It is slow compared to 3.5, but I like how the combat works because it forces us to use a map grid (we didn't use with 3.5) and with our GM it is the only way to do anything tactical , which is what I enjoy/excel at. It also simplifies it for some of our players who don't have the desire to learn complex rules of earlier editions. All the stuff I don't like is related to our DMs house rules which nerf some classes (like tanks) beyond belief.
That said, our group probably will play 3.5 when this campaign is done, because we rotate DM every campaign and the guy up next is going to do some crazy campaign where everyone is a monstrous race in a wierd Spelljammer/Ravenloft world.
I will second Mechwarrior though, I loved that so much in high school. We got insane campaigns going there, but interest died out for the rest of the people I played with.
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"Wake up, Luigi! The only time plumbers sleep on the job is when we're working by the hour."
And if theres a girl in my group, accuracy and mapmaking skills would be important.
So is it a good idea to pass or fail the saving throws? I guess it depends how accurate you want your map to be, and if the Hawaian Islands exist in the campaign world...
To revive an old thread: The folks at Paizo who bring you Pathfinder which has recently eclipsed D&D 4th Edition for market share (because 4th Ed is for children and the elderly) are looking for your help to bring a Pathfinder MMO to market:
Take your first step into an exciting world of fantasy adventure with the Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Beginner Box! Within you'll find simple rules to create and customize your own hero, as well as a robust system to run your character through challenging adventures and deadly battles against villainous monsters like goblins and dragons!
Will you be a courageous fighter who masters weapons and armor to cut a trail of destruction through your enemies? A wise cleric who calls upon the power of the gods to heal your allies and burn enemies with sacred fire? A witty rogue able to disarm traps and strike with deadly accuracy? A brilliant wizard whose magical powers bring foes to their knees? All the details of your character are yours to control. The only limit is your imagination!
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I haven't played a lot of 4e (and D&D Next is coming out relatively soon, I guess), but I am going to be running a campaign in the stock Nentir Vale setting in the next month or two. I'm thinking of doing the one that comes with the DM Essentials box. It's not the most popular campaign out there (mostly because people don't buy the damn DM Essentials box), but it's supposed to actually be pretty good.
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"An adherent of homeopathy has no brain. They have skull water with the memory of a brain."
I've had a real itch the past few months to get back into rolling the ol' polygonal dice but all I seem to be able to find is groups that run 4th Edition. From everything I've read in the sourcebooks it looks like a dumbed down version of D&D akin to a tabletop World of Warcraft where every class has their "special abilities" and even more terrifying, they even seem to have tried implementing their own version of the MMO Holy Trinity with Tank, DPS and Support roles... FFS.
Apparently there's a 5th Edition that's coming down the pipes soon so who knows wtf the game will turn into with that.
That said, when I was at school there was always a table at the bar where a coven of girls who spent their afternoons playing D&D...
I have never and will never play, my imagination demands much more visceral forms of entertainment. Enjoyed the bit of D&D lore and what rules existed in PC games like Baldur's Gate, etc. and that's the closest I will ever get to it.
I've had a real itch the past few months to get back into rolling the ol' polygonal dice but all I seem to be able to find is groups that run 4th Edition. From everything I've read in the sourcebooks it looks like a dumbed down version of D&D akin to a tabletop World of Warcraft where every class has their "special abilities" and even more terrifying, they even seem to have tried implementing their own version of the MMO Holy Trinity with Tank, DPS and Support roles... FFS.
Apparently there's a 5th Edition that's coming down the pipes soon so who knows wtf the game will turn into with that.
4th edition isn't that bad. I guess maybe if you're a hardcore old-school D&Der, you'll notice a lot of the differences, but I've still found it entertaining. The tactical combat is certainly deeper, IMO, and as a combat game, it's pretty good. The role-playing options have definitely been . . . diminished, though. The focus has shifted, I guess.
I do love changes like the abilities being put on cards and stuff, though. A lot of old-school D&Ders hate it, but I think they mostly hate it just because it's new and seems slightly card-gamey. I think it's immensely helpful, though.
I will say that they ruined the Forgotten Realms campaign setting with the new 4th edition, though. Completely ruined. It's a real shame, because that was one of my favourite D&D setting a few years ago. Ah well, there's still Dragonlance (which is apparently going to be the default campaign setting for 5th ed.).
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"An adherent of homeopathy has no brain. They have skull water with the memory of a brain."
I will say that they ruined the Forgotten Realms campaign setting with the new 4th edition, though. Completely ruined. It's a real shame, because that was one of my favourite D&D setting a few years ago. Ah well, there's still Dragonlance (which is apparently going to be the default campaign setting for 5th ed.).
How'd they destroy Forgotten Realms as a setting? That's where most of our campaigns were set. I don't understand how new combat and character creation rules would have any effect on a setting.
Personally, I think the Pathfinder product is better for what you're looking for as it's clearly specifically designed for both Newbie GM's and Newbie players. Also, it gives you all the accessories whereas the D&D set would require you to also buy a mat, miniatures and and adventure separately. There may be a D&D beginner set as well, but I can't find it in the wizards.com store. AND I think Pathfinder is a more entertaining game than 4th Ed.
Whichever way you go, you're DEFINITELY going to want to get a pre-built adventure path. I've only played one 4th Ed Adventure and it was pretty good, but I know the Pathfinder ones are very well done.
You're going to want to do this because it will really really help you get the game going as the GM - I'm assuming you're going to be the GM - there is a steep-ass learning curve for running a game and jumping right into campaign creation would be hugely challenging.
While they are not absolutely necessary, the accessories like miniatures and a grid-map make a massive difference when playing the game.
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