D&D 4th Edition

Okay, time for my first rant. P.S. Not all rants are a bad thing.

D&D 4th edition seems like a very good place to start.

To preface, I’ve not read the new book. I’ve read only what other people have online.

I might as well start with what I hate about 4th edition: Any and all Massively Multiplayer (MMO) references. The game didn’t need this. It really didn’t need things like Striker, Tank, Controller, etc. I see a reference to recharge rates and I cringe. It’s too late now, they are firmly entrenched. But why god why did they have to use the actual terms. Why couldn’t they just use it for development and then not disclose this to the public.

Why do I hate MMO references? Because despite what MMO’s do successfully (i.e. create an engaging, addictive gaming experience) it also comes with all the baggage of what they don’t do well. Which is to say, create a community devoid or role players and put players on the level grind.

MMO’s are pretty notorious for a complete lack or role players. Some people try and I respect that. But eventually, people have to give in to the concept that role playing in an MMO is entirely inefficient. Whether picking a class or a power/spell that ‘sux’ because if fits your character or not giving into the massive losers who send messages on broadcast, role playing on MMO’s is rarely productive. You ain’t getting XP for all that awesome role playing. So the bulk of players don’t kid themselves. They pick the uber spells, farm for the best item drops or slot their powers with the best enhancements. So when *I* think of MMO’s I think of that sort of thing. I don’t role play. I play them to game. So when I hear that D&D is using MMO terminology, I cringe and wonder whether I’ll be forced to ‘slot the best enhancements’ on my Fighter or Wizard.

The level grind is also what I think of when I think of MMO’s but fortunately, D&D practically invented the level grind. I want to say that they did for sure but I know in 1.5 years down the road some titanic nerd will come and explain that some other game that predates D&D did it first. I really don’t care. The point being, level grinding is part and parcel for D&D.

What do I like about the new D&D? Well…a great deal actually. I think it’ll be a very good but very different game. But I will probably save this for a separate rant. =)