Menu
News
All News
Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
Pathfinder
Starfinder
Warhammer
2d20 System
Year Zero Engine
Industry News
Reviews
Dragon Reflections
Columns
Weekly Digests
Weekly News Digest
Freebies, Sales & Bundles
RPG Print News
RPG Crowdfunding News
Game Content
ENterplanetary DimENsions
Mythological Figures
Opinion
Worlds of Design
Peregrine's Next
RPG Evolution
Other Columns
From the Freelancing Frontline
Monster ENcyclopedia
WotC/TSR Alumni Look Back
4 Hours w/RSD (Ryan Dancey)
The Road to 3E (Jonathan Tweet)
Greenwood's Realms (Ed Greenwood)
Drawmij's TSR (Jim Ward)
Community
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Resources
Wiki
Pages
Latest activity
Media
New media
New comments
Search media
Downloads
Latest reviews
Search resources
EN Publishing
Store
EN5ider
Adventures in ZEITGEIST
Awfully Cheerful Engine
What's OLD is NEW
Judge Dredd & The Worlds Of 2000AD
War of the Burning Sky
Level Up: Advanced 5E
Events & Releases
Upcoming Events
Private Events
Featured Events
Socials!
Twitch
YouTube
Facebook (EN Publishing)
Facebook (EN World)
Twitter
Instagram
TikTok
Podcast
Features
Top 5 RPGs Compiled Charts 2004-Present
Adventure Game Industry Market Research Summary (RPGs) V1.0
Ryan Dancey: Acquiring TSR
Q&A With Gary Gygax
D&D Rules FAQs
TSR, WotC, & Paizo: A Comparative History
D&D Pronunciation Guide
Million Dollar TTRPG Kickstarters
Tabletop RPG Podcast Hall of Fame
Eric Noah's Unofficial D&D 3rd Edition News
D&D in the Mainstream
D&D & RPG History
About Morrus
Log in
Register
What's new
Search
Search
Search titles only
By:
Forums & Topics
Forum List
Latest Posts
Forum list
*Dungeons & Dragons
Level Up: Advanced 5th Edition
D&D Older Editions
*TTRPGs General
*Pathfinder & Starfinder
EN Publishing
*Geek Talk & Media
Search forums
Chat/Discord
Menu
Log in
Register
Install the app
Install
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
D&D Fans Rejoice:! WotC Releases the 5th Edition Player’s Handbook! (Part 2: Adventuring & Magic)
JavaScript is disabled. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an
alternative browser
.
Reply to thread
Message
<blockquote data-quote="Neuroglyph" data-source="post: 7653930" data-attributes="member: 85633"><p>Today, the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> went on sale at select retailers across the USA, weeks in advance of the full release on August 19th. <strong>Wizards of the Coast</strong> is putting plenty of books out there in the RPG Community and among the fans just days before <strong>GENCON 2014</strong>, ramping up the anticipation for the latest edition of <strong><em>Dungeons & Dragons</em></strong> right before the “<em>best four days of gaming</em>!” This is the second part of a two-part review. You can <a href="http://www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?1811-DnD-Fans-Rejoice-WotC-Releases-the-5th-Edition-Players-Handbook-Tomorrow-Part-1" target="_blank">find the first part here</a>.</p><p>[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK]</p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">[align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63394[/align]And there’s little doubt that <strong>WotC</strong> has even more for gamers next week when <strong>GENCON</strong> is in full swing and <strong><em>D&D’s Tyranny of Dragons</em></strong> has its launch!</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">But last night, <strong>EN World</strong> posted <strong>Part 1</strong> of a two part review about the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong>, discussing the amazing production quality of the book and its illustrations, as well as showcasing the <em>Character Creation</em> content available in <strong><em>Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition</em></strong>. And tonight, <strong>Part 2</strong> of this review will sort through the second half of the new <strong><em>PHB</em></strong>, where the rules for actually playing the game itself reside. And there’s more than just rules here, there’s the Spell Lists too, plus other content just waiting to be revealed…</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><u>D&D Player’s Handbook (5th Edition)</u></strong></span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Lead Designers</strong>: Mike Mearls & Jeremy Crawford</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Designers</strong>: Rodney Thompson & Peter Lee (Rules Development); James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell (writers)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Cover Art</strong>: Tyler Jacobson</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Publisher</strong>: Wizards of the Coast</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Year</strong>: 2014</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Media</strong>: Hardbound (320 pages)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Price</strong>: $49.99 (Available for pre-order on <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Players-Handbook-Dungeons-Dragons-Wizards/dp/0786965606?&linkCode=wey&tag=neurogames-20" target="_blank"><strong>Amazon.com</strong></a> for $29.97) </span> </li> </ul><p><span style="font-size: 12px"> </span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><u>“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV</u></strong></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The second half (or so) of the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> contains two parts – <em>Part 2</em> covers rules on adventuring and combat; <em>Part 3</em> covers rules on magic and spells.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The second half of the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> is divided up into two parts encompassing five chapters, with four information-packed appendices bringing up the rear along with the book’s index. Like the first half of the <strong><em>PHB</em></strong>, the illustrations in this section are top-of-the-line depictions of fantasy scenes, battles, characters, and monsters, with many full page and half-page plates brimming with vibrant colors. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Part 2</em> of the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> is subtitled <em>Playing the Game</em>, but it might just as well as been labeled “<em>Rules & Spells</em>” seeing as that makes up the majority of the content from page 171 to the end of the book. However, fans of previous editions of D&D might be surprised to find that the greatest share of the page count belongs to the <em>Spell Lists</em> with their descriptions and effects in this section. In fact, the rules of this new edition of <strong><em>Dungeons & Dragons</em></strong> are summed up in just 34 pages!</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span>[align=left]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63393[/align]<span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Chapter 7</em> of the <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> pertains to <em>Using Ability Scores</em>, and covers the conventions surrounding those scores such as <em>ability score modifiers</em>, <em>ability checks</em>, and <em>saving throws</em>. The designers also discuss the <em>Advantage/Disadvantage</em> mechanic here, along with the <em>Skill</em> system which is based upon the ability scores not unlike the old <em>Non-Weapon Proficiency</em> system of <strong><em>D&D Second Edition</em></strong>. The overall effect is a rules-light touch with skill use which is easy to understand and referee.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The concepts of <em>Adventuring</em> are presented in <em>Chapter 8</em> and there’s quite a few rules packed into just seven pages. A lot of the rules here deal with the how’s and why’s of their character interacting with the environment created by the DM – time, movement, speed, travel across land, falling damage, drowning, suffocation, light sources, and where the next meal and drink come from are all covered here. There’s also discussion about the <em>Short Rest</em> and <em>Long Rest</em> mechanics –interesting variants of holdover <strong><em>4E</em></strong> rules. And the designers also describe the sorts of activities characters might engage in during the off-times between adventures. It’s just a short page of ideas, but it does include ideas about <em>Crafting, Practicing a Profession, Researching, </em>and<em> Training</em> – certainly some hints about what sorts of expansive rules might appear in the <strong><em>Dungeon Master’s Guide</em></strong> when it’s released in the fall.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span><span style="font-size: 12px">[align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63395[/align]<em>Chapter 9</em> contains all the rules for participating in <em>Combat</em> and here’s where the proof of how rules light the new edition of D&D is – everything a player needs to know about combat is covered in just 10 pages. </span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Well <em>almost</em> everything…</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The rules cover the player end of combats pretty thoroughly, covering movement, turns, and what sorts of actions a hero can take during combat. The rules cover special attacks like using two weapons, grappling and shoving a creature. It even covers taking damage, healing and dying. And all the explanations of rules come across as logical and reasonable to understand. Of course not every situation is covered here, like aerial combat, and underwater combat just got a couple paragraphs. But these sorts of specialized combat situations have historically been covered in <strong><em>Dungeon Master’s Guides</em></strong>, and there’s every likelihood <strong><em>D&D 5th Edition</em></strong> will follow a similar path.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><em>Part 3</em> in the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> is entitled <em>The Rules of Magic</em> and it contains not only the new rules of spell casting but also the new spell lists and descriptions. Chapter 10 opens Part 3 with the concepts of Spellcasting, from the definitions of spells, cantrips, and rituals to what goes into casting a spell, how durations work, and what area of effects entail. <em>Saving throws</em> and spell <em>attack rolls</em> are also discussed here, and it all gets covered in about five pages.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">[align=left]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63396[/align]And in <em>Chapter 11</em>, the Reader finally encounters the lists of <em>Spells</em> for every spell casting class in the <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong>. Nearly all of the favorite spells from <strong><em>D&D</em></strong> editions of yore are given new life in this new edition, and there are even a few spells which made the leap from <strong><em>D&D 4E</em></strong> such as <em>Misty Step</em>, but those are the exception, not the rule. Each spell has its full description with <em>casting time, range, components </em>and<em> duration</em>, and the additional effects if cast <em>At Higher Levels</em> – i.e. from a higher level spell slot. There’s close to 90 pages devoted to spells in the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> which is a substantial percentage of a 320 page book.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">Finally, there are four <em>Appendices</em> (<em>A,B,C,</em> and<em> D</em>) in the <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> which cover a variety of topics which hint quite strongly at the products which might be seen before long for this new edition. <em>Appendix A</em> covers quick rules for Conditions such as Blinded, Paralyzed, Grappled with simple bullet-points for easy reference. <em>Appendix B</em> presents the Gods of the Multiverse with lists of the god of the <em>Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Dragonlance, </em>and<em> Eberron</em>. (A short pause for squeals of glee from the long-forsaken <strong><em>D-Lance</em></strong> crowd.) This appendix also includes non-human gods from various D&D campaigns, and lists of actual mythological pantheons like Celtic, Greek, and Norse. Each god is listed with alignment, suggested domains, and symbols but no descriptions – perhaps a Deities & Demi-Gods for 5th Edition is in the works?</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">[align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63397[/align]<em>Appendix C</em> explains <em>The Planes of Existence</em> which appears to be a mash-up of <strong><em>3rd Edition</em></strong> and <strong><em>4E</em></strong> cosmologies. The Feywild and Shadowfell exist in this new <strong><em>D&D </em></strong>edition, but the alignment-based planes are back now that there are nine alignments again. <em>Sigil</em> is back again as well, and it is anyone’s guess as to whether Planescape will make a return in this edition of <strong><em>D&D</em></strong>.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">And finally, <em>Appendix D</em> offers up something never before seen in any previous <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> – a mini <strong><em>Monster Manual</em></strong>! Ostensibly, these stat clocks are designed for use with spells and class features, and cover many basic animal companions, familiar creatures, and lesser undead like skeletons and zombies. But these could be used to start running a very basic game of <strong><em>5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons</em></strong> right off- a nice bonus feature of this book.</span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Overall Score</strong>: 8.9 <strong>out of</strong> 10.0</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><u>Final Conclusions</u></strong></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> is a truly remarkable RPG product, and a fine new addition to a very long lineage of <strong><em>Dungeons & Dragons</em></strong> editions. The layout and writing are superb, and the illustrations are breathtaking, making the whole book a fantastic tome to just sit and read through. The contents of the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> is incredibly detailed, well designed and executed, and many fans and gamers will likely enjoy the ease and diversity of character creation. Admittedly, there’s something oddly meta about an “official” <strong><em>D&D</em></strong> edition feeling a bit like an OSR game, but potentially there is something in this game system that any roleplayer can enjoy – and being able to access the rules online gives a gamer ample opportunity to try-it before they buy-it.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px">The book isn’t cheap, but really it’s no pricier than comparable core rule books from other gaming companies. But it is clear that <strong>Wizards of the Coast</strong> worked very hard to make the new <strong><em>D&D Player’s Handbook</em></strong> the hottest looking core rulebook on a Game Store shelf – <strong><em>D&D</em></strong> fans will find this <strong><em>PHB</em></strong> a hard one to resist!</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Editorial Note</strong>: This Reviewer received a complimentary playtest copy of the product in hardbound format from which the review was written.</span></p><p> <span style="font-size: 12px"></span></p><p><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong><u>Grade Card (Ratings 0 to 10)</u></strong></span></p><ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Presentation</strong>: 9.75</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px">- Design: 9.5 (Beautiful design; exemplary writing; fantastic layout)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px">- Illustrations: 10.0 (Exquisite art; beautiful use of illustrations throughout the book)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Content</strong>: 9.0</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px">- Crunch: 8.5 (Solid and light rule set; a little meta-OSR)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px">- Fluff: 9.5 (Tons of roleplaying content for character development; Forgotten Realms is THE official setting)</span> </li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"><span style="font-size: 12px"><strong>Value</strong>: 8.0 (It’s not cheap but the quality of the book is astounding!)</span> </li> </ul></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Neuroglyph, post: 7653930, member: 85633"] Today, the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] went on sale at select retailers across the USA, weeks in advance of the full release on August 19th. [B]Wizards of the Coast[/B] is putting plenty of books out there in the RPG Community and among the fans just days before [B]GENCON 2014[/B], ramping up the anticipation for the latest edition of [B][I]Dungeons & Dragons[/I][/B] right before the “[I]best four days of gaming[/I]!” This is the second part of a two-part review. You can [URL="http://www.enworld.org/forum/content.php?1811-DnD-Fans-Rejoice-WotC-Releases-the-5th-Edition-Players-Handbook-Tomorrow-Part-1"]find the first part here[/URL]. [PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] [SIZE=3][align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63394[/align]And there’s little doubt that [B]WotC[/B] has even more for gamers next week when [B]GENCON[/B] is in full swing and [B][I]D&D’s Tyranny of Dragons[/I][/B] has its launch! But last night, [B]EN World[/B] posted [B]Part 1[/B] of a two part review about the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B], discussing the amazing production quality of the book and its illustrations, as well as showcasing the [I]Character Creation[/I] content available in [B][I]Dungeons & Dragons 5th Edition[/I][/B]. And tonight, [B]Part 2[/B] of this review will sort through the second half of the new [B][I]PHB[/I][/B], where the rules for actually playing the game itself reside. And there’s more than just rules here, there’s the Spell Lists too, plus other content just waiting to be revealed… [B][U]D&D Player’s Handbook (5th Edition)[/U][/B][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=3][B]Lead Designers[/B]: Mike Mearls & Jeremy Crawford[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Designers[/B]: Rodney Thompson & Peter Lee (Rules Development); James Wyatt, Robert J. Schwalb, Bruce R. Cordell (writers)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Cover Art[/B]: Tyler Jacobson[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Publisher[/B]: Wizards of the Coast[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Year[/B]: 2014[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Media[/B]: Hardbound (320 pages)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Price[/B]: $49.99 (Available for pre-order on [URL="http://www.amazon.com/Players-Handbook-Dungeons-Dragons-Wizards/dp/0786965606?&linkCode=wey&tag=neurogames-20"][B]Amazon.com[/B][/URL] for $29.97) [/SIZE] [/LIST] [SIZE=3] [B][U]“Know the rules well, so you can break them effectively.” ~ Dalai Lama XIV[/U][/B] The second half (or so) of the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] contains two parts – [I]Part 2[/I] covers rules on adventuring and combat; [I]Part 3[/I] covers rules on magic and spells. The second half of the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] is divided up into two parts encompassing five chapters, with four information-packed appendices bringing up the rear along with the book’s index. Like the first half of the [B][I]PHB[/I][/B], the illustrations in this section are top-of-the-line depictions of fantasy scenes, battles, characters, and monsters, with many full page and half-page plates brimming with vibrant colors. [I]Part 2[/I] of the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] is subtitled [I]Playing the Game[/I], but it might just as well as been labeled “[I]Rules & Spells[/I]” seeing as that makes up the majority of the content from page 171 to the end of the book. However, fans of previous editions of D&D might be surprised to find that the greatest share of the page count belongs to the [I]Spell Lists[/I] with their descriptions and effects in this section. In fact, the rules of this new edition of [B][I]Dungeons & Dragons[/I][/B] are summed up in just 34 pages! [/SIZE][align=left]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63393[/align][SIZE=3][I]Chapter 7[/I] of the [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] pertains to [I]Using Ability Scores[/I], and covers the conventions surrounding those scores such as [I]ability score modifiers[/I], [I]ability checks[/I], and [I]saving throws[/I]. The designers also discuss the [I]Advantage/Disadvantage[/I] mechanic here, along with the [I]Skill[/I] system which is based upon the ability scores not unlike the old [I]Non-Weapon Proficiency[/I] system of [B][I]D&D Second Edition[/I][/B]. The overall effect is a rules-light touch with skill use which is easy to understand and referee. The concepts of [I]Adventuring[/I] are presented in [I]Chapter 8[/I] and there’s quite a few rules packed into just seven pages. A lot of the rules here deal with the how’s and why’s of their character interacting with the environment created by the DM – time, movement, speed, travel across land, falling damage, drowning, suffocation, light sources, and where the next meal and drink come from are all covered here. There’s also discussion about the [I]Short Rest[/I] and [I]Long Rest[/I] mechanics –interesting variants of holdover [B][I]4E[/I][/B] rules. And the designers also describe the sorts of activities characters might engage in during the off-times between adventures. It’s just a short page of ideas, but it does include ideas about [I]Crafting, Practicing a Profession, Researching, [/I]and[I] Training[/I] – certainly some hints about what sorts of expansive rules might appear in the [B][I]Dungeon Master’s Guide[/I][/B] when it’s released in the fall. [/SIZE][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][SIZE=3][align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63395[/align][I]Chapter 9[/I] contains all the rules for participating in [I]Combat[/I] and here’s where the proof of how rules light the new edition of D&D is – everything a player needs to know about combat is covered in just 10 pages. Well [I]almost[/I] everything… The rules cover the player end of combats pretty thoroughly, covering movement, turns, and what sorts of actions a hero can take during combat. The rules cover special attacks like using two weapons, grappling and shoving a creature. It even covers taking damage, healing and dying. And all the explanations of rules come across as logical and reasonable to understand. Of course not every situation is covered here, like aerial combat, and underwater combat just got a couple paragraphs. But these sorts of specialized combat situations have historically been covered in [B][I]Dungeon Master’s Guides[/I][/B], and there’s every likelihood [B][I]D&D 5th Edition[/I][/B] will follow a similar path. [I]Part 3[/I] in the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] is entitled [I]The Rules of Magic[/I] and it contains not only the new rules of spell casting but also the new spell lists and descriptions. Chapter 10 opens Part 3 with the concepts of Spellcasting, from the definitions of spells, cantrips, and rituals to what goes into casting a spell, how durations work, and what area of effects entail. [I]Saving throws[/I] and spell [I]attack rolls[/I] are also discussed here, and it all gets covered in about five pages. [align=left]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63396[/align]And in [I]Chapter 11[/I], the Reader finally encounters the lists of [I]Spells[/I] for every spell casting class in the [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B]. Nearly all of the favorite spells from [B][I]D&D[/I][/B] editions of yore are given new life in this new edition, and there are even a few spells which made the leap from [B][I]D&D 4E[/I][/B] such as [I]Misty Step[/I], but those are the exception, not the rule. Each spell has its full description with [I]casting time, range, components [/I]and[I] duration[/I], and the additional effects if cast [I]At Higher Levels[/I] – i.e. from a higher level spell slot. There’s close to 90 pages devoted to spells in the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] which is a substantial percentage of a 320 page book. Finally, there are four [I]Appendices[/I] ([I]A,B,C,[/I] and[I] D[/I]) in the [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] which cover a variety of topics which hint quite strongly at the products which might be seen before long for this new edition. [I]Appendix A[/I] covers quick rules for Conditions such as Blinded, Paralyzed, Grappled with simple bullet-points for easy reference. [I]Appendix B[/I] presents the Gods of the Multiverse with lists of the god of the [I]Forgotten Realms, Greyhawk, Dragonlance, [/I]and[I] Eberron[/I]. (A short pause for squeals of glee from the long-forsaken [B][I]D-Lance[/I][/B] crowd.) This appendix also includes non-human gods from various D&D campaigns, and lists of actual mythological pantheons like Celtic, Greek, and Norse. Each god is listed with alignment, suggested domains, and symbols but no descriptions – perhaps a Deities & Demi-Gods for 5th Edition is in the works? [align=right]http://www.enworld.org/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63397[/align][I]Appendix C[/I] explains [I]The Planes of Existence[/I] which appears to be a mash-up of [B][I]3rd Edition[/I][/B] and [B][I]4E[/I][/B] cosmologies. The Feywild and Shadowfell exist in this new [B][I]D&D [/I][/B]edition, but the alignment-based planes are back now that there are nine alignments again. [I]Sigil[/I] is back again as well, and it is anyone’s guess as to whether Planescape will make a return in this edition of [B][I]D&D[/I][/B]. And finally, [I]Appendix D[/I] offers up something never before seen in any previous [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] – a mini [B][I]Monster Manual[/I][/B]! Ostensibly, these stat clocks are designed for use with spells and class features, and cover many basic animal companions, familiar creatures, and lesser undead like skeletons and zombies. But these could be used to start running a very basic game of [B][I]5th Edition Dungeons & Dragons[/I][/B] right off- a nice bonus feature of this book. [B]Overall Score[/B]: 8.9 [B]out of[/B] 10.0 [B][U]Final Conclusions[/U][/B] The new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] is a truly remarkable RPG product, and a fine new addition to a very long lineage of [B][I]Dungeons & Dragons[/I][/B] editions. The layout and writing are superb, and the illustrations are breathtaking, making the whole book a fantastic tome to just sit and read through. The contents of the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] is incredibly detailed, well designed and executed, and many fans and gamers will likely enjoy the ease and diversity of character creation. Admittedly, there’s something oddly meta about an “official” [B][I]D&D[/I][/B] edition feeling a bit like an OSR game, but potentially there is something in this game system that any roleplayer can enjoy – and being able to access the rules online gives a gamer ample opportunity to try-it before they buy-it. The book isn’t cheap, but really it’s no pricier than comparable core rule books from other gaming companies. But it is clear that [B]Wizards of the Coast[/B] worked very hard to make the new [B][I]D&D Player’s Handbook[/I][/B] the hottest looking core rulebook on a Game Store shelf – [B][I]D&D[/I][/B] fans will find this [B][I]PHB[/I][/B] a hard one to resist! [B]Editorial Note[/B]: This Reviewer received a complimentary playtest copy of the product in hardbound format from which the review was written. [B][U]Grade Card (Ratings 0 to 10)[/U][/B][/SIZE] [LIST] [*][SIZE=3][B]Presentation[/B]: 9.75[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3]- Design: 9.5 (Beautiful design; exemplary writing; fantastic layout)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3]- Illustrations: 10.0 (Exquisite art; beautiful use of illustrations throughout the book)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Content[/B]: 9.0[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3]- Crunch: 8.5 (Solid and light rule set; a little meta-OSR)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3]- Fluff: 9.5 (Tons of roleplaying content for character development; Forgotten Realms is THE official setting)[/SIZE] [*][SIZE=3][B]Value[/B]: 8.0 (It’s not cheap but the quality of the book is astounding!)[/SIZE] [/LIST] [/QUOTE]
Insert quotes…
Verification
Post reply
Community
General Tabletop Discussion
*Dungeons & Dragons
D&D Fans Rejoice:! WotC Releases the 5th Edition Player’s Handbook! (Part 2: Adventuring & Magic)
Top