Whimsy Chris wrote:
So, like a lot of others, I managed to get my hands on a copy of the Core Rules and I must say I'm overwhelmed.
Let me preface this by saying I think 4e is still D&D and is probably the best version of D&D we'll have for a while. But it is so different in a lot of ways I find myself being irrationally nostalgic for 3e. Case in point, Attacks of Opportunity are now called Opportunity attacks. Pretty minor right? Well on a silly level I kind of miss AoO.
But most strange of all, for me at least, is the new magic system. It's strange to see common spells like Cure Light Wounds become healing surge boosts in the category of "Prayers" that can only be used once per encounter. Keep in mind, I think this is probably best, but it is just so different than the way I've played for the last 20 years. But then I have to remember that 11 years ago I had not heard of AoO, or Reflex, Will, or Fortitude and a host of other terms now so familiar.
In 10 years when 5e comes out and they combine immediate interrupts and immediate reactions into reactive actions, it'll probably feel strange.
I do have some minor greviences: The alignment systems feels arbitrary; despite a hefty 300+ pages, powers seem fewer than I hoped; there's only 4 epic destinies; and there should be more rituals. Thankfully there are a huge number of feats. While overall satisfying, the game feels geared for a multitude of splatbooks required to have the desired variety of characters.
What are other people's initial reaction? I'm curious. However, please remember that to say, "D&D is not 4e and anyone who thinks so is delusional," is a lot different than saying, "4e does not feel like D&D to me and my initial reaction is anger." A little courtesy despite emotions is all I ask.
Having glanced over all the books, and read the PHB up through the Classes chapter (I'm a slow reader ;) ), my initial reaction is superheroes in fantasy garb. Not that that's a bad thing, just different from what I'm used to in D&D.
