by Sherry Law

Created on: May 07, 2008   Last Updated: March 13, 2011

People have been playing Dungeons and Dragons since the mid 1970's. Early this summer they will be able to play the "new and improved" fourth edition. Wizards of The Coast (WotC) announced at last year's GenCon Convention that this will be the first "full" new edition in eight years. In development since 2005, the new game is said to be "evolutionary" rather than "revolutionary". New power sources, encounter design and changes in the way the resources are managed, along with other changes, are supposed to make the game easier to learn and speed up the play. Though players will still be creating their own characters and the object of the game remains the same, almost every other aspect of the game has been changed - some for better, some for worse.

Some of the changes being touted by WotC are "epic level play", the roles of monsters being more clearly defined and faster play. Another company blurb lists additional improvements - "new character races, base classes, paragon paths, epic destinies, powers, magic items, weapons, armor and more". The Dungeon Master has not been forgotten during this evolution. Improvements aimed at making things easier for DM's include "an elegant & robust rules system and handy storytelling tools".

Though the publishers are guaranteeing excitement with 30 levels rather than the current 20 levels, the prevailing feeling on many player forums is not so positive. Some feel that the constant leveling forces the game's focus away from the character development and role-playing that makes the game so appealing. Also, while WotC states that there will be "exciting character options", players familiar with the game seem worried about the restriction of the character's roles, especially when playing alone or with just one other person.

The core books for D&D will be coming out in June. One of the three books necessary for D&D, The Player's Handbook contains everything that the player needs to play the medieval fantasy classic. Due to be released in June of 2008, it has a suggested selling price of $34.95. Many players are complaining about the expense of having to purchase new books to keep up with the numerous changes in the game, though a few are talking positively about being able to pick up books for the older versions of the game for a cheaper price than what they're currently selling for.

There appear to be many improvements to the game, yet many long-time players are reluctant to change from the tried and true older version of their beloved Dungeons & Dragons. WotC talks about easier to understand rules, improved page layout and both on-line support (www.dndinsider.com) and, for the first time ever, on-line play while players disparagingly call it the "dumbing down" of D&D and copy-catting MMORP. I guess we'll just have to wait and see...

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