D&D 3E/3.5 If 3.5 was so good...

[mhensley]

...why is 4e going to be so different? Now don't get me wrong, I like most of what I've seen hinted at so for for 4th edition and was never a huge fan of D20 D&D (overly complicated and mechanical feeling IMO). Nevertheless, D&D 3.5 is the king of the rpg world. The changes coming for 4th edition are looking more and more like an entirely new game. Doesn't it seem like a big gamble for them to so radically change a proven brand with little competition?

Why not just tweak a few things like they did for 3.5, maintain 90% backwards compatibility, and churn out a new edition. That would seem to be a safer bet to me. Honestly, I'm glad that they are making serious changes, but I really didn't think I was in their target market anymore.

 

[Nifft]

1/ Safe bets don't make for big hits; and

2/ The problems with 3.5e are deep and fundamental.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Moggthegob]

They were? Other than a few boneheaded things(like horrible wording and such for polymoprh) I have never really had any complaints. Just sayin what are these Fundamental Problems? OO I dont like magic items being required but the reason the game was written withthemin mind was in reaction to the fat that the ywould be used regardless.

 

[Monkey Boy]

The problems are not deep and fundamental. They are only there if you play the hell out of the system or add one too many splat books. 3.5 works fine. It's just suits WOTC to point out all these 'problems' as it will help sell 3.5 players on a new edition.

 

[F4NBOY]

If you consider the christmas tree effect to be a problem, it's a very fundamental problem.

 

[MerricB]

If you consider the power level to be too steep - as I now do - it's a fundamental problem.

I would like a monster to be able to be used for several levels, not just for two levels before it became 'too weak'.

Cheers!

 

[KarinsDad]

I consider the splat books themselves to be a problem.

I consider the math of 3E to be a fundamental problem.

I consider the amount of lookup for some rules to be a problem.

However, I also consider that 3E is totally playable as long as one stays below level 15 or so, otherwise it becomes a bit of a nightmare to DM and a he who wins init wins contest.

 

[Monkey Boy]

If you consider the power level to be too steep - as I now do - it's a fundamental problem.

And how is levelling faster, only this time to level 30, the answer? Gonzo level DnD will still be Gonzo level DnD. You reach DnD with capes level in about the same time in 4E, only now it took you 20 levels instead of 15.

 

[Arashi Ravenblade]

Problems are going to be different for different people. I for one think 3.5 is near perfect and never experienced any of the problems others have mentioned.

 

[F4NBOY]

And how is levelling faster, only this time to level 30, the answer?

If the same power level is divided among more levels, it's not so steep anymore