Recs.
Updated
Specs
Pros
Pro Best balanced version of D&D
Other versions of D&D tend to use a "balance over time" system, where some character types are weaker to start with and stronger later on, and vice-versa for others. However, this works poorly if your game doesn't continue for a long time, or starts with PCs already at a higher level. 4th Edition is the first - and so far only - version of D&D to do a good job of making characters similarly powerful at all levels.
Cons
Con Combat drags
Due to the scaling of player damage vs. monster hit points, even simple fights can take a long time to resolve, particularly at higher levels.
Con Grid combat is required for best combat experience
Though most other editions of D&D assume miniatures are used for combat, they have all provided rules for playing without them, while 4th edition has not. It even goes as far as to measure distances and ability effects in terms of "squares.".
And while it's possible to play the game without a grid, 4th edition combat places so much emphasis on powers and abilities that move you and your opponents around the battlefield that keeping track of such movement is important enough where playing 4th Edition without minis or a similar system loses most of the interesting parts of the combat system.
Recommendations
Comments
Flagged Pros + Cons
Con Strongly combat focused
Virtually most of the game's customization options are based around combat. There are very few utility options for non combat situations, which leaves other styles of play in the dust.