What should the default setting be for 4th edition?

[Ghendar]

You know guys, when WoTC did that contest that resulted in Eberron being created, they also had a second and third setting which they still own the rights to. One of those was submitted by Rich Burlew. I remember hearing rumors that something ws going to be done with those settings. Could have been baseless rumors but I did hear them.

I'd love to see what Rich created. However, I wouldn't want it made the default setting sight unseen.

 

[Morte]

I'd like it to be setting neutral. But if there's going to be a deity list in the PHB, which I think is a good idea, then "no implied setting" is not an option. But Greyhawk seems to come as close as reasonably possible to not having a setting.

 

[Whisper72]

Known World/Mystara or Praemal, the world around Ptolus...

 

[Mouseferatu]

I'm amazed that folks can think Eberron isn't capturing anyone's imagination. It's not for everyone, but there's a reason Wizards keeps publishing books for it, and it's not because "Well, we spent the money for it, we might as well print something." Putting together and printing a book ain't cheap.

Now, I happen to like Eberron, a lot, but I also like traditional fantasy a lot. And while Eberron should remain one of the flagship D&D settings for quite some time, IMO, it should not ever be the "default" setting. Start with the basics, than provide the "weird factor," not the other way around.

I voted Greyhawk. While I'd prefer the core rules remain largely setting neutral, sometimes examples/samples are required, and good ol' GH is still the most solid, most easily tweaked, most unobtrusive option.

 

[an_idol_mind]

I'm amazed that folks can think Eberron isn't capturing anyone's imagination. It's not for everyone, but there's a reason Wizards keeps publishing books for it, and it's not because "Well, we spent the money for it, we might as well print something." Putting together and printing a book ain't cheap.

I don't think anyone is really making the claim that Eberron isn't capturing anyone's imagination. The main claim is that a lot of people would be turned off if it became the default setting for D&D.

There does tend to be a precedent that the weirder or more innovative settings for D&D, like Birthright, Dark Sun, Planescape, or Ravenloft -- a group which Eberron is arguably a part of -- tends to lose steam more quickly than a generic setting. The settings that have been the most popular for TSR/WotC have usually been more traditional fantasy like the Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, and Dragonlance.

Now, I happen to like Eberron, a lot, but I also like traditional fantasy a lot. And while Eberron should remain one of the flagship D&D settings for quite some time, IMO, it should not ever be the "default" setting. Start with the basics, than provide the "weird factor," not the other way around.

Agreed.

 

[Hand of Evil]

No Implied Setting but as 4.E is to be more minature based (rumor) I would think they would have something new in the works to push them, sort of a Planescape world.

 

[mhensley]

I'd like it to be setting neutral. But if there's going to be a deity list in the PHB, which I think is a good idea, then "no implied setting" is not an option.

You can have a deity list without having the names of specific deities. I believe that 2nd edition did it that way. There was just a list of example deities referred to as a Death god, Sun god, War god, etc.

 

[Halivar]

Spelljammer.

Oh, yeah. You know you feel it, too.

 

[an_idol_mind]

You can have a deity list without having the names of specific deities. I believe that 2nd edition did it that way. There was just a list of example deities referred to as a Death god, Sun god, War god, etc.

I say leave deities out of the core books entirely. Let the DM decide where clerics get their spells, either through gods directly or just through the power of their individual faith.

Whatever they do, they should never use 2nd edition as the model for priests. 2nd edition screwed it up badly with the priests of specific mythos thing.

 

[mhensley]

Whatever they do, they should never use 2nd edition as the model for priests. 2nd edition screwed it up badly with the priests of specific mythos thing.

I liked that priests in 2nd edition were more variable than in 3rd. Why should the priests of all religions get Turn Undead?