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4e and/or RPGA - MY First Impressions

Started by Werekoala, June 01, 2009, 01:19:54 PM

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Pseudoephedrine

#15
June 23, 2009, 05:25:11 PM
Quote from: Windjammer;309923Not at all! I've had far too many joy-filled sessions DMing 4E that I would ever decry the rules system per se. Like you, I'm distraught to see what becomes of 4E in an RPGA-environment. Somewhere along the way I also get riled up to see some previous RPGA-only rulings having become codifications in anyone's D&D ruleset when we hit 4E, but I've been convinced by some posters on these boards (in particular, Gabriel2 and Pseudoe.) that these aren't issues one can't effectively circumvent in one's home games. So there, enjoy 4E or whichever game currently scratches your D&D itch.

For the record, since not everyone reads the RPG Haven: I firmly believe the RPGA's style of play is awful, barely qualifies as roleplaying, and is in fact pernicious to the reception of 4e in the wider roleplaying community. I do my part to combat their influence by ignoring their crap, playing 4e as I would any other RPG, and encouraging others to do so.
Running
The Pernicious Light, or The Wreckers of Sword Island;
A Goblin\'s Progress, or Of Cannons and Canons;
An Oration on the Dignity of Tash, or On the Elves and Their Lies
All for S&W Complete
Playing: Dark Heresy, WFRP 2e

"Elves don\'t want you cutting down trees but they sell wood items, they don\'t care about the forests, they\'\'re the fuckin\' wood mafia." -Anonymous

Pseudoephedrine

#16
June 23, 2009, 05:27:48 PM
Quote from: Werekoala;309924Now, that said, I'm still in the "RPG Advice" section of the DMG, which I have to say offers some good pointers. But some of the things being said about the structuring of encounters and such has me a bit leary - but I'll hold off until I actually read those sections. For example, I don't like the heavy-handed insistence on a "balanced" group and the fact that if you don't have at least one of each "role" then encounters as "structured" will be unbalanced and harder for the group.... mmm'k.

It's worth pointing out that it's untrue that encounters are significantly harder if you don't have one of each role (though I do agree the DMG is under the impression that the opposite is the case). My group currently has no controller, and I barely count as a leader (my heretic shaman spends most of any given combat cowering and blubbering) and we still manage to rock the shit out of Bad Dudes.
Running
The Pernicious Light, or The Wreckers of Sword Island;
A Goblin\'s Progress, or Of Cannons and Canons;
An Oration on the Dignity of Tash, or On the Elves and Their Lies
All for S&W Complete
Playing: Dark Heresy, WFRP 2e

"Elves don\'t want you cutting down trees but they sell wood items, they don\'t care about the forests, they\'\'re the fuckin\' wood mafia." -Anonymous

jeff37923

#17
June 23, 2009, 05:44:39 PM
Quote from: IMLegend;309918RPGA is the devil. I don't think it would matter what edition, or game for that matter, you were playing, it would be doomed by the RPGA style of play. 4e may not be the most free-spirited system out there, but there is a lot more room for diversity than what you experienced (especially as you level up and gain different powers, etc.). I hope you do give 4e another shot, hopefully with a decent DM (who isn't afraid of some creativity and diversity) and an environment where the role-playing aspect of the game is not squashed at every turn. I'm a firm believer that just because the role playing aspect of the game is not stressed in the rules, does not mean it must be absent.

Now that I have expressed a "pro-4e" opinion, I will now brace myself for the inevitable tide of "4e sucks" sentiment. Carry on...

The thing is, 4E doesn't suck for what it is. It is just that what it is doesn't satisfy a lot of gamers as a RPG.

As far as posters giving you shit for liking 4E, as long as you don't sink to Abyssal Maw style 4E Zealotry, you don't have anything to worry about.
"Meh."

jeff37923

#18
June 23, 2009, 05:46:04 PM
You know, come to think of it, the most rabid 4E Zealots I've encountered are all RPGA event organizers of some stripe.
"Meh."

Hackmastergeneral

#19
June 23, 2009, 07:01:46 PM
Quote from: jeff37923;310037The thing is, 4E doesn't suck for what it is. It is just that what it is doesn't satisfy a lot of gamers as a RPG.

As far as posters giving you shit for liking 4E, as long as you don't sink to Abyssal Maw style 4E Zealotry, you don't have anything to worry about.

Meh.  It's every bit an RPG any other game I've ever played is.  The RP part is what you make of it.  But the G aspect is what 4ed tries to really nail.

You can RP as heavy or as little as you like, but no matter what, it tries to be FUN.
 

Sweeney

#20
June 24, 2009, 10:31:36 AM
Quote from: IMLegend;309918RPGA is the devil. I don't think it would matter what edition, or game for that matter, you were playing, it would be doomed by the RPGA style of play.

Totally agree.

Wizards was pushing some kind of "dungeon delve" activity that seemed kind of based on the RPGA stuff -- and once they got player feedback, they shelved the thing. I'm thinking they got feedback like the OP's, and went "Holy God, we do not want to be associated with that."

RPGA-style play seems to be trying to emulate MMO play in a tabletop game, and that's totally the worst of both worlds. I don't mean the MMO play style, I mean the MMO social style of "we'll take the first five people who sign up, and go do the dungeon, who cares if they can stand each other or not". Yeeeesh.
 
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