Top Ten Reasons to Buy Sandstorm

[VirgilCaine]

So, first they do a cold desert supplement, now it's the hot desert supplement.

Could be interesting, as long as they don't overdue the Egyptian/Arabian themed stuff. There's more to desert campaigns then those two cultural archetypes, to the point where vaguely Middle Eastern stuff becomes nearly cliched.

Some information based from the Gobi desert, the Pueblo Indians and the Kalahari bushmen, for example would be interesting additions.

Otherwise, feel free to have your fire mages in iceland, ice mages in the desert, and fluff that doesn't fit your campaign...

Volcano-themed fire mages...Lavamancers...in Iceland, sure. Sounds cool, actually.

 

[Tharian]

I'm not sure about this one just yet. I saw Worm Riding on that list and couldn't help but picture BeetleJuice riding the sandworm as he was sent back to the ... Uhh... afterworld?

 

[Dark Jezter]

6. Desert Races: Sandstorm describes two all-new PC races, plus desert variants of the classic races. The lithe asheratis can swim through sand as easily as a fish through water, and the goblinoid bhuka are hardy beings well suited to the desert-wandering lifestyle. Badlands dwarves, painted elves, and scablands half-orcs round out the racial variety.​

Huzzah! Huzzah! Hip hip hip Hurrah! Gloria Magnificat! A new elven subrace!!!! That's too cool for words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

w00t! Another elf subrace! I'm buying this book for sure!

 

[mmadsen]

If you want cold mages in cold lands, then you NEED a feat that does this, and even then, the feat they have simply doesn't do enough (IIRC it does nothing to [cold] creatures).

Creating a feat that allows cold spells to bypass an immunity to cold is just one (awkward) way to make a cold specialist useful in a cold climate. You could also, for instance, make casting cold spells easier in a cold environment, and fire spells harder. (In fact, that would make quite a bit of sense.)

 

[mmadsen]

Some information based from the Gobi desert, the Pueblo Indians and the Kalahari bushmen, for example would be interesting additions.

I would love a book full of real-life examples of desert cultures, how they survive in the desert, what has happened to non-desert enemies who attacked into or across the desert, etc. I'm sure there are plenty of real-life desert adventures to write about. And it could all be d20 Past compatible.

Then you add in some monsters, spells, and magic items from the myths of desert folk, before going all wahoo with the pure D&D wackiness.

 

[Felon]

May I suggest to everyone who is even slightly interested in Egypt and African flair to pick up Hamunaptra (just ask the Mouse With Teeth about it! ) or Nyambe instead and leave this product where it rightfully belongs ... on the shelves?

I'm trying to figure out why exactly folks are talking like this book will have (or should have) an emphasis on desert cultures. Maybe it's the part about subraces and new races. Most likely, it places the emphasis on wilderness encounters like most D&D products do.

w00t! Another elf subrace! I'm buying this book for sure!

Oh yeah, me too most likely. Heck, forget elves--dwarves, goblins, and half-orcs receive the same attention. Not to mention this whole new asherati race. Glad the preview makes it clear that the focus will be on a variety of races, rather than just a single one. That would be the wrong impression to try to project.

 

[Snapdragyn]

Some information based from the Gobi desert, the Pueblo Indians and the Kalahari bushmen, for example would be interesting additions.

/agree, & I'd add the Australian Outback.

 

[Turjan]

Do they have the Painted Desert? Saguaros? Gila-Monsters ?

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Ha! It's not a camera, Mark. Perhaps this may help you:

Sweet! I was so sick and tired of making my own foil hats.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I'm trying to figure out why exactly folks are talking like this book will have (or should have) an emphasis on desert cultures. Maybe it's the part about subraces and new races. Most likely, it places the emphasis on wilderness encounters like most D&D products do.

Egyptian dieties were explicitly mentioned as being included.