The D&D 4th edition Rennaissaince: A look into the history of the edition, its flaws and its merits

Was D&D 4th Edition ahead of its time or a misstep in gaming history? Dive into our latest article exploring the controversial rise, fall, and surprising resurgence of 4e. From the bold mechanics to the infamous Edition Wars, we’re unpacking it all. Whether you loved it, hated it, or never tried it, this edition left its mark on the RPG world forever. Discover its triumphs, flaws, and enduring legacy now on RPG Gazette

The D&D 4th edition Rennaissaince: A look into the history of the edition, its flaws and its merits
 

log in or register to remove this ad

The design team responsible for D&D 4th Edition included several industry veterans, such as (but not limited to) Rob Heinsoo, Mike Mearls, and James Wyatt.

No. The design of 4e at its inception 100% did not involve Mearls in any capacity. Mearls is to 4e design what antimatter is to matter.

Andy Collins was the third designer alongside Heinsoo and Wyatt.

Mearls was on the development team, an entirely different function within WOTC, which they have explained in various articles over the years.

Old-school fans, specifically the faithful base for 3.5e with its hundreds of third-party choices, were universally disappointed by the wholesale changes.

Wrong, and also logically impossible, or 4e couldn't have any sales whatsoever. Unless you'd like to posit that everyone who bought 4e was a fresh new player who had never played 3.5e.


Pathfinder, Paizo’s 3.5e-compatible alternative, came out almost simultaneously

If by "almost simultaneously" you mean "1 year later".

And... I'm out. Next time do some research.
 

If by "almost simultaneously" you mean "1 year later".

And... I'm out. Next time do some research.
Well, as a brand Pathfinder debuted in 2007, releasing adventures and sourcebooks that were pure 3.5 materials. While the Pathfinder RPG wouldn't come out until 2009, there was a long lead-in of previews and playtest materials, including the release of the Pathfinder RPG's "Beta" rulebook at Gen Con in August of 2008, which sold out almost immediately (I know, because I bought a copy there). That was essentially a preview of the Core Rulebook that would come out a year later, albeit with some things tweaked and changed.
 



Well, as a brand Pathfinder debuted in 2007, releasing adventures and sourcebooks that were pure 3.5 materials. While the Pathfinder RPG wouldn't come out until 2009, there was a long lead-in of previews and playtest materials, including the release of the Pathfinder RPG's "Beta" rulebook at Gen Con in August of 2008, which sold out almost immediately (I know, because I bought a copy there). That was essentially a preview of the Core Rulebook that would come out a year later, albeit with some things tweaked and changed.

In that case, let me count 4e's release date as when they started talking it up.
 

In that case, let me count 4e's release date as when they started talking it up.
Sure, that would be August of 2007, when 4E was announced to the public at Gen Con, less than a month before the first 3.5 Pathfinder material was released (Paizo having gotten advanced notice from WotC what was going to happen) and just over six months before we got the "alpha" playtest material for the Pathfinder RPG.
 


Keep moving those goalposts, buddy. "Pathfinder" the adventure path using 3.5 rules <> Pathfinder the entirely new game system.
I'm pointing out that the "almost simultaneously" mention in the article isn't as wrong as you claimed it was. Your mention of counting 4E from when it was announced (in terms of 4E and Pathfinder being competitors) was a salient point; that's why I didn't disagree with you in my previous post.
But it's always this. Even in an article that kinda backhandedly praises 4e, someone else was always doing it better.
I suspect there's a reason for that. ;)
 

It matters little to me. Any article that thinks Mearls was (A) an original designer of 4e; and (B) somehow took 4e in a good direction -- has completely missed the mark.
 

Trending content

Remove ads

Top