D&D 4E What would you want to see in 4e?

[Zappo]

Less magic. I like high magic, but the current D&D is overdoing it a bit even for my tastes. I mean, there are a total of four character classes out of eleven that don't cast spells, and the monk still has supernatural abilities. Virtually all PrCs give out some (Su) ability at one point or another. In most of my campaigns, there is not a single PC that doesn't cast spells or have supernatural powers. On an average battle, the average PC will have two or three buffs up. I feel that more than a party, it is a circus. I'd like somewhat less magic items as well. And I'd really like less modifiers, both in type and quantity; for example, I'd like the vast majority of spells not to stack, ever.

It's not that I find the current magic system to be too complex, but I think that it is too... spread out. Too many people can use too many spells.

 

[glass]

I understand that, but why complicate things when you do not need too. AC works fine. Armor as DR is a lot more gamist, more complicated, requires more work, and makes combat take longer.

I don't see how it is more complicated or requires more work. And as for 'more gamist', how is that an insult? Especially in the context of D&D, the quintessential gamist RPG.

EDIT: And those who would prefer a DR/soak based system obviously don't agree that 'AC works fine'. It uses up some of my supply of SoD that I'd rather save for giants and dragons and spells.


glass.

 

[glass]

Wow. I really only have three sacred cows for D&D, and at least one person out there (and in most cases several) wants to scrap all three of them! As far as I am concerned, the only specific things that would stop me buying 4e are:

1. The elimination of Vancian magic for wizards (I'd be quite happy for divine casters to go spontaneus)
2. The removal of classes
3. The removal of levels

Plus, although it wouldn't necesarily be a dealbreaker I would be very wary of a change from slot based to point based spellcasting.

So, I guess I'll just have to hope noone in this thread gets the job, eh? EDIT: Apart from me, obviously.


glass.

 

[Mystery Man]

I would not like to see 4E. I think that I have enough material from d20 sources, WoTC, Dungeon and Dragon magazine to last for a good long time. There is so much good stuff out right now I don't want to lose it, and to have to convert all of that to yet another edition while waiting the years it would take to come out with enough material to even compare is just asinine.

 

[glass]

Anyway, to finally answer the OP's question, things I would like to see in a hypothetical fouth edition of D&D:

• Make the spell system partially scalable. IOW combine CxW into a single cure wounds spell with variable effects depending on the level of the slot used to cast it, while still retaining the oddball spells the make D&D D&D, eg rope trick.
• Armour that reduces damage, but a system thought out and designed from scratch to be that way, rather than the conversion from AC to DR in UA. Probably with variable DR, a la Alternity or Iron Heroes.
• Some sort of VP/WP system, but one that's the right way around (again, not the one in UA).
• An end to the notion that clerics have to be overpowerd to entice people to play them.
• Fewer bonus types, and fewer attacks for high level types.
• DoS of attack roll added to base damage, obviating the need for damage to be rolled separately and freeing up a die roll for the armour reduction.

That's all I can think of off the top of my head, at least in terms of major changes.


glass.

 

[Jupp]

I would like to see "She-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named" as an epic monster in the first 4e Monster Manual.

 

[glass]

I hope they don't come out with 4E EVAR!

Then why are you posting in this thread?


glass.

 

[Mystery Man]

So, I guess I'll just have to hope noone in this thread gets the job, eh?

God I hope not.

 

[solomoncane]

All thing Scalable ...

I like a lot of things said here, especially by RangerWickett.

My main desire would be complete SCALABILITY.

Rules Scalability from simple to moderate complexity to full mini/tactical.
Magic level Scalabilty from none to low to high, etc.
Technological Scalability from stone age to far future.
Combat Scalability from personal to vehicle--individual to mass.

 

[DaveMage]

I like 3.x the way it is.

The only thing I would remove is the rule distinction between "epic" and "non-epic" when it comes to equipment.

Thus, there would be nothing wrong with a 16th level PC wielding a featureless +6 sword.