Missing out on the 'new classics'

[Matrix Sorcica]

All this talk about about classic adventures (from the 1e, 2e and now 3e days) has gotten to me. I really don't want to miss out on the 'new classics' of 4E. I'm not just talking about those adventures that time will show are great adventures, but also those that everyone has played.
My impression is that many many gamers have played Sunless Citadel and Forge of Fury for 3e. I guess a lot of gamers will play the H series from Wizards, making these 'classics'.

I want to have that common reference when I visit message boards etc. At the same time, I also want to do my own thang. Anyone else have this 'problem'?

 

[delericho]

At the same time, I also want to do my own thang. Anyone else have this 'problem'?

I don't see how it's a problem. If you don't want to miss out... don't. Get a group, and play through the adventures. And, if desired, run another, home-brewed, campaign in parallel.

Am I missing something?

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I don't see how it's a problem. If you don't want to miss out... don't. Get a group, and play through the adventures. And, if desired, run another, home-brewed, campaign in parallel.

Am I missing something?

Well, I missed something. Mentioning that I only have one game group (been together for 20 years, so won't get another) and we all have busy lives.....

Guess I can just start out with the 'classics' and then go homebrew... or mix and match (as I did with the WotC path for 3e).

Ah... but still. Anyway, anyone want to guess at what will become classics? Keep on the Shadowfell? Tegel Manor? Pathfinder?

 

[Doug McCrae]

I'm not just talking about those adventures that time will show are great adventures, but also those that everyone has played.

I haven't. I started in 1982 but the only classic I've played is the first couple parts of the Against The Giants series. My groups have always had a tendency to run homebrewed material.

 

[delericho]

Well, I missed something. Mentioning that I only have one game group (been together for 20 years, so won't get another) and we all have busy lives.....

Ah, I see. I have a similar problem, except lack any great desire to play through the 'new classics'.

Anyway, anyone want to guess at what will become classics? Keep on the Shadowfell? Tegel Manor? Pathfinder?

None of the above. "Keep on the Shadowfell" will be widely played, but probably won't see much replay, and will probably drop out of favour quite quickly once the finalised 4e rules are released. The others mentioned will probably have too small an audience to be legitimately considered classics.

Personally, I expect to see a couple of small modules become unexpected classics for the new edition. Either that, or for there to be no recognised classics for this edition... but that would be unfortunate.

 

[Desdichado]

I'm playing a "new classic" right now: Age of Worms. Honestly, I can't wait to get back to a good homebrew.

 

[psionotic]

I'm playing a "new classic" right now: Age of Worms. Honestly, I can't wait to get back to a good homebrew.

Age of Worms has some serious fun packed inside, but my gawds was the end difficult. Without giving any spoilers as to the environment the last battle is fought in, or what/who the Big Bad is, s/he is just ridiculously powerful. They killed 2/3 of the party in the first two rounds, with one or two survivors barely teleporting away in time. We were so shell-shocked and frustrated, that we decided that the campaign should end right there. Faerun was overwhelmed and destroyed. Le sigh.

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

Well, I missed something. Mentioning that I only have one game group (been together for 20 years, so won't get another) and we all have busy lives.....

Guess I can just start out with the 'classics' and then go homebrew... or mix and match (as I did with the WotC path for 3e).

Run the "official classics" at 50% XP, and seed your own homebrew stuff throughout.

 

[DarkWhite]

Anyway, anyone want to guess at what will become classics? Keep on the Shadowfell? Tegel Manor? Pathfinder?

I'm guessing Shadowfell will become a classic, only insofar as it would be the first 4th Ed adventure released, and 1st level, so chances are it will be played by a great many players. It will become 4th Ed's first "shared experience" if you like. As a 1st level intro to 4th Ed, Shadowfell shouldn't take more than a few sessions to play, perhaps as an interlude from your regular campaign.

At least the first two series of Pathfinder will remain 3.5, but I'm already suspecting they'll achieve classic status for a few reasons: Dungeon magazine's adventure paths still have a huge following, and Pathfinder seems to have gained even more buzz. For me, Pathfinder seems to be following the footsteps of previous classic Dragonlance, featuring a fresh new world to be explored, strong character focus, epic-spanning storyline advancing characters from 1st through high levels. If Pathfinder goes 4th Ed, I'm sure it will be as resounding success as the current Pathfinder adventure path is unfolding to be.

 

[howandwhy99]

Run the "official classics" at 50% XP, and seed your own homebrew stuff throughout.

Exactly. Couldn't you just modify the modules to fit into your homebrew world?