D&D 4E My reaction to 4e or, "A Breathe of Fresh Air"

[Nyaricus]

Anyone remember my post back in May, when I was burnt out? I was tired of 3e, and it's endless line of options which befuddled and infuriated me - and the players which didn't help matters. I didn't have the time nor effort to learn all I wanted to about the rules - there is just so much! I was one of those stereotyped, angsty, overwhelmed DMs

And now... I'm not sure. It's like I've been swimming through sand, only to rise my head above it, see that 4e is coming out, and BOOM a big breathe of fresh air is being received by my lungs. Something like that...

I was personally taken aback. While I could definitely reason a 2010 or 2011 release for 4e, I wasn't expecting it next year. It does seem a bit... soon. But that was simply my initial reaction.

So I've surfed around, reading bits and pieces, here and there, and my anticipation is growing, my anxiety over D&D and DMing and playing... it's fading. While the designers have been saying that 4e is more "evolutionary then revolutionary", I'm still looking forward to this new beginning, which is what 4e is for me.

I'm more smiles about D&D then I have been in 4 months.

3e is perfectly fine as is - indeed, it's quite playable, united under the d20 system as it is. But with 4e, we have all that playability and years and years of feedback fro the gaming community. While the internet represents a minority of the gaming community at large, we definitely have a voice here at ENW, with the largest community off-site of the Wizards webpage, and with regular visits from many of the designers which are likely having a say in 4e. I know that I, for one, have made many contributions to many-a-thread over the past 2 years here at ENW over what could be better in 3e, and I, for one, hope that even a smidgen of what I or like-minded others have posted.

And indeed, every little tidbit I hear about 4e points towards that direction. Easier combat rules (grapple, I'm glaring at YOU!), easier run encounters, skills streamlined, classes are better balanced at every levels, some stuff not worthwhile is being dropped - other clunky bits are being heavily revised or rethought. These are nothing but GOOD THINGS!! They promote a more streamlined system which opens the Doors of Fun much more smoothly then looking up the grapple rules every time the monk wants to bear-hug a bulette.

In short (and with tongue firmly planted in cheek) I, for one, welcome our new 4e overlords.

So, is anyone else out there looking at 4e in the same anticipatory light? If so, please speak your mind!

cheers (one very happy),
--N

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I was a little shocked initially at the announcement. I thought that D&D XP would be where they would announce 4E and I thought that they might wait until Gen Con 2008 if they were going to announce it there.

I'm a little torn on 4E. I like 3.5E, but the more and more I think about it, there are a lot of things that bother me about it. Things like grappling for one. Mounted combat really working unless you sink a bunch of feats into it and no chase mechanic is another. The inability of the CR system to handle large amounts of mooks is another area that 3.5E is a little lacking.

If they can clear those sorts of things up in 4E then I will be happy with a new edition. Whether I thin 4E is an improvement on 3.5E, I guess I will have to wait and see.

At the moment I would have to say that I am optimistic at this point though.

Olaf the Stout

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

I'm solidly a wait & see guy.

 

[WhatGravitas]

While I'm not burnt out on 3E, I also feel, that 4E is a new and fresh start-oveer. And I like it very much.

I enjoy the enthusiasm in the WotC-GenCon-interview (as well as the occasional ENword-mentioning), because I get the feeling, that 4E is a product of love.

Furthermore, I like a lot of the discussion about 4E, this week was more interesting than the last month in terms of visiting ENworld.

Hey, 4E's ideas are so great, that I've got so many ideas, that I could write an alternate PHB, right now (if not for 4E in May, of course) - it's more than inspirational.

Combining all these little point, I feel very excited and happy about 4E and welcome this edition.

Cheers, LT.

 

[Fenes]

I remember the time when 3E came out. We had started a 2E campaign "Core book only", fed up with all the kits and special classes and optional stuff. 3E hit the spot with the new system, at the time without all the tons of prestige classes, variant classes, feats and spells.

I could do with less optional stuff, although we managed to cut down on the number of additional sourcebooks in play.

 

[KenSeg]

I have mixed feelings in regard to 4E. I have been playing AD&D for almost 30 years now, 20 of which with my current group. We used a wonderful house-ruled 1E/2E system all through the 80s and 90s. When 3E came out we decided to take a change and have used 3E/3.5E for the last 8 years. There have been both good and bad things about it. Using the core books only we have a unified system; however, that system created problems. We are all in our 40s and 50s now and just don't have the time to prep like we use to and the system really requires more prep time. We all know the various faults with 3.5E, heck all systems have them. But I think that part of it is just the complication of the rules.

I think also part of the problem is having 30 years of rules floating through your head. Even after using 3.5E for 8 years now I still mess up on spells, remembering how they worked in 1E/2E and misapplying them in the situation. Same with monsters.

I am glad that WotC is going to streamline the rules. I think it will be a good thing for the game and the new players. Our group is going to go back to our old 1E/2E house rules but are now going to include the best features of 3.5E as well that will make our game better. I anticipate that we will probably buy the 4E books as well and mine them for ideas. I wish the best of luck to WotC and all gamers using the newer systems. This old grognard is not going to bash your systems just because they are different than the ones that livened up my youth. Game on brothers!

-KenSeg
gaming since 1978

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I feel a bit...bipolar about 4e. I'm excited for improvements, I'm nervous about changes that might make the game feel more "video-gamey." I'm annoyed that it looks like I won't be able to take full advantage of D&D Insider with my Mac. I'm depressed because I don't know if I will have anyone to play 4e with since the people I hoped to play online with are still angry about 3.5 and don't expect to move to 4e (plus I can't use the online tools).

When 3e came out, it revitalized my enjoyment of this game. I'm hoping that I will have an opportunity for 4e to do the same.

Anyone remember my post back in May, when I was burnt out? I was tired of 3e, and it's endless line of options which befuddled and infuriated me - and the players which didn't help matters. I didn't have the time nor effort to learn all I wanted to about the rules - there is just so much! I was one of those stereotyped, angsty, overwhelmed DMs

This quote has me wondering how long this feeling will last. It seems some of your frustration with 3.5 was the inability to keep up with the expanding options and rules. 4e will wipe the slate clean and for a while everyone will be using the core rules and that is about it, but inevitably there will be rules expansion and new options, whether they come in new splatbooks or via D&D Insider. I would suggest that you keep this in mind when 4e comes out. Try and control the pace that your group takes on new rules and options and don't feel you have to accept every new thing WotC publishes just because one of your players bought the book. Hopefully this will let you continue to enjoy the game for a long time.

 

[Jupp]

Actually I am quite interested with the things that 4e could bring to the gaming table. At least it is another chance for WotC to get me back as a customer after 6 years. The promise of a an easier D&D that is fast to play and good to DM does not sound too bad. But I judge 4e when I see how thick the PHB is going to be

 

[WayneLigon]

Everything I've heard looks good, but I'm a wait and see person right now. It's entirely likely I will not be an early adopter, as we'll be in the middle of a campaign around about the time of it's release. So far, so good, but then all of Ewe Boll's trailers looked awesome, too

 

[broghammerj]

Anyone remember my post back in May, when I was burnt out? I was tired of 3e, and it's endless line of options which befuddled and infuriated me - and the players which didn't help matters. I didn't have the time nor effort to learn all I wanted to about the rules - there is just so much! I was one of those stereotyped, angsty, overwhelmed DMs.

I hear where you are coming from. In general I think 4E could be a refreshing start. I have played 3.5 long enough to realize its faults, but at the same time have learned to live with them. My concern is that the endless line of options will continue. It seems to me that players want more options with all the splatbooks. The R+D guys have stated your race will matter more with different powers coming into play at higher levels, now every level is going to count for something, and a sword guy will be different than an ax guy. Sounds like more options to me. Sounds like complex NPC creation.

On the other hand anything they can do to speed gameplay will be well received, which also sounds to be a focus.