Final thoughts after marathon 4e release day events
In no particular order:
TPK in a casual release game with casual players unattached to the characters, which wins us prizes and status as the (likely) first post-release 4e tpk in Winnipeg = awesome!!!
People have dissed Splug the goblin for trying to be Meepo (Sunless Citadel) for 4e. Well, for the short time we were with him, he was better! Not only did the PCs take to him as a slave quickly, he soon assisted in combat (hitting the enemy none of them were hitting, by swinging a bag of rocks), and then saved our Warlord’s life with a heal check to stabilise her. After this encounter, someone else took over DMing the game, and I joined in as Splug the goblin cleric, inspired to do more healing! So much fun!
We played 4e with a random pickup group for 18 hours, as level 1 characters. Never in that time period did the game stop being fun. That says something.
We played Keep on the Shadowfell for 18 hours, with 2 DMs, without either of us ever having read the adventure. The town RP was tricky, but not bad. But the game never slowed down because of this, especially in battles. The 4e game is just that easy to pick up and DM. I predict that 4e will see the return of the true D&D pickup game.
Level 1 has never been so interesting.
People have been complaining about things conceptually online a lot, but these complaints disappear once you’re in the game. Minions fucking rock, and make the battle that much more fun! The at-will/encounter/daily power split works perfectly. Clerics and Fighters are cool again! I would play either again by choice. Dragons! Oh, dragons are so much fun!
The complaints:
Not everything is explained perfectly in the books, causing a bit of confusion. These are minor, however, and just call for a quick ruling most of the time.
Paladins are… well, unimpressive. I mean, they’re alright and they do what they’re meant to, but I much prefer the battlefield control powers of the Fighter. This is a personal thing, though. I probably won’t play a Paladin any time soon, but someone in my group (or yours) might love it.
That about covers it for now. Caffieeeeeeennnne!!!!!!!!!!
10 Comments
ChattyDM on June 7th, 2008
I only managed a 80% TPK in Shadowhaunt… so you rulez!
Dave T. Game on June 8th, 2008
So what caused the TPK? Lots of crits, recharges, ???
I agree with you on the Paladin. Very disappointing when I’ve used him. On the other hand, I love playing Fighters now (especially if I get to pick the powers.) They may even be my favorite 4e class.
Damian on June 9th, 2008
I was the warlord. I saved my inspiring word and 4 enemies (including the 106HP boss) came out of nowhere and charged at me. Before I knew it I was down and there were no healers left.
Game was fun, I got a free mini out of the TPK and we just laughed ourselves to death on that game.
I can’t believe you haven’t brought up Chip the [possibly magical] Nipple Rat… (I’ll let you do the explaining).
Fun gaming with you.
Albert on June 9th, 2008
I was the warlock after the TPK. I have to say playing Keep on the Shadowfell was really fun, although it really sucks that i fell asleep in the middle of the game. The fight in the cave was really tough, the first time I was playing a bow ranger, and the party left me alone in the cave, I took out my longsword and died a hero. The second time I helped take out the boss and the caster, and it was lots of fun.
Also, don’t forget Jim the pineapple and Elanor the male dragonborn.
Esteban on June 9th, 2008
Playing with you was just fun all in all man. From the consecutive crits to finding pineapples in boxes and rats that end up being nipple rings it was just a great experience. On my part you made it really easy to understand 4e and I just enjoyed it period. Having gone from Elanor to Chester, not much of a change but it was hilariously good all in all.
A pleasure to have played with you pal.
LokyCat on June 12th, 2008
The Game Day dungeon and dragon fight was just not enough for me to make an opinion.
As it stands I don’t like the new system, I don’t like the character builds and character progression I see in the PHB and in game play is more like a miniatures game then a RPG. I just duos not “feel” like D&D.=/
This Friday we are running the Keep on the Shadowfell module with our own characters instead of the premade characters. The GM is making some changes to the story to have a bit more rollplaying. I am still giving it chance and tring to keep an open mind.
Scott’s Corner » Blog Archive » 4e Month One: Links n Stuff organized on June 26th, 2008
[…] Fred Hicks enjoys it. Rob Donoghue preps 4e: 1, 2, 3, and Plays. Keep on the Shadowfell: Graham GMs, Chris Chinn plays, Ping GMs, as does Doyce. Doyce reports: The DnD 4.0 game with the seven-year […]
Geek's Dream Girl on June 7th, 2008
Grats on the TPK!! 🙂