Arcana Unearthed - Unearthed Arcana?

[SpuneDagr]

I know Arcana Unearthed is Monte Cook's new alternate PHB, but what is UA? For that matter, couldn't Wizards come up with their own name?

What gives?

 

[ShadowX]

Nothing has been released about UA as of yet. As for the name Unearthed Arcana is a really old D&D product, which is where both products get there names.

 

[Richards]

UA is Unearthed Arcana. The name was used back in the 1st Edition AD&D days, for a book that was part Player's Handbook, part Dungeon Master's Guide. Monte asked for permission from WotC to use the name Arcana Unearthed, and they told him he could go ahead. Then, later, they announced that they'd be coming out with a 3.5 book called Unearthed Arcana after all.

Confusing? You bet.

Johnathan

 

[Umbran]

TSR, which was bought by WotC, published the Unearthed Arcana back in 1985, as a supplement to the original AD&D, a sort of midway between 1e and 2e.

 

[SpuneDagr]

Aha. Thanks for the clarification.

 

[Thrommel]

Several fans asked Monte about this at Gen Con.

You can read an interview with him over at diamondthrone.com where he talks about AU vs UA ,as well as the ENnies, 3.5, and some other Gen Con/AU related stuff.

-Thrommel

 

[MeepoTheMighty]

Monte: You know, because I'm a gamer too, I'd love it if I had a little more free time to play games or walk around the dealer's room looking at other people's games and stuff, but for the most part, I like meeting people. It's great. I like hearing about people's games, whether it's something I've worked on or not. And Gen Con is really the only time -- with the exception of other smaller cons I might go to during the year -- where I get to interact with people who are actually playing the games that I write. That's really nice.

Quick, everybody email him long, pointless stories about your characters!

 

[Desdichado]

Quick, everybody email him long, pointless stories about your characters!

Where's Edena_of_Neith when you need him?

 

[Olive]

UA is Unearthed Arcana. The name was used back in the 1st Edition AD&D days, for a book that was part Player's Handbook, part Dungeon Master's Guide. Monte asked for permission from WotC to use the name Arcana Unearthed, and they told him he could go ahead. Then, later, they announced that they'd be coming out with a 3.5 book called Unearthed Arcana after all.

Well, I'm sure I read something by monte which suggested that he knew that they were going to be releasing a UA at some point, although I'd be happy to admit I was wrong as I can't remember where it was!

That being said I know that lots of us were waiting for the release of a book by that title, given their earlier patern for 3e. I'm sure Monte wasn't too surprised.

 

[JeffB]

Where's Edena_of_Neith when you need him?

LOL....Briliant!