I've been thinking about this in the light of rumours of rules from 4e, but also in the light of many recent releases from WotC and others.
Back at the start of 3e, you had a fighter, who was well, a human that was very good at fighting. But by his core he was still human. Much like a real human today.
These days you have classes like the warblade, for example, that is much more fantastical. He's not a mere human anymore. He's a magical human, that can create fire with his manuevers or other 'magical' effects.
It strikes me that the concept of being 'human' has changed through the years. The average 'person' in D&D is now a lot more magical, can easily gain supernatural abilities, and can use magic more often. D&D to me appears to be becoming more fantastical.
I suspect that 4e is going to go that way even more so. The average 'person' in the game will be able to likely utilise magic in some way, be it creating fire with his blade as a warblade, or healing supernaturally as a cleric. Gone is the concept of a human in a fantasy world, to be replaced by a race of human where fantasy pervades them more.
Is it just me, or has the 'norm' changed and the average person now better fits the fantasy world where things are supposed to be more fantastical.
Pinotage
Back at the start of 3e, you had a fighter, who was well, a human that was very good at fighting. But by his core he was still human. Much like a real human today.
These days you have classes like the warblade, for example, that is much more fantastical. He's not a mere human anymore. He's a magical human, that can create fire with his manuevers or other 'magical' effects.
It strikes me that the concept of being 'human' has changed through the years. The average 'person' in D&D is now a lot more magical, can easily gain supernatural abilities, and can use magic more often. D&D to me appears to be becoming more fantastical.
I suspect that 4e is going to go that way even more so. The average 'person' in the game will be able to likely utilise magic in some way, be it creating fire with his blade as a warblade, or healing supernaturally as a cleric. Gone is the concept of a human in a fantasy world, to be replaced by a race of human where fantasy pervades them more.
Is it just me, or has the 'norm' changed and the average person now better fits the fantasy world where things are supposed to be more fantastical.
Pinotage