D&D 4.0: Reactions
On the Thursday of this year's Gencon, Wizards of the Coast announced the launch of the 4th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The reactions, as ever on this topic, have been mixed. On one hand, there's a certain resentment of a new edition so close on the heels of the 3.5 rewrite, and on the other, many people are looking forward to the new, streamlined game.
Not a huge amount is changing - at least, that's how it seems to me. It looks like the jump from 3.5 to 4 is not going to be nearly as big as the jump from 2 to 3 was. Here's a quick summary, gleaned from various sources (The WotC site, ENWorld, rpg.net, etc). Even where these are verified, they're subject to change before release anyway, so take them with a pinch of salt.
Races: Some races will be dropped from the core rules, and tieflings may be added. I'm guessing the gnome and half-orc are for the chop.
Levels: The level cap in the core rules will now be 30, not 20.
Classes: Some classes are going to be dropped. Wizard, Fighter, Rogue, and Cleric are probably safe, although if it were up to me, I'd drop Rogue and keep Bard. Sorceror, Paladin, Ranger and something called a Warlord look like possibilities for being in. I'm guessing Barbarian and Bard are definitely gone. Druids are a maybe.
Class Abilities: All classes will have per-encounter and per-day powers.
Prestige Classes: There are conflicting reports. Some folk say they're gone, some say they're definitely staying. The concept is easy enough, so I suspect that even if they're gone from the core, lots of people will house-rule them back in.
Feats & Skills: Some skills will be combined, and the feat system will be simplified.
Magic: Vancian magic will be greatly reduced.
Alignment: It looks like alignment is going to be pretty much sidelined - nominally still there, but not having much impact on the game.
So... I'll be keeping an eye on the game as it develops, and I've signed up for the D&D Insider as it currently exists (but won't go to paying for it).
Posted by Drew Shiel at August 17, 2007 10:07 AM
Axe Gnomes and add tieflings? Sounds pretty dumb. Drop Bards. Well, that sucks.
Posted by: Rajaat99 at January 29, 2008 4:29 AMDrop Bard... sweet.
Drop Gnomes... not feeling that.
Add Tieflings... sweet.
Better keep rogues if your putting in Tieflings, or simply make assassin a man class if your going away with prestige classes.
Either way, I'm sticking with 3.5 for the most part, or until forced.
Posted by: Altimos at February 13, 2008 3:13 PMThis is B.S. I just lost my favorite character because of this damn thing. No more bard, why!?!?!?!
*Slams his mug on the table and walks out.
Bards were OK at best. The new class called the Warlord is pretty much what the bard was MENT to be. I E the help the party with buffs and such as well as being able to deal decent damage and other tricks like forceing opponites to move, as well as allowing party members to move during there turn and take extra Attacks of op. Pretty decent changes i like them.
Posted by: at June 1, 2008 2:14 AMugh, druids, sorcerers, bards, barbarians, all gone. what the hell? it also appears that professions are gone as well.
they have turned this game from a Role-playing experience into a straight up hack and slash video game, just on paper.
Im a DM personally, so i have taken the best of both worlds, combat from 4.0, and the everything else from 3.5 and I'm currently doing it that way with my group. though im holding a session with the bard and druid to try and make specific skills to keep up with 4.0
Very, very, very upsetting. Gary would not approve. i hope.
Posted by: at June 9, 2008 9:50 PM
From somebody who has never used 3, and not that much of AD&D 2, what are feats?
Posted by: mollydot at August 24, 2007 2:33 PM