Any Dark Sun info from DDXP yet?

[Wik]

Some info on themes:

• Rather than a Gladiator (for example) being a Fighter-type - use the theme to make your Fighter, or Swordmage, or Barbarian, etc into a Gladiatorial figher.
• Get a theme Encounter Power at 1st level.
• Substitute powers for higher levels
• Some restrictions in place to keep characters from underpowering themselves with mis-matched themes that don't fit their Roles.
• Themes are pre-reqs for some feats and paragon paths.
• Rob: If you think of your current character as having two legs "Class" and "Race" - a Theme is a "third leg" that gives you new options - without diminishing your character's other purposes.
• Gladiator gives a "controller theme" so it's a backdoor way to get into a martial controller.

1. Can't say I'm liking this - particularly the free power at 1st level - and if those powers are ability-based (unless you can choose your ability, like the dragonborn's breath weapon), I'll like it even less.
2. Gladiator as a controller would never have occured to me. But, I can see why they'd do that, and it makes sense... especially in a world where wizards are hated, it'd make sense to have a nonmagical controller in there.
3. Henh henh henh. "Third Leg". Henh henh henh.
4. Themes are pre-reqs for feats and whatnot works for me. I wonder how many themes there are?

 

[filthgrinder]

1. Can't say I'm liking this - particularly the free power at 1st level - and if those powers are ability-based (unless you can choose your ability, like the dragonborn's breath weapon), I'll like it even less.

I think we should preserve judgement till we see them, however, Dark Sun characters were ALWAYS supposed to be more powerful than their "normal" world counterparts. Wild talents, higher initial starting level, higher ability scores... an extra encounter power isn't exactly bank-breaking.

1. Themes are pre-reqs for feats and whatnot works for me. I wonder how many themes there are?

According to the seminar today, there will be 10 themes initially. With the promise of monthly DDI updates, I imagine that'll grow with DDI support.

 

[Wik]

oo! According to one of those live blogs, the D&D Game Day this year will be Dark SUn themed! Makes sense... still totally awesome! When is D&D Game Day!?

Also, these "survival days" seem to make perfect sense. Interested in seeing how they work... though if the environment "attacks" you, I hope it's a scaling attack bonus - I always loved how in 2e Dark Sun, it relied on ability checks, meaning a 20th level character in the desert with no food was just as screwed as a 3rd level character...

I liked this, too:

Geek's Dream Girl: Dark Sun Creature Catalog - 144 page softcover, August 2010 release, more than 50 classic Dark Sun monsters in 120 varieties, now redesigned for 4th edition. 7 sorcerer-kings and the Dragon of Tyr are included. Plus templates, encounter building, and more.

Campaign Guide - 224 page hardcover, August 2010 release, 2 new races, 10 character themes, paragon paths, feats, and gear to create uniquely Athasian characters. Includes an extensive Atlas of Athas, a short intro adventure, and material on DMing a Dark Sun game.

 

[Paka]

Posted all of the Dark Sun related tweets I could find on my blog:

Dark Sun Tweets « The Githyanki Diaspora

 

[Mouseferatu]

Geek's Dream Girl: Dark Sun Creature Catalog - 144 page softcover, August 2010 release, more than 50 classic Dark Sun monsters in 120 varieties, now redesigned for 4th edition. 7 sorcerer-kings and the Dragon of Tyr are included. Plus templates, encounter building, and more.

Absolutely my favorite 4E assignment to date--especially since I got to do a couple of said sorcerer-kings.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Absolutely my favorite 4E assignment to date--especially since I got to do a couple of said sorcerer-kings.

really... so can you atleast tell us what you were thinking when you got the job???

 

[Wik]

I think we should preserve judgement till we see them, however, Dark Sun characters were ALWAYS supposed to be more powerful than their "normal" world counterparts. Wild talents, higher initial starting level, higher ability scores... an extra encounter power isn't exactly bank-breaking.

Oh, absolutely. However, speculation is fun, right? And I have no problem pointing out potential flaws that I see.

That being said, even if these themes are totally bunk and I hate them, I'm still pretty sure I'm going to love this DARK SUN setting. I've been waiting a long time to play DS again (ever since a botched 3e try at it, when we decided 3e is not the right setting for DS unless you do a lot of conversion work). And some of these leaks have got me really excited.

Themes are just not yet one of them.

According to the seminar today, there will be 10 themes initially. With the promise of monthly DDI updates, I imagine that'll grow with DDI support.

Ten, eh? Hm. Let's see if I can guess them.... "Templar, Wild-Talent, Gladiator, Elemental Priest, Veiled Alliance, Wilder .... and, um.... Trader, Raider, Some sort of wilderness warrior theme, and....?

 

[Mouseferatu]

really... so can you atleast tell us what you were thinking when you got the job???

I believe it was something akin to "WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! "

 

[Wik]

Absolutely my favorite 4E assignment to date--especially since I got to do a couple of said sorcerer-kings.

Ari, I've said it before - you are one of my absolute favourite designers, and I usually love what you put out. So I'm excited to see what you've done. Who were the SKs you got to work on (since we know all 7 are in, I don't think there are any spoilers here)?

And, wait, I just realized they said all 7 sorcerer kings... meaning Kalak is one of the ones detailed? Hm. Interesting.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

I believe it was something akin to "WOO-HOO!!!!!!!!!!!! "

ha ha... not what I ment, did you go in looking for a blank slate, or did you bring in X years of being a darksun fan and your own notions of what those DKs should look like?
Did you get alot of freedom to do things as you wanted when it started, or did you have to follow templets from the lead designers for them???