D&D 4E Why the 4e hate on Wilbur?

[Driddle]

As posted on ENWorld's front page, from the Prophecy of the Priestess, Part 5 via Greg Bilsland's Gleemax blog, we're given these juicy nuggets to consider:

* "The bandits continued to abuse Wilbur..."
* "The opportunistic bandits manage to keep Wilbur from taking full advantage of his fighter abilities ..."
* "With Wilbur disabled ..."

Why all the Wilbur hate? Is this something they felt was lacking in 3rd edition games? It's pretty clear they've crossed a line of no return. This isn't a D&D I'll feel comfortable playing.

 

[Mindseye]

I preferred 1E Wilbur.

 

[DaveMage]

Wilbur's been nerfed.

 

[Plane Sailing]

In that Playtest Wilbur fell foul of 'the Monk Mistake'.

i.e. just because you can get to the fight a round or two before you companions, it doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so, since you manage to gain your opponents undivided attention...

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I just hate the flavor the name Wilbur evokes. Talking horses and pigs that can speak with arachnids immediately jump to mind. I assume this is get us ready for the My Little Pony and Littlest Pet Shop campaign settings that are scheduled for 2009 and 2010.

 

[The Merciful]

Don't fret it. Wilbur hasn't fallen in lava yet.

 

[BadMojo]

I think Wilbur should demonstrate how deadly those 100' falls are in 4E, or maybe how the new disintegrate rules work.

Wilbur is like the D&D version of Buster from the Mythbusters. I can't wait to see how they mangle him next week!

 

[Driddle]

In that Playtest Wilbur fell foul of 'the Monk Mistake'.

i.e. just because you can get to the fight a round or two before you companions, it doesn't mean that it is a good idea to do so, since you manage to gain your opponents undivided attention...

Huh. That's interesting.

So the new Wilbur was given some sort of additional speed bonus, but also some sort of penalty/ability that attracts opponents' undivided attention. I wasn't expecting that. Can't say that it seems balanced, either. Sorta sets up Wilbur for a world of hurt in 4th edition that he didn't have to deal with before.

I'd prefer the old Wilbur concept -- it's not like he was broken. And I don't want to be forced to play one kind of Wilbur, the rush-to-be-abused sort of role we see in this example.

Yet another reason I won't be investing in 4.ed.

 

[Umbran]

It's very simple...

Charlotte wasn't there to look out for him.

 

[HeavenShallBurn]

It's very simple...

Charlotte wasn't there to look out for him.

sniff...sniff.... is that bacon?