utopia27 |
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Arae, I was specifically referring to Markolius's statement, "I was hoping for new mechanics or a big twist on old mechanics," which implies there aren't any new mechanics or twists on old mechanics, or that he was expecting classes that are totally new... but that's not what we promised or planned for this book.
These classes do take features of two existing classes and integrate them into a new cohesive whole. If you're disappointed with the results, playtest a class or two, report back, and tell us how you think the play experience can be improved for them.
I think some of the hesitancy on the boards is about a high degree of complexity. There are a lot of new mechanics, with a lot of questions about interaction with existing mechanics. Much of it feels cluttered, without broad, cross-cutting ways of integrating, or much commonality.
I recognize the amount of effort that has gone in, and there are some diamonds - arcanist casting style, inspiration, bloodrager bloodlines. A lot of it feels like a disunited pile of features - warpriest blessings, swashbuckler deeds.
The kind of mechanical innovations that might be more integrative might include a single mechanism for warpriest blessings, rogue talents, ninja talents, ranger traps, swashbuckler deeds, and perhaps a few other things. Allow overlap between the lists. Allow feats or archetype class features to extend access - sanctified rogue with access to warpriest blessings? clever swashbuckler with access to ranger traps?
A unification/alignment of ki points, inspiration points, and blood points, possibly incorporating bardic rounds per day and rage round per day into a clear mechanic could be a positive contribution. Particularly if the way the mechanic is specified in class lists, and clear ways to stack, bump with feats/talents/traits, and potentially cross over in hybrid classes, was specified and expressed.
I was looking for clean, crosscutting mechanics. I was hoping for hybrid classes that are not easily achieved by archetypes, with specific flavor features.
Sean has stated in another thread that the outlines for ACG, 10 hybrid classes, August release, etc. are signed off, approved, locked. Part of what I'm hearing from the boards is that many folks - motivated and interested enough to participate in the boards on this playtest - are more devoted to the quality of the product and the integrity of the system than with the corporate internal commitments. I'm a software program manager, I understand deadline pressures, and the difficulties in falling back for a rethink. The feedback from the boards - particularly in which folks are providing specific reasoning and examples - may be a flag to consider such a rethink.