The Game System License and the System Reference Document are out finally. I spent a lot of time considering my options since it first appeared, hence the delay on my response. I’ve had a pretty chaotic opinion of the whole thing thus far, so I’ll try to consolidate and present my thoughts.

First of all, I think the rules are pretty solid. The mechanics for how things work are nice, and the simplicity introduced is good for new players, as well as players not as hardcore as I.

However, the scale of the system is rather mediocre. While they expanded play from 1-20 to 1-30 and introduced the Epic Tier, that top-most level doesn’t feel anywhere near epic to me. Perhaps I’m just focused too much on just how amazing my epic games were, but I really don’t see how much of anything that occurred in them could even be possible in 4th’s Epic tier. And the PHB states right out that the end of Epic tier is when you have to stop playing your character. This bit really startled and aggravated me, as though I would stop playing characters (or running games for characters) who’s level is above 30? I will concede that going above 50 in 3.5 was hard to manage as a GM, but I don’t see why they explicitly stated that it cannot happen any more.

As for the basic rule set, the way the attacks vs defense system and the Powers work is very impressive and exciting. I happen to wish there were more options for at will powers, but there are a good number of options for daily and encounter powers.

Multiclassing seems a little… fake to me. The way it’s presented in 4th is more like the way several feats in Complete Scoundrel allowed players to draw on other class features. This modern way isn’t really multiclassing, its just taking powers from another. There’s no second class involved.

The equipment system is extremely cool though. I like the powers granted by items, and a good number of the magical bonuses made me geek out. The power conversion for Vorpal is especially cool in reference to the way the rest of the game works. Fortunately, this is something that will get expanded upon a lot in the future.

What I’m really not happy about is the GSL. It’s not an Open License, and the restrictions put on it make me weary of ever publishing, or even writing material for 4th edition Dungeons and Dragons. I’ve read pages and pages of discussion on it, especially at Paizo, and I’m not really liking the implications people are finding. No page references, no stat blocks, and no redefinition of ANY of the system reference document is pretty harsh, and would force me to basically start from the ground up if I were to write Tales of the New Empire in 4th edition. I think I’d rather build my own system and possibly distribute it as Open Gaming than have to wade through the GSL. The OGL was tricky enough for me to read, and while I might consider writing under the OGL, 4th probably just isn’t happening for me.

Best of luck, everyone.

It comes next weekend.

I for one, am excited. It doesn’t seem like many of my friends are. Most people that I’ve talked to aside from Volk and Kitty have pretty… drab expectations. I’m not so skeptical, but then again, I’ve noticed that I’m a little more positive than a lot of people about a lot of things (except socio-political issues, but thats another blog).

I just bought Keep on the Shadowfell (H1), the 4th Ed Starter adventure, pretty much for the sole purpose of checking the rules out. I have to say that I’m liking what I see.

I’m fond of the new Powers system, because it simplifies combat and allows players who don’t like to (or can’t) think up 3.5 power-combos on the spot to know exactly what their options are. Between the powers and the simple statement the feats receive, I think that even players who aren’t constantly playing can have a good time in a group of experienced players.

I also like the idea they’re using for Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies, though I sort of wonder about the limit of level 30. I’ve had some pretty astounding campaigns in which the players were well into the guts of the multiverse, and I wonder what codifying the epic rules more clearly will do to the feel of epic play. But again, I’m EXCITED to find out.

(all of this recently, as well as uncovering some old unfinished sketches has given me a strong hankering to see Shirow again, somehow)

What I hear, from discussions with people who hear a lot about it, is that the primary negative factor in the release of 4th is not that the system is going to change too much (it is a new edition after all) but that this new edition came out so soon. After only 4 years of 3.5, we’ve already got 4th, compared with decades before. I understand the frustration of people who bought all the books for 3.5, wondering what will befall them in a week, but I think that I’m truly excited to see what comes up.

Reasons I’m excited, despite $2500 on books:

I’m a bibliophile.

I want to see the new material.

I only saw the last five years or so of 2nd ed, and because of that, the 4th release seems right about on schedule for what I’ve experienced

If an RPG book costs say, 3 times as much as a novel, then I should be using it about three times as often. I hardly ever read my novels three times, except for a certain few, no matter what, RPG books see a lot more use than most any other kind of book I can get, despite the possible future disuse of my 3.5 books.

I am hardcore.

I am a nerd.

Alright, 4th, lets do this.