Is D&D getting too powerful?

[trentonjoe]

I never played OD&D but I have been around for awhile. I remember thinking that with my new Uneathed Arcana my PCs got alot better. Than 2e came out and my PCs got better again, then there was specialty priests, combats and tactics, and skills and powers which kept making my characters better and better.

Then there was 3E, wowsers! These guys were tanks from day one. I mean comeon, a 1st level 1/2 orc could be +7 to hit and +5 damage @ 1st level? I have had 10th level charcters that didn't have 13 THACOs! NOw there is 3.5E and from what I've seen on the "mystic theurge" (or however you spell it) it looks like the power level is going up and up.

I don't mean to be rantish but is this like ever gonna stop?
Is this what the gaming populace wants?
Am I complete wrong?
Has this been discussed to death and I missed it?

My biggest concern is my internall concept of balance. I used to be able to just come up with encounters without worrying about it. You know, 6th level party they can take an ettin and a couple of orcs. Now, I am finally at the point where I can do that with 3E and they are changing it again.

It seems to me that the game is moving on without me. The rules are encouraging 10+ level play. They want PCs to keep advancing. I am not saying there is anything wrong with that but my 1987 mindset still has me believing 7th level is high. Oh, well. Thanks for listening!

 

[Bendris Noulg]

I don't mean to be rantish but is this like ever gonna stop?
Probably not.

Is this what the gaming populace wants?
Ever wonder why Friends is the #1 show?

Am I complete wrong?
In your analysis or in your views?

Has this been discussed to death and I missed it?
Yes.

 

[Angcuru]

Well, the PCs have gotten much stronger...but so has the opposition.

 

[trentonjoe]

Re: Re: Is D&D getting too powerful?

Is this what the gaming populace wants?
Ever wonder why Friends is the #1 show?

Am I complete wrong?
In your analysis or in your views?

No

and

analysis

 

[Bendris Noulg]

Re: Re: Re: Is D&D getting too powerful?

No
Majority opinion over-rides quality in all instances where money making is concerned.

analysis
No, your analysis is correct. 3E is undeniably more focused on level-gain and power-ups.

 

[Angcuru]

Y'know I think I agree with that 3rd edition is heavily focused on level gain. I remember in 2nd edition it took several sessions for my characters to gain a level. Nowadays we have to hold back on the combats just so that we don't level up every session.

 

[Shadowlord]

Now that your querry is confirmed, what will we change? Or how will WOTC change it (or not) ?
I don't think 3.5e will adress these issues (which arise more frequently the older d20 gets). Or will it? The 3.5e changes will be very minor, more about layout, spelling & errata than (even the smallest significant) change in gaming style.

 

[Angcuru]

This is one of the reasons I think 4th edition is well on it's way. 3rd edition is basically the down-syndrome-infected D&D edition. It was potentially good, but they just HAD to go and mess it up. I mean, the experience system ALONE is enough reason to redo it. You need a masters in algebra and a scientific calculator to figure out wether or not you halfling gained a level in barbarian!

 

[Tsyr]

Y'know I think I agree with that 3rd edition is heavily focused on level gain. I remember in 2nd edition it took several sessions for my characters to gain a level. Nowadays we have to hold back on the combats just so that we don't level up every session.

Why not just halve (or more) xp gain? That's what most groups around here have done...

 

[Angcuru]

well, I'm just rather annoyed that 3rd edition has become so stuffed with house rules to compensate for WotC's incomptency that I want a new edition. This one's broken.