Roles in Roleplaying Games

[Mark CMG]

I wonder if "roles" could be less well-defined? In the lifespan of RPGing, "class" seems to have moved from being a sub-species of "role" to synonymous with "role" to being an overarching category of numerous "roles."

 

[pemerton]

Like swap-able "class features"? I think we might have something.

Isn't it called Essentials?

 

[Niccodaemus]

Of all the things I've read that have made me suspect that 4e is not for me, this thread at the top.

 

[Mark CMG]

Of all the things I've read that have made me suspect that 4e is not for me, this thread at the top.

There are aspects of all systems worth exploring and understanding that make any RPGing time a little bit better, even if it seems as if something is entirely impracticle to your previous experience. Don't be so fast to write off the whole thing.

 

[Niccodaemus]

There are aspects of all systems worth exploring and understanding that make any RPGing time a little bit better, even if it seems as if something is entirely impracticle to your previous experience. Don't be so fast to write off the whole thing.

I have written it off yet. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I don't suppose I'll actually know until I play it.

If I were to get one book in 4e to get the best vibe, which would you suggest? PHB, DMG?

 

[UngainlyTitan]

Of all the things I've read that have made me suspect that 4e is not for me, this thread at the top.

4e may not be for you but I would not base my opinion of 4e on the informnation on this thread.

I am a 4e supporter myself (just to lay my cards on the table) and i beleive that 4e is more flexible and doing character concepts that 3.x.

That said, while i am quite sympathetic to the view that role could be a selectable building block in character creation I am not sure if D&D goes down this route that there is any room for class.

I would be in favour of keeping classes in a defauilt role, I think it makes it easier for beginning players. I think that having a common power list for a source is a good idea but there would be a lot of powers in this common list since there would need to be powers for eash primary stat.

I think that perhaps, in this case, the class should provide the attribute boosts that would be expected of the class, remove racial attribute adjustments and replace with racial powers/feats.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Isn't it called Essentials?

Essentials certainly gets close, though for the bigger change I want, a new edition is probably needed, since it would involve re-working the old classes.

 

[Gentlegamer]

My conception of roles in D&D:

Caller
Mapper

 

[Mark CMG]

I have written it off yet. I've been doing a lot of reading, but I don't suppose I'll actually know until I play it.

If I were to get one book in 4e to get the best vibe, which would you suggest? PHB, DMG?

Can you find a game store running "Encounters?" You could give the system a test drive. If it turns out to be the system you've sought all your life, it would be nice to pick up something from the FLGS running the game for you.

Otherwise, I don't know that I would suggest you buy anything without playing it first, unless you can get something for under twenty dollars. I suppose you can always resell whatever you get. If you are set on buying into a system, the PHB is always the place to start. Keep an eye on ebay

Four days left on this one for $12 (or buy it now for $19) -

D&D 4e - Player's Handbook (9780786948673) | eBay

Couple days left on this PHB 1, 2, & 3 starting at $20 (Buy it now for $40) -

D&D 4e Player's Handbooks 1, 2 And 3 | eBay

If you'd rather not mess around, you can get a new copy from some sellers on Amazon (there are tons of them available) for $15 plus $4 shipping -

Amazon.com: Used and New: Dungeons & Dragons Player's Handbook

Once 5E is officially announced, I suspect those prices will drop a bit more, if you can wait a while.

 

[D'karr]

Mod Note: Right. Folks, if you hadn't noticed, there's a moderator active in the thread. Taking cheap personal shots is remarkably unwise under such circumstances. ~Umbran

[MENTION=177]Umbran[/MENTION], you are absolutely right. I did not mean this as a cheap shot, but I can understand that it can be taken as such. This is the type of banter that we sometimes have around the table among friends, but in this case it was not appropriate.

[MENTION=48965]Imaro[/MENTION], if I offended by the comment, I hope you accept my sincere apology.

Thanks.