It looks like someone at the printer slipped up - or else someone hacked into the printer's systems.  Regardless, ultra-high-quality PDFs are already out there.

That was ... fast.

Also, buy.com shipped out their sets early, so lots of people who preordered from them have been getting the books today.

Now, as for the downloads...  I have a simple poll.  I know that downloading is illegal, but it's questionable what exactly the ethics are surrounding it.  I'd like to know your thoughts, specifically regarding this.

-O

There's lots of free stuff for 4e online already.  Rules, character sheets, fan-created stuff.  Plus in the next couple of weeks there will be tons of reviews and opportunities to play demo games. That should be more than enough if you are just "curious".

I think if you want more 4e beyond that you really should buy the books.

If and when we get bored with our 3.5e stuff, or I just have a bunch of extra money I might buy a hard copy.

Here's where you can get lots of info on 4th Edition:

http://dnd4.com/phb

Compiled from:
The Official Wizards of the Coast website
EnWorld Forum posts
Wizards of the Coast Forum posts
Pre-generated characters from D&D XP
D&D XP Quick Start Rules
Scalegloom Rules Appendix
Verys Arkon's Players Handbook Lite

(In case you want more info before purchasing, but don't want to download the rules without paying for them)

I like to try before I buy and I do so whenever an opportunity arises.

If you're going to buy it for sure and Wizards isn't selling some kind of reasonable pdf/dead tree bundle, then I'd say it's okay to download it.  Otherwise, it's basically digital shoplifting and I can't condone that.  It's not good for the industry and it's ethically wrong.

Other: Leaning away from buying, will not download.

I bought it before I downloaded it. I'm sure I would have downloaded eventually, but I'd have waited until at least after the release date if I hadn't heard about them being out there here.

I don't own any hardback books that I don't also own a soft copy of. Some I've bought, but most I've downloaded for free because I don't have the time to scan my own copies and I'm not going to pay twice for a book.

Other.

Neither buying nor fownloading for the time being.

It may be intentional on the part of WotC. The rumor mill was turning against them. Now it's time for some of us to wade through and see if their confidence was justified or if the sky was really falling. If the product is good this could be good (intentional or not) for them.

I'm excited most by the possibilities I've been hearing about in the monster manual. Especially the possibility of backwards advancement (with Savage Species I have that option, and have used it, but it's a bit wonky), customization (I've heard that while templates aren't in the monster manual, they are in the DMG, and they're supposed to be much easier, which could be cool as I am a fan), and playability (I know, 3x does it... but if 4e does it better, and has gnomes and eberron races in the MM, that'd be a big plus).

I'm of the view that stealing is stealing. It doesn't matter how you colour it up - or who you are stealing from.

If you download a pirated anything, then you just stole.

Your a thief. So at least be up front and admit it. Trying to justify your actions with excuses is rather lame.

At the very least don't lie to yourself.

I find that my opinion tends to be in the minority. But I can live with that.


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I was going to tick "definitely buying, may download," but the dnd4 website Stuart linked to obviates the DL part. This is the first time I came across it--it looks very useful.

Even exciting, to be honest. :haw:

In general, I hope it can mature into a full-blown successor to d20srd.org.

Quote from: JaegerI'm of the view that stealing is stealing. It doesn't matter how you colour it up - or who you are stealing from.

If you download a pirated anything, then you just stole.

Your a thief. So at least be up front and admit it. Trying to justify your actions with excuses is rather lame.

At the very least don't lie to yourself.

I find that my opinion tends to be in the minority. But I can live with that.
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Technically its not stealing as theft requires the intention to permanently deprive someone of the goods (and thus joyriders can not be convicted of car theft only of Taking Without Owners Consent). Since there is no intention to permanently deprive the owner of the goods it is not theft and so can not be stealing.
It is however illegal "pirating" of copywrited material and thus depriving the copywrite owner of their livelihood.
Also its interesting that if you steal a book from a book store you are likely to get a slap on the wrist and told not to do it again but if you store illegally copied (and copying yourself without express written permission from the copywrite holder is still technically illegal) material on your computer they will do their best to fine you $100,000 and threaten you with a 12 year custodial sentence (which is twice as long as the minimum sentence for rape).
Oh and its also illegal to loan that book to one of your mates so be careful.
Information wants to be free! :-)

Quote from: JaegerYour a thief. So at least be up front and admit it. Trying to justify your actions with excuses is rather lame.

Who's justifying? I said what I did and it is what it is. If I'm talking about unrelated shit it's because I'm more interested in that and personally don't care if I stole something, with or without justification.

I personally would love to buy books and CDs, but with the environment in the state it's in I really have to download.

The reason I don't pay for downloads? Oh, well, that's, um...OH MY GOD, LOOK AT THAT! (points, runs away).