Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
I enjoyed your review. I've played various editions of D&D since 1982 or 1983, and stopped playing 3.5 a couple of years ago. Not out of hate, but I became more interested in Castles and Crusades (for my fantasy needs), and there's always the great Savage Worlds rpg for other genres. I thought your review was fair and balanced. Hopefully, you won't be accused of being a koolaid drinker, or sacked for NOT hating on 4E. I've only played one session(Keep on the Shadowfell). Still haven't read enough of the combat section in my phb(due to running other games) to get a proper feel just yet. Our weekly sessions will resume this Monday, so I'm hopeful to give it a fair shot. I'm not thrilled by it yet, but I probably don't understand the system enough yet. After months of play, if it's not my cup of tea, I still have C&C and Sav Worlds. Thanks for the informative review.
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
Thanks.
I think the thing to remember about 4e is that with the varying levels of play, it may take some time before we really have a full idea of how well the game works - or doesn't for that matter.
I've been enjoying it so far, but there are enough little hiccups that make me shake my head in disappointment that they were overlooked in playtesting...
I think that once you stop worrying about what has changed, and just get down and play it - it is a pretty solid game. But time will tell if Wizards work at improving it or making it worse...
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
Yes, this is one of the best and most balanced reviews I've seen of 4E yet.
It is interesting in play to see powers get applied in strange ways. In the course of play, I've come to realize that the rules provide a very concise, specific interpretation for each power as may be applied in combat (for the most part), but also providing enough essential information for the DM to adjudicate unusual uses....or at least, enough sense of freedom to make such calls. Thus, when the warlock in my group decides to cut some ropes at a distance with her eldritch blast, I see no reason she can't target the ropes. Or, to take another example, the teleport issue: I figure hey, it's teleport; the DMG has rules for falling damage, so I think we're all good on this.
The one thing I do keep getting the feeling about with curious absences or lack of specifics in 4E is one of intended parsing: everytime I notice something missing, I can't help but (probably correctly) feel that that's only because said data is being saved for the PHB2, DMG2, MM2 and so on.
But that said, this ended up being the definitive edition of D&D for me, and the first D&D in ages to make me feel like that 10 year old kid in 1980 who just discovered the game all over again. That alone made the purchase worth it to me....I just don't find much anymore that can crack the cynical wall of middle age!
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
I just use counters from the Fiery Dragon Counter Collection series....they have one collected set that's about $20 and gives you hundreds of counters for all sorts of stuff. And as for battle mats, you can grab one for about $10-$20 at the FLGS and get some dry erasable markers for it, or just print up some square grids and use to taste.
Basically....you don't actually need WotC's minis and maps...just some counters and a map, just like always, so I don't think the buy-in is all that steep.....except for the books....but then I say check Amazon for deals on those!
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
I just scavenged counters and figures from boardgames, and have a vinyl mat for the grid.
There are cheaper alternatives to going out and buying actual figures. But it is dependent on how completest you are. I know some people find proxies don't work for them - and people such as that may have issues because they will kind of *need* actual D&D figures or close approximations.
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
Totally agree about the figure flats, counters, and the inexpensive mats. For example, back in 05 or 06 a nice little product called the Flipmat (from Steelsqwire)was available for about 10.00. They're distributed through Paizo these days, and are still very affordable at 13.00. These mats are laminated, and almost any marker can be used on them. Dry and wet erase to be certain, and supposedly even permanent marker, or sharpie. These mats fold like a laminated road map, and are smaller than the 40.00 chessex megamat, so that may turn folks off. Other than occasionally needing a mega, or bigger, I pretty much swear by the flipmats. Especially, the plain one. Use it all the time for my Savage Worlds games.
Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Menchi
There are cheaper alternatives to going out and buying actual figures. But it is dependent on how completest you are.
I am a filthy, rotten, dirty, ugly, rip-roaring, two-shotguns-and-a-chainsaw completist.
And I love it.
Luckily I'm married to a woman who actually LOVES budgeting (and I'm not a stubborn impulse buyer) so things work out wonderfully. It does mean that I think very carefully about which games I commit to, though.
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Re: [RPG]: 4th Edition Player's Handbook, reviewed by Menchi (4/5)
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nightwalker
I am a filthy, rotten, dirty, ugly, rip-roaring, two-shotguns-and-a-chainsaw completist.
And I love it.
Luckily I'm married to a woman who actually LOVES budgeting (and I'm not a stubborn impulse buyer) so things work out wonderfully. It does mean that I think very carefully about which games I commit to, though.
Nightwalker - I know what you mean. I tend to be an impulsive buyer too!
I'm actually proud that I've been able to stave off buying up on minis so far...
I tend to be an impulsive buyer too! 
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