I would have done it differently.

The Player’s Handbook (PHB) for the 4th Edition (4E) of Dungeons and Dragons included eight classes from three power sources. All four of the new roles where covered, though some of the power sources lacked a class in one or more roles, and one power source had two classes filling the same role.

I understand why Wizards of the Coast (WotC) made the decision they did, from a business perspective. The model they were following allowed for the continual generation of future source books that would fill holes and expand the matrix to create new ones. I’m just saying.

I would have done it differently.

There will come a point of supersaturation if WotC follows their current pattern of releases. Not to mention that players of past editions are made to wait before they can play their favorite class.

My design sensibilities tend to override my business sense. I strive to provide a more complete game experience over creating perpetual revenue streams. Not that the two are mutually exclusive; the former is a priority over the latter for me.

This philosophy leads to a release of 4E PHBs with fully fleshed out matrices for the power sources included. (And each PHB would cover a new set of power sources.) My matrix for the first PHB looks something like this:

Power Source
Role		 Arcane Divine Martial
Controller Wizard Invoker* TBD**
Defender Warlock Paladin Fighter
Leader Bard Cleric Warlord
Striker Sorcerer Monk Rogue

*I’m not sure how I feel about the Invoker just yet, and may develop a different class that uses the Divine power source for that role.

**I need more time to wrap my mind around how to execute a martial controller.

(For those who are curious, I would assign the following classes to the Primal power source and roles: druid [controller], barbarian [defender], shaman [leader], and ranger [striker]. My version of the PHB2 would have covered Primal and Psionic classes.)

This approach dictates a change in the design concepts of several classes. I’ll explore my interpretation of those classes in future posts.

What do you think about WotC’s model of PHB releases? Would you prefer to have all the roles for a power source at once, or delivered piecemeal? Do you mind duplication of roles within a power source?