Dude! Fun and easy DM’ing is the “killer app” of 4E!

Nice write up.

And thanks for the kudos, Martin, and for giving the Backgrounds section some coverage. Good to know it’s not cheese-worthy.

@Throst – Good catch! See what having a new baby does to your brain? I’ve corrected that section of the article.

@Kurt “Telas” Schneider – I’m glad you enjoyed it, Telas. Honestly, I have no idea how the preview barbarian stacks up to the one in the PHB 2; I’ve never seen the preview.

@lyle.spade – Very good point — I hadn’t considered that at all. As for arcane defenders, the swordmage isn’t really tied to the Realms, and it’d be easy to use in just about any D&D setting (Eberron included).

@Rafe – Thanks, Rafe! This took forever, but it was totally worth it. I’m a zombie today, though.

I’ve tried to like FR, but I don’t. I had the 3e CS, and it sat on my shelf for years. I bought toe 4e FRCS, looking for a fresh start, and was bored by it, too. Unless the swordmage fits really well into Eberron, I’ll probably not use it at all.

But thanks for pointing that out — only the martial source now lacks a controller.

Oh I’m stupid…no arcane defender, either…yet? So divine and primal power sources are represented in all roles thus far.

For example, I am anxiously awaiting the release of the Eberron CS — that’s my world, that’s where we like to play. I’ve run campaigns in the past that were made up of members of the Church of the Silver Flame. I suppose that now I could have a balanced party, per roles, in which all PCs draw their power from the divine source. That then makes weaving a group story together far easier. Sure, the Church has goons who’d use the martial source; but wouldn’t it be cooler to use an avenger, invoker, paladin, and cleric? All of the Church, all powered by their divine association? Ditto for a primal party. The only thing we’re lacking now is a martial controller, which is no big deal.

So I’ll buy this book, partially for that story-rules-roles convergence. Very cool, indeed.

Now I have bards that rock. I can’t afford new hardbacks.

No power creep, huh? I guess WotC laid of the group in charge of power creep. (I believe they were “addictive marketing” specialists hired from the tobacco companies.)

I’m sure it will pop up somewhere, but how did the preview version of the Barbarian match up with the final version? This may point to WotC’s accuracy in future class/race previews.

Finally, this old grognard thinks that the whole anime/cartoon style of art that is popular in RPGs right now can simply go to hell. Swords are thin and light, or you wouldn’t be able to swing them. The visible part of the eye is not bigger than the mouth. Armor is functional first, decorative second, and does not protect the off-hand side better than the weapon-hand side, especially if you’re not carrying a shield. Hair is not …whatever the hell it is in these pictures, tentacles? And don’t even get this old Infantry soldier started on the lack of rucksacks/backpacks. Where do they carry all their stuff?

Sheesh, I’ve got a whole rant/article right there…

Thanks for the excellent review, Martin. I’ve been really hesitant on the PHB2, but this may just find a home in my bookshelf.

If they were Primal, then there would still be overlap with the Barbarian.

There is nothing wrong with role/power source overlap. I was just pointing out an inaccuracy in the article.