Quote from: Aos;459518For some reason, I was thinking of Charlie Watts when I answered that.

0/10

Quote from: Cole;4595190/10

it burns.
(the reason if course is I could only remember three of their names, so I just guessed Daryl was the drummer)

It's good to be me.  My subscription expired last year, and I've still got the old offline Character Builder, which I am allowed to keep without subscription and which works just fine.  If I get into a situation where I have to pick one version of the rules, just before Essentials is a fine spot (despite the fact that I actually like Essentials).  If I absolutely need the latest updates to create a PC, I can easily make that PC with pencil and index cards - it's only a clusterfuck if you are trying to create a whole party on the same day.

Quote from: Aos;459485I only own two books past the core (The DS books) but i stopped buying when i realized I'd need at least one more book to use the two new books I'd just bought. If i want them I'll pick them up for nothing when 5e comes out. I find all the hate funny though, especially when it comes from people who aren't playing the game.

It doesn't really affect me either, especially having basically sworn off D&D.  

I posted in response to yours for 2 reasons:

1) "they're not forcing you to use it/just don't read it/etc." is a non-starter response and irritates the shit out of me, because it's nothing but an attempt to shut down conversation and has nothing to offer a conversation about the merits of the thing.  It's fucking everywhere on the Internet, and it's never stopped being whiny, passive-aggressive bullshit.

2) In this case, it's not even actually true for many players, as I pointed out with the character creator issue.  Now, I don't play the game, but I DO like digital tools for chargen, enough that I rarely made a character in 3.5 without it, and I actually spent $30 on Hero Lab for DCA.  So if'n I did play, I'd be pretty fuckin' pissed right about now.

QuoteBeyond that, what kind of jerkoff plays a cleric anyway? That's like playing The Rolling Stones RPG and deciding to be Ronnie Wood.

This Jerkoff.  Clerics rule, dude.  What's so lame about playing the avatar of Divine Retribution?

Quote from: J Arcane;459522It doesn't really affect me either, especially having basically sworn off D&D.  

I posted in response to yours for 2 reasons:

1) "they're not forcing you to use it/just don't read it/etc." is a non-starter response and irritates the shit out of me, because it's nothing but an attempt to shut down conversation and has nothing to offer a conversation about the merits of the thing.  It's fucking everywhere on the Internet, and it's never stopped being whiny, passive-aggressive bullshit.

2) In this case, it's not even actually true for many players, as I pointed out with the character creator issue.  Now, I don't play the game, but I DO like digital tools for chargen, enough that I rarely made a character in 3.5 without it, and I actually spent $30 on Hero Lab for DCA.  So if'n I did play, I'd be pretty fuckin' pissed right about now.





This Jerkoff.  Clerics rule, dude.  What's so lame about playing the avatar of Divine Retribution?

You see, though, J. I can post whatever crazy wrong shit I want in this thread and it will still hit 500+ replies, so I don't really feel that I'm shutting down any conversation.

Quote from: Aos;459525You see, though, J. I can post whatever crazy wrong shit I want in this thread and it will still hit 500+ replies, so I don't really feel that I'm shutting down any conversation.

Oh, I know.  Just like mine will only be read and responded to because it gives a further bulletpoint for attacking WOTC.  It's how these things work, and why I usually stay out of them anymore.  

I just can't resist any opportunity to be right.  

Quote from: ggroy;459460It seems like WotC is taking this approach for the 4E themes, by making them mostly online-only at this point.

I believe most new content will be online. The next book is in September.

Seanchai

Quote from: Esgaldil;459521It's good to be me.  My subscription expired last year, and I've still got the old offline Character Builder, which I am allowed to keep without subscription and which works just fine.

This is where my group is at currently too:  we've decided to use pre-Essentials 4e D&D and use the previous character builder with all updates until the last one before Essentials (August, I believe).  Now that 4e Essentials has moved to this model, I doubt that I will be purchasing any more 4e D&D products.

Quote from: Esgaldil;459521It's good to be me.  My subscription expired last year, and I've still got the old offline Character Builder, which I am allowed to keep without subscription and which works just fine.

This is what I do.

Quote from: Cole;459539This is what I do.

It's too bad they never made a mac version of this. I'd be all over it. As Buggy as the earlier versions were, the ICONS character program really changed my opinion of such things.

Quote from: Esgaldil;459521If I get into a situation where I have to pick one version of the rules, just before Essentials is a fine spot (despite the fact that I actually like Essentials).

If I was to start DMing a new 4E game, it would depend on the players and type of game.

For a shorter game (ie. evening one-shots, or a few sessions), I would be inclined to use the 4E Essentials Rules Compendium and Heroes of the Fallen Lands.  If I was playing a longer term campaign with experienced players, I would probably use the 4E Heinsoo D&D era books up to August 2010.

Quote from: Drohem;459537This is where my group is at currently too:  we've decided to use pre-Essentials 4e D&D and use the previous character builder with all updates until the last one before Essentials (August, I believe).

If I was to start a new 4E game using only the 4E Heinsoo era books, I will probably allow some post-August 2010 modified/errata'd stuff, if there are no major objections by the players.  This could be stuff like:

- choices of ability score bonuses for particular races
- magic item rarity
- half damage on a miss for various wizard encounter powers
- magic missile always hits.