Not sure how extensively this topic has been discussed already, but I don't quite feel up to searching through countless blogs/forum threads right now.

The release of the first public playtest packet and blogs such as Wizard with a License to Kill and Backgrounds and Themes: A Closer Look generated forum discussions, feedback, and questions about backgrounds and themes. Many of these questions asked about our current approach to how backgrounds deliver skills and themes deliver feats.

First, I’m gratified that some people noticed the pregenerated character sheet note beneath the Background and Theme columns, and decided to try it out. Apparently they played a game with a more “old school feel” with great success. Already our goal of providing modular play is proving amenable.

Most of you, however, did use the backgrounds and themes provided. So to help answer some of the questions about them, I’d like to

     There have been three or four threads concerning ‘Class’ on the WotC Forums that I’ve wanted to reply to but have just been too busy. I think it’s a vitally important aspect of the game, and the fact that there’s no agreed upon definitions even for this one fundamental point should be all the proof we need that no one game can ever work for everyone. What follows is bits and pieces of my theory discussion on ‘Class’ from our version of the game, with a closing to directly address a few things about the 5^th edition discussion. I think a lot of it applies.

     Most would agree that D&D was created as a ‘Class based’ game. Now, we could argue about how since it was among the first roleplaying

A little while ago, I pulled back the curtain so I could show you what we were thinking about for backgrounds and themes, and how they act as a delivery system for skills and feats by condensing all the little choices into two bigger choices. Before I get any further, we fully expect players to customize by either swapping out a skill or feat from a background or theme, or by working with their Dungeon Master to create altogether new backgrounds and themes (even if working with the DM means “Do whatever you want!” ).

Now that we’re all caught up, I want to explore these concepts a bit further.

For both 3rd and 4th Editions (and even to some extent in earlier editions with nonweapon proficiencies), class delivered the skills as a smaller menu from which you chose skills.

I want to play a fighter.

I want to play a dwarf.

I want to kick the crap out of monsters.

I want to be a soldier who fought against the orcs during the Siege of Barrow Hall and who lived to tell about it.

Each statement reflects a different way players approach D&D. Each suggests different interests, but each might also lead to the same place: a dwarf fighter who was a soldier in a bloody war long ago. No matter what edition you’re playing, you create this fighter by making some choices. In a classic D&D game you might make one choice: dwarf. Then you fill in all the other details if you like. In AD&D, you make two choices: dwarf and fighter. Again, you fill in all the other details. As the game evolved, players gained more choices to help create the character they wanted to

Eberron Themes: Aberrant Heir

Aberrant Heir

Prerequisite: Any Aberrant Dragonmark feat

   Maybe you were a born of the forbidden union between members of different houses or maybe the draconic propecy just felt you were a good vessel for its dark message.  The cause doesn't really matter because ever since the jagged mockery of a dragonmark appeared on your skin, your life has been one difficulty after another.

   Deemed a dark harbinger at best and an abomination at worst, you face prejudice wherever you go.  Perhaps you took the oppertunity to take advantage of connection when it was offered and offered yourself up

Eberron Themes: Changeling Incognito

Changling Incognito

Prerequisite: Changeling

 
Changeling Incognito Features

Level 1 Feature

Benefit: Choose a race other than your own.  While using change shape to assume the form of a member of that race, you may expend your Changeling Trick racial power as a free action to gain the use of a racial encounter power belonging to that race.  You also qualify for feats as if you were a member of that race.

Level 5 Feature

Benefit:  You gain training in Bluff or Insight.  If you are already trained in both, you gain a +3 power bonus to one of them.

Level 10 Feature

Benefit: Choose two additional races.  You gain the same benefits with those races as the race you chose at level 1.