Too Much Headspace

Despite being a huge L5R fan, I completely missed the release for the L5R RPG 4th Edition this summer. I just picked up a copy - my first digital-only book purchase! - and at first glance it's pretty good! There's something a little off about the style, but everything seems to hold together.

It got me thinking. The changes from 3rd Ed are fairly small or inconsequential; that is to say, there are few major core rule changes. Most of the alterations are details or simplifications. Which means it will be very easy for 3rd Ed players to change to the new rules.

More importantly to me, it means I can still tell the same stories and use the same (kinds of) characters. Sure, Mirumoto Bushi now get their second attack at Rank 3 instead of Rank 2 (Blasphemy!), but the personality, story, and role of the character is the same. Going the other direction, I can still take characters from the movies and books that inspired the style and translate them into game characters.

Contrast this with Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. The new edition introduced major changes to almost every area of the game, including some of the core, fundamental concepts that defined the style. Some of these changes were good; others...not so much. Most egregiously, you can't import classic fantasy characters into the game. Because the inspiration for the game is no longer classic fantasy; it's World of Warcraft. Don't believe me? Go stat out King Arthur, Robin Hood, or Frodo using 4th Ed rules.

Nintendo Power once asked - of the Street Fighter 2 games - at what point does a "new edition" become a "new game"? In that spirit, I thought it would be interesting to compare starting level 3rd Ed characters to their 4th Ed versions in each system. (Please forgive the crappy formatting; this is my first attempt to post from a Google Doc to the blog)

L5R:

Clan: Dragon . Family: Mirumoto . Name: Hoshi . School: Mirumoto Bushi 1 . . 3rd Ed 4th Ed . Rings & Traits: . AIR 2 2 . EARTH 3 3 . FIRE 3 3 . WATER 2 2 . VOID 2 2 . . Honor: 2.5/5 4.5/10 . Glory: 1 1 . Status: 1 1 . Insight: 132 134 . . Skills: . Defense 3 Defense 3 . Kenjutsu (Katana) 3 Kenjutsu (Katana) 3

. Lore: Shugenja 1 Lore: Shugenja 1 . Meditation 1 Meditation 1 . Theology 2 Theology 2 . Kyujutsu 2 Kyujutsu 2 . . Technique: RANK 1: THE DAISHO TECHNIQUE Initiates of the Mirumoto Bushi School must master the basic principles of Niten, the two-sword technique. When wielding a katana in your weapon hand and a wakizashi in your off-hand, you suffer no penalties for carrying two weapons and add 5 + your School Rank to your TN to Be Hit. You may substitute your Kenjutsu Skill for your Iaijutsu Skill at any time. Additionally, you add your Fire Ring to all attack rolls. RANK 1: WAY OF THE DRAGON Initiates of the Mirumoto Bushi School must master the basic principles of Niten, the two-sword technique founded by Mirumoto himself. When wielding a katana in your main hand and a wakizashi in your off hand, you suffer no penalties of any kind for dual wielding, and you gain a bonus of your School Rank to your Armor TN (this is cumulative with the normal bonus for wielding two weapons). Additionally, when you are targeted with a spell, you may raise or lower the TN of that spell’s Spellcasting Roll by 5. . . Advantages: . Clear Thinker Clear Thinker . Twin Sister Blades Twin Sister Blades . . Disadvantages: . Bitter Betrothal Bitter Betrothal . Brash Brash . . Equipment: Katana, Wakizashi, Bow & 20 arrows, Spear, Light armor, Kimono & sandals, Traveling pack, 2 Koku Light armor, Sturdy clothing, Daisho, Yumi, Traveling pack, 5 koku

D&D:

Name: D'garon . Race: Human . Level: Fighter 1 . . 3rd Ed 4th Ed . Vision: - Normal . Size: Medium Medium . Speed: 30 6 Squares . Align: LG LG . HP: 12 17 . . Str 16 16 . Dex 14 14 . Con 15 15 . Int 11 11 . Wil 13 13 . Cha 12 12 . . BAB: 1 - . Saves:

. Fort 4 15 . Will 1 12 . Ref 2 13 . . Skills: . Climb 1 Athletics . Handle Animal 3 Endurance . Intimidate 3 Intimidate . Jump 1 Heal . Ride 3 . Swim 1 . . Feats: 3 2 . . Weapon Prof: All simple, martial Simple melee, Military melee, Simple ranged, Military Ranged . Armor Prof: Heavy, medium, light; shields, tower shields Heavy, medium, light; shields, tower shields . . Class Features: - Combat Challenge . Combat Superiority . Fighter Weapon Talent

. . Healing Surges: - 11 . . Powers: . At-Will: - 3 . Encounter: - 1 . Daily: - 1

Analysis

As you can see (assuming these are readable), there are few differences between the two L5R. A few cost changes, but that pretty much came out in the wash. Biggest change is the Honor scale changed from 1-5 to 1-10.

The two D&D sheets barely look like they describe the same character, and the changes would only get greater as the character was equipped, feats spent, and levels advanced.

To me D&D fails the "edition" test. I won't focus on that for now, though; instead, let me say how pleased I am that L5R published something so true to the spirit, style, and mechanics of what had come before.