Playtest Reactions: "Return of the Burning Plague"

[Gorrstagg]

Thanks it was a good read. And your group of players seems very similar to my group. Were all just waiting for the new edition. Me??

I'm very excited about getting this new version. As I've said before, back last year, I was getting completely burned out on D&D. There was just so much work required to put together a really truly good adventure. (And I'm there to tell a great interactive story, and is one of those reasons my players refer to me as a professional DM, especially after they experience other DM's even briefly.) So with that burned out because of the sheer amount of work to get a good adventure going.. yeah time to take a break and try a few other systems, and genres', Warhammer 2nd Edition (currently wrapping up this campaign in preparation for 4E!), and a rather intensive Mutants & Masterminds campaign.

Truthfully, for me, whatever speeds up the game, that streamlines stuff, and gives me access to all the tools they are providing with 4E.. is a sheer win.

Because I love fun and interesting combats when they happen. And now, from what we've seen so far, there are so many variables, yet they seem to be designed in the concept of plug and play. Stick this in and go. (Supposedly easy to tweak, for those "Special" adjustments.)

Good stuff.. nice to hear folks finding the fun again with D&D.

 

[Xethreau]

Thanks for reading guys! (And yes, now that you mention it, the Halfling ability is oddly worded.) For those interested, I have a few more reactions from yesterday:
-Bajino's (Skamos') player looks over to Corrin's player and says "I love tactical combat..." I think this was in response to his making three really tactically sound moves in a row: 1) Cast his fire spell on a bush. No damage, but the kobolds came out of hiding. 2) Shifted away from incoming Skirmishers and used Infernal Wrath and some power at the same time to blast the wyrmpriest who just ice-breathed him. 3) Used his Wand Power and Magic Missile to snipe a retreating kobold.
-Kathra's 18 AC was a pain in the butt to hit, at least with kobolds. I think all their hits on her were when they had combat advantage, or scored crits.
-Bajino's player said something else that was made of win, but it slips my mind... crap.

 

[Verys Arkon]

I found this on the gleemax forums here (the OPs same Burning Plague report), and thought I'd post it here for your entertainment...

Re: 4e "Return of the Burning Plague" Playtest Reactions

By themocaw
A lot of lads in the forums liked 4e a lot.
But the grognard who lurked on the forums, did not.
I could be because his Thac0 was too high.
Or it could be because the cake was a lie.
But whatever the reason, the cake or his stats,
He lurked in the forum there, hating those brats.
Gazing down from his high horse on the kids as they played
The preview adventure "Re: The Burning Plague."

"Now they've got healing surges," he snarled with a sneer,
"Two months until 4e, it's practically here!"
And he stood with his d30s nervously rolling,
"I have to make time on the forums for trolling!
"Because come the 4e launch, all those lil' girls and boys,"
"Will get out their dice and then, oh, the NOISE!"
"If there's one thing I hate, it's the noise noise noise noise!"

"And then all the gamers will rest for six hours,"
"And recharge their healing surges, AP and powers."
"They'll level up with static hit points, with skills and with feats!"
"Feats every two levels, now that's power creep!"
"Then those brats will do something I hate most of all,"
"They'll gather round the table, the young and the small,"
"They'll get out their character sheets and pencils each one,"
"They'll look to the DM. . . and those brats will have FUN!!"

 

[Xethreau]

Yes, I thought that was quite humorous as well.

 

[arscott]

Doesn't hold a candle to "The Rouse I am"

 

[Mr. Teapot]

-Kathra's 18 AC was a pain in the butt to hit, at least with kobolds. I think all their hits on her were when they had combat advantage, or scored crits.

You think that's bad? You should have seen my GM when he said "I assume a 24 hits your AC?" and I said "Nope." Halfling paladin adjacent to two larger foes using Shielding Smite to guard himself = AC 25.

 

[Mr. Teapot]

[*]Even sub-par class-race combos are still pretty neat; Bajino was able to get his Infernal Wrath/Orb of Force against people who just bypassed the Defenders, and that was interesting to see happen.

I have no idea why you would think that a race with an Intelligence bonus would be a sub-par race for a wizard.

(A case can be made that the Halfling is subpar for paladin due to small size, but the Charisma bonus and better defenses make 4th ed Halflings a pretty good choice for paladin.)

 

[Xethreau]

I meant that his racial abilities did not hold much synergy to his class'es power's effects. For instance, Blood Hunt and Infernal Wrath would be great for defenders and strikers, IMO, but not so great for a wizard.

Anyway, I remember two more reactions from my playgroup:
- "'Free' actions are free now? Finally!"
-Kathra: "Hey, look at my Daily." Bajino: "Yeah, well, look at my spell sheet! TWO COLLUMS! Thats an ENTIRE page!"