Wizards Presents: Classes and Races (Dungeons & Dragons)

A behind-the-scenes exploration of theDungeons & Dragons(R) game. This lavishly illustrated book gives roleplaying game fans a unique, behind-the-curtain glimpse into the making of theDungeons &... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786948019
• ISBN13: 9780786948017
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Wizards of the Coast
• Length: 96 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 10.8" x 0.3" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

It's a pretty nice Coffee table book

Let's review this for what it really is shall we? This book, is first and foremost a designer's discussion of sorts. They talk about the core concepts of Fourth Edition. (which had not yet been released) I read this book back before the game came out and it got me interested in the new coming game (friend bought it, I read it in the car) it gave me hope that maybe Wotc just maybe grew a brain and decided to fix 3e's one and true biggest problem. Casters. They also discussed another failing of third edition, Races. Races were a joke, they recognized this. They decided that for a start each race should have a substantial enough write up fluff wise, and that each race should be good at different things to make them balanced instead of trying to make them all suck so hard (except the Human) that they weren't worth play. And they discussed that they would try to bring races along so that your racial choice was always relevant. I honestly think the book is a better read now, that Fourth Edition is out and has been out for some time than it was coming into Fourth and out of Third. Alot of things they said back then make more sense now than they did before, and some things made more sense then. (I personally feel Races could have been handled via bloodlines style instead of feat style) It's a good book to have for having on the coffee table. Which is probably what this book was meant to be in the first place. If you've embraced your inner Gamer rather than be ashamed of it, this is a book you should add to your coffee table. If you are still ashamed of your Gamerness, you could probably do without this book in your life. If you don't enjoy coffee table books, you probably shouldn't get this book anyway since it won't have much of anything for you. If your one of those people that like having "special features" on DVDs, and just want a little more insight into Fourth Edition. Get this book.

A nice appetizer for the new 4th edition D & D

This preview of the new D & D 4th edition realy peak your intrest in the new gamesystem for D & D and the new classes presented in it. I would though recomend that you buy the core rulebooks instead. Now that they are been released, there is no need to purchase this preview book.

great preview, even if it has limited usefulness

I loved reading this book. I've been pretty indifferent about 4E since I heard it was coming (which is virtually as long as I've been playing D & D). This book got me completely excited about it. That said, there is little, if anything, in this book that a little web-surfing couldn't tell you. Everything is presented as "we have this idea, but it may or may not be the first thing we give you and may or may not be exactly as we're telling you, now." When 4E is released, this book will be obsolete; we'll have all of the real information. I am no web bloodhound. I am not about to go scrounging for information all around the net, so this was a great source of gossip-y info for me. $20 does feel a bit expensive, but I expect it at this point. Some reviewers feel like the contributing authors are talking down to the audience, but I never felt that at all. They are players who have their own issues with 3.5 and they are members of the community, who have heard the complaints of their fellows; and we should all know that the complainers have louder voices than the praisers. This book is a conceptual preview, not an early release of rules. I enjoyed it thoroughly, but will have little value, come June '08.

Interesting Insight

I enjoyed this preview book. For those of you looking for rules and "crunchy" content this book doesn't contain much. But for an intersting insight into RPG conceptual design and the thought process that goes into creating a new game this is an excellent resource. The artwork is excellent and gives a nice peek at some of the strong visual foundations that will carry the new edition. In addition the book allows a nice "behind the scenes" look at what the design team didn't like about 3rd edition and is shooting for with 4th edition. Overall I would say that this book, along with Wizards Presents: World's & Monsters, are a great start to begin the transition from 3rd edition to 4th. I would highly recommend both.

A Great Preview!

I'm really not sure what some of these reviewers were expecting. This book is exactly what it is advertised as- a 4th Edition Preview. The book itself even says: "So, take this book as what it is - a snapshot of the 4th Edition design and development process at this point in time (August 2007)." Every thing from the development of the evolving mechanics to new core races are revealed, as well as new and better takes on the classic races in the D & D game. This is a highly recommended book for those considering checking out the new edition and even more recommended for those nay-sayers who are down-talking 4th Edition but don't really know what they are talking about. One more thing: Evil Paladins. ;)