4e or not 4e, that is the question

[cynical13]

I've got an idea for a campaign I'd like to run with my wife and brother involving the mysteries of the Symphony of Agony and I've been dying to use GURPS for something for a long while now.

I have several years of experience running games in various systems. I even managed to run a memorable (in a good/hilarious way) session with the Lite rules in the back of Discworld for Valentine's Day several years ago. Both of my players are experienced RPers, though neither has played a lot of GURPS.

I've been studying up on the system and I've read through the books. I have a fairly sizable collection just raring to go. But there's one question niggling at me that needs answers and I was hoping for some feedback from the community at large.

I have the basic books for both 3e and 4e. I've read through them and feel like I have a pretty good feeling on how to do it. But I'm stuck on which edition to focus on. I've got a lot more books in 3e, some of which might not update well (Martial Arts, Vehicles and Supers spring to mind), and I'll admit it, I kind of dig Dan Smith's art in the 3e book.

However, I'm not married to the idea of using 3e specifically, especially if there are good reasons to use 4e (or just pillage the good bits).

Would anyone please share their wisdom and argue one over the other? Thank you in advance.

[gilbertocarlos]

I'd suggest to use 4e adapting the 3e you have, it's not hard, the editions are similar, but 4e is "fixed".

[vicky_molokh]

I'd go 4e. It's overall better, even if you don't have all the bells and whistles* (yet?).

* == As in, not being able to us Martial Arts for 3e with 4e, as sir_pudding says. Then again, 4e MA is so much better.

[sir_pudding]

3e Martial Arts isn't at all compatible with the way that 4e Martial Arts works. If you plan to use Styles (or even use the rules for expanded combat options and maneuvers) then you might want to get the newer Martial Arts.

[Rasputin]

If you're using books that will horribly break and insist on it, use 3e, and house rule the things from 4e that are easy fixes (Quad ST, ST=HP, HT=FP, ditch PD, make Will and Per full subattributes and price at 5/level; have both physical and mental skills top out at 4 points/level).

[JCurwen3]

Only use 3e if you absolutely insist on having absolute powers (like invulnerability to certain or all forms of damage).

On the other hand, if you need such things, I'd recommend going with 4e anyway, and then import the forbidden "absolutes" from 3e.

[Peter V. Dell'Orto]

I'd just go with 4e. Having played with 3e extensively, and then in 4e, I think it's worth just going with 4e.

I've also found that 4e is a bit easier to explain and teach, and certainly no harder to play, than 3e.

[DukeofDellot]

Originally Posted by gilbertocarlos

I'd suggest to use 4e adapting the 3e you have, it's not hard, the editions are similar, but 4e is "fixed".

You don't want your game having any unwanted babies now, do ya?

(If this joke is bad, It's seven o'clock and I've only had twenty hours of sleep... so tired.)

[The Benj]

Twenty hours of sleep is quite a lot for an adult.

[Desthro]

Originally Posted by The Benj

Twenty hours of sleep is quite a lot for an adult.

This is just... lol. poor guy must be really tired.