4th Edition

[Joshic Shin]

Hey there guys,

So, I'm planning on running a 4.0 game tomorrow and I'm running into a small issue. How do I deal with people who absolutely hate 4.0 and say that 3.0 or 3.5 are way better and superior. I personally prefer 4.0 but I think that both are fine and just fine, so I feel odd trying to explain why I like 4.0 when I like both.

So, I was curious, how do you guys deal with this issue when you play D&D? Do you just ignore it, confront it, or something else?

 

[Flying-Emu]

Only invite people who enjoy the edition you play, obviously.

Or play loosey-goosey with the rules, and focus on the RP part of the game.

I mean, we TECHNICALLY play 3.5, but we focus more on what is cool and we enjoy than shoving the nose to the rule grindstone.

 

[Joshic Shin]

My issue is that I'm playing it at a gamestore so it's open to anyone, but I can sort of tell that someone is going to give crap to us and say we should play "a real game."

Perhaps the other thing I need to mention is that I could use some advice on how to explain D&D core rules to brand new players. Any suggestions on that as well?

 

[Thaius]

I've found that most 4.0 haters will... well, hate. It's the simplification of something they loved, similar to how RPG buffs weren't happy with the simplification of Mass Effect 2 even though it allowed the game to be much more streamlined and fast-paced.

If it helps any, I prefer 4.0 as well. I learned it first, but never got to play with it, then my first and only campaign so far was in 3.5. I think 4.0 streamlines the system to help it work more smoothly without over-simplifying it. But those who started beforehand seem to think otherwise.

I say, just tell them you prefer 4.0, and that's what you'll do. They can be in or out, but if you're the DM, do what works and let them decide if they want to be a part of it.

 

[Randomvirus]

I invited a friend over to one of my 4.0 games and he was a diehard 2nd / 3rd edt. guy.

When I showed him the dnd character builder and he was asking me questions he was just saying "Look, I'll just drive to your place, give you the Pathfinder PHB and then we can play that."

I said "Nope, we're playing 4th."

I think he preferred to hang out with friends instead of being a crybaby about which game we were playing.

Myself, I used to think 4th was the black sheep of dnd, but then I went and played it at a local hobby store with my brother. I share the same experience with new players.

"Give it a try, if you hate it then don't play it again."

Most of the guys I play with, after trying 4th love it.

And if they give you any of that "man, 4th is for children and babies" crap, then just tell them "So, you're telling me you're not smart enough to play a game for children?"

That's how I silence the haters.

 

[atalanta]

Tell them you're DMing a 4ed game and if they really want to play 3.5 to do it themselves? If you want to be more polite you could say something about 4ed being more streamlined and easier for newbies to pick up or what have you, but if someone really has a problem with 4ed, too bad.

As for explaining core rules -- honestly, I think a lot of the rules are easier to pick up while playing than through explanations. So long as they get the basic concept (create a character, roll dice to try and do stuff) and you start them off with a few gentle non-lethal/relatively unimportant skill checks, they'll probably be fine. You should probably also know what encounter and daily powers new players have and periodically remind them they exist.

 

[Pegghead]

Well you could tell them to stop being such hardasses and that if they're willing to search internet stores far and wide to find a copy of 3.0 to play then they can, but they have to teach everybody the in-depth rules.

 

[Cody211282]

Since I haven't played D&D since most my group moved I don't even know what the big difference is, plus who cares what kind of rules you are playing as long as everyone knows them and can have a fun time.

 

[migo]

People who play 3.5 or Pathfinder exclusively and refuse to play 4e are usually douchebags. Just an overwhelming trend I've noticed. I don't play with 3.5 players.