Kobold Quarterly and 4e

[Jack99]

So, I read somewhere that the newest KQ (nr.9) had quite a few 4e articles, so I figured it was time to check out what Mr. Bauer and company could come up with. I have Wrath of the River King, and am very impressed with it. It was an awesome adventure, so I had high hopes for the KQ articles.

So I read through the 4e articles:

The 4e Maenad's racial powers are kinda odd. On one hand, they are dailies and incredibly powerful (at 21st level: 6d6 + modifier + dazed + deafened in a close blast 9 area) but on the other hand, they lack the implement and weapon keywords (and no bonuses as you increase in levels) and use a keyword that doesn't exist in 4e. What to do about that?

The next article was the Kitsume, an intelligent nine-tailed fey fox who can shapeshift at will. There are some interesting bits in it, and the crunch is better, even though it's still far from perfect.

Chasing the Grave is a nice fluff piece, with 3 really nasty sick diseases/poisons - too bad that was the only crunch in there.

So, going through the magazine, that was what I could find for 4e. However, in the introduction, Mr. Baur says:

Which is all a long-winded way of saying, we’re moving to support a little more 4th Edition this issue than last. There’s five articles here that offer something explicitly for fans of that edition... Snip

so I figured that had to be more. I looked through the magazine again, and found that maps of fantasy had minuscule 4e elements hidden amongst the plethora of OGL stuff.

Assuming the Maps of Fantasy was one of the 5 articles, I am still missing one - Maybe someone can point it out to me?

Either way, I didn't start the thread to comment on the articles, but more to ask others that maybe buy KQ regularly - is this the normal quality of 4e articles? Is the 4e crunch always that "light"? The Kitsume and Maenad (especially the Kitsume) were pretty out there (to me at least), appealing/be useful to a small minority of players - Is this kind of 4e articles the norm or rather the exception?

 

[arscott]

I can't speak to Kobold Quarterly, but having been a patron for Wrath of the River King, I can't say that I was ever impressed by Mr. Baur's understanding of the system. I have the feeling his heart just wasn't in it.

 

[Jack99]

I can't speak to Kobold Quarterly, but having been a patron for Wrath of the River King, I can't say that I was ever impressed by Mr. Baur's understanding of the system. I have the feeling his heart just wasn't in it.

That is, at least according to himself, completely false. Obviously. But it would be interesting to hear from others that subscribe/buy KQ and play 4e, what they think of the 4e articles that have been in there so far.

 

[f33b]

Long time KQ subscriber here. Yes, the 4e content is more fluff than crunch in most articles, but this is also true for most KQ articles, as Baur wants subscribers/purchasers to get the most mileage possible out of his magazine, which generally involves providing more fluff to crunch (my best guess is 70%/30%).

Mr. Baur did solicit feedback in his editorial page (and I believe continues to do so through the KQ forums) on the level of support he should offer to 4e, and found greater interest in 3e content. Also, he has remarked that he receives far fewer 4e submissions or pre submission inquires, which directly translates to less 4e material.


Personally, I find the interviews, ecology of... articles and Zobeck articles alone are enough to cause me to continue to subscribe.

 

[MatthewJHanson]

The 4e Maenad's racial powers are kinda odd. On one hand, they are dailies and incredibly powerful (at 21st level: 6d6 + modifier + dazed + deafened in a close blast 9 area) but on the other hand, they lack the implement and weapon keywords (and no bonuses as you increase in levels) and use a keyword that doesn't exist in 4e. What to do about that?

So, that's my fault. (I wrote the maenad article). When I wrote it I was less experienced with 4e. Outburst should have the weapon keyword, and primal scream should have the +2/+4/+6 bonus and the sonic keyword should be thunder. If I had it to do over, I also might base the attacks on Str/Con/Dex and Int/Wis/Cha.

I do think the powers are in line with other powers of that level though. Destructive Salutation (Blood Mage Attack 20, PHB 170) is the same damage with a stunning effect.

Either way, I didn't start the thread to comment on the articles, but more to ask others that maybe buy KQ regularly - is this the normal quality of 4e articles? Is the 4e crunch always that "light"? The Kitsume and Maenad (especially the Kitsume) were pretty out there (to me at least), appealing/be useful to a small minority of players - Is this kind of 4e articles the norm or rather the exception?

Since I'm also a Kobold Quarterly subscriber I'll tackle your real question. I think to date this has been the most 4e content that KQ has had (though each issue seems to have a little more). It's aimed at both 4d and 3.5/pathfinder players, so a lot of it is system neutral.

Also the website features additional free content for both 4e and 3.x. (Shameless plug) Right now there is an article I wrote featuring maneads as 4e monsters.

 

[Jack99]

So, that's my fault. (I wrote the maenad article). When I wrote it I was less experienced with 4e. Outburst should have the weapon keyword, and primal scream should have the +2/+4/+6 bonus and the sonic keyword should be thunder. If I had it to do over, I also might base the attacks on Str/Con/Dex and Int/Wis/Cha.

That would indeed be a lot more "by the book". It should (probably) have been noticed by your editor though.

I do think the powers are in line with other powers of that level though. Destructive Salutation (Blood Mage Attack 20, PHB 170) is the same damage with a stunning effect.

Now, I am just a_random_gamer, but I am not sure the racial powers are supposed to be that powerful. So my problem is probably more that it's daily (making a lot more powerful than other racial powers) than anything else. But that's my problem.

Since I'm also a Kobold Quarterly subscriber I'll tackle your real question. I think to date this has been the most 4e content that KQ has had (though each issue seems to have a little more). It's aimed at both 4d and 3.5/pathfinder players, so a lot of it is system neutral.

Okay, I am not sure that's the impression I get from reading issue number 9, but I will take your word for it.

Also the website features additional free content for both 4e and 3.x. (Shameless plug) Right now there is an article I wrote featuring maneads as 4e monsters.

Those loooks pretty good.

 

[Monkey King]

I love the 4E dearly, but KQ can only print what we get from contributors. To kick off the 4E coverage, I did write the "Ecology of the Centaur" for issue #7, but having editors write the magazine doesn't work over the long haul.

So far, there's been a demand for 4E content, but not a lot of people seem to pitch/write for it. Maybe they are sending their queries to the DDI, I can't really say.

The editorial was referring to one article that got cut at the last minute (and yes, I was counting the Bandit Lair as 4E-friendly, since the checks are all there).

This is by far the most 4E articles KQ has ever had. If the fan response is good, we'll continue that ratio of 3E/4E. If there's no uptick of 4E readers/subscribers, then Pathfinder will probably take those slots.

Like all magazines, KQ will always respond to its readership.

 

[Jack99]

I love the 4E dearly, but KQ can only print what we get from contributors. To kick off the 4E coverage, I did write the "Ecology of the Centaur" for issue #7, but having editors write the magazine doesn't work over the long haul.

Fair enough. I know next to nothing about these things, but it isn't hard to imagine that you can not be doing everything.

So far, there's been a demand for 4E content, but not a lot of people seem to pitch/write for it. Maybe they are sending their queries to the DDI, I can't really say.

Or maybe most people still see you as a 3.x/Pathfinder magazine. Maybe we just need to spread the word - Speaking of which, are your submission guidelines on your website?

The editorial was referring to one article that got cut at the last minute (and yes, I was counting the Bandit Lair as 4E-friendly, since the checks are all there).

Those things happen. Will it be in the next issue, or was it cut for sucking/other reasons?

This is by far the most 4E articles KQ has ever had. If the fan response is good, we'll continue that ratio of 3E/4E. If there's no uptick of 4E readers/subscribers, then Pathfinder will probably take those slots.

Like all magazines, KQ will always respond to its readership.

That's more than reasonable. After all, only money talks.

Anyway, good luck with the project, I hope there will be continued support of 4e, in which case you will have earned yourself another subscriber.

 

[Varianor Abroad]

According to the thread over at Pathfinder forums, yes, the cut article will appear in #10.

 

[Monkey King]

Or maybe most people still see you as a 3.x/Pathfinder magazine. Maybe we just need to spread the word - Speaking of which, are your submission guidelines on your website?

KQ was founded to support all editions, and I'd be happy to see more submissions. As you suggest, we do keep the writer's guidelines on the site; would love to see a few more queries for next issue, which is the oversize Summer issue.

Those things happen. Will it be in the next issue, or was it cut for sucking/other reasons?

It will definitely appear in issue #10.