[RPG]: Wizards Presents: Races and Classes, reviewed by mxyzplk (4/3)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13546.phtml

Ernest Mueller's Summary:

The Wizards design team gives some sneak previews of what races and classes might look like in Dungeons & Dragons Fourth Edition.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Dan Davenport]

Thanks for a solid overview, Ernest!

Hmmm... Sounds very much as though 4e is going for a setting-specific computer RPG feel. I'm not a big d20 fan, but I'm still curious to see how well that appeals to D&D players.

[Destriarch]

I am, I admit, a total cynic, but I can't help feeling that this product was released mainly to wind a little bit more cash out of the punters for information that will eventually be rereleased anyway. I have nothing against previews per se, but I prefer them in products like review magazines and things.

Ash

[DavidStallard]

I hate how they are being explicit about class roles. It's all so...metagame.

[Ron]

Originally Posted by Destriarch

I am, I admit, a total cynic, but I can't help feeling that this product was released mainly to wind a little bit more cash out of the punters for information that will eventually be rereleased anyway. I have nothing against previews per se, but I prefer them in products like review magazines and things.

Ash

I couldn't agree more. There are selling a publicity piece and there are people buying it. Why I am not surprised? This is the kind of stuff used to be found in Dragon previewing new products. Now the magazine is gone, they release it as a book. I have to concede that Wizards know how to sell to their audience.

Concerning the D&D4, it seems that they are doing an effort to differentiate this edition to the classic ones. I don't like it. In my view, d20 D&D was a different game emulating the classic one. Now they are releasing an updated version of d20 with little compromise with the classic game, in such way we will have a different set of rules and a different kind of game. Not for me, but I wish them luck.

R

[Fifth Element]

Originally Posted by Ron

I couldn't agree more. There are selling a publicity piece and there are people buying it. Why I am not surprised? This is the kind of stuff used to be found in Dragon previewing new products.

And then what, they gave you the magazine for free?

You had to pay for the previews in Dragon. You have to pay for this preview. Not much difference.

[Fifth Element]

Originally Posted by DavidStallard

I hate how they are being explicit about class roles. It's all so...metagame.

Anything explicitly discussed in rule terms is "metagame". Having a fighter class is metagame. Getting a +1 bonus to attack is metagame. Discussing anything about game design is by definition metagame, since you have to realize you're playing a game in order to discuss its design.

Since the roles will have no in-game effect (no more than classes always have had), there is no issue. The roles are simply a way of classifying the classes and identifying what they do best.

[Fifth Element]

Originally Posted by Destriarch

I am, I admit, a total cynic, but I can't help feeling that this product was released mainly to wind a little bit more cash out of the punters for information that will eventually be rereleased anyway. I have nothing against previews per se, but I prefer them in products like review magazines and things.

Again, unless that review magazine is free, you're paying for the preview. This book has the advantage of being dedicated to a single game, so you don't have to buy reviews of games you're not interested in to get the one you are interested in.

I haven't bought this book and don't intend to, but I am tired of the many "cash grab" comments (here and at other sites). Especially those that put down the people who do find it a worthwhile purchase (not that you did that in your post, Ash).

[mxyzplk]

Originally Posted by DavidStallard

I hate how they are being explicit about class roles. It's all so...metagame.

I agree; the roles are the #1 thing that concerns me about 4e. It's odd that they learn their lesson about the pigeonholing that alignment has saddled the game with and are removing it, but are implementing something that will be used in exactly the same way. "You're a fighter! Get to the front line and tank!" "But I've tuned my character to do this other thing..." "I SAID TANK!!!"

In a MMORPG having strictly defined roles is helpful because you're forming pick-up groups with unknown people all the time. "LFG: Feral Druid for Dire Maul!" But it seems pointless in a tabletop game environment.

[mxyzplk]

Originally Posted by Fifth Element

And then what, they gave you the magazine for free?

You had to pay for the previews in Dragon. You have to pay for this preview. Not much difference.

So while this is true, it's not terribly relevant. Since they cancelled the print Dungeon and Dragon, they have been giving away 4e information in the "Design & Development" column available for free on wizards.com. Also, you can get all this information and more from ENWorld. So paying for Races & Classes to get that preview info is not a good plan. (Buying it for the designer notes etc. is a different thing, as I note in the review.)