"You’ll see how it all turned out with the release of the Eberron Campaign Guide this summer, but I’ll give you a teaser. You know how Eberron’s planes all have both names and titles? Like “Kythri, the Churning Chaos” or “Fernia, the Sea of Fire”? Well, how about “Thelanis, the Feywild” or “Dolurrh, the Shadowfell”? Fernia and Risia become regions within the Elemental Chaos while a lot of other planes are now Astral dominions. We managed not to lose any of the plane names from 3rd Edition Eberron."
UGH.
Ok, I promise not to completely ditch this until I see how they work it, but it may be the one thing I ditch about 4Eberron in favour of 3.5...I mean, I'd be keeping "the Astral Sea" from 4E, but in it will be floating the planes as they would appear in 3.5, not "Oh, these planes are now both part of one region." Ugh.
But yeah, maybe it'll impress me when I see it. For now, all I can think is how much I don't like giving some planes (i.e. Thelanis and Dolurrh) more clout and impact than others (i.e. Fernia and Risia). And what about Mabar? Is it just "a part of Dolurrh" now or somesuch? Gah.
LAME.
But seriously? The cosmology was PERFECT if not for the Ethereal and Shadow planes seeming too awkward and out of place in the Eberron scheme of things. This is a step in the OPPOSITE direction...or at least seems like one. I'm gritting my teeth and waiting until the summer to fully pass judgement here.
But yeah, maybe it'll impress me when I see it. For now, all I can think is how much I don't like giving some planes (i.e. Thelanis and Dolurrh) more clout and impact than others (i.e. Fernia and Risia).
I don't think that from a native of the Eberron-world prespective there is much impact from the fact that some planes are now group/titled under larger cosmological entities, as long as the basic periodic effects of coterminous,remote are unchanged.
The changes might be more of an effect on anyone doing cross-planes travels (which will find that some planes/regions are easier to access in the same grouping).
And what about Mabar? Is it just "a part of Dolurrh" now or somesuch? Gah.
I think it was somewhat established (when Keep on the Shadowfell Eberron conversion was discussed) that Mabar and Dolurrh are somewhat grouped under the Shadowfell title (not to say that the Shadowfell grouping of this planes effect their individual meaning in Eberron).
That's my understanding of the changes and as such I don't see any cause for worries. All the original planes of ECS3.5 are in. Eberron will be now compliant with the core D&D planes (without losing anything) - meaning easy use of any future planes related content and as the article mentions they fixed past issue that made adventuring in this planes problematic.
What about Lammania? Will that be absorbed by the Feywild?
I don't like the way this smells. I like the idea that Eberron's planes are forces that are components of the Material plane and influence the world based on being coterminous or remote.
Whatever. Glad I'm sticking to 3.5Eberron. It's the system for which Eberron was inherently developed, and it's the system to which I'll be sticking.
This isn't much of a change, and it was predictable since Worlds and Monsters.
Rekko
I am currently running a 4E EB game. It is odd because some DMs I know dropped the setting for FR until the "official" book are out. Whatever. I have long since thrown off the crutch that is canonocity and it will never effect my game or fun again. My brain has been very happy about the situation.;)
I will pick this book up if it does indeed help me come up with fun things for my game though.
This is all just my opinion of course. Yours may differ.
I've been playing 4th edition Eberron since June and have done several plane hopping adventures. Seems to work with the new cosmology just fine for me.
Seriously this is an issue? The planes will still come coterminus at the DM's discretion, crazy mad Quori will invade when needed to advance the plot. Lammania and Thelanis will still provide opportunities for the Fey to upset the sleep of the players.
I've been playing 4th edition Eberron since June and have done several plane hopping adventures. Seems to work with the new cosmology just fine for me.
Seriously, for some of us it is. Planes don't need to be merged just so that WotC can sell more books.
So is Kythri part of that Elemental Chaos or whatever it's called? Is that were the githzerai practice their art?
What about Lammania? Will that be absorbed by the Feywild?
I don't like the way this smells. I like the idea that Eberron's planes are forces that are components of the Material plane and influence the world based on being coterminous or remote.
Whatever. Glad I'm sticking to 3.5Eberron. It's the system for which Eberron was inherently developed, and it's the system to which I'll be sticking.
Ugh. Sticking with 3.5 is worse than having someone, at gunpoint, force you to use the core 4e planar structure in Eberron. I'm glad 4e came out, I'm really happy with how my current 4e Eberron game is coming along, and I'll be even happier in August when I can offer them all the Eberron-specific options (except psion and soulknife kalshtars, unless the ECG is also going to be a PH III preview) that they want to play.
That being said, one of my favourite parts of Eberron was that its cosmology had each plane as a seperate and whole concept that each had influence on the Material equally based on their "orbit". Having Thelanis and Dolurrh with undue influence even in their Remote orbit compared to what Daanvi and Irian would have in their Coterminous orbit...that would be lame. If they actually keep the ideas of the orbiting planes intact somehow, like Thelanis and Lammania orbiting through the Feywild and Mabar and Dolurrh orbiting through the Shadowfell, then it wouldn't matter since the Planes aren't supposed to interact with one another except through Eberron anyway, and whether they are all in one lump Astral Sea or scattered throughout three major doesn't matter. Eberron's cosmology in 3.5 wouldn't be that different if Thelanis and Lammania orbited through the Ethereal isntead of the Astral, so long as they made the Ethereal equal to the Astral in terms of travel to and from (and between), which they have done for the Feywild, Elemental Chaos and Shadowfell vis a vis the Astral Sea. So this could be done right...but I have a feeling Thelanis and Dolurrh are going to annoy the heck out of me, especially since Dolurrh has nothing to do with Shadows, and everything to do with people fading into a grey nothing, depressingly. No menace there, and adding menace removes a big part of what makes that Plane an awesome Plane of Death.
Ugh. Sticking with 3.5 is worse than having someone, at gunpoint, force you to use the core 4e planar structure in Eberron.
"That's, like, your opinion, man."
Seriously this is an issue? The planes will still come coterminus at the DM's discretion, crazy mad Quori will invade when needed to advance the plot. Lammania and Thelanis will still provide opportunities for the Fey to upset the sleep of the players.
I've been playing 4th edition Eberron since June and have done several plane hopping adventures. Seems to work with the new cosmology just fine for me.
This is pretty much my feeling. If someone dislikes any bit of the new EB 4E stuff they can just ignore it in the end.
I do not really ever care where the planes "are" or how they work in any setting. If I need to switch them around to fit my game then **BAM** they are magically made to fit my campaign. I was going to use Feywild stuff for Thelanis anyway this may just make it easier for me to make stuff work for my EB game.
For some this is an issue, I am just voicing my opinion to show that there is just not one train of thought on the matter.
So if I don't like something in 3.5 rules (which was often), I could (and did) always change that, and it didn't have any impact on the Eberron fluff. 4e's rules I have absolutely zero issue with, I just crave more (more powers, more items, more races, more classes, etc). But with 4e, a change to the fluff of the planes back to 3.5 from 4e might conceivably require DM shoehorning on my part. And I don't like that, because that's a big part of why I use a published setting. If I wanted to shoehorn every supplement into a campaign/setting, I'd just homebrew and be done with it.
One of the reasons I use a published setting instead of making my own is because I don't have the time to shoehorn everything that comes out into my game. I liked 3.5 Eberron because, potentially, everything has a place, so I don't have to shoehorn in terms of general things like items, monsters, PrCs. Of course, I also love Eberron because it is everything I could ever want in a setting and more. But that's neither here nor there.
So if I don't like something in 3.5 rules (which was often), I could (and did) always change that, and it didn't have any impact on the Eberron fluff. 4e's rules I have absolutely zero issue with, I just crave more (more powers, more items, more races, more classes, etc). But with 4e, a change to the fluff of the planes back to 3.5 from 4e might conceivably require DM shoehorning on my part. And I don't like that, because that's a big part of why I use a published setting. If I wanted to shoehorn every supplement into a campaign/setting, I'd just homebrew and be done with it.
or...
The Eberron Fallout
"You’ll see how it all turned out with the release of the Eberron Campaign Guide this summer, but I’ll give you a teaser. You know how Eberron’s planes all have both names and titles? Like “Kythri, the Churning Chaos” or “Fernia, the Sea of Fire”? Well, how about “Thelanis, the Feywild” or “Dolurrh, the Shadowfell”? Fernia and Risia become regions within the Elemental Chaos while a lot of other planes are now Astral dominions. We managed not to lose any of the plane names from 3rd Edition Eberron."
UGH.
Ok, I promise not to completely ditch this until I see how they work it, but it may be the one thing I ditch about 4Eberron in favour of 3.5...I mean, I'd be keeping "the Astral Sea" from 4E, but in it will be floating the planes as they would appear in 3.5, not "Oh, these planes are now both part of one region." Ugh.
But yeah, maybe it'll impress me when I see it. For now, all I can think is how much I don't like giving some planes (i.e. Thelanis and Dolurrh) more clout and impact than others (i.e. Fernia and Risia). And what about Mabar? Is it just "a part of Dolurrh" now or somesuch? Gah.
Make up your mind. Do you want to shoehorn something or not?
Anyway, I guess I'll throw my hat in the "Meh." pile. Really, I've never cared for plane hopping much, so the Eberron method worked for me. I can have crazy **** happen and blame it on the planes. And I can still do that. Now, I'll see if they can sell me on plane hopping.
So, for me this is a Win-Meh situation.
There's no way that I was the only one who read the title and though, "What's Fallout 3 have to do with Eberron?"
You were, indeed, not the only one.
And I second your "meh".
There's no way that I was the only one who read the title and though, "What's Fallout 3 have to do with Eberron?"
To be fair, though, how awesome would it be to play a game that where a bunch of Cyran descendants emerged from a bunker located deep within the depths of the Mournland. And needed to locate an arcane device that would keep the magical bunker working and ensure their fellow Cyran desendants' survival. Only
Show
it ends up the bunker itself was really just a massive, conspiratorial evil science experiment. And also the jerkface Overseer won't let you back in the bunker after you save everyone's lives
Is there some reason that you can't use what you like and discard the rest?
NO!!!!!!
Seriously, I like the 4ed cosmology, I love the Eberron cosmology, but I hate the kludge that's whacked them together. I understand the need to standardize the planes, but a lot of Eberron's flavour could have been retained.
1) Kythri, Risia and Fernia can be part of the Elemental Chaos, but be mysteriously brought closer to Eberron, in sync with the Astral Domains it is related with. Amateurs Planar Observers believe their are their own planes.
2) Other planes are Astral Domains, but the beings within have never met the deities supposed to have created the domain, nor do they know why these domains are brought into close contact with Eberron.
3) Feywild and Shadowfell. We already have Thelanis and Mabar, and I don't have an issue with them becoming synonymous. But I don't like that these planes will become "landlocked" next to Eberron. Why not use the pre-established canon of planes coming closer to Eberron? Retcon that Thelanis and Shadowfell have been co-terminal with the Material Plane for the past 30 years. Its close proximity has allowed Eladrin and Shadar-Kai to use their powers, and has created manifest zones that are stronger and more persistent. These events are totally unlike the previous cycles of the Planes, and some observers believe these Planes are transforming themselves. Arcane experts have begun using the terms "Feywild" and "Shadowfell" to refer to the Rogue Planes that, if their improbable calculations prove correct, will become permanent parts of Eberron. Doomsday cults believe Thelanis to be Siberys, and Mabar Khyber, and worship the return of the Progenitor Wyrms.
See how easy it is to Eberronize this?
I rarely, if ever, bother with concocting a cosmology for my homebrew games because, simply put, it never matters. I never send PCs planehopping and never want to go planehopping when I am a PC.
I am hopeful that 4e Eberron is as improved as 4e FR is, though.
To be fair, though, how awesome would it be to play a game that where a bunch of Cyran descendants emerged from a bunker located deep within the depths of the Mournland. And needed to locate an arcane device that would keep the magical bunker working and ensure their fellow Cyran desendants' survival. OnlyShowit ends up the bunker itself was really just a massive, conspiratorial evil science experiement. And also the jerkface Overseer won't let you back in the bunker after you save everyone's lives
very nice.
Another option would be to feature the Wanderer as a random NPC ranger and his Wolf animal companion (which happens to have an ungodly high Search modifier). The party would ask what he's doing there, and he would mumble something about looking for his dad. (And as they turn to leave, I would roll randomly to see if he just wanders away, pickpockets them and wanders away, or tries to kill and eat them)
I'll reserve final judgment but I have instant dislike of the idea because it feels like a cop-out. My problem is that WotC has known about this issue from the get go. Why didn't they take the time to include Eberron Planes into the standard cosmology rather than shoehorning them in later!
I hate the idea of shoehorning standard cosmology into Eberron. It just doesn't feel the same. I shall wait and see how they 'Eberron-ize' the fluff but I'm not holding my breath. If the point of this is to sell more manual of the Planes and other Planar books, Eberron can't and won't deviate too far.
I'll reserve final judgment but I have instant dislike of the idea because it feels like a cop-out. My problem is that WotC has known about this issue from the get go. Why didn't they take the time to include Eberron Planes into the standard cosmology rather than shoehorning them in later!
To be fair to WotC, all these "sell more books" arguments seem a little silly since they'd actually sell more books if they made Eberron's cosmology unique and sold a Planes of Eberron book as well as the other planar books.
To be fair to WotC, all these "sell more books" arguments seem a little silly since they'd actually sell more books if they made Eberron's cosmology unique and sold a Planes of Eberron book as well as the other planar books.
Not necessarily. If Eberron Planes were different then WotC would loose out on Eberron fans not buying Manual of the Planes and instead buying Manual of Eberron Planes. The problem with that is that no matter which way you skin it, Eberron Planes books would not sell nearly as well (considering it appeals to a vastly smaller crowd). That means that the venture is an ultimate failure because the guiding principle of 4E books is to release as many books everyone can use rather than just a small segment of the community. In the end its about how many of a specific book WotC sells rather than how many books WotC sells in total.
Not necessarily. If Eberron Planes were different then WotC would loose out on Eberron fans not buying Manual of the Planes and instead buying Manual of Eberron Planes. The problem with that is that no matter which way you skin it, Eberron Planes books would not sell nearly as well (considering it appeals to a vastly smaller crowd). That means that the venture is an ultimate failure because the guiding principle of 4E books are to release as many books everyone can use rather than just a small segment of the community. In the end its about how many of a specific book WotC sells rather than how many books WotC sells in total.
I don't see too many people buying MotP who are only going to play Eberron games, to be honest, and that's whether or not they made the cosmology as they are proposing or closer to 3.5
The planes are a mystery. The orrery is one way of representing them. Splitting them into three realms is another. Go to Arcanix and you'll find people debating the validity of both models - just as people are arguing them on this thread. What's known with certainty are their concrete effects on Eberron. Planes become coterminous and remote. They create manifest zones. The spirits of the dead go to Dolurrh; the spirits of dreamers go to Dal Quor.
Anyhow, I can't say more at this point - but I'll just say again, I don't feel that any of the material I've worked on in the past is going to become invalid because of the 4E ECS.
I don't see too many people buying MotP who are only going to play Eberron games, to be honest, and that's whether or not they made the cosmology as they are proposing or closer to 3.5
Hence why Eberron is going to be shoehorned into standard Cosmology. There just isn't the population of buyers out there willing to support and justify (to WotC) a completely separate Planar book. Better to funnel those who want the material into an already existing product than to loose money on a venture meant to satisfy a crowd that won't fully embrace it.
*shrug*
And with a shrug, you have me back down from agitated into hopeful. I'm not a slavish fanboy, but if 99 times something you've said has turned out to be true for me as well, I think we're like-minded enough that #100 won't be that bad.
That said, just because I've only seen white geese all my life doesn't mean I'm not going to see a black one eventually. So I'm still holding off judgement...but this assauges at least that part of me that knows that we tend to think alike.
P.S. Thanks for the book and the inscription, my players pretty nearly beshat themselves.
Until then, just remember that all geese are gray in the dark. ;)
Only different shades of gray stil excist.
eberron's motto has always been," if it's in D&D it's in eberron." 4e eberrron should be no differnt. period. it doesn't change how the planes affect eberron. and, even though i'm abit of a... canonphile, you have to remember onces you've bought it it's your's to do with as you please.
One of the most often misquoted lines about Eberron.
By the way, if that were true, then we'd have the Great Wheel in v3.5 Eberron, too.
-Joni
The orrery is one way of representing them. Splitting them into three realms is another. Go to Arcanix and you'll find people debating the validity of both models - just as people are arguing them on this thread. What's known with certainty are their concrete effects on Eberron. Planes become coterminous and remote. They create manifest zones. The spirits of the dead go to Dolurrh; the spirits of dreamers go to Dal Quor.
This.
Keith, if you can make the feel of "Classic" Eberron mesh into 4ed Eberron, I shall not mind one bit.
By the way, any allusions you can add to the books about the Astral Sea being Siberys and the Elemental Chaos being khyber would be frickin' sweet.
One of the most often misquoted lines about Eberron.
By the way, if that were true, then we'd have the Great Wheel in v3.5 Eberron, too.
To further clarify, the ECS states this specifically
If it exists in D&D, then it has a place in Eberron. A monster or spell or magic item from the core rulebooks might feature a twist or two to account for Eberron’s tone and attitude, but otherwise everything in the Player’s Handbook, Dungeon Master’s Guide, and Monster Manual has a place somewhere in Eberron. Also, this is the first D&D setting built entirely from the v.3.5 rules, which enabled us to blend rules and story in brand-new ways.
In other words, the line isn't about D&D throughout all of its versions, it's specifically about the core v3.5 rules. Rather than stripping away core game elements (i.e. - races, classes, magic, etc.) for the sake of the setting, the setting accommodates the v3.5 core rules.
You know what, I'm sigging this.
On-Topic: On an intellectual level, the idea of changing the planes sort of upset me. On a practical level, this in no way would have changed how any of my games would have played out in the past. I think a *shrug* is probably the most appropriate response to this announcement. (Hey, we don't want to look like crazed fanboys who scream "RIOT!" every time a new change is mentioned, do we?)
Also: If this means we get more detail on Eberron's planes, I'll emphatically welcome this change.
3) Feywild and Shadowfell. We already have Thelanis and Mabar, and I don't have an issue with them becoming synonymous. But I don't like that these planes will become "landlocked" next to Eberron. Why not use the pre-established canon of planes coming closer to Eberron? Retcon that Thelanis and Shadowfell have been co-terminal with the Material Plane for the past 30 years. Its close proximity has allowed Eladrin and Shadar-Kai to use their powers, and has created manifest zones that are stronger and more persistent. These events are totally unlike the previous cycles of the Planes, and some observers believe these Planes are transforming themselves. Arcane experts have begun using the terms "Feywild" and "Shadowfell" to refer to the Rogue Planes that, if their improbable calculations prove correct, will become permanent parts of Eberron. Doomsday cults believe Thelanis to be Siberys, and Mabar Khyber, and worship the return of the Progenitor Wyrms.
If this is true, then the Gatekeeper Druids of the Shadow Marches have not been doing their jobs.
We already have Thelanis and Mabar, and I don't have an issue with them becoming synonymous. But I don't like that these planes will become "landlocked" next to Eberron.
Who says they are? I assume that you're basing this on the fact that powers allow you to move through the Feywild or Shadowfell. But bear in mind that people go to Dal Quor every time they close their eyes - and Dal Quor is one of the most remote planes. Again, the orrery model is one method of representing the planes, specifically used to reflect the coterminous/remote cycle. But on another level, ALL of the planes are all existing simultaneously with Eberron - all around and only felt by their effects. When you die, Dolurrh is there waiting for you, regardless of where you are. When you sleep, you enter Dal Quor - you don't journey to some distant point to do it. Darkness, light, madness, magic - all of these things are all around us. The concepts of coterminous/remote and manifest zones aren't going anywhere. The orrery is still a good way to reflect this. But it's not the only way. The planes still shift in relation to Eberron - but they are always tied to it as well, always all around you but just beyond the veil.
The concepts of coterminous/remote and manifest zones aren't going anywhere.
And that's all I needed to know.
Sure, we could do it ourselves, but in the first place, WotC will be making decisions off of this new canonicty that will effect future products, and if you start out with differences you will end up with bigger differences. Second, it would take an incredibly small amount of effort for them to just say, "Oh, and in eberron, this is actually in X plane." Third, everybody knows this kind of thing makes fanboys mad. It's why these boards are here, so people can gripe. You'd think they'd have learned what will make people gripe by now that's actually IMMENSELY EASY TO FIX
Seriously, it's just lazy, shoddy work. Everything does not need to be the same from one campaign setting to another for us to buy the book. Following that logic to its extreme, why do we need more than one campaign setting, since they all use the same material in the same pre-packaged way (something that sadly can be said for FR at this point). This is what I hate about fourth edition: the core rules are now much more blatant about their connection to the (drastically overhauled for better and worse) background of the game. It's particularly present in power sources, but it's becoming clear that it will also be the case for the planes.
Everything does not need to be the same from one campaign setting to another for us to buy the book. Following that logic to its extreme, why do we need more than one campaign setting, since they all use the same material in the same pre-packaged way (something that sadly can be said for FR at this point).
I agree completely. The core designers seem obsessed with this idea that the settings must use every core idea as presented in the core rules. Looking to that oft-misquoted 3.5 Eberron rule, it clearly states that you should be able to use anything from core, but that it should be adjusted to fit the tone of the setting. Personally, the reason I buy a campaign setting is because I want new ideas. If every campaign has the same interpretation of the Shadowfell, the same interpretation of Orcus, and so on... why do I need a setting in the first place? Let alone a new one every year?
Hellcow's comments give me hope that we will still keep the unique flavor of Eberron. But if any other designers are reading this, I'll just add my voice to the pleading choir. If you make everything generic, you strip away everything that makes a setting interesting for me. I'm fine with Orcus being in every setting - but if you go that route, make him different in every setting, so what I get when I buy the campaign is a new idea of how I can use him (whether in that setting or in my homebrew).
As long as things are added and not taken away folks might be able to deal with change.
I still would not mind the two year time jump. ;)
Aza is right Hellcow I guess. Mixing in the new cosmo with the one the fans know should be done with some care if you don't want to upset some folks.
As long as things are added and not taken away folks might be able to deal with change.
I still would not mind the two year time jump. ;)
I'm actually doing a reverse of that with a mini-campaign where I'm dialing 4e back to just before Galifar started his military campaign.
I'm actually doing a reverse of that with a mini-campaign where I'm dialing 4e back to just before Galifar started his military campaign.
I hope you don't have any Warforged PCs ;)
I hope you don't have any Warforged PCs ;)
hahahahah, nope. No Kalashtar either, even though they could potentially be there.
Who says they are? I assume that you're basing this on the fact that powers allow you to move through the Feywild or Shadowfell. But bear in mind that people go to Dal Quor every time they close their eyes - and Dal Quor is one of the most remote planes. Again, the orrery model is one method of representing the planes, specifically used to reflect the coterminous/remote cycle. But on another level, ALL of the planes are all existing simultaneously with Eberron - all around and only felt by their effects. When you die, Dolurrh is there waiting for you, regardless of where you are. When you sleep, you enter Dal Quor - you don't journey to some distant point to do it. Darkness, light, madness, magic - all of these things are all around us. The concepts of coterminous/remote and manifest zones aren't going anywhere. The orrery is still a good way to reflect this. But it's not the only way. The planes still shift in relation to Eberron - but they are always tied to it as well, always all around you but just beyond the veil.
Huh. For some reason, your description made me think of a lava lamp multiverse.
Anyways, if what you're saying is the case, then I think you need to cut and copy this into the Eberron DMG and PHB. I've read the co-terminous thing before in Dragon magazine, but it always came off as an orrerry, planes swinging back and forth away from Eberron. The way you've described it here definately fits the current cosmology, so make it clear.
- Alter_Boy, who now knows that an Eladrin's ability to fey step is very similar to a human's ability to sleep, but is unsure what's more powerful: a 5 square teleport 1/encounter, or a 6 hour planeswalk 1/day. :P
One of the things I really liked about Eberron was that it was so different then "regular" D&D. I like "regular" D&D. I also like Eberron. I don't want to merge the two into a homogeneous conglomeration. If I'm playing "regular" D&D, I want to play "regular" D&D. If I'm playing Eberron, I want to play Eberron.
I can understand the reasoning behind the change. The desire to allow more of the material to cross campaign settings. I still thing it's a bad idea. The point of playing a different setting is for it to be DIFFERENT. Death to pointless conformity!
If/When I play 4th Edition Eberron I don't intend to use the new planar configuration. I'll stick to the old cosmology, mostly. I'll use the Feywild and Shadowfell. I think these planes are a good addition and are better then the 3rd Edition Ethereal, Plane of Shadow, etc. The outer planes will definitely be the old Eberron planes. I really like the idea of these planes almost being "moons" orbiting the plane of Eberron, moving from perigee to apogee.
I'm not saying the 4th Edition planes are bad. I really like the Shadowfell and Feywild. They are a great addition. I just really also like the 3rd Edition outer planes for Eberron. So I will pick out the "best" parts of each edition and use those.
But like I said, this is just the 2 cents of an on-the-fence 3rd/4th Edition player.
Even if they changed something that you liked (which is indeed possible) just keep it the way you want it. Gamers are like comic fans at times, they say they want different stories and ideas but when it happens they balk and complain that too much was changed. At least we have it better than comic fans. If DMs hate what was changed they can always keep it whatever way they want. At least gamers have some power over their game and are not totally at the mercy of a game designer.
As far as the Eberron mention in the planes article, I will ultimately wait to pass judgment till the books come out but so far I'm ok with what I'm hearing. When I heard about the Feywild way back when, I was already thinking of Thelanis. Same with Dolurrh(sp?), and I had already thought of using Mabar as the deep shadowfell which I think they've already mentioned as being a place.
A previous post mentioned the usage of Khyber and Syberis as the Astral Sea and Elemental Chaos, at least in the mythology, and this works fine to me. I mean they're called the Dragon Above and Below and that fits even more now with the way they've set up the "World-Axis" scheme, so that's one way this could work.
Some of my questions/concerns revolve more around specific aspects rather than any concern that they're "ruining and standardizing" the Eberron cosmology. One of them is the idea of Dal Quor always being remote from the orbits as it currently stands. This is a historically significant event as it is the entire reason behind the demise of the giant kingdom of Xen'drik and in the new cosmology, I don't know how exactly that should fit without planar orbits. Possibly if its located in the Astral Sea and the last act the giants did was "seal it" with super-magic, that could work.
The only other issue I would have is the Far Realm/Xoriat. So far, the planar stuff thats out really stresses the "alienness or otherness" of the Far Realm and how its something that belies any rational thought, even to the point of not being a part of the normal cosmology but "outside known planar" notions. To me, this makes it harder to fit it to a plane (Xoriat) that can be remote/coterminous and have its madness spill out into the lands. Once again, there are ways around anything really, but this was the other issue that readily came to mind when I thought about the Eberron cosmology when they first announced the planar setup for 4th.
Like I said at the start though, I will wait till the books are out to pass judgment on things, but so far I've been really happy with all of the changes made for 4th.