On the latest episode of the D&D Podcast, Dave Noonan and company discuss the existing WotC products that have rules that also appear in the upcoming D&D 4th edition.  It offers a lot more insights into the new game than previous podcasts in the series.

I'm only half-way through it, but some observations so far:

* Book of 9 Swords, Complete Mage, Star Wars Saga Edition all have rules that were being tested out for 4th edition

* Powers, Powers, Powers  -- this word comes up a lot.  Often in reference to things I wouldn't have considered a "power" like a fighter's special attack.  

* MMORPG  -- lots of WoW lingo like "Tank", "Striker", and "Controller".  This seems to be getting used more than the old way of looking at roles in the group.

...more when I get time to listen to the rest of it...

So it more or less confirms suspicions we'd voiced here and elsewhere?

Quote from: Bradford C. WalkerSo it more or less confirms suspicions we'd voiced here and elsewhere?

It confirms things many of us have been saying.  The MMORPG influence is undeniable.

Quote from: StuartIt confirms things many of us have been saying.  The MMORPG influence is undeniable.

If MMORPGs are so hot, why shouldn't I just go play the real thing instead of a cheap paper and pencil imitation?

Quote from: John MorrowIf MMORPGs are so hot, why shouldn't I just go play the real thing instead of a cheap paper and pencil imitation?

Good question. What WotC has to get to is a place where they can be digital, but still keep the strengths of P&P. I'm still convinced it can be done, I just don't think the MMORPG direction is it...

Quote from: StuartOn the latest episode of the D&D Podcast, Dave Noonan and company discuss the existing WotC products that have rules that also appear in the upcoming D&D 4th edition.  It offers a lot more insights into the new game than previous podcasts in the series.

I'm only half-way through it, but some observations so far:

* Book of 9 Swords, Complete Mage, Star Wars Saga Edition all have rules that were being tested out for 4th edition

* Powers, Powers, Powers  -- this word comes up a lot.  Often in reference to things I wouldn't have considered a "power" like a fighter's special attack.  

* MMORPG  -- lots of WoW lingo like "Tank", "Striker", and "Controller".  This seems to be getting used more than the old way of looking at roles in the group.

...more when I get time to listen to the rest of it...

Not to be rude, but this is all "duh" stuff.  We've known for a long time about ToB, CM, and SWSE acting as "beta tests" of 4e.

Also, for the commentators in this thread:  not all things from MMORPGs are bad, you know.  MMORPGs can have good elements to them that could be implemented into RPGs.  They just don't, more often than not.

2e: The edition that went Story, because "Dragonlance Fantasy Novels sell so good!"

4e: The edition that went retarded, because "WoW sells so good!"

Nope - they're mostly bad for real RPGs.

They steal time that those people could be around the table playing REAL role-playing games with clattering dice and character sheets in hand.


- Ed C.




(Can you tell that I have 2 WoW players in my group and it really annoys me at times?)

Quote from: Settembrini2e: The edition that went Story, because "Dragonlance Fantasy Novels sell so good!"

4e: The edition that went retarded, because "WoW sells so good!"

Now, please fill in:
3e: The edition that went _______________ , because _______________ .

3e: The edition that went overboard on rules, because of Magic: The Gathering ?

Quote from: B.T.Not to be rude, but this is all "duh" stuff.  We've known for a long time about ToB, CM, and SWSE acting as "beta tests" of 4e.

Yes, of course.  The podcast addresses the specific rules, and discusses if they'll be the same, or modified for 4e.

Eg. 4 types of saving throws, including armour class, from SWSE.

Eg. The way Powerz recharge compared to Book of 9 Swords.

Quote from: B.T.Also, for the commentators in this thread:  not all things from MMORPGs are bad, you know.  MMORPGs can have good elements to them that could be implemented into RPGs.  They just don't, more often than not.

I'll agree with this.  However things like emulating the roles in WoW: "Tank", "Striker" and "Controller" are *not* one of those good elements from a MMORPG that would make a tabletop game better.  Things like: Faster Character Creation, Minimal Rules Knowledge, and Very Quick Setup Times would be.

Quote from: Stuart3e: The edition that went overboard on rules, because of Magic: The Gathering ?

I have to admit, right after hitting "send" I began thinking on those lines...

And let's not forget 1e: The edition that went crazy for standardisation, because of the massive proliferation of incompatible homebrew systems.

Quote from: WarthurAnd let's not forget 1e: The edition that went crazy for standardisation, because of the massive proliferation of incompatible homebrew systems.

(Actually, that was also 3e. The designers (or was it Ryan Dancey) are on record saying that was a goal of the project.)

Yeah, my first reaction was 3e: The edition that went unified because that was da bomb.

Not that I have a problem with a more unified mechanic....just saying is all...