Editing Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition (section)

===Character Generation===
Chargen is simplified compared to 3rd Edition (although still time consuming). Skills are all-or-nothing, you either have training in them or you don't. The core of character generation for 4e, in many ways, is the [[AEDU System]], a universal mechanic for handling class combat options. This results in intimidating large lists of potential options that players need to check, but for newcomers, it is fairly easy to break things up into just the options they need to pick between.

Other unique aspects of Chargen for this edition was the system of the [[Paragon Path]] and the [[Epic Destiny]]. This was then supplemented by the optional system of the Theme (see below).

====Races====
[[File:Steve Argyle D&D 4e PHB2 Races.jpg|300px|thumb|right|The races of PHB 2. People were upset that the [[Gnome]] and [[Half-Orc]] were not in the core book.]]

[[Level Adjustment]], [[Favored Class]] and the concept of negative ability scores are all out the window in 4th edition. 4e goes for a "accentuate the positive" design methodology, and embraced what [[TVTropes]] calls the "Square Race, Round Class" trope - now you could experiment with unconventional race/class combos and you wouldn't be crippling yourself in the process. Your racial traits would align better with some classes than others, but still, you would never be outright ''terrible'' at a given class unless you deliberately made yourself crippled. Even the [[Monster Manual]] races, whilst maybe not AS powerful as a [[Player's Handbook]] race, would still be competitive, they just wouldn't have the bounty of racial feats and [[Paragon Path]]s that PHB races did.

Races in 4e followed a simple but robust formula:
* +2 to two different Ability Scores. Certain races play with this mechanic, and from the 3rd PHB onwards, it was retconned that all PC races without unique Ability Score modifiers instead used the formula of +2 to one ability score, +2 to one of two ability scores" - [[Tiefling]]s, for example, started out with a mandatory +2s in [[Charisma]] and [[Intelligence]], and then were erratated so they could choose to boost either Intelligence or [[Constitution]] instead.
* A racial speed, measured in "squares" (which amount to 5 foot per square, so a "Speed 6 squares" character can move 30 feet per round).
* Size, which is pretty much identical to 3e, but with fewer bonuses/penalties inherent to specific sizes, so Small PCs were no longer quite as handicapped.
* Vision - distinct vision ranges were dropped in this edition, so you simply had normal vision, low-light vision, or darkvision, and they tried to reduce the presence of darkvision as much as possible.
* +2 to two different skills
* At least one, and usually more, racial features; these are "ribbons", a vast array of passive traits, such as a bonus to one of your [[Non Armor Defenses]] or an attack bonus against Bloodied creatures.
* A racial Encounter power, using the AEDU system - this trait was particularly malleable, with many races putting their own unique spins on it; humans, for example, get a bonus at-will for their class instead, whilst half-elves can select an at-will power from a separate class and use it 1/encounter.

The race selection was hugely controversial; responding to letters and forum posts indicating a general lack of a fanbase for [[gnome]]s and [[half-orc]]s, WotC chose to leave those races out of the 4e PHB, instead replacing them with a new race, the [[Dragonborn]], and the [[Tiefling]]s, one of the most popular "monstrous" races in 3rd edition. This added to the shit-storm from the PHB's release, even though both races were soon released afterwards in the 2nd PHB - and were usually begrudgingly acknowledged as having fixed a lot of their traditional problems.

By the end of 4th edition, the race list had grown as vast as any other edition before it. For the full array, see [[List_of_D%26D_PC_Races#4th_Edition|here]].

====Classes====
4th edition's classes changed enormously, and were without a doubt the most controversial aspect of the edition. This is due to all classes prior to the release of Essentials being built around the [[AEDU System]].

A class has the following traits:
* Role: As described above, this covers your combat role; Defender, Leader, Striker or Controller.
* Power Source: Describes the origin of your class's power; Martial characters rely on physical training, Divine characters call upon godly might, Primal characters commune with the [[Primal Spirits]], [[Psionics]] use the power of their minds, Arcane characters perform general magic. This is mostly a flavor thing, although there are a rare few mechanical options locked behind power source, mostly the odd [[feat]], [[Paragon Path]] or [[Epic Destiny]].
* Key Abilities: Describes what [[Ability Score]]s your class most relies on.
* Armor Proficiencies
* Weapon Proficiencies
* Implement: Certain classes use special items to "focus" their powers, mostly casters. Implement describes just what that is, such as the [[Cleric]] and her Holy Symbol.
* Bonus to Defense: All classes increase one of their [[Non Armor Defenses]] by +2.
* Hit Points gained at 1st level
* Hit Points gained at level up
* Healing Surges per Day
* Trained Skills
* Class Features

Additionally, every class comes with "Build Options", which are basically little guidelines to the precise selection of features, powers, feats, races, etc to make a solid, functioning "archetypical" example of that character, such as the sword & board fighter.

Compared to classes in other editions, 4e classes are hugely front-loaded; whereas classes in other editions follow a paradigm of "gain X class feature at level Y", 4e classes gain all of their features at first level (although they do retain the aforementioned level-locked paradigm for Paragon Paths and Epic Destinies). The difference is that 4e classes have relatively few features, averaging about three or four. One of these features, and sometimes more, is always "modular", presenting a player with options to choose from that fundamentally affect the way the class plays. For example, the [[Fighter]] has the feature "Fighter Weapon Talent", which can either grant them a +1 attack bonus with either two-handed or one-handed weapons, or it can be traded for alternate features like Battlerager Vigor, Tempest Technique, or Brawler Style, each of which has a very different effect. The [[Wizard]], meanwhile, has the feature "Arcane Implement Mastery", where they can choose one specific kind of implement and gain special bonuses whilst using that specific implement.

Character versatility is predominantly carried out through the [[AEDU System]]. The vast array of different powers gives each PC their own specific set of tricks to use, so two members of the same race and class will play in very different manners. To try and avoid the problem of overwhelming players with options, similar to complaints about the book-keeping needed for casters in previous editions, PC characters have a very small set of powers, gaining new power "slots" as they level up, until they reach their maximum power set (ignoring the bonus powers granted by a [[Paragon Path]] and an [[Epic Destiny]]) at level 10, which consists of: 2 At-Will powers and 3 each for Encounter powers, Daily powers, and Utility powers. From the Paragon tier (11th level) onwards, leveling up allows a player to replace their weakest power with a power from their new level - for example, at level 13, you replace your now outdated and weak 1st level Encounter power with a 13th level one. This system of dropping powers as you level is controversial, but does keep the book keeping down, as it's a matter of replacing your powers and not just expanding the list.

At 11th level and 21st level, respectively, a player picks up a [[Paragon Path]] and an [[Epic Destiny]], which further cements the kind of character they want to play and grants bonus class features and powers to match that theme.

The (Power Source) Power [[splatbook]]s provided new powers, variant class features, paragon paths and epic destinies, and were essential to fleshing out the player's options array; it's telling that the weakest of the [[AEDU System]] classes were the [[Rune Priest]] and the [[Seeker]], who never had the chance to get options beyond their default 2 class feature variants and 3 paragon paths because they were released after their power splats and relied on [[Dragon Magazine]] for covering up holes.

...And then along came Essentials, and made things way more complicated! Based on the idea of [[Variant Class]]es, Essentials classes can be found and described [[Dungeons & Dragons Essentials|here]].


{| border=0  cellpadding=5  style="float:right"
|-
!style="background:#ccccff" | 4e Classes table
{| border=1 cellspacing=0 cellpadding=4
|- valign=top
! &nbsp;       
! Leader  !! Defender !! Striker !! Controller
|- valign=top
! Martial 
| [[Warlord]] || [[Fighter]]  || [[Ranger]]<br/> [[Rogue]] || 
|- valign=top
! Divine  
| [[Cleric]]<br/> [[Runepriest]]  || [[Paladin]]  || [[Avenger]] || [[Invoker]]
|- valign=top
! Arcane  
| [[Bard]]<br/> [[Artificer]]   || [[Swordmage]]  || [[Warlock]]<br/> [[Sorcerer]] || [[Wizard]]
|- valign=top
! Primal
| [[Shaman]]  || [[Warden]]   || [[Barbarian]] || [[Druid]]<br/> [[Seeker]]
|- valign=top
! Psionic
| [[Ardent  ]]  ||  [[Battlemind]]  ||  [[Monk]]  || [[Psion]]
|- valign=top
! Shadow
|            ||              || [[Assassin]]<br/> [[Vampire]] ||
|}
|}

*[[Cleric]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Divine)
*[[Fighter]] (Role: Defender, Power Source: [[Martial Power|Martial]])
*[[Paladin]] (Role: Defender, Power Source: Divine)
*[[Ranger]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: [[Martial Power|Martial]])
*[[Rogue]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: [[Martial Power|Martial]])
*[[Warlock]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Arcane)
*[[Warlord]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: [[Martial Power|Martial]])
*[[Wizard]] (Role: Controller, Power Source: Arcane)

Classes from the second PHB are:

*[[Avenger]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Divine)
*[[Barbarian]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Primal)
*[[Bard]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Arcane)
*[[Druid]] (Role: Controller, Power Source: Primal)
*[[Invoker]] (Role: Controller, Power Source: Divine)
*[[Shaman]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Primal)
*[[Sorcerer]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Arcane)
*[[Warden]] (Role: Defender, Power Source: Primal)

Classes added in the third PHB are:

*[[Ardent]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Psionic)
*[[Battlemind]] (Role: Defender, Power Source: Psionic)
*[[Monk]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Psionic)
*[[Psion]] (Role: Controller, Power Source: Psionic)
*[[Runepriest]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Divine)
*[[Seeker]] (Role: Controller, Power Source: Primal)

Classes in other books include:
*[[Artificer]] (Role: Leader, Power Source: Arcane) from the ''Eberron Campaign Guide''
*[[Assassin]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Shadow) from Dragon Magazine 379
*[[Swordmage]] (Role: Defender, Power Source: Arcane) from the ''Forgotten Realms Campaign Guide''
*[[Vampire]] (Role: Striker, Power Source: Shadow) from ''Heroes of Shadow''

Essentials added new, simplified "subclasses" for every every class in multiple different sourcebooks:
*[[Bladesinger]] (Base Class: [[Wizard]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Arcane) from the ''Neverwinter Campaign Setting''
*[[Binder]] (Base Class: [[Warlock]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Shadow) from ''Heroes of Shadow''
*[[Blackguard]] (Base Class: [[Paladin]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Divine) from ''Heroes of Shadow''
*[[Executioner]] (Base Class: [[Assassin]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of Shadow''
*[[Sha'ir]] (Base Class: [[Wizard]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of Elemental Chaos''
*[[Elementalist]] (Base Class: [[Sorcerer (Dungeons & Dragons)|Sorcerer]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of Elemental Chaos''
*[[Mage]] (Base Class: [[Wizard]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands''
*[[Knight]] (Base Class: [[Fighter]], Role: Defender, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands''
*[[Warpriest]] (Base Class: [[Cleric]], Role: Leader, Power Source: Divine) from ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands''
*[[Thief]] (Base Class: [[Rogue]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands''
*[[Slayer]] (Base Class: [[Fighter]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Fallen Lands''
*[[Witch]] (Base Class: [[Wizard]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of the Feywild''
*[[Protector]] (Base Class: [[Druid]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Primal) from ''Heroes of the Feywild''
*[[Berserker]] (Base Class: [[Barbarian]], Role: Defender and Striker, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Feywild''
*[[Skald]] (Base Class: [[Bard]], Role: Leader, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of the Feywild''
*[[Hunter]] (Base Class: [[Ranger]], Role: Controller, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms''
*[[Cavalier]] (Base Class: [[Paladin]], Role: Defender, Power Source: Divine) from ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms''
*[[Sentinel]] (Base Class: [[Druid]], Role: Leader, Power Source: Prime) from ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms''
*[[Hexblade]] (Base Class: [[Warlock]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Arcane) from ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms''
*[[Scout]] (Base Class: [[Ranger]], Role: Striker, Power Source: Martial) from ''Heroes of the Forgotten Kingdoms''

<center>
<gallery>
Image:4theditionPHB.jpg|Player's Handbook 1
Image:4theditionPHB2.jpg|Player's Handbook 2
Image:4theditionMM.jpg|Monster Manual 1
Image:4theditionDMG.jpg|Dungeon Master's Guide 1
Image:4theditionOPHB.jpg|Original PHB cover, ended up being used for ''Dungeon Delve''
</gallery>
</center>

====Themes====
'''Themes''' are a mechanic added late in 4e's lifecycle with the release of the 4e version of [[Dark Sun]]. In basic concept, they can be likened to AD&D's [[kits]] or 5e's backgrounds; they're a defining character background element that is taken as an option at character creation, granting options based on the Theme chosen - sort of a Heroic tier version of the [[Paragon Path]] or [[Epic Destiny]]. The idea spun out of early experiments in "prestige classes" for D&D 4e, with things like the feat-based [[dhampyr]] race and the [[multiclassing]] based Spellscarred "motif".

In fact, themes underwent a revision, so there are two distinct mechanical styles. 

The first version debuted in the 4e Dark Sun Campaign Setting slatbook; this version provides the player with a bonus theme-based Encounter Attack power, and the option to take theme attack and utility powers, which contained built-in "upgraded" versions to replace them at higher tiers. Dark Sun "subclass themes" consist of the following:
* Athasian Minstrel
* Dune Trader
* Elemental Priest
* Gladiator
* Noble Adept
* Primal Guardian
* Templar
* Veiled Alliance
* Wasteland Nomad
* Wilder
* Escaped Slave (Dragon #390, the others appeared in the DSCS splatbook)

The second version debuted in the [[Neverwinter]] Campaign Setting, a post-Essentials "subsetting" for the [[Forgotten Realms]], and this is the version that became the default. "Neverwinter Style" themes grant the player a bonus Encounter Utility power, as well as new class features at levels 5 and 10, and an assortment of Heroic tier Encounter and Utility powers they can decide to take. This version of the theme appeared in both the aforementioned splatbook and in the subsequent Player's Option trilogy (or, at least, the [[Elemental Chaos]] and [[Feywild]] ones; they were absent from the Heroes of Shadow book), the Dungeon Survival Handbook, and the [[Book of Vile Darkness]]; it was the pages of [[Dragon Magazine]] that truly filled out the ranks of the themes.

'''Neverwinter Campaign Setting Themes:'''
* Neverwinter Noble
* Oghma's Faithful
* Harper Agent
* Dead Rat Deserter
* Iliyanbruen Guardian
* Pack Outcast
* Heir of Delzoun
* Renegade Red Wizard
* Scion of Shadow
* Devil's Pawn
* Spellscarred Harbinger
* Bregan D'aerthe Spy

'''Dungeon Survival Handbook Themes:'''
* Bloodsworn
* Deep Delver
* Escaped Thrall
* Trapsmith
* Treasure Hunter
* Underdark Envoy
* Underdark Outcast

'''Book of Vile Darkness Themes:'''
* Cultist
* Disgraced Noble
* Infernal Slave
* Reaver
* Vile Scholar

'''Players Option: Heroes of The Feywild Themes:'''
* Fey Beast Tamer
* Sidhe Lord
* Tuathan
* Unseelie Agent

'''Players Option: Heroes of The Elemental Chaos Themes:'''
* Demon Spawn
* Earthforger
* Elemental Initiate
* Friecrafter
* Ironwrought
* Jannissary
* Moteborn
* Primordial Adept
* Watershaper
* Windlord

'''Dragon Magazine Themes:'''
* Alchemist (#399)
* Animal Master (#399)
* Order Adept (#399)
* Wizard's Apprentice (#399)
* Ordained Priest (#399)
* Scholar (#399)
* Seer (#399)
* Chevalier (#399)
* Guardian (#399)
* Hospitaler (#399)
* Noble (#399)
* Explorer (#399)
* Guttersnipe (#399)
* Mercenary (#399)
* Outlaw (#399)
* Student of Evard (#400)
* Gloomwrought Emissary (#400)
* Iron Wolf Warrior (#400)
* Fatedancer (#401)
* Son of Alagondar (#402)
* Seeker of Illefarn (#402)
* Hordelands Nomad (#404)
* Sohei (#404)
* Samurai (#404)
* Yakuza (#404)
* Wild Hunt Rider (#405)
* Oracle of the Evil Eye (#405)
* Sariofal Feywarden (#405)
* Callidyrr Dragoon (#405)
* Black-Hearted Knave (#406)
* Infernal Prince (#406)
* White Horn Knight (#406)
* Moon Hunter (#406)
* Soaring Rake (#406)
* Purple Dragon (#407)
* Cormyrian Battle Mage (#407)
* Sentinel Marshal (#407)
* Brazen Ambassador (#408)
* Chaosmade (#408)
* Stormraider (#408)
* Blackstaff Apprentice (#409)
* Halaster's Clone (#409)
* Masked Lord (#409)
* Werebear (#410)
* Wererat (#410)
* Werewolf (#410)
* Mariner (#412)
* Bregan D'Aerthe Mercenary (#413)
* Elderboy (#413)
* Melee-Magthere Champion (#413)
* Sorcere Adept (#413)
* Drow House Priestess (#413)
* Widow of Arach-Tinilith (#413)
* Ooze Master (#413)
* Secret Apostate (#413)
* Skulker of Vhaeraun (#413)
* [[Transcendent Order|Cipher]] (#414)
* [[Society of Sensation|Sensate]] (#414)
* [[Xaositect]] (#414)
* Misshapen (#416)
* Haunted Blade (#416)
* Beguiler (#420)
* Occultist (#420)
* Ghost (#420)
* Inquisitive (#426)
* Courtier (#426)
* Spy (#426)
* Vigilante (#426)
* Ghost of the Past (#430)
* River Rat (#430)