PHB2 = World of Warcraft D&D?

[LoneWolf23]

Don't forget the retraining rules, which also seem inspired from WoW.

 

[Henry]

Does Knight's Challenge have roots in World of Warcraft? Possibly, but BOTH of them have root in faery and fantasy tales that existed in literature. Anyone remember Gawain & the Green Knight's "chop my head off, and I'll chop off yours" adventure? Not to mention Sturm Brightblade facing off in a one-on-one with Kitiara the dragon Highlord, or Eowyn's facing off against the Witch King, or lots of other examples more apt that I'm forgetting.

 

[Sejs]

... mob rules which defy all game logic are examples of this.

Ya lost me.

Such as...?

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Does Knight's Challenge have roots in World of Warcraft? Possibly, but BOTH of them have root in faery and fantasy tales that existed in literature. Anyone remember Gawain & the Green Knight's "chop my head off, and I'll chop off yours" adventure? Not to mention Sturm Brightblade facing off in a one-on-one with Kitiara the dragon Highlord, or Eowyn's facing off against the Witch King, or lots of other examples more apt that I'm forgetting.

You make a fantastic point. It all depends on what influences the individual making the observation has had. You and I seem to have read the same literature, so we see those influences, while those who play games like WoW or any number of others see computer and/or console game influences in D&D.

 

[Shawn_Kehoe]

May I suggest that you use the search option and read the multitude of threads we had about the PHB2?

Given that the search function isn't available to non-paying members, that isn't always possible.

Shawn

 

[SpiralBound]

Jeremy: "Hey guys, I briefly read the PHB2 and a lot of the abilities reminded me of WoW. I haven't read the whole book in detail yet, but I was wondering if anyone else got the same impressions from it that I did and if anyone thought that perhaps this was intentional?"

Several (but thankfully not all) of the posters in this thread: "HOW DARE YOU!!! You filthy pig-dog! Dirt beneath my shoe! I spit in your eye! Pftah!! You are obviously WRONG! (P&P) RPGs aren't copying (comp) RPGs, and even if they are, they're allowed to! So stop insulting my two favourite games!! Oh and please memorize all previous threads, even if you've been away for a time, before posting. Bringing up a subject after others have finished discussing it is FORBIDDEN!"

...and let that be a lesson to you Jeremy. Obviously, one must screen all proposed thread topics with the majority before posting, lest you become impaled upon the pike of righteous indignation...

P.S. If you disagree with my attempt at sarcastic humour, then I obviously wasn't refering to YOUR post. YOU were a perfect gentleman - I meant that OTHER guy!

 

[Sejs]

Hey Jeremy, welcome back.

Yes, the MMO/WoW comparison's been made before. No, it's not entirely accurate, but whatever. (Besides, wouldn't the dragon shaman actually be closer to the paladin from diablo 2? ) Anyway, you'll have to excuse some folks if they get a tad worked up over the issue as it's gotten a little long in the tooth and not all of the threads were exactly polite.

With regard of some of your other points, nah, much of the book doesn't come across as MMOish at all. There're examples of various personality archtypes one might explore, discussions into most of the existing classes, usually with some alterative class features included. Sections on parties, adventuring companies, affiliations, teamwork benefits & training, and so on. A lot of the book is put down to making it so your character feels more a part of the game world rather than seperated from it like a chesspiece and the board. The retraining rules are in place to help prevent some of the idea that you absolutly have to get your character's 'build' right from your first step out of the gate. You want to join the Knights of the Silver Stag, but they require all their members to be accomplished trackers? You can spend some time training with a mentor and learning how to track without having to have the feat magically pop up from time you spend monster killing and princess saving.

Doesn't really seem that WoW-ish to me, frankly.

 

[Felon]

I really only see the Knight as being inspired by MMORPGs, and even then, it's only one class ability, and it's one that has shown up as a feat before now (before WoW was even out of alpha, in fact).

Heck, the kender had this ability long before MMOG's were around.

::shrug:: There's nothing wrong with D&D designers getting inspiration from good games....

....or even Worlds of Warcraft.

Don't forget the retraining rules, which also seem inspired from WoW.

Well, I don't know why guys are intent on giving WoW sole credit for concepts that were introduced by games that came before it, but yes, the "respec" rules are certainly more evidence of the MMOG influence than any of the classes.

 

[Morbid Angel]

Well, I don't know why guys are intent on giving WoW sole credit for concepts that were introduced by games that came before it, but yes, the "respec" rules are certainly more evidence of the MMOG influence than any of the classes.

Even that is debatable. I remember players wanting to change their characters long before 3E or MMO's. It seems to be more prevalent now with all the feats, prc's, and whatnot. Perhaps they were just trying to come up with an in-game way to do it without the dm just giving the green light on a feat or class exchange. It kind of trashes suspension of disbelief when Thogdor the Barbarian shows up to next game as a Rog/Sorcerer because of a player whim.

 

[Felon]

Even that is debatable. I remember players wanting to change their characters long before 3E or MMO's.

Sure, but having a specific, codified way of going about it rather than the "magic pencil" method is what I was referring to.