D&D 4th Edition

[Zur]

So there's now a June release date for the D&D 4th Edition rules. I'd been vaguely aware it was coming this year, but this is the first time I'd heard an actual date.

As GM, I'm fully content to keep playing version 3.5 (which in no way seems broken), but I'm guessing one or more of us is likely to look into the newest version just to see what it's all about.

We probably should have a discussion at an upcoming game about whether we want to move to the new edition, stay put and -- if we decide to switch to the new rules -- how we want to proceed with that. I'm also thinking we should put a moratorium on anyone trying to introduce spells, classes, etc. from 4th Edition books into our 3.5 game until we know how compatible the two editions are.

Any thoughts?

[Mr. Woodhope]

That sounds prudent. My brief perusal of the WotC site's info on 4th indicated that they may not be that different. They are thinking of the 3.5 edition as a precursor to the 4th. It sounds like they are trying to make the books more organized and easier to use (and to sell them to you again). They had one note saying that you may already be using the 4th edition and not even know it. I'm going to listen to a couple of their podcasts so I can learn more.

[Zur]

That sounds prudent. My brief perusal of the WotC site's info on 4th indicated that they may not be that different. They are thinking of the 3.5 edition as a precursor to the 4th. It sounds like they are trying to make the books more organized and easier to use (and to sell them to you again). They had one note saying that you may already be using the 4th edition and not even know it. I'm going to listen to a couple of their podcasts so I can learn more.

So, when and where will they be posting these podcasts. I may do the same thing.

[Brand Nar Gath]

there should not be a problem with the addition of new spells, as they have come out with numerous editions of other new spell books that we use...

[Mr. Woodhope]

That sounds prudent. My brief perusal of the WotC site's info on 4th indicated that they may not be that different. They are thinking of the 3.5 edition as a precursor to the 4th. It sounds like they are trying to make the books more organized and easier to use (and to sell them to you again). They had one note saying that you may already be using the 4th edition and not even know it. I'm going to listen to a couple of their podcasts so I can learn more.

So, when and where will they be posting these podcasts. I may do the same thing.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4arch/pod

[Zur]

That sounds prudent. My brief perusal of the WotC site's info on 4th indicated that they may not be that different. They are thinking of the 3.5 edition as a precursor to the 4th. It sounds like they are trying to make the books more organized and easier to use (and to sell them to you again). They had one note saying that you may already be using the 4th edition and not even know it. I'm going to listen to a couple of their podcasts so I can learn more.

So, when and where will they be posting these podcasts. I may do the same thing.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/4arch/pod

Thanks. You have more paitence than I. Their redesigned website confuses the hell outta me.

[Nyther]

So there's now a June release date for the D&D 4th Edition rules. I'd been vaguely aware it was coming this year, but this is the first time I'd heard an actual date.

As GM, I'm fully content to keep playing version 3.5 (which in no way seems broken), but I'm guessing one or more of us is likely to look into the newest version just to see what it's all about.

We probably should have a discussion at an upcoming game about whether we want to move to the new edition, stay put and -- if we decide to switch to the new rules -- how we want to proceed with that. I'm also thinking we should put a moratorium on anyone trying to introduce spells, classes, etc. from 4th Edition books into our 3.5 game until we know how compatible the two editions are.

Any thoughts?

I agree with Paul that it sounds like a good plan to put the brakes on things coming from the 4th ed.  I find the 3.5v rules so good I don't know how they could "improve" them.  I think Paul is right, WotC are masters of repackaging. 

[Mr. Woodhope]

So far, listening to the podcasts, it looks like one main focus is to make combat move faster with less record-keeping. One podcast noted that "The Complete Mage" and the "The Magic Item Compendium" are pretty much 4th ed. already. Reserve feats and per-encounter abilities will be mainstream for characters.

They are also trying to make it where their different games would all be on the same system more so than they are now. So you could have, according to one commentator, a Jedi Knight running around in the Temple of Elemental Evil and it not be completely unbalanced.

They used Star Wars as an example a lot because they just had a Star Wars game come out that incorporated a lot of the thinking behind 4th ed. They also used Gamma World as an example and noted that it was just an example and they did not want to spread any rumors (but I do).

[Loken]

They also used Gamma World as an example and noted that it was just an example and they did not want to spread any rumors (but I do).

That would be cool, it would simplify a lot.

If I do a sequel to Door Out of Summer I was hoping to let people be a 3rd level whatever, from whatever genre and have it be balanced. So I hope the 4th Ed does that GURPS like job of being all inclusive.

[Zur]

So far, listening to the podcasts, it looks like one main focus is to make combat move faster with less record-keeping. One podcast noted that "The Complete Mage" and the "The Magic Item Compendium" are pretty much 4th ed. already. Reserve feats and per-encounter abilities will be mainstream for characters.

They are also trying to make it where their different games would all be on the same system more so than they are now. So you could have, according to one commentator, a Jedi Knight running around in the Temple of Elemental Evil and it not be completely unbalanced.

They used Star Wars as an example a lot because they just had a Star Wars game come out that incorporated a lot of the thinking behind 4th ed. They also used Gamma World as an example and noted that it was just an example and they did not want to spread any rumors (but I do).

I tried to listen to the podcast and it made me want to kill myself.

[Brand Nar Gath]

Please don't kill yourself until after we receive our elemental weapons.
thanx

[Mr. Woodhope]

I tried to listen to the podcast and it made me want to kill myself.

I was already at the dentist's office so the pain was not much greater.

[Loken]

I tried to listen to the podcast and it made me want to kill myself.

Yeah, just too irritating to listen to for more than 30 seconds.

[Mr. Woodhope]

OK, I've listened to a couple and they are not quite as bad as you all have made out...except the one about the D&D Minis game...blech.

For 4th Edition, they are recommending that you finish up your current campaign using 3.5 and then starting fresh with 4th. You can't exactly convert 3.5 characters to 4th, more like "creatively reimagine" them and rebuild them from the ground up.

[Dav'l]

"Creatively Reimagine," huh?  Sounds like a good way to get rid of a poorly chosen feat.