IMO, too many combat rules combined with more dice rolls(multiple attacks, etc.) put a pinch on the roleplaying aspect of D&D.; There’s just a lot more page turning than I remember with previous editions.

Some have told me that I’m just nostalgic. However, it just doesn’t feel the same. Maybe calculating CR’s and being a bit pressed to rely on 4 member adventuring parties has something to do with it.

Don’t get me wrong. I’ve had plenty of good experiences with 3E and had a long running group that used it. I will also continue to use it over 4th edition. I may steal a little from Pathfinder but I won’t go over to it.

Maybe there weren’t enough campaign worlds from the getgo. Ravenloft, Dragonlance, Birthright, Darksun, and Planescape all got cancelled with the new edition. Thankfully, some got new life with 3rd parties but only later on. I was never really much of a Greyhawk or realms guy so that didn’t leave too much when 3E came out.

Perhaps there is something to be said for simplicity. It was easier to make a character and start campaigning in the previous editions.

I feel like I’m going in circles and remain unable to put my finger on exactly what it is. Maybe, there’s not just that same sense of mystery. I don’t feel the same when I crack open these new books compared to the old ones.

The answer could be to make the necessary changes to make the game play faster and not have to rely on miniatures and battle maps. If there was a way for 3e D&D; and AD&D; to meet halfway, that could be it. I know about C&C; and that’s not what I’m suggesting by making that statement.

That’s all. I just felt like I had more to say on the subject and this is more of what I was feeling compared to my post from yesterday.

-Jamie

I’ve been searching for what you were talking about and am uncertain about Pathfinder as well.

Eric Noah has some good house rules on his website as well.
-Jamie

I like quite a few things we’ve seen. I like the idea of a capable first-level PC, and of less random game play even at the very beginning, as most of the stories I spin with my players tend to involve low-level PCs and slow levelling, coming to an end before level 10. In fact, most skill-based games feature capable characters and a less steep progression than D&D; (especially 3.X).

“Now I have, off and on, been tinkering with a rule set that tries to capture what it is about D&D; that I like. I’m sure that’s a surprise to no one; it’s what designers do if you give them half a chance.”
The interesting thing about D&D; is that that’s what (most) GMs do if you give them half a chance as well. I understand the need for special rules when you have some unusual setting, but this happens with D&D; even when people are playing the usual setting (and I’m no exception). You don’t see much tinkering with other RPGs around. Maybe it’s just no other game reaches D&D;’s numbers. Or maybe most people who actually go and try other RPGs instead of tinkering with their own D&D; do so because they can’t, or don’t wish to, write their own rules.

Anyway, tinkering with a game can be an useful exercise if nothing else, and for that alone, worth your spare time IMO… especially if you can’t get it off your mind.

And that’s Every Everything I have to say about that.

Personally, I’m really tempted to hack 4e into a generally True20-ish configuration, while including some elements of 3e and possibly even Spirit of the Century. But I’m always eager for more ideas to steal. I don’t know if the world needs another interpretation of D&D;, but I’d sure like one.

And Chris, you mall punk, turn in that leather coat!

Let’s just hope the 4e transition doesn’t bring to mind another HD classic: Everything Falls Apart.

Oh yeah D&D.; oops