Of gishes and arcane defencers and whatnot: Is 4th ed. language for everyone?

[Wolfspider]

Scottish slang for "semen"

Ha! Perfect. I knew the term seemed seedy to me....

 

[Shalimar]

Gish sounds like something that boys do and then have to clean up after. Just say what you mean instead of trying to be clever and coming up with a vaguely obscene sounding name.

 

[Will]

Is life really so busy that saving a syllable or two is really worth using such an abominable term?

Yes.

Also, what exactly does gish mean then? Why is it more accurate a term than the others? I've heard a lot of different definitions for it just in this thread.

The lack of a clear meaning is a feature, not a bug.

 

[Wolfspider]

Yes.

You have my pity then.

The lack of a clear meaning is a feature, not a bug.

OK.

When you are trying to save time by using an abbreviation, it's probably not a good idea to use a term with no clear definition. More time will be spent arguing over what a "gish" is than just using a more accurate term, like "spellsword" or "eldritch knight" or "fighter/wizarrd."

 

[HeinorNY]

What's the point of this thread?

 

[Wormwood]

What's the point of this thread?

The same as 80% of threads on the 4e forum---expressing dislike of the new.

 

[Wolfspider]

The same as 80% of threads on the 4e forum---expressing dislike of the new.

New? Nothing new under the sun.

 

[HeinorNY]

The positive thing about this thread is that if Wotc pays attention to it they'll undoubtly realise that they need to release more previews ASAP, before we start discussing how lame the designer's avatars on gleemax boards are.

 

[Wolfspider]

The positive thing about this thread is that if Wotc pays attention to it they'll undoubtly realise that they need to release more previews ASAP, before we start discussing how lame the designer's avatars on gleemax boards are.

Hey, now that you mention it....

 

[Khuxan]

Just say what you mean instead of trying to be clever and coming up with a vaguely obscene sounding name.

"I would like to play a gish"

or

"I would like to play a multiclass (or even single-class, post PH II) character which combines spellcasting and martial fighting in a manner that allows me to function effectively in the typical D&D party."

or

"I would like to play a F/MU (except I don't actually need to take levels in fighter - any other class with martial prowess will do) (also, I want to play an arcane spellcaster, not just any user of magic) (also, it doesn't necessarily have to be a multiclass)"

Gish does say what I mean more than any other one or two words. F/MU doesn't say what I mean, because I don't necessarily want to play a fighter. 'Warmage', 'spellsword', 'eldritch knight', 'battlecaster', etc. all refer to existing prestige classes which may or may not be part of a gish build.

Sure, gish is a made-up word. Maybe it sounds vaguely obscene to you. But all alternatives I've heard are forced and clumsy.