Fourth Edition Imminent

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.