In praise of the missing...

[Dannyalcatraz]

<cue White Lion's "When the Children Cry">

Well, we all know by now that certain classes and races won't be part of the base version of 4Ed, making conversion/updating some of your PCs difficult if not impossible, at least for now.

Sometimes, people have stated that those options were not much beloved of the populace...

but WE know better!

So, post a little about your PCs you won't be able to make 4Ed versions of the day after the Core books drop, and why they mattered to you and your buddies.

Rubric Goldenberg
Gnome Illusionist "Artificer"

Used his alchemical skills to create firebombs and other grenade-like weapons- some mundane, some magical. Combined with his illusions, he helped control the battlespace, either killing opponents with his grenades or creating fatal distractions for his warrior and rogue buddies to capitalize upon.

The Gnome Ranger
Gnome Ranger

Used his skill in mounted combat to strike his enemies down. His silvered crossbow bolts were the bane of many a lycanthrope. Mithril, his Giant Space Hamster mount, once carried a wounded partymember to safety (in his cheekpouch).

 

[Vascant]

I guess we had/have the same problem but came to a different decision. I decided in the end to not switch editions (though had nothing to do with 4e changes). It came down to, do I enjoy running 3.5e games still and the answer was yes..

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I still love 3.5...and still play previous editions as well.

Some of my PCs are active in 3 different systems.

But I have pre-ordered my 4Ed books, and while I don't know if/when I'll use them, I do know that I have PCs that would have to be put on hold...hence the thread.

 

[blargney the second]

What's the problem? You'll still be able to play a gnome.

You'll just be a monster.
-blarg

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

As stated elsewhere, not if your DM prohibits "monster races," using PHB only for PCs.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Bear
Half-Orc Fighter

Made a deal with the DM: all 18's for physical stats, all 6's for mental stats. He was the stooge to the party's thief, whom he believed to be his absolutely best friend in the world. Eventually the thief stole something he shouldn't have in the town in which the party was based. The result: the party was chased by the City Watch, and the Watch was gaining on them. As they were crossing a bridge out of town, the thief yelled at Bear "Do something, you idiot!"

Bear stopped and turned while the party fled- he held the entire City Watch off long enough for the party to escape. He did not survive.

(The thief was eventually turned in- anonymously- for the "Wanted" bounty...also dead.)

 

[Jolly Giant]

Never had a gnome or half-orc PC myself, but then I DM at least 95% of the time so I havn't really had all that many PCs. There have been plenty of gnome and half-orc PCs in my games though. The guy who first introduced me to D&D and who is still part of our regular group pretty much always plays gnomes, and my wife has had a few memorable half-orc characters in her time.

Even so, I can't really say they're gonna be missed, because we'll still be using those races. Gnomes will be in the MM and half-orcs will be in the FRCS, so its really no big deal.

What I'm more concerned about is the new PC races their including.

 

[Baron Opal]

Turtle
Half-Orc Monk

Not nearly as dim as he portrayed himself, he spoke haltingly due to his imperfect mastery of Common. When asked why he was called Turtle, he replied "because my master says I'm green and slow." When it was pointed out that he was the fastest runner in the party, Turtle replied "it is fun to not be the slowest in the group anymore. Master would call you 'snail'."

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Nice!

 

[jmucchiello]

I'm still missing my 2e halfelf druid/bard. I don't have the energy to lament losing any 3e characters.