Feel of Campaign Missions

[Mobius]

I’m always interested in a new and unique feel to a D&D campaign. The great cover picture of a soldier on patrol with a magic crossbow gives me ideas for a Wraith Recon campaign of snipers out on covert missions. Substitute crossbows for rifles and magic for grenades, and you could have a modern platoon feel in a fantasy setting.

The only problem with 4th Edition (until more material comes out) is that only Rangers make good archers, and even then they prefer bows to crossbows. So if I run this setting using standard 4th Ed. rules, I’ll likely end up with a typical party of a Cleric, a sword-and-shield Fighter, a Rogue with daggers, a bow-using Ranger etc.

My question is what will make an adventure in this setting (using normal rules and a regular party) feel unique and different from a standard D&D adventure? If both have the same rules and party-members, how will a Wraith Recon mission to rescue hostages feel different than a standard D&D adventure to rescue a kidnapped noble? How will a WR mission to eliminate some terrorist threat differ from a standard adventure to stop Kobold Bandits who are menacing a town?

The setting looks very interesting, and I’m just trying to get a sense of what gives it a unique feel.

 

[katadder]

well your team is better equipped for starters than a normal person of that level. also they have the omnilens which has some funky little abilities and effects.

 

[Praetorian]

And your party won't waste hours riffling through the soiled loin cloths of dead goblins for a few copper peices, or spend aeons discussing how to split treasure or who gets the nifty +2 earspoon of ogre defiling.

Talking with shop keepers to barter over trail rations and using your charisma to save 4 CP on the price of hemp rope is also gone.

(Don't get me wrong I am a role player first and foremost, but there is a refreshing thought to NOT worrying about keeping track of my coins for once, or hauling back 35 rusty kobold weapons to sell them {After checking 4 different places for the best price}for 9 SP 4 CP)

Also people generating characters need to know only those who are loyal and gung ho to the governemnt would need apply, so moral quandries of "Should we do this mission" or "What's in it for me" are gone. "We are Wraiths. Silent as shadow and dark as night! Dardarrick Prevails! HOO AH!"

Also most parties brag about their exploits at the local tavern. Wraiths are sworn to secrecy. Some players may have a hard time with that one!

L