D&D 4th edition: What’s different.

So here we go again. Another edition of the core manuals. The fourth one, though I reckon it should be the fifth. V3.5 seemed an edition all by itself, and not merely an extension of the third edition.

And what can we expect from the new edition? Apparently a lot, if reviews are to be believed. There are many fundamental changes to the make-up and dynamics of the game. The perennial kinks have been ironed out, or so it would seem. Personally, I feel v3.5 is quite sound, rules-wise. All it needed was some tweaking and removal of mundane rules that were too technical and detrimental to the flow of the game. One that comes to mind is weight and carrying capacity. Another would be the attack and full attack mechanism, which is a bit redundant.

Based on reviews on the Net, I’ve compiled a list of changes found in the 4th edition. It isn’t a comprehensive list, but does contain the gist of differences in game mechanics.

What’s New:

1. The Barbarian, Bard, Monk, Sorcerer and Druid classes have been removed; replaced with Warlock and Warlord classes
2. Moderate changes in combat mechanics
3. Level-based bonuses are standardised at 1/2 increase per level, instead of class/ race based
4. No more skill points; either the character is trained or untrained
5. Certain classes can heal naturally
6. Wizards don’t have to prepare spells ahead of time
7. Spellcasting mechanics
8. Revision to critical/ automatic kill hits
9. Tiefling and Dragonborn added as new races; gnomes and half-orcs have been removed
10. Revision to default cosmology
11. Alignment is now limited to Good, Evil, Lawful Good, Chaotic Evil and Unaligned
12. Introduction of ‘action points’

Based on the incomplete list above, I for one am not all-too-keen to use the 4th edition. It would seem that Wizards has removed a small part of the essence of D&D, especially by eliminating the bard, monk and druid classes. I’m quite sure that Dragonborn characters will be the norm in any new campaign using the 4th edition. Why? The prefix dragon is a highly attracting force, and who wouldn’t want to be associated with dragons. And does D&D really need more stats like action points?

All in all, there are some welcome changes that Wizards has carried out in the 4th edition, though the unwanted far outweigh the desired. I’m slightly disappointed that Wizards has added and removed aspects of the game mechanics, instead of just streamlining and simplifying existing rules. Perhaps that is the difference between a ‘version’ and an ‘edition’.

For more details,visit Wizards.

Novels: Dragonlance

The Dragonlance Chronicles were the first series of fantasy books I read, or rather, completed reading. And what a series it was. To me, the Chronicles are the ultimate fantasy novels. Some say LOTR, some prefer Eddings, while a smattering swear by Shannara. To each his/ her own, I reckon. No doubt, almost all fantasy books borrowed from LOTR, some sparingly, others generously. Yes, I would say LOTR is akin the Bible of Fantasy. But if a medal were to be offered for second place, I reckon Dragonlance would take it shields down.

What attracts me to DL is the development of the characters and background. Every character, and not just the main ones, has a story to tell, a dark secret to hide, a gift to offer. Tanis, half elven leader of the Companions, seems to be in a perpetual crisis, whether it be his love triangle or his identity. The twins Majere display an unhealthy and dark symbiosis, yet function almost in unison during battle. Sturm is a knight in almost every conceivable manner, but rank. Riverwind, for all his stoic bravery, is filled with a sense of inferiority when around Goldmoon, while the barbarian princess is often plagued by self-doubt. The rock Flint knows age is one nemesis he can’t overcome. And then there is Tas, dear old Tas. Everyone’s favourite, the light when the group is in darkness, the irritant when they’re in good spirits.

Even the villains of the piece are more than the usual two-dimensional characters often portrayed in numerous fantasy books and movies. From the scheming Kitiara to the omnipotent Ariakas, from the succintly cruel Verminaard to the incompetent Toede, these villains add colour (darkness?) and menace to the land that is Krynn.

Reading the chronicles in order (Autumn Twilight, Winter Night and Spring Dawning) is part of the magic, I say. From a slightly dysfunctional and squabbling group in AT to well-oiled fighting machines in SD, I’ve watched the characters grow and take up more than a figment of my imagination. And yet, never do they descend into soulless automata, slashing and hacking and knowing they can’t be defeated. The issues and self-doubts still linger, manifesting into the very evil they’re up against. Enter Raistlin.

All this, and I’ve yet to mention the dragons. One word…majestic. What sets DL apart from the rest of the fantasy books are the majestic dragons. They’re not just depicted as treasure-hoarding winged lizards who terrorise a town every now and then. They’re the true emperors of the land, the actual lords of the living creatures on Ansalon and beyond. One can almost feel the dragonfear when Onyx, Skie and Ember are brought to life in the pages. Takhisis and Paladine, though the supreme gods, do not create awe as much as the wyrms do. MIshakal even less.

But above all, the dark settings of the books really forced my fingers to turn the pages. War and destruction in the background give a sense of utter despair, yet the Companions penetrate the evil fog, finding themselves as much as bringing light. I’d say DL is one of the few stories where I rooted for the good guys.

After all, would anyone really want to see harm come to Tas…?

Saddle your dragon and soar to the heavens at:
http://www.dlnexus.com/