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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sammael" data-source="post: 4681269" data-attributes="member: 4475">However, two issues with the rich, specialized vocabulary are (1) it makes the game even more unfriendly for new users to learn (because it increases the already hefty D&D vocabulary) - this is alleviated somewhat by the fact that many new gamers are familiar with MMOs and, hence, already know the vocabulary; and (2) it encourages metagaming. Interestingly enough, for years, computer RPGs were striving to get as close to the pen-and-paper experience as possible, since the pen-and-paper experience provides freedom which can never* be matched by a computer. Sure, the balance wasn't perfect, but the human factor (i.e. the DM) was always there to make judgment calls and adjust the rules as needed.3.x made the first step in the opposite direction, trying to take away the need for DM's judgment calls and ad hoc rulings, and empowering the players through the myriad of rules, sub-rules, and sub-systems (some of which worked, and some which didn't work). 4E takes another step further, completely removing the DM from the picture when it comes to rulings which concern PC abilities (by making those abilities simple, clear, and without any need for interpretation) while, at the same time, claiming to return some power to the DM by means of world-building and preparation flexibility. This is not a direction I like; I want some ambiguity in the "powers," I want the "powers" to be able to do more than 2[W]+Int damage and push the target 1 square. By balancing the powers so carefully (and making them so easy to balance), the designers have removed a certain layer of creativity from the game. Sure, it's easy to say that "DMs should encourage player stunts," but, in my experience, with the advent of 4E "powers," many players are now focused on choosing the optimal power for every situation and are no longer interested in in-game logic, prefering to use metagame tactical reasoning. This is straight out of tactical miniature games and MMORPGs, and has never been as ingrained in the system as it is in 4E.*in the foreseeable future</blockquote>

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