Just how compatible is Essentials?

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Yes, but what does this mean, exactly?

So far, the only real effect I've seen is that WotC is pointing to the Essentials line as a starting point for new players (see: the back cover of Heroes of Shadow) as opposed to the PH.

I'm not of the opinion that Essentials is "bad" or incompatible, but I think what people like MrG are hinging on is that WotC quote of Essentials being the new direction of design going forward. If you interpret this comment as "the only direction of design going forward" then I could see one's dislike. I would surely be disappointed if I believed that Essentials-style simple classes were going to be the sole focus going forward. I don't believe they will be, but I can be no more certain than MrG.

 

[Scribble]

I'm not of the opinion that Essentials is "bad" or incompatible, but I think what people like MrG are hinging on is that WotC quote of Essentials being the new direction of design going forward. If you interpret this comment as "the only direction of design going forward" then I could see one's dislike. I would surely be disappointed if I believed that Essentials-style simple classes were going to be the sole focus going forward. I don't believe they will be, but I can be no more certain than MrG.

Well- for one thing, not all of the Essentials classes are "simple," so it seems kind of like a needless worry doesn't it?

Also if you listen to some of the other comments they've made in things like interviews and podcasts, they've expanded on it... The real meaning being that with Essentials they realized they had a larger scope of class design possibilities, not that they planned to limit themselves in another direction.