Let's speculate what the Essentials line rules will look like

[Jhaelen]

To sum it up, it depends on whether the dev team really wants to update all races to a A +2 and B +2 or C +2 model. That all PHB3 classes had a writeup like that is a pretty strong hint, though.

Yeah, but there have been equally strong hints that they are reluctant to retroactively change everything to fit a new model. They're much more likely to introduce more new material (e.g. the changes to monster design from MM1 to MM2). Maybe, they'll add a sidebar suggesting alternative ability boosts for those who feel the RAW ones are too restrictive.

 

[UngeheuerLich]

I would like to see a fixed attack stat. 3+level, period.

and more v shaped classes. As with this fix only damage will be modified by the stats.

But it won´t happen

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

That said, personally, I'd like the fighter build to be sword & shield. I think it's the only remaining basic archetype without a dedicated build.

Huh? FWT build for one-handed weapons IS the sword and board build. There are plenty of feats that support it too. Generally the build is dex secondary but it can be done with wis secondary as well.

 

[TerraDave]

I really, really don't think they will fiddle with the race ability +s. That doesn't bring much to the various audiences they are targetting (well, except for us I guess, but they know us, and that we will still buy this stuff anyways).

One thing they could do differently would be the race feats. Here is where they could show some learning from experience.

 

[mkill]

I really, really don't think they will fiddle with the race ability +s. That doesn't bring much to the various audiences they are targetting (well, except for us I guess, but they know us, and that we will still buy this stuff anyways).

It does raise the chance that you'll get a bonus to your main attack stat in any random class / race pair from 1/3 to 1/2. I consider that beginner-friendly, as it eliminates bad choices. On the other hand, it does add another choice to character generation, something the essentials line tries to avoid.

I wonder if they'll cut point buy and replace it with a choice of 3 - 4 common stat spreads.

One thing they could do differently would be the race feats. Here is where they could show some learning from experience.

For feats, I hope on few and general. It sucks if you can't have the feat you want because you're not a lefthanded albino halfling warlord.

I hope they'll limit it to 3 - 4 racial feats per race, and only straightforward benefits like feystep 10 squares instead of 5.

 

[Crazy_Dragon]

This is the one part that makes me a little disappointed. I'm still hoping that the July update will revise most of the races, and that Essentials will reflect that update. That said, I'm thinking wishfully, not basing this on anything more substantive than rumours that the July update will be pretty beefy.

"Insanely overpowered" = hyperbole. I already allow it in my home game, alongside one floating stat for every race, and I can assure you that the game does not fall apart at all.

yes, it is hyperbole

However with humans this mean they can match the Primary and Secondary of any class, clearly no one has tried to abuse it

 

[darjr]

More on Monsters « In the Eye of the Beholder

Greg Bilsland talks a little bit about page 42 and the essentials in his blog.

 

[Danzauker]

Huh? FWT build for one-handed weapons IS the sword and board build. There are plenty of feats that support it too. Generally the build is dex secondary but it can be done with wis secondary as well.

Yes, that's my point.

For newbie players, in my experience just the added difficulty of selecting from all the feats, seems to bee too much.

If they leave feats in the Essential books I hope they are "fixed type" ones, let's say those that add a flat bonus to a stat or defense and such, so that you just write it on the sheet end forget it.

Feats that add a situational bonus are too difficult to remember and use for someone that's playing for the first time. Powers are more user-friendly than feats because they contain all needed data in the block or card, and does not require much cross-referencing.

That's why I hoped for a sword-and-board build, complete with the usual dedicated list of powers . The DM just need to ask the newbie player: "you want to play a fighter? Good. What kind? A weapon in each hand? A big double sword? Or sword and shield? Ok, these are your powers, you don't need anything else. Now we can play".

Min-maxing is good only for second time players. Pre-gens are good for newbies.

 

[doctorhook]

yes, it is hyperbole

However with humans this mean they can match the Primary and Secondary of any class, clearly no one has tried to abuse it

I don't see the problem. I'm all for any race being able to match the primary and secondary stats of at least one build in every class. PCs are supposed to be unique, so why should we restrict them to only "racially appropriate" types of uniqueness? Races should be distinguished by their abilities, rather than their competence in selected roles. (Competence in selected roles is for the majority of NPCs.)

As for abuse, having a good primary and secondary aren't the problem. The problem is overly generous racial support features, like feats that make Dwarves into the supreme Fighters.

 

[TarionzCousin]

The only die used will be the super-popular d12.