After only two sessions with the new system, I can safely say I'm in lust with it. Perhaps when I get my virtual sandbox in place over the next couple of weeks, I can convert that lust to love.
The stories my troupe has already begun to tell are crafting a strange kind of infamy in my soul. I was delighted and shocked when our Mage sent a missile across the arena to spring a trap set for the party back onto it's instigators! Later, our Goliath dared her to surround him with scorching flames in an attempt to end several foes in fiery ruin; he shrugged it off as if he were from hell itself, whilst his enemies were regretting their flanking position. Watching our Bard knock my monstrous children around as if he were playing some god's game of croquet was providing me with endless humor. And our Warlock, well... when he isn't cooking up his trademark, "Explosive Monster Surprise", he's discovering new forms of vampiricly drained jerky. Eww.
Watching them learn to dance is amazing, and it's teaching me so much! My own malevolent tactics are starting to improve, especially when I'm provided with a creative arsenal of monster roles, which are more varied and diverse than the long list of possible characters. Closing with my Artillery creature to do a devastating area attack left him vulnerable to their defender, allowing him to work his hypnotic "marking" which nullified the effectiveness of my distance strikes. I suddenly realized that while the opportunity was there--and it was effective--the move was a last resort, and its slightly premature use meant that it very quickly became one of the last things my poor monster ever did. What a waltz!
Furthermore, combat is becoming more streamlined, which means there's opportunity for more creative encounters, and less time is being spent on checking the rules. The game starts out so simple, and gradually, as you become accustomed to the basics, you realize there are many more things you can do. I'm starting to get a little bit more into my NPCs and monsters, so roleplaying and flavor are manifesting more often.
All of this equals fun. Heaps of it. I eagerly await each Monday, and I am sad when I know the game must be suspended. However, it has put a mighty grin on my face and I think much more joy is to be had.
