I would characterize the powers as very much tactical and combat oriented, by and large. It also seems oriented toward using a battlemat, since many powers involve pushing enemies a square or more in a given direction. On the other hand, the powers seem much more cooperative and dynamic than the 3.X ones.
As far as skills go, 4.0 is like a step back- the system doesn't quite work like 3.x, in that skills are basically "trained", or "untrained". Skills are also concentrated on "useful" skills for an adventurer- no craft skills for example. For RP-ing, Bluff, Diplomacy and Insight are the main social skills. There IS a quite nice skill challenge system, which can be used to make social combat flow nicely.
It should be noted of course that I can take or leave intensive skill systems, especially in games where some skills are mainly a place to waste points (who really took "profession" in D&D?). So I don't see the limited powers or skill system as much of a limitation to roleplaying.
If I really, really needed professional skills in a game, it would be trivial to do something like say, "All characters get one free trained skill called "Profession" which is what you do when you're not an adventurer.
no subject
As far as skills go, 4.0 is like a step back- the system doesn't quite work like 3.x, in that skills are basically "trained", or "untrained". Skills are also concentrated on "useful" skills for an adventurer- no craft skills for example. For RP-ing, Bluff, Diplomacy and Insight are the main social skills. There IS a quite nice skill challenge system, which can be used to make social combat flow nicely.
It should be noted of course that I can take or leave intensive skill systems, especially in games where some skills are mainly a place to waste points (who really took "profession" in D&D?). So I don't see the limited powers or skill system as much of a limitation to roleplaying.
If I really, really needed professional skills in a game, it would be trivial to do something like say, "All characters get one free trained skill called "Profession" which is what you do when you're not an adventurer.