One option for class balance is allowing “lower tier” classes to gain an additional “lower tier” class as a gestalt. Gestalt is an optional rule from Unearthed Arcana (a nifty book if you like house rules and d20 mechanics fiddling) that basically gives you the best of two classes at each level up. For example a lvl 1 fighter/rogue would get a fighter’s BAB, d10 hit die, good fort saves, and the fighter bonus feat and also the rogue’s skill points, good reflex saves, trapfinding and sneak attack.
By allowing non full casters this option it increases their versatility, which is the main strength of full casters that many see as overpowering

Just my two cents….

Well, since you used D&D for the example, enforce casting times and MATERIAL COMPONENTS. That’ll temper the wizard’s power a good bit.

On 4E, I agree that Clerics, Wizards, etc. are pretty similar to the Martial classes, but there is still a very different feel from one to the other. A fighter or rogue will never get the ability to Fly or zip around with Expedition Retreat.

Also, from what I know about the newer stuff that they are putting out, (‘D&D Essentials’ looks to be essentially D&D 4.5) classes like fighter and ranger don’t get daily powers and things of that nature anymore, but have a greater number of at-will powers like rapid shot and so forth.

I love this podcast, but I have to say that I’m disappointed with this episode. I feel that one of the cardinal rules of Fear The Boot was broken. The discussion on mages was completely system focused. The worst part being that the problem is far more widespread then just in DnD and it’s offspring. The problem as I see it is that one type of character can bend reality while others can not. It’s the same problem in GURPS, Ars Magica, Dresden and I assume most other games that have mages of some sort. I would loved to have heard a more generalised discussion, or a discussion that went far and wide between many systems.

Having said that, I love the show and love the work that is put into it. Just wanted to put in some constructive criticism.

The actress who played Winnifred Burkle on Angel is Amy Acker, and I’m pretty sure I will never forget that name. :-) I never cared much for a vampire- or demon-hunter-themed show, and there were many episodes of Angel I didn’t like, but the “Fred” character made that series a must-watch for me. I’m glad to hear that my opinion about that actress is shared. Illyria, what the heck was that? The show went downhill for me because of that plot twist. Fred was the best!

The reason that harm didn’t have a saving throw was that it was a touch attack. Check the touch spells and the range touch spells. If you have to roll to hit, there is no saving throw.

Er no save vs the primary effect of the spell

Re Fighters breaking walls with a punch instead of looking at d20 sets as Low, Medium, and High level games, someone whose name escapes me presented this break down:
1-5th level Gritty Fantasy
6th-10th level Heroic Fantasy
11th-15th level Wuxia
16th-20th level Super Heros

Guys, I’m sorry, but I think this was the worst episode of FtB I’ve heard, and I’ve heard them all (except for the multi-part 115, but still). I’m a big fan of FtB, but I had to start skipping head a couple of minutes at a time until I finally just stopped the MP3 player.

The “banter” topic went on for waaaay too long and I found it imbecilic and the main topic was so specific (and to me, uninteresting) that even the 30 minutes or so dedicated to it felt like an hour. A boring hour.

Please install Dan back as podcast dictator, errr….host, and go back to larger topics.

I remember in Baldur’s Gate you could resist drinking a healing potion, that was annoying especially if you had a character with high saves gear on. Had to remember to take it off, and this was assuming it wasn’t the main armor piece during a fight (which then you couldn’t change it until after combat ended). Now that you mention it was a factor in 2nd edition, I went and looked and yep, that’s the ruleset it runs. ^^;;

Sensory checks, feats, builds, powers, blood lines…is this D&D or WoW? I left 3rd/4th edtion behind a couple years ago, and only play 1E exclusively now – this podcast episode makes me glad I did.

The reason why I can’t stand later editions of D&D is more about power creep and flavor than anything else. D&D has become a super hero cartoon. When Pathfinder gave magic to Rogues as a talent option, and 4E gave EVERYONE spells (code named “powers”), I had had enough.

GV, since we’re about to start a Pathfinder game, I really wanted to come on here and defend the system. But in all honesty, I can’t. You’re completely right.

1st edition was something of a blank slate. Sure, some of the modules and art presupposed a dungeon crawl, level and loot sort of game, but 1E didn’t codify that. Then as the editions progressed, the game became more about powers, stats, and balance, and less about experience and roleplay.

Not to say you can’t roleplay or have a great time playing any system of any game. I’m a firm believer you can. However, I really can’t disagree with your observations about the rules’ focus and how it’s evolved over time.