| The Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game has defined the medieval fantasy genre and the tabletop RPG industry for more than 30 years. In the D&D game, players create characters that band together to explore dungeons, slay monsters, and find treasure. The 4th Edition D&D rules offer the best possible play experience by presenting exciting character options, an elegant and robust rules system, and handy storytelling tools for the Dungeon Master. The Player's Handbook presents the official Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game rules as well as everything a player needs to create D&D characters worthy of song and legend: new character races, base classes, paragon paths, epic destinies, powers, more magic items, weapons, armor, and much more. |
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 D&D 4th Edition is a different game |
| Review Date: August 3, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Joseph Senecal, |
D&D 4th Edition is a different game from previous editions. Some who have played the previous editions hate it. Some (including myself) love it. There are many heated debates as on the subject of D&D 3.5 vs. 4th Ed. I'll try to present a balanced picture.
First of all, for those who haven't played D&D at all, this is a role playing game. In D&D a group of players will select one member to the the Dungeon Master (DM for short). This player will be in charge of setting up the adventures and running the game. The other players will each make character then narrate what their character does in the situations that the DM creates. Conflicts are resolved with dice roles. D&D is normally a combat intensive game, so there are plenty of dice roles. There are also rules for non-combat related challenges that are resolved using various skills. But non-combat encounters are more difficult to run well than combat encounters for beginning DMs.
This book is the first book to get for anyone playing the current version of D&D. It contains the rules for making characters as well as the rules for playing the game. Additional books provide more races and classes of characters that can be played, more options for characters, detailed game world settings, or are primarily for DM (Monster manuals, DM guides, or details on various areas or types of monsters). But if you want to play 4th Edition D&D you need either this book or one of the new D&D Essentials books (to be released starting in Sept. 2010) "Heroes of the Fallen Lands" and "Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms".
D&D 4th edition differs from previous editions in several significant ways. The game has been simplified, homogenized, and made more complex, all at the same time. The primary goal of the game design was to maximize fun (I think they succeeded, but others will differ). As a result some of the game mechanics that make the game fun are hard to describe from the point of view of the characters. The basic rules are simpler in several ways, such as getting rid of trying to map circles and cones onto a square grid. It's homogenized in that all classes have a similar power structure and power level (no longer do Wizards start weak and end up able to destroy armies singlehandedly). There are still differences between classes, but the differences are more subtle now. And finally the game is more complex in that every class has a list of powers they can chose from.
Overall combat takes more turns than earlier editions but the turns tend to be quicker. It's a more tactical game now, with characters having reason to move around the battle field instead of just forming a line and sitting still for the entire battle. Characters start off more competent compared to previous editions. A wizard never runs out of spells and isn't killed by a single hit. But the biggest difference is that you're generally fighting many more monsters than in the previous editions (at least if the guidelines of each edition are followed).
The bottom line is that I played and enjoyed D&D 3.0 and 3.5. But I find D&D 4th to be more fun, and much much easier to DM. |
4e Gamer Review
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| Review Date: June 5, 2010 |
| Reviewer: Daniel J. Caulder, |
The newest edition of the Dungeons and Dragons saga is simple. Convenient and expensive to attracted new players with new cash. But mechanically, the system is a step back in gamer evolution. It does cater to amine' fans and the WOW crowd. But doesn't offer the depth or insight experienced gamers crave. If you're new to Role-playing, start here. If you're an experienced gamers, this product is a flaccid, stinky bomb.
Synopsis - if you don't know what's good in RPG, this is a learning experience. If you're already experienced, pass on this product. |
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