Amazon listing for the Book of Vile Darkness

[Scribble]

Wonder how much of the 4E "Book of Vile Darkness" consists of "leftover" material which was originally intended for the now cancelled 4E Ravenloft rpg box set (originally announced at Gencon 2010).

"Maybe some, maybe none..." "Does it Matter?"

 

[Mummolus]

I think the quality and content of Heroes of Shadow will be a big deciding factor for me when it comes to the BoVD - same author, similar intent. We'll see what happens.

 

[kaomera]

Well I can speak personally that the last thing *I* want is a Arcane, Divine or Primal Power 2.

I concur. (And I'm tempted to claim that I won't be happy with any future product that acknowledges the existence of the power books, but even I am not that silly.)

But he does not actually say what about it is wrong.

Probably because they don't know what the actual (final) sales text will be. So it's technically all wrong, but some of it might also be right.

Sounds like it would fit with the material SyFy puts out.

Huh? SciFi puts out only the finest of product.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U87zVkIXNI0"]the finest[/ame]

 

[Aegeri]

Seeing that Sharktopus thing reminds me that there isn't enough gamma world coming out.

 

[gyor]

Historically, WotC's impression of a mature, evil campaign includes magical Nipple Clamps of Exquisite Pain.

Wait, what isn't everybodies definition? Magic Nipple clamps for everyone! Especial the blackguards of domination we know they love self inflicted pain!

 

[Jhaelen]

Producing those three Power 2 books JUST so you have a place to print new Artificer, Runepriest and Seeker builds and powers is NOT the way to go. Because those three books would have to include a whole host of other half-baked ideas in order to actually make them full-sized... and that's the last thing the game needs.

Well, then make it one book instead and call it 'Forgotten Power' or something...

If they need filler, they can always include a bunch of generic character themes...

 

[Dice4Hire]

[bias]No, the brawler fighter was the reason that Martial Power 2 was necessary.[/bias]

Martial power II had a lot of very good options in it. Some parts were effectively useless, though.

 

[Nyronus]

Honestly, the thing that really interests me about the book is the DM content, particularly the line about "lore for some of the most despicable creatures to infest any campaign world." If this turned out to be a whose-who on some of the classic DnD baddies like Kyuss or Tharzidun, I could probably dig it. Granted, that would probably be even more niche than "Evil Player Options" since it would only really appeal to people who need ideas, or already have a big emotional investment in the lore of the game. Of course, if it did turn out to be "Exemplars of Evil (But Better)" it would just be more awesome stuff I couldn't fit into my ongoing campaign.

Curse you Demonomicon, curse you.

 

[kaomera]

Fifth Element: To be fair, that's totally something that Gygax would have invented.

Seriously, a Sharktapus would work great in D&D, and would be more appealing to me than the BoVD. It's the "wacky"* stuff like owlbears that makes D&D... well, D&D. There was recently a thread here about must-have monsters for a playtest of a homebrew version of D&D, and the first thing I could think of was that if your system could show off the "cool" of the owlbear, then it was good D&D.

* If any owlbears are reading this, I mean absolutely no disrespect. I have nothing but the utmost admiration for your great race of Strigiform-Ursoids, your fine culture, your proud traditions, and your undeniable ability to rip my face clean off without any significant difficulty. Please, therefore, do not maul me.

 

[Mummolus]

Some part of me is hoping this book provides support for "evil" playable races - things like orcs, gnolls, kobolds, and goblins. The ones already in the builder, rather than adding new stuff. Hopefully they qualify as "evil" enough.