Can you use old feats from previous Hand Books?
You cannot use feats from previous editions of D&D. Many would not be compatible with 4th edition rules, as the concepts and mechanics have changed, and the ones that would be compatible might very well be unbalanced. Individual feats in 4E are much weaker than in earlier editions. This was intentional because the designers of 4E wanted to emphasize powers as the basis for customizing a character's abilities.
However, previous handbooks might very well serve as inspiration for your own house-ruled feats.
I just recently became interested in D&D. I am hesitant to subscribe to D&D insider because of all the issues i have seen with the character builder(I can't get the demo to run). I have also been puzzled by the rules being "hidden" in multiple books.
For example, the rules for double weapons can be found in the Adventurer's Vault. This same book also contains lists of the various kinds of double-weapons. Unless your using a double weapon from that book, you probably don't need to know the double weapon rules from that book.
As for the D&D insider, if you want a reference to all the rules without buying each individual book, that is the way to go. You can use the compendium to look up each additional feat. Whatever problems you've had with the character builder, you probably wont have them with the compendium because it is completely web-based, whereas the Character Builder is a client application developed in .NET.
And on that point, I don't know what you're particular problem was, but one common problem with the Character Builder is that it requires a large update to the OS that some people may not have, specifically Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. The best way to ensure a smooth installation is to install that update first, and then download and install the Character Builder.
I'm not sure what you mean by "hidden" rules. All the rules a player needs to play D&D can be found in the PHB 1. The additional books give you new options that explore various themes in-depth, but you don't need those books unless your character is using options from them.
For example, the rules for double weapons can be found in the Adventurer's Vault. This same book also contains lists of the various kinds of double-weapons. Unless your using a double weapon from that book, you probably don't need to know the double weapon rules from that book.
What i mean by "hidden" is that it is confusing for a noob to know which book holds current rules and which holds outdated/non 4e rules...
As for the D&D insider, if you want a reference to all the rules without buying each individual book, that is the way to go. You can use the compendium to look up each additional feat. Whatever problems you've had with the character builder, you probably wont have them with the compendium because it is completely web-based, whereas the Character Builder is a client application developed in .NET.
Yeah, i am trying to decide which is less expensive vs more convenient in the long run... buying books or subscribing?
And on that point, I don't know what you're particular problem was, but one common problem with the Character Builder is that it requires a large update to the OS that some people may not have, specifically Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5. The best way to ensure a smooth installation is to install that update first, and then download and install the Character Builder.
I downloaded Microsoft .NET Famework 3.5, but get a "UpdaterStub has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience" error when starting up the Character Builder.
-Faustus
What i mean by "hidden" is that it is confusing for a noob to know which book holds current rules and which holds outdated/non 4e rules...
Yeah, i am trying to decide which is less expensive vs more convenient in the long run... buying books or subscribing?
If you're going to play, you'll want the books. Period. You can't learn to play with just the compendium (as far as I know). The compendium is just a reference tool. As for knowing which books are 4E, it should be pretty obvious from looking at the covers. On the back of every 4E rulebook, it has a little colored bar that says "For use with these 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons core products".
To avoid any possible confusion, all you need to play is in this book:
Link to Amazon
To run a game, you'll want this one and this one as well.
Sheesh, that's $105. Two years of D+D insider. Thank you for the info though, i guess i will go ahead and buy those. How long will it take for the Fifth Edition to emerge and make all these books history?
It's a funny thing... I think WotC's Men in Black got confused when I moved, because my 3.5 books are still on my headboard. 4E didn't make them spontaneously combust. 5E won't make your 4E books suddenly vaporize either.
However, in answer to what your question seemed to be, I would expect to see a Fifth Edition in roughly 8-10 years.
Sheesh, that's $105. Two years of D+D insider. Thank you for the info though, i guess i will go ahead and buy those. How long will it take for the Fifth Edition to emerge and make all these books history?
Well, 3e got published around 2001. So if we go with that as a reference point, 5e will be published around 2020 or so.
TBP
In addition to the PHB I, there will be a series of expansions to the PHB, one released each year. The same is true for the Monster Manual and Dungeon Masters Manual. The first of these expansions, PHB II, comes out next month. The only book you really NEED as a player, though, is PHB I. The PHB II will simply offer players more classes and options, but it is by no means required.
Edit: It might be important to not that you cannot buy just the PHB II, however. The PHBI has all the core rules that players will need to know how to play, the the whole chapter on combat. The PHB II wont repeat this material.
Is it true that the Fourth Edition Players Handbook is split into two parts? Greed in this day and age has run rampant.
Not true at all. You've been hearing lies. Try not to judge before you know the facts. The Player's Handbook is all you need to start playing, unless you're running a game. This is how it's always been.
Not exactly.
In addition to the PHB I, there will be a series of expansions to the PHB, one released each year. The same is true for the Monster Manual and Dungeon Masters Manual. The first of these expansions, PHB II, comes out next month. The only book you really NEED as a player, though, is PHB I. The PHB II will simply offer players more classes and options, but it is by no means required.
Edit: It might be important to not that you cannot by just the PHB II, however. The PHBI has all the core rules that players will need to know how to play, the the whole chapter on combat. The PHB II wont repeat this material.
To further this post, the first PH is the only one with actual rules on how to play the game. PHII, and forthcoming PHs in the future will not have any rules, but just more classes, feats, paragon paths, epic destinies, items, and so forth.
What you need to play 4e is the PH, MM, and DMG. Anything else is icing on the cake.
TBP
To further this post, the first PH is the only one with actual rules on how to play the game. PHII, and forthcoming PHs in the future will not have any rules, but just more classes, feats, paragon paths, epic destinies, items, and so forth.
What you need to play 4e is the PH, MM, and DMG. Anything else is icing on the cake.
TBP
JUST more classes, feats, items..... aren't these things crucial to fully experiencing the game? Come on. PH1 only has half the classes! It's obvious they morally should have combined PH1 and PH2!! It's outrageous! They split them for greed. Imagine the content being in one book for a cost of $69.95. Who would buy it? Lambs to the slaughter...
Since visiting the Comic Con in NYC and becoming curious about D&D, I am quickly becoming discouraged by the practices WOTC demonstrates.
JUST more classes, feats, items..... aren't these things crucial to fully experiencing the game? Come on. PH1 only has half the classes! It's obvious they morally should have combined PH1 and PH2!! It's outrageous! They split them for greed. Imagine the content being in one book for a cost of $69.95. Who would buy it? Lambs to the slaughter...
Since visiting the Comic Con in NYC and becoming curious about D&D, I am quickly becoming discouraged by the practices WOTC demonstrates.
Whatever. I smell green warty skin and regeneration.
JUST more classes, feats, items..... aren't these things crucial to fully experiencing the game?
No.
Many of us have been playing 4E for 8 months now without the PHB II, and many of us find it to be an enjoyable game without it.
Out of curiosity will PHB2 have the current errata documents listed in them?
I seem to be devloping a habit of derailing topics this last month.
Since it's available for free download, it seems unlikely.
No.
Many of us have been playing 4E for 8 months now without the PHB II, and many of us find it to be an enjoyable game without it.
So, no one uses the classes not mentioned in PHB I?
And i don't mean to come across as a troll...
JUST more classes, feats, items..... aren't these things crucial to fully experiencing the game? Come on. PH1 only has half the classes! It's obvious they morally should have combined PH1 and PH2!! It's outrageous! They split them for greed. Imagine the content being in one book for a cost of $69.95. Who would buy it? Lambs to the slaughter...
No more nessessary then the barbarian, acrobat, and knight were for 1st edition. They were introduced in a latter book.
Ever hear of the class called Anti-paladin or jester? Those were introduced in Dragon for 1st.
Nothing has changed. D&D has always ADDED more classes and toys for its customers through other mediums.
So, no one uses the classes not mentioned in PHB I?
Not yet.
But then again I don't use a car from the 2015 production line either.
So, no one uses the classes not mentioned in PHB I?
And i don't mean to come across as a troll...
The PHB II isn't released yet, so, no, people generally have not been playing classes that will be availale in that book. In the last three months, there have been lots of previews for all but one of these classes, which generally includes only the first three levels.. Some have been using those to play those classes, but most players are still playing their characters from the PHB I.
My point is that don't think you're getting ripped off just because they're expanding the game. At the time that the PHB I came out, most of the content in the PHB II wasn't even fully developed. It pretty obvious, in fact, that they've made some pretty major changes to some of the classes. The Sorcerer was supposed to be another Arcane controller, and now he's a Striker. I've also heard that the Barbarian has also received some revisions due that have come out of the public playtest.
Let the PHB I stand on its own, and judge it on that basis. Can it be used, by itself, to facilitate a fun roleplaying game. The fact that people have been doing that for 8 months now proves that. Is it worth $50? It depends on your tastes and what you look for in a roleplaying game. I, for one, have gotten many times more enjoyment out of it than any similarly priced video game that I've purchased recently.
I, for one, am glad that WotC has decided to adopt a business model that involves continually expanding the array of options available to players. But, that doesn't mean everyone has to buy every book. There are a core set of books that are needed to play the game: PHB I, MM I, DMG I. Everything else is just an "expansion pack."
So, no one uses the classes not mentioned in PHB I?
Yes they do (I persionally LOVE Swordmages
), but these classes are not required to enjoy the game, just the 8 core classes are enough. And it is the nature of the game genera to include new option in subsiquent books. and considering how much space a 4e class takes up (the 8 core classes are like 112 pgs. in the PHB) it is not fesable to put every class into a single book.
Every other table top RPG adds not option in new books. Video games like WOW get expansion packs adding new content, and CCGs just release new sets.
As for WotC's "business practices", I think you've been getting your information from lying trolls who just don't like the idea of a 4th Edition. The truth is that a lot of us are extremely happy with WotC's new business model for 4E, because it means that WotC is producing a handful of interesting D&D books each year, rather than a boatload of books that are only useful to a small portion of D&D players. When WotC sells more D&D products, it means that they'll produce more D&D products, which means that we, D&D fans, get more cool new D&D feats and classes and such.
(I persionally LOVE Swordmages
Dido
I have a greater understanding now of how the release of D&D products works. Most people are happy with the result, so it probably is the best way. I made a Tiefling Rogue and will patiently wait to make a Druid.
I work weekends, does anyone have advice for meeting with a beginner group to play?
Thank you Tsuul, Nimrand, Doctorhook, and Sjmcc.
I have a greater understanding now of how the release of D&D products works. Most people are happy with the result, so it probably is the best way. I made a Tiefling Rogue and will patiently wait to make a Druid.
I work weekends, does anyone have advice for meeting with a beginner group to play?
If you have a gaming store near where you live, it's a good place to meet other players. Go there, hang out, play a few games of whatever is being played at the time (if the store does that). In short, socialize a bit and make your interest in finding a D&D group known. You will have an easier time finding a group if you intend to DM (Don't worry, DMing D&D 4th ed. is easier than DMing 3rd ed.).
There is also a forum here that can help you make contact with players in your area: [forum=347]RPG Gamer Classifieds[/forum].
Thank you Tsuul, Nimrand, Doctorhook, and Sjmcc.
I have a greater understanding now of how the release of D&D products works. Most people are happy with the result, so it probably is the best way. I made a Tiefling Rogue and will patiently wait to make a Druid.
I work weekends, does anyone have advice for meeting with a beginner group to play?
You're welcome.
Myself, I'm a pretty private person, so I don't like the whole "pick-up group" game store/RPGA scenario (although I know that a lot of folks are fine with it). I prefer to play with people I've already met. If you're like me, and you're willing to play with other new players, I recommend you recruit other players from among any video gamer friends you've got. In my experience, lots of video gamers are ripe for conversion to D&D.
MapTools: http://forums.rptools.net/viewforum.php?f=11
RPGA Yahoo Group: http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/RPGA_Group/
I live in a relatively small town, so the online groups have proven to be a good fit for me. However, the online experience is a different one than offline. It's not necessarily worse, but its definately different.
Is WOTC moving towards having D&D playable online?
JUST more classes, feats, items..... aren't these things crucial to fully experiencing the game? Come on. PH1 only has half the classes! It's obvious they morally should have combined PH1 and PH2!! It's outrageous! They split them for greed. Imagine the content being in one book for a cost of $69.95. Who would buy it? Lambs to the slaughter...
Since visiting the Comic Con in NYC and becoming curious about D&D, I am quickly becoming discouraged by the practices WOTC demonstrates.
So, by that logic, I assume that you never want to see any new stuff come out for the game.
After all, it should have been in the previous books.
For example I had been subsisting on the Players Handbook for the last 7 months... then in the last three weeks I got... everything else. (OK, I still need the Paragon Modules, but still.)
Thank you, tax return.
Whatever. I smell green warty skin and regeneration.
Kill it with fire.
Or acid.