D&D 4E I'm not gonna do 4E

[Nifft]

Exactly! WotC's actions give me that same feeling that WW's did just before the announcement of Ex 2E.

Interesting.

How do their module releases fit into this? The large "Expedition" series seems to be the most interesting business direction they've taken in a while. Would they be alienating consumers by selling year-long modules and then changing the rules soon after? I'd think that "investing" in a big module would keep me playing the rule-set associated with that module.

Cheers, -- N

 

[Baby Samurai]

How do their module releases fit into this? The large "Expedition" series seems to be the most interesting business direction they've taken in a while. Would they be alienating consumers by selling year-long modules and then changing the rules soon after? I'd think that "investing" in a big module would keep me playing the rule-set associated with that module.

Looking at what is to be released later this year and early next, I definitely get the vibe of winding down, padding out, until the next edition is released (2009?).

 

[dmccoy1693]

How do their module releases fit into this?

How much of the modules are crunch vs how much is developed fluff? I don't know; I'm not picking them up. But WW, just before announcing Ex 2E, released a number of supplements that are either 1) setting heavy (and thus easily transferable over from 1E to 2E), 2) took advantage of rules that were going to be incorporated in the next edition (power combat for exalted, swift actions and psionics for D&D), 3) a wrap up of their major product lines, or 4) an update of material published in the beginning.

The expedition series of modules, AFAIK, have a lot of setting. They've got crunch, sure, but now hard is it to be to translate over? Assuming that 4E utilizes SW Saga system, I don't think that hard. i.e. Ranks are replaced with 1/2 level +5 if trained. So a 6th level ftr would have a max of 9 ranks in class skills as opposed to that same ftr would have 8 added onto his ability mod. Cross class: max of 4 ranks currently, 3 in Saga. At 18th level: Class skills max at 21 ranks, Saga: 14. Cross Class: currently 10 ranks, Saga: 9. So at higher levels, the GM has to to make a few skills and DC's lower. Not a big deal. BAB, Atk, and Init don't look like they've chaned any from the sample char on the SW preview. Yea there are some notable changes, but there also were some changes made when to Exalted as well. And a DM can take the spirit that the NPC was ment in and translate it over to 4E.

Would they be alienating consumers by selling year-long modules and then changing the rules soon after?

Wizards also knows that even if 4E is a smash hit, not everyone is going to translate over to 4E right away. Groups that are only now getting to level 10 and don't want to change their character or have PrC from later books might be hesitant about switching over right away (esp if the DM won't allow the player to port over the things not yet published for the new system). So, giving them a long term adventure is both forward thinking for the 3.5 group and gives a DM something he can run, with some minor modificaiton, right after the launch of 4E.

Plus, it means they're not putting out another book of PrC's that have uncanny dodge.

 

[Arnwyn]

I'm really happy with 3.5, I have a ton of money invested in it, and have been playing it for a long time. I don't care about 4E. I'm sure it will be awesome and really cool, but I don't think I'm going to spend 100 + dollars on it when I already have a great game.

Anyone else with me?

Yes, that's the same for us as well. My players have told me that the only way they'd move to 4e is if they illegally download the books for free. So that won't be happening.

As we age, the less time we have - and therefore updating just isn't in the cards. 3.5 is the last edition for our group.

 

[Ulrick]

I'm gonna beat WotC to D&D 4.0.

I'll start a gaming company and market a game called "D&D Fourth Edition." Compatable with 3.5 rules under the Open Gaming License.

And then get sued...

 

[Nifft]

I'm gonna beat WotC to D&D 4.0.

I'll start a gaming company and market a game called "D&D Fourth Edition." Compatable with 3.5 rules under the Open Gaming License.

And then get sued...

That's almost genius!

How about we write a stack-based combat interpreter, and call it Forth Edition?

Then there's no confusion in the marketplace!

Cheers, -- N

 

[hong]

Yes, that's the same for us as well. My players have told me that the only way they'd move to 4e is if they illegally download the books for free. So that won't be happening.

As we age, the less time we have - and therefore updating just isn't in the cards. 3.5 is the last edition for our group.

Sure, you say that _now_.

 

[rgard]

Sure, you say that _now_.

I think I'm in the same boat as Arnwyn and his group. Also, I have too many unplayed 3.5 PC concepts to try. I plan on getting alot of use out of bookcase full of 3.5 and D20 stuff I own.

Will I buy 4.0? Probably the PHB (assuming the new game is in the PHB, DMG and MM format) and see if there is anything to snatch for my 3.5 games. I may not buy the PHB for awhile after it's initial release, but instead wait for the revised 2nd printing that cleans up the mistakes.

Thanks,
Rich

 

[Ulrick]

That's almost genius!

How about we write a stack-based combat interpreter, and call it Forth Edition?

Then there's no confusion in the marketplace!

Cheers, -- N

Yeah, and to show that we're an official company licensed to do D&D content, there will be a bunch of spelling, grammatical, and mathematical errors in the core book! Starting with the title!!!

 

[Warbringer]

Yeah, and to show that we're an official company licensed to do D&D content, there will be a bunch of spelling, grammatical, and mathematical errors in the core book! Starting with the title!!!

HA...too funny.

Catch phrase for the new edition...

Go fourth and conquer