D&D 4E Merric's thoughts on 4e

[Lonely Tylenol]

While I agree with a wait-n-see attitude, Ty *does* have a point that Heinsoo dismissed two versions of D&D. Well - not really, but the point he *didn't* make is that Heinsoo is one of the authors (excuse me - part of the Development and Editing team) for Feng Shui. *That* is what would concern me.

Don't get me wrong - I love John Woo action movies as much as any other genre, but I don't want it to be the core of D&D. Based upon the information that WotC has revealed so far, I get the sense that they want D&D to be more like Feng Shui or Exalted. Everything they've indicated leads me to believe that it will be all action, all the time. No thanks.

That's like arguing that because Heinsoo likes to go fishing, we can expect detailed rules on rods, reels, and flies.

I'm sure he knows that he's not working on Feng Shui anymore. Someone will have probably informed him by now.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

That's like arguing that because Heinsoo likes to go fishing, we can expect detailed rules on rods, reels, and flies.

I'm sure he knows that he's not working on Feng Shui anymore. Someone will have probably informed him by now.

Didn't Monte Cook work at Role Master before he became part of the 3rd Edition team?
How similar are the Role Master and the 3rd Edition D&D combat and spell systems?

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Didn't Monte Cook work at Role Master before he became part of the 3rd Edition team?
How similar are the Role Master and the 3rd Edition D&D combat and spell systems?

There's more than passing similarity between cleric Domains and the Rolemaster Spell Law system.

 

[Archmage]

Don't get me wrong - I love John Woo action movies as much as any other genre, but I don't want it to be the core of D&D. Based upon the information that WotC has revealed so far, I get the sense that they want D&D to be more like Feng Shui or Exalted. Everything they've indicated leads me to believe that it will be all action, all the time. No thanks.

How can the rules dictate whether any given campaign is "all action, all the time" or "all talk, all the time"? The great bulk of the rules are there to cover what happens when the action starts, so it makes sense that's most of what we've heard. The D&D rules have pretty much always had combat at their core (again, whether or not any individual campaign has), and I don't see anything changing that.

 

[buzz]

The inclusion of improved social conflict rules in 4e would seem a direct contradiction of of the "all action, all the time" assertion.

Then again, if you're looking for "no action, none of the time," I'd wonder why the heck you're playing D&D.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Then again, if you're looking for "no action, none of the time," I'd wonder why the heck you're playing D&D.

Because there are more D&D players than anything else. Art demands an audience.

 

[buzz]

Because there are more D&D players than anything else. Art demands an audience.

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[Mustrum_Ridcully]

The inclusion of improved social conflict rules in 4e would seem a direct contradiction of of the "all action, all the time" assertion.

Or it redefines what "action" means - suddenly, social encounters become as exciting as combat, and you might be able to play D20 Gilmore Girls! (Which would be awesome!)

 

[buzz]

Or it redefines what "action" means - suddenly, social encounters become as exciting as combat, and you might be able to play D20 Gilmore Girls! (Which would be awesome!)

In all seriousness: Booyah!

 

[Raven Crowking]

Merric,

Good OP. It concerns me that you are becoming cynical....That is far more serious than my own cynicism!

Have any new developments changed your thinking re: 4e?

RC