A Practical Guide to Monsters

[Li Shenron]

I didn't even notice this book, and it's out next month... Anybody knows something more about it? Has it been discussed yet?

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndnovel/959897200

It's only 80 pages, and categorized as "novel", but it could be good for adding flavor and consistency to the use of core monsters (it might also have some racial crunch for them). However it averages less than 2 pages/monster only...

 

[Flynn]

I didn't even notice this book, and it's out next month... Anybody knows something more about it? Has it been discussed yet?

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=products/dndnovel/959897200

It's only 80 pages, and categorized as "novel", but it could be good for adding flavor and consistency to the use of core monsters (it might also have some racial crunch for them). However it averages less than 2 pages/monster only...

Think of it as a kid's guide to D&D monsters. My son has the first in the series, and he loves learning about D&D dragons. This will definitely be something I get for him.

With Regards,
Flynn

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

If I'm not mistaken it is written "in character" by Sindri Suncatcher, the token kender in the Dragonlance New Adventures for tweens.

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Think of it as a kid's guide to D&D monsters. My son has the first in the series, and he loves learning about D&D dragons. This will definitely be something I get for him.

With Regards,
Flynn

Flynn hit nail on the head.

To add to what he said. It is written from the perspective of a Kender wizard (edit like what crazy pixie said) in a narative voice as a sort of field guide based on his travels and encounters. The dragon book covered topics like Dragon Anatomy, Combat, Lairs, Society, and Biology (for metallics and chromatics). IIRC all the art was used from previos D&D books like Dracomicon to allow the price to stay low (MSRP $14.95 US for a 64 pg Hard Cover) but the way it is presented is somewhat new with the story attached to it.

The monster book will do the same for things like Kobolds, Orcs, Gnolls, and more iconic D&D monsters like Beholders.

My 4 1/2 YO son also really likes the book.

My ultimate geek dad moment happened a few weeks ago. At the end of a day, I had to go the the 3rd floor of the building (the R&D floor) to get some graph paper. I had already picked my son up from his pre-school so he was with me. All the R&D guys were standing around talking about game design therory, quantum physics, or some other brainy subject. From one end of the hall of designer cubicles my son spots a Gargantuan Red Dragon mini and sprints down the hall yelling "A RED DRAGON, A RED DRAGON". Well he now has everybodies attention so I decide to test his Dragon knowledge on the spot, in front of about a dozen of the R&D team including: Andy Collins, Rodney, Shoe, Mearls, etc. So I ask my son " hey Henry, what is a red dragon's breath weapon?" he yells "FIRE" then I ask "what about a blue" and he replys "LIGHTNING". The nods and smiles from some of D&D's best made me puff out my chest just a little and think to myself "good job Scott your son is a geek"

 

[Voadam]

My 4 1/2 YO son also really likes the book.

My ultimate geek dad moment happened a few weeks ago. At the end of a day, I had to go the the 3rd floor of the building (the R&D floor) to get some graph paper. I had already picked my son up from his pre-school so he was with me. All the R&D guys were standing around talking about game design therory, quantum physics, or some other brainy subject. From one end of the hall of designer cubicles my son spots a Gargantuan Red Dragon mini and sprints down the hall yelling "A RED DRAGON, A RED DRAGON". Well he now has everybodies attention so I decide to test his Dragon knowledge on the spot, in front of about a dozen of the R&D team including: Andy Collins, Rodney, Shoe, Mearls, etc. So I ask my son " hey Henry, what is a red dragon's breath weapon?" he yells "FIRE" then I ask "what about a blue" and he replys "LIGHTNING". The nods and smiles from some of D&D's best made me puff out my chest just a little and think to myself "good job Scott your son is a geek"

Heh, my brother is really into repainting the DDM plastic miniatures so my nieces (3 and 5) rattle off things like "That's the bulette! That's a water elemental! That's a dire bear! And that's my pink unicorn! She's called battle unicorn."

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Are there any plans for more practical guides, Scott? The success of the Spiderwick books suggests that a Practical Guide to Fey might sell. Or a Practical Guide that ties into the Knights of the Silver Dragon might work, too. (Or, heck, a KotSD sourcebook that works with and expands the basic game.)

 

[Scott_Rouse]

Are there any plans for more practical guides, Scott? The success of the Spiderwick books suggests that a Practical Guide to Fey might sell. Or a Practical Guide that ties into the Knights of the Silver Dragon might work, too. (Or, heck, a KotSD sourcebook that works with and expands the basic game.)

Yes there are more in the works

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Good news!

These books are great for fleshing out a D&D game, even if you already have the Draconomicon. (I don't recall how dragons feel about sweets being in that book.)

 

[crazy_monkey1956]

Flynn hit nail on the head.

To add to what he said. It is written from the perspective of a Kender wizard (edit like what crazy pixie said) in a narative voice as a sort of field guide based on his travels and encounters. The dragon book covered topics like Dragon Anatomy, Combat, Lairs, Society, and Biology (for metallics and chromatics). IIRC all the art was used from previos D&D books like Dracomicon to allow the price to stay low (MSRP $14.95 US for a 64 pg Hard Cover) but the way it is presented is somewhat new with the story attached to it.

The monster book will do the same for things like Kobolds, Orcs, Gnolls, and more iconic D&D monsters like Beholders.

My 4 1/2 YO son also really likes the book.

My ultimate geek dad moment happened a few weeks ago. At the end of a day, I had to go the the 3rd floor of the building (the R&D floor) to get some graph paper. I had already picked my son up from his pre-school so he was with me. All the R&D guys were standing around talking about game design therory, quantum physics, or some other brainy subject. From one end of the hall of designer cubicles my son spots a Gargantuan Red Dragon mini and sprints down the hall yelling "A RED DRAGON, A RED DRAGON". Well he now has everybodies attention so I decide to test his Dragon knowledge on the spot, in front of about a dozen of the R&D team including: Andy Collins, Rodney, Shoe, Mearls, etc. So I ask my son " hey Henry, what is a red dragon's breath weapon?" he yells "FIRE" then I ask "what about a blue" and he replys "LIGHTNING". The nods and smiles from some of D&D's best made me puff out my chest just a little and think to myself "good job Scott your son is a geek"

My 10 year old son, 8 year old daughter and 5 year old son are playing the D&D Basic Game at the table as I type this.

Just doing our part to pass the game and the hobby on to the next generation.

 

[takasi]

My 11 year old son reads the Knights of the Silver Dragon books, but he also plays in one of the campaigns I run (taking place in the Sword Coast North of FR) and he's trying to start his own basic game with a few of his friends. My daughter is 7, and she's just now starting to read the New Dragonlance adventures to me. I'm looking forward to watching the Dragonlance cartoon with them, and hope to see more products for younger audiences in the future.