Now we seem to have endless lists of the same types of Potion, with relatively unimaginative names, all with different "tiers".
Potion of Clarity (level 5), Potion of Clarity (level 10), Potion of Clarity (level 15), Potion of Clarity (level 10) - and so on.
This applies to all Potions and Elixirs.
OK, now I was under the impression Role-Playing required IMAGINATION . . . .
Where oh where is the Imagination in that.
Now I am fully aware that all this makes no never mind to a certain extent, and that there are probably some very talented DM's out there Running very successful games of 4e (not) DnD - but thats because the DM in question UNDOUBTEDLY is very talented and knows what he is doing.
But what about those poor guys who aren't quite as imaginative, or maybe are brand new to Fantasy Role-Playing. Surely this constant "samey-ness" about ALL of the rules in 4e (not) DnD quells and stifles creativity forcing those buying the 4e (not) DnD Books (and I know there are disenters who will disagree, but BO***CKS to those who do - they are quite obviously "fan-boys" or totally misinformed) into buying more.
Its all about the alimighty Dollar for WizBro these days - they produce product, pure and simple. I have no doubt in my mind there are some talented designers working for WizBro - but they are being pushed and forced into a corporate mold to produce a corporate product.
Where is the fun, the excitement, the imagination. Just LOOK at some of the Potion entries from AD&D 1st Edition Dungeon Masters Guide -
- Animal Control
- Clairaudience
- Clairvoyonce
- Climbing
- Delusion
- Diminution
- Dragon Control
- ESP
- Extra-Healing
- Fire Resistance
- Flying
- Gaseous Form
- Giant Control
- GiantStrength
- Growth
- Healing
- Heroism
- Human Control
- Invisibility
- lnvulnerability
- Levitation
- Longevity
- Oil of Etherealness
- Oil of Slipperiness
- Philter of Love
- Philter of Persuasiveness
- Plant Control
- Polymorph
- Poison
- Speed
- Super-Heroism
- Sweet Water
- Treasure Finding
- Undead Control
- Water Breathing
I ran a game of Castles & Crusades recently, for a Group who have only ever played 4th Edition (not) DnD (except for one player, who dabbled in 3.5) - they were so revved and excited by the end it was untrue.
Their regular DM is switching over to C&C now, they have seen how easy it is to immerse yourself in a fantasy world given the right tools.
Sorry WizBro - you are taking D&D down a Role-Playing dead end. I'm hoping someone working for you realizes before its too late.
You forgot to mention one thing about 4e,level equivilent treasure,what's the point in trying to gain a coveted +2 sword when it's just given to you,and not only that,but everyone playing finds something of equal value to thier character at the appropriate level.Where's the fun in having things handed to you?Now i know ppl will say"It's not handed to you,you have to earn it!"No,that's not the case,one person could kill a pack of gnolls and find that +2 sword,and his buddy would find the same exact shit in the next room over!!!What kind of doped up mongoloid wrote this bullshit!?Did they take someone from the secretarial pool and say"Hey,you wanna come into R&D and change up a formula that's essentially been working for the past thirty years so even morons will feel smart for playing your ideas and make us an assload of money in the process?"Hell,let em do it!Less shit for me to worry about buying in the future i say!there's plenty of old stuff out there for me,more then i will ever use...But!Will anyone else wanna play with me is the question of the day????
ReplyDeleteP.S. the potion thing i noticed in 3E also,I thought it was stupid then,and i think it's stupid now..it was included in the never winter nights toolset( I hate to sound like a fanboy.),which came out before 4e or 3.5,but yes,it is heartily ignorant,they should just say greater or fucking lesser for potions instead of this 15th level bullshit.There i said my piece...
I hadn't even STARTED on the Treasure, the utter banality of the whole package BAFFLES me!
ReplyDeleteThat's great,now when I figure out what banality means,i'm quite positive I will agree with it!
ReplyDeleteBut..if the players didn't know they were going to get a +2 sword after efeating 5 heroic tier guardians why would they bother fighting? ;-)
ReplyDelete@ JDJarvis - LMAO! SUPERB!
ReplyDelete@ Warduke - look in the Encyclopedia - the entry for Banality is right next to a Picture for the 4e PHB!
ReplyDeleteSorry,I thought it meant some form of bananarape ;)
ReplyDeleteIt might do, it is WizBro after all . . . . . .
ReplyDelete