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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Majoru Oakheart" data-source="post: 5237711" data-attributes="member: 5143">I think the truth is somewhere between the two extremes.  I think that the Essentials books really don't have any "new rules" in terms of how the game is played with the classes that exist.  However, I think the new classes are different enough from the old to not really be compatible.I mean, in a way(and I know I'm going to regret saying this) is IS like a 4.5.  It's basically reissuing all the classes with different mechanics than before without any compatibility with the old classes.  You get a new Fighter, new Rogue, new Cleric, and so on...with the benefit of the wisdom of a couple of years worth of design in the new rules.  All without changing the rules themselves, thereby not necessarily invalidating the old version of the class.However, I'm in agreement with some of the other comments here.  I'm thinking the new versions of the class may be better(although not necessarily more powerful).  They might keep the same balance, but with the benefit of hindsight, just be more fun to play.In which case, the default becomes the new classes and the old ones become a bygone, played by almost no one.  Especially if they manage enough backwards compatibility to allow the new classes to use the powers from the old ones.Notice the wording they use in the explanation of the new classes(they are "most like" builds).  They are something different that hasn't really been done before.  My best guess is essentially an entirely new class with all new class features that doesn't have the ability to swap class features for any of the stock ones(they can't be a battlerage vigor fighter, for instance) that still gets to pick powers from the old classes lists as well as new ones designed only for the new class.This fits in with their design philosophy.  Don't remove classes, feats, or powers that are too weak....simply make new ones that are slightly better and everything works itself out naturally.</blockquote>

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