TheSword
Legend
Sure a simple system has attraction. However I’m also attracting to interesting mechanics. The greatest issue seems to be with advantage and success levels. With a fewer number of people criticising the division of the meta currency and the stacking conditions.Like I said, any new edition will have its proponents and critics.
But surely the idea that a less complex WFRP would be more accessible to new players, and less likely to have fundamental system issues is not a controversial one.
Both things which would be net positives for the longevity of the game line.
Whereas now 4e has a reputation for complexity and wonky mechanics. Both traits which are not helpful in attracting and retaining new players for the game line.
Personally I think SLs are a novel and interesting mechanic that I far far prefer to the Wiffliness of 1st and 2nd Ed. Out of that list SLs are the only thing essential for the rules. Advantage, conditions, and meta currency can all be toned down or removed.
Personally I think cards are a great way of tracking conditions and meta currency, and as I have said I use VTT tokens for advantage. WFRP plays very differently to D&D and indeed 2nd edition with shorter faster combat that nevertheless has more weighty decisions to make.
A simple system is fine, but it carries its own problems. Perhaps the aggregate of things it fixed from 2nd have made it cumbersome in your opinion. Though if you were a fan of 2nd edition then I’m not surprised you don’t like the system.
I’m not sure I agree with you. I think those people that don’t like 4e loudly and vehemently criticize it allowing for little positives. They have drawn up the lines of defense aren’t interested in any Christmas Day football matches. Everyone else is getting on with it and enjoying the new edition. Second Ed ran for 3 years. Fourth Ed has already ran for 3 and shows no sign of stopping yet. No doubt it will grind to a close eventually but it’s won enough awards that I’m confident it won’t be for a while yet.4e WFRP will sell well for awhile because of current fanbase snapping up the adventures and the revised TEW campaign. (A very savvy move by C7 - credit where it is due.)
All of which can be easily made to work with whatever version of 1e or 2e system that they made to work for them. (It's just replacing stat block really)
Some will flip to 4e because they like what is in that porridge.
But the real question will be for 5 or so years from now: How many new and first time players are still playing 4e?
In my opinion: WFRP 4e is the new Shadowrun 6e.
Yeah you got the old fans to check it out, and a bunch of new people took a look at the new shiny; but the underlying game mechanics aren't doing the game any favors with new player retention.