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Message: <blockquote data-quote="pemerton" data-source="post: 3862609" data-attributes="member: 42582">FireLance, Geron - thanks for the replies!Agreed.I think that WoTC have formed a view about the way D&D tends to be played, and are designing around it. Exploration is out - rapid-paced challenges are in.Alternatively, its about making the mechanics fit the way the game is typically played.To make this sort of play fit with 4e, what would be needed is a system of "information gathering challenges" in which every player's PC is able to play a meaningful round on every turn. Maybe the social encounter mechanics will handle it. Even then, I doubt that it will become the norm for most play groups.This is the reason why I suspect it won't become the norm - a lot of groups don't find that sort of play very interesting. Of course, some do. I don't believe that 4e is being written for them.That's just my point. The player-choice story about save-or-die assumes a certain set of metagame priorities which (I believe) are not those of the majority.What this highlight, IMO, is an inconsistency in the DMG's demographic rules and the basic encounter design/reward mechanism of D&D. It's not surprising to me that most play groups go with the latter, and put the demographics to one side.</blockquote>