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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ty" data-source="post: 3941715" data-attributes="member: 16824">Umbran made a good point back on Pg 8 but the guy who the post was originally directed at (the D&D killer) makes a point somewhat hamfistedly I think that's been missing from a lot of the discussions.The comments about Vancian vs. Non-Vancian spellcasting also raise this issue.  Part of the problem is defining what "Core D&D" should look like.  Anyone with half a book collection of the history of D&D knows that spell points was first introduced back in Skills and Powers.  It worked okay.  It didn't break the game at all but it was an alternative to Vancian spellcasting.Fast forward to Unearthed Arcana's most recent incarnation.  Presented in that book are the options for Spell Recharge (which is basically anti-Vancian at it's core), spell points, and a host of other rules variants.  Basically, the system is there to be tweaked and WotC even provided the method of doing the tweaks.  To me, it seems the tweaks to the core are now being made the core.This leads to my next point.  MANY of the current designers have publicly advocated the elimination of what have been termed "sacred cows" in various forms, medium, and outlets of information and via inference from their professional background statements and personal gaming histories.That being said, I don't really care one way or another if they decide X and Y sacred cow needs slaughtering anymore.  It's their game to tweak since they're the ones getting paid by the suits.  So be it if they can lodge solid arguments regarding a necessary change.  More power to them.  Personally, I've been dissappointed with the job that has been done after the original Complete ____ series by this current crop of designers.  The second set was complete $%#@ in our group but it doesn't mean somebody didn't like them.I do make two observations about this though;1.  With most big, corporate decisions, it's not wise if you don't have a "red team" out there playing devil's advocate to proposed changes that are drastic in scope.  I have no idea how WotC operates frankly.  I do however, detect quite a bit of "group think" in the public statements, which is to be expected.  I don't see any evidence of the existence of an internal "red team" though.2.  "We all have an agenda."  I don't know who to quote on that statement but it's true in every aspect of life.  I accept that the designer's agenda is different than mine for the direction of D&D but it's just 4th Edition D&D.  I once heard a quote in corporate that I think is applicable here;     "We all die, retire or get fired.  The product will change because the customers are always there buying the product they want despite your best efforts to the contrary."It will all work out in the end, we're just along for the ride to see who gets fired before the next big thing comes along.</blockquote>

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