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Totally! Agreed! I just was commenting what I hope would happen with 4e.

Nothing as crazy as some posters. But my favorite campaign that I ran from the 90's involved a time travel event. The PCs traveled back in time against their will by an act of a demigod (Cyronax the Ice Devil, my namesake) ...... it was roughly 80 years in the past. The time travel rules IMC...

What about the D&D Cyclopedia? Its was a great BECMI/Classic D&D work which consolidated that systems rather awesome rules for 'name level' (9th level +) characters' personal fiefdoms. D&D Cyclopedia also had great mass battle rules. I recently have been playing with concepts from that book...

Nay. I wish I had the disposable income for old maps like that. Who is Old Geezer? Is that a handle on ENWorld that I don't recognize? Was there an auction thread? TSR's transition from 1e to 2e was definitely more tranquil than 3.x to 4e, but its the nature of the rules systems I suppose...

Based on Rechan's quotes I hate to say it ... but skill powers seem to be a big power creep. I've thought the same with hybrid classes, at least based on the playtest article. Question: Is there anything presented as optional or is everything in the Phb3 considered 'core.' I think I know the...

I don't mean to threadjack, but can you explain this awesome graphic? Is this just a pic made by Gygax or a friend, or were these put out on the webs somewhere? //end that The 2e preview is very nostalgic and reminds me of my middle school years (I downloaded it before it was taken offline)...

Totally agree with all of this. This advice will save you a lot of time, but it might require you to put some early lead in time to it. The best DM-improv comes from a DM who knows their NPCs personalities and resources -- not their stats. I think looking at any rpg as a setting with a...

I really like that idea. It is a little hard to pull off if most players have DDI accounts, etc. That said, it might be a fun way for the DM to reward creativity by asking players to come up with their own backgrounds, and then you could approximate a similar reward. They of course would only...

I agree. I like how they present them for all three tiers as well. I wouldn't mind seeing more of this sort of article -- possibly with more bullet point options or related side ideas to help flesh an arc out (without making it a straight jacket). This would make a much more gratifying Dragon...

I didn't buy the DMG2 at first. I read sections of it in the bookstore, but didn't purchase it. I broke down and got it after seeing numerous traps, skill challenges, companion rules, minion rules, artifacts (Rod of Seven Parts), and some advice for quick encounter setup and such things. The...

I tend to do both approaches depending on the campaign. I currently find the slow, build one-at-a-time world to be superior. The sole reason I say that is because it gives me, as the DM, more surprises and more to work with. I use the players' backgrounds to craft additional regions. I use...

Maldin, I've been a lurker on your website for years. Greyhawk is the world I really dug my teeth into as a teenager (in the late 90's -- circa the Greyhawk AOL days). I loved your take on the Underdark. Great content and great artistry/presentation. I was especially impressed by the layered...

Circadianwolf, Thanks a lot for your feedback. I will incorporate a lot of your suggestions. I wrote the Phanaton in a short burst of creativity and have been seeing areas that could use improvement. Thanks! C.I.D.

I like planeswalking themed classes, crunch, and fluff and the Astral Savant seems kind of cool. Though, as with most things 4e, you could simply swap out the damage types and easily make the path seem totally different fluff wise.

I understand where you're coming from I think. I just see many of the non-Phb2 style background benefits as being taken for the sake of an uber benefit -- and not to enhance or model a key component of a character's background. Toughness to me is an expenditure on the player's part to...

I'd be up for a system like this too. I agree though that you run the risk of killing certain players' sacred cows when it comes to the PC comfort zone. I for one would love the opportunity to try a totally random PC for at least one full story adventure -- 3-5 sessions, starting from 1st...

I know this flies in the face of 4e 'Say Yes' philosophy, but why do I want something in my games (as a DM or a player) that I'd feel compelled to take or else be the party's weak link? It strikes me as simply being similar to the Expertise feat tax (of which I know is a load/controversial...

But WotC did put a fairly standardized process in place for 'general' backgrounds -- the Phb2 Background Benefits section. Nearly every single background benefit found from other sources -- including the Eberron and Forgotten Realms Players Guides and most especially the Scales of War...

At its heart, it was about a reforming assassin who didn't want to get sucked back into Guild politics. It also involved a princess and a ball. Good template for adventure.