There will be no 4.5. It is 4th Edition.

[Li Shenron]

I am not going to believe that the first print of 4e is never going to be revised or updated...

But of course I believe they're sincere when saying "there will not be a 4.5". It just means that they're introducing a new way for revising/updating the rules: CONTINUOSLY, releasing individual "corrections" via D&D insider, and updating the online tools like chargen and DM tools all the time so that you just HAVE to keep your game up-to-date with the latest changes if you want to use those tools.

 

[Kesh]

They could also avoid 4.5 by creating a 4.5 and just calling it 5th edition. They could even push its covertability factor if it's similar enough to 4ed.

This is pretty much what I expect. Either they'll call it 5e, or 4e Revised, but 4.5e has too many negative connotations to be worthwhile. So, I'm confident there will never be a "4.5e" as stated. There may, however, be a new/rebranded edition with tweaks published in 3-5 years...

 

[bloodydrake]

eh... I'm sure when they announced 3e they would have absolutely denied any intention of 3.5 at the time.

 

[drothgery]

Yeah, 'there will be no 4.5' is pretty much a meaningless statement, because that's just saying they won't use that naming convention.

If it means 'we're not going to release a major update only 3 years after a new edition', that's cool, but I think WotC understands that wasn't a great business move anyway. I think if 3.5 had been launched in 2005 or so, and with more advance warning, they could probably have changed more than they did with far less negative fan reaction. The big problem with the 3.0 to 3.5 transition was that it was a complete surprise, many of the changes were rather subtle, and some things didn't get fixed that should have.

So while there may not be a 4.5, per se, I wouldn't be surprised at all to see a new set of core books in the 2012-2014 time frame that's anything from 4.0 with errata included and new art (just replacing the 4.0 PHB) to an incremental rules update along the lines of 1e to 2e (called 5e).

 

[delericho]

Actually, I hate having to deal with errata documents, micro releases, and the like. The fewer sources I have to consult at the table, the better. In fact, I don't use the errata for my 3.5 game except where it's absolutely essential, for precisely this reason. And one of the things that turns me off about the DI is that it will almost certainly enforce application of the errata, which may mean changing the rules of my game in mid-campaign.

That being the case, I would prefer a 4.5 release in, say, five years, and a 5th edition a further 5 years after that. (Or, just call them 5e and 6e - I don't really care about the names used.) If all else fails, I can just not buy the updates.

 

[SavageRobby]

Scott Rouse has guaranteed they won't be doing a dot relase.

I, for one, intend to insure he never forgets he said that.

Think he'll still be working there if/when it comes about that you get the opportunity? History has an interesting comment or two on that.

 

[Lonely Tylenol]

I agree with this. Also. WotC can't "milk" anyone. Its not like the government raising your taxes. You have a choice, buy or don't buy, and as always "let the buyer beware". A regime change in WotC could possibly lead to a .5 edition is if Scott says otherwise. However, there's no garuntee of it happening either. Best plan is to wait and see.

This argument keeps coming up again and again. It's unsound. The reason why most people eventually move on to the new editions is because the old editions immediately lose all support from the company. Sure you can keep playing. Nobody has ever suggested otherwise, and they're all smart enough to think of that. But let's say you want to keep using adventures from Dungeon, without having to convert every single one of them. Perhaps you don't have the time to do that kind of work. Perhaps you have difficulty finding players in your area, and it becomes near-impossible when the majority of players are looking for a game in the newer edition, both in meatspace and online.

(aside: there are 3 listings in the Gamers Seeking Gamers section under the subject "Virtual Tabletop", 7 listings from the past 100 days under "Chat Room", and 9 "Play by Post" from the past 100 days. Slim pickings, even without a divided player base.)

If you're totally content with the current ruleset and don't anticipate needing or wanting any future support, a new edition isn't going to bother you. If you, for example, had a subscription to Dungeon and Dragon, and you're used to keeping up with the latest adventures, supplements, and info, but you want to keep playing with the rules you know and enjoy, you're going to have a problem with a new edition.

 

[Shadeydm]

"We're not working on 4E."

A classic to be sure lol.

 

[Man in the Funny Hat]

There won't need to be a 4.5 for a very good reason. They've also stated that content on D&D insider will be official. So, I would look to D&D Insider for all the tweaks, updates, and be-all/end-all of official rules. Instead of a single, paper release, it will be a continuous, indefiinite digital release of rules. The effect will be the same, it's just the avenue of sale that's different. Mind you, they might at some point also publish a larger, "updated" set of books that include the online revisions to date, or a supplementary rules book with JUST the updates/changes.

Don't kid yourself. The change and revision is inevitable - and thus very beneficial to plan ahead for it in some fashion.

 

[haakon1]

So can we get early bird discounts if we buy 4.5 now?