungeons & Dragons fourth edition and the monster design of Flee, Mortals! from MCDM Productions informed the enemy types and ways of managing minions.

 

[Elvish Lore]

One can also argue that 4e's X encounter and Y daily powers prepared are also one of the inspirations behind the vault and the five active domain card limit.

Oh, yea... I can see that. Huh.

 

[overgeeked]

Yeah. There’s a whole lot more than just monsters based on 4E. But those are definitely 4E inspired. They even say as much in the book, as noted.

Class design looks like refined 4E design. Power sources expanded to domains. Instead of one power source classes get two domains. The class and subclass picks are from 4E. Minor additions and specialization rather than the drastic changes of 5E subclasses. You have limited access to powers and everyone has the same amount, except in very rare cases. Skill challenges are now countdowns, though done much much better. Traps and terrain effects are now environments. For me, the only big things it's missing from 4E D&D is non-combat magic as rituals and specified class roles.

 

[Vael]

Right, the unified class progression is also a major 4e ism