4e – One Player’s View

Has anyone been reading the 4th players handbook? I realize I have more time than most, but I’m getting to the point where I don’t really care for the system. Correction, actually I’ve gotten to the point where I think this system is @#!#*.  First, in reading through the upper level powers there’s no "WOW" factor. It just seems like more of the same. Kinda boring. Second, I don`t care for the skill system. There`s no points, just trained or not trained. If your trained you get +5 on the skill check. Big whoop! A rogue who constantly picks pockets is only 5 points better than a fighter of the same level. Yes, you can skill focus it, but so can the fighter, and if the fighter spends an extra feat for skill training in thievery, he can now pick locks, disable device, sleight of hands and pick pockets just as well as any thief thats been doing it for his entire career. Don`t like it at all.

Here`s the one that really kills me. At 8th level a cleric can cast the ritual raise dead. So can any other class just by spending a few feats. REALLY? How can you possibly justify a fighter who doesn’t have a relationship with a certain diety being able to raise the dead because he spent two feats? What ever happened to "Oh no our friend just died, we have to find a cleric, and probably do some service for his church, to get the pinacle of divine magic. Bringing someone back from the dead. No wait, Bob the drunken 8th level janitor spent a few feats, he’ll do it for a bottle of bourbon." @#$%! really?

4th edition makes 1st level really cool. I agree. Everyone always has something to do. OK. But no one has their niche anymore. I personally like the specialized character that cowers in a fight. What about the pacifist wizard with divination. Where’s the @#%$! gnome illusionist? Oh, next years book? OK.