I don't know about others, but I'm not saying it's bad, I'm just saying I prefer older duergar over new ones (and was confused where the change was inspired from until someone mentioned durzagon). Personally, I thought the parallel of duergar to dwarves as drow to elves was useful and interesting. I don't mind similarities because then it can make playing with the subtle differences stand out. Besides that, it's just a matter of taste and liking how they have been portrayed all of my gaming experience.Yes, it's different than the flavor of previous editions. Why is that such a bad thing?
I recently used reskinned Duergar from Thunderspire Labyrinth as a breed of Draconians. The Draconians occasionally pulled spines out of their crests/back ridges and hurled them at the PC's. It went over far better than the old 'turn to stone when they die' schtick ever did.
I expect that pulling poison quills out of a Duergar's beard would be equally well-received.
Of course, that description begs the question: Do female Duergar have beards?
Of course, this was the first time I have ever used a duergar in game, so they didn't know the difference.
Yeah; I've never really used them before, either. I even took them out of Forge of Fury because I just didn't care for/about them.
I'm looking to run Forge of Fury again soon, and I'll be leaving the Duergar in this time.
Gnolls will carry baby gnolls in pouches and hop arounnd wherever they go.