I'm not too impressed with D&D 4th Edition, but...

On Saturday, I took part in a D&D launch event at my local library, in which 4th edition was demonstrated. Participants were given a d20 and a special D&D miniature (mine's an 11 point Elf Warlock, 4eGD 4/5). After we were given an explanation of the rules, all us participants got to fight a colossal white dragon in order to let us get used to how combat now plays out. After fighting the dragon (which we didn't have time to kill, but we did defeat), we participants were split into two groups to run through our Game Day adventure.

I enjoyed the event, but as for 4th edition, I'm not all that impressed with some of the changes made to the game. For one thing, it's certainly been dumbed down quite a bit. Critical hits are automatic, no more need for confirming the hit. Threat ranges have been eliminated, although high-level characters have access to feats that let them critical on a 19. Practically anything that isn't a player character has been nerfed, in most cases it seems to ridiculous levels.

On the other hand, wizards have been charged. Some of the traits of 3.5's warlock class (published in one of the expansions, I think) have been brought over, and the wizard I played could use magic missile as a ranged melee attack, at will, among other spells. Characters now have encounter powers, which can each be used once per combat encounter, and recharged with a five minute break. There are now "healing surges" which allow a character to recover a certain amount of hit points, up to a certain number of times each day, and a standard action "second wind" that allows you to use one in combat without the aid of a cleric or healing magic.

Personally, if I were to run any D&D games myself, it'd be a blend of both 3.5 and 4th editions; a 3.75 if you will. Some of the changes are great, and make the game better than stock 3.5. Others, however, oversimplify the game and are likely repulsive to others with experience dating back to before 3rd edition. I'd not bother with picking up 4th edition, myself, but if you've found the game too difficult in the past, you may find the new experience great. Your mileage will vary.