Dragon 399 - Ampersand

[Shroomy]

We get an Ampersand this month, which you can read here. Two interesting things from my perspective. First, there's a pretty good picture of the game board from the Conquest of Nerath boardgame. Second, and more importantly from my perspective, a preview from the upcoming Monster Vault 2, the boggle! Its slightly more sinister than what I remember, but its cool nonetheless IMO. I can't wait for that book.

 

[Aegeri]

The boggle is such a great monster and really weird.

That is an impressive stat block for a level 3 lurker I must say.

 

[Shroomy]

The boggle is such a great monster and really weird.

That is an impressive stat block for a level 3 lurker I must say.

I was paging thru the 1e MM2 the other day looking for stuff to convert and thought about the boggle. It looks like WotC beat me to the punch. The artillery version is very interesting despite what I think is a stat block error; a pure melee artillery creature, very neat!

 

[Aegeri]

I was paging thru the 1e MM2 the other day looking for stuff to convert and thought about the boggle. It looks like WotC beat me to the punch. The artillery version is very interesting despite what I think is a stat block error; a pure melee artillery creature, very neat!

I wouldn't think so actually, because the name of the power reminds me of the sharn and its hex portals. I think the intention is that the creature literally rips open holes and attacks its enemies at a distance through them. Being a melee artillery creature gives it a really fascinating niche in the game, as it doesn't care so much about opportunity attacks or mixing it up close.

Not that creatures that naturally teleport at will in heroic tier are caring.

 

[Kelvor Ravenstar]

And finally, a Map of the Points of Light world where I can actually read all of the names.

 

[Colmarr]

I still can't quite get my head around the new monster damage numbers.

The boggle's basic attack does 2d6+4 (avg 11). Against 3rd level PCs, with perhaps 40 hp, that seems like it would make combats very swingy.

As a separate issue, am I right in assuming that the DM's decision when running a Boggle Sight Stealer is to choose between Claw (a chance of 2d6+4) and Peek-a-Boo Trick (a 'guaranteed' 1d8+5 if the target escapes or a chance at 4d6+8 if it doesn't)?

 

[Aegeri]

I still can't quite get my head around the new monster damage numbers.

Level 3 lurker should be doing 1d8+6 (plus bonus damage, similar to a brutes flat 25% increase), but this creature does 2d6+4. 1d8+6 is roughly 10.5 average damage, while 2d6+4 is 11. So it's doing precisely around what it should be doing. It's main attack is neck bite, which requires two rounds to actually set up effectively. That's 4d6+8, or basically two times the damage of its standard action. The lurker damage bonus is probably included in its grab escape reaction attack. So PCs need to make sure they escape from the little bastard quick or suffer terrible consequences.

Yes, the creature gets a choice of just clawing your face off or being tricky. Both have advantages and depending on the tactical situation, peek-a-boo trick is really powerful.

 

[Incenjucar]

I like the flavor and art they've gone with. The general expansion of connections between monsters in 4E has been quite interesting. Makes me really want a book on Goblinoids.

 

[enpeze66]

I would like to see a leaflet with descriptions of all these lands on the boardgame map. This map is the closest info we have today in which direction the official Point of Light setting is heading.

Finally the locations where the D&D4e modules and dungeons are settled are revealed!

 

[Dice4Hire]

I find it hard to judge how the world is for adventuring from the map. I do hope they flesh it out.