D&D - 3.5?

[claidheamhmor]

After going through the D&D 4th Edition books again, and reading up on a few articles, we had a chat with our Wednesday D&D group, discussed all the options, and it looks like we'll be sticking with D&D 3.5, albeit with some modifications (like switching to a spell-point system).

Some of the reasons for this are:

• The reliance of 4E on battle mats and figurines during combat, and the precise character positions etc. during combat is going to be a problem for our easy-going group.


• 4E breaks compatibility with older versions of D&D; it's essentially a new system, and if we have to change systems altogether, why 4E over something else? We have years of experience in D&D ranging from Basic to 3.5, all of which had the same basic ethos, and it makes sense to leverage that. 4E is a system taken from MMORPGs.


• The constrictions in 4E seem irritating - stuff like the skills one can use, and the requirement for parties to have each of the four major foodgroups roles represented. We like it casual.


• Increased complexity in powers etc. I like the idea behind it, but it sounds like it'll be a real problem for our group to keep track of. We're into the role-playing more than the roll-playing.

I do want to give the spell-point system a try; that might resolve one of my bugbears in 3.5, the whole thing about "memorising" spells every day. I know it's based on Vance's books, but it seems strangely out of place in a fantasy world, and it does mean a fair bit of housekeeping on daily spell selections if you want to do it right.

I do like 4E's "at will" and "per encounter" powers for the various classes; it may be nice to do something like that in 3.5, especially for the spell-casting classes (certain cantrips?).

Comments

[magependragon.livejournal.com]

I play 4e. I play it regularly and even run a weekly game. I like it.

BUT I do agree that it is not for Verdant.

Having played in the game (even though it was years since I was there), I have a bit of a different insight into just how much 4e would work with it and IMO it wouldn't because the concept of the game is not a 4e concept.

Things I do like about 4e though:
* Everyone has special things they can do
* Everyone has their assigned roles/jobs but can still help out in the "grey" areas where classes overlap
* It is simpler to gen a char and level up than I found 3.5 to be (used PCGen all the time so I wouldn't forget to do something.)

It can lend itself to a role-playing experience - my 4e Eberron game shows that - but I don't see it working for the concept of Verdant. It is not currently that well suited for games with a higher focus on skill-checks/investigation/socialising over combat. To make it work for those requires a lot of work on the part of the DM (I have tried and am still trying!)

As for map play. Yes the powers talk about squares which translate to feet for range, damage blasts and pushing/sliding/shifting around which don't translate well to theatre of the mind but these concepts were already in 3.5 as I witnessed and played in the Holy Theun Empire game I was in in Durban.

I play a variety of systems and feel each has its place. 4e would not work for Verdant without some serious restructuring of characters and world. (I tried to port Faye Morgainne and I couldn't really bring her across.) This is also very evident in the changes that have had to be made in Forgotten Realms to get the magic to work the new way and there are articles about it form when 4e was first released - with lots of complaints.

I am intrigued by the spell point system. Perhaps running spells like they do at cons - so many slots but nothing memorised, so more like bards/sorcerers as opposed to ruled wizards.

These are just my thoughts as an ex-player in Verdant and a current player/DM of 4e.

[melancthe.livejournal.com]

This wasn't for the Verdant group (we decided against switching to 4E in Verdant right now for the very reason you describe - porting characters across), it's for the other group we play with.

Interesting points, though, and very applicable to the other group too!

[claidheamhmor]

Thanks Pen - nice to have the insight from someone who has played with us (well, Melancthe and me, at least).