D&D 5E Deck of Many Things Preview

[LostSoul]

Actually, it did. While we didn't get the whole enchilada, we now know that they aren't afraid to put a totally game-breaking item into the DMG. I loved the 1E DoMT, and I'm happy to see it's not gimped like other versions have been.

I know that a lot of people say that the Deck is a game-breaking item, and I accept that. However, I don't think it has to be. I think it depends on the type of game you run.

I was running the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. One of the PCs drew the Void card. I determined that her soul was taken to the Cauldron of Night (a Greyhawk artifact/location). Boom, soul sucked away. I forget exactly what it says about the Void card, but that was what led me to tie it to the Cauldron.

Then another PC went on an adventure to free her from the Cauldron. It was pretty cool; not great - it's hard to make high-level 3E dungeons, but it did give me some experience in dealing with them.

If I had a "plot" in which that PC's role mattered, then it would be trouble. Or if that player didn't have Henchmen to play while the main PC was stuck in the Cauldron. Or if... a bunch of stuff that is opposed to "what happens, happens, let's see how you deal with it."

One point of interest though: the player knew the dangers of drawing cards. I wouldn't spring the Deck on someone who didn't know what might happen - even if they didn't know the specifics, they should know that something horrible could occur. (I guess that's just good trick design.)

 

[Mercule]

I know that a lot of people say that the Deck is a game-breaking item, and I accept that. However, I don't think it has to be. I think it depends on the type of game you run.

I was running the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil. One of the PCs drew the Void card. I determined that her soul was taken to the Cauldron of Night (a Greyhawk artifact/location). Boom, soul sucked away. I forget exactly what it says about the Void card, but that was what led me to tie it to the Cauldron.

This is exactly the sort of game-breaking result I mean. That character didn't get to complete RtToEE. If she did, it meant interrupting the adventure to go look for her soul.

Game-breaking isn't always about power level (though that's often a factor). Instant, random death/soul-stealing qualifies in spades. IMO, even more than a simple "gain a level" or "have a +5 sword". I just happen to be willing to roll with the punches.

You have a very good point about the player being aware of the risks, though. The 1E DoMT required the drawer to declare how many draws he would take before drawing. There really isn't a good way to do that without hitting them with a stick that reads "this is a big deal". Sure, you can add some sort of crossroads demon that tells them, but the end effect is pretty similar, unless the players/PCs are totally oblivious.

 

[Zaukrie]

Petty meh on the depth of the preview. Not really impressed they only showed past of an item. Typical marginal PR effort by WOTC.

 

[Gargoyle]

Nothing new to see here. Move along. I like the fundraiser, but I think they could have picked some meatier things to preview. I want to see new stuff. Still...I love the DoMT, one of my favorites.

 

[Thaumaturge]

So is the preview backlash because this was established as a "reward" for certain tiers of donations?

Because this seems (to me) to be exactly like the MM and PH(B) previews—just enough to whet the appetite, but not enough to feel sated.

I'm curious, not attacking.

Thaumaturge.

 

[LostSoul]

This is exactly the sort of game-breaking result I mean. That character didn't get to complete RtToEE. If she did, it meant interrupting the adventure to go look for her soul.

In this instance the PC did get to complete the adventure, but that was because of some modifications I made to the RttToEE. (I had a timeline set up.)

I think what's important is that it wasn't an interruption to go look for her soul - it was a player choice. The adventure was where the players decided to go. That sort of thing is what the game was about: do you want to try to save your friend's soul even though you know that time is running down on you?

(I think they made it with a few days to spare.)

However, I realize that such a disruption isn't going to work for all games. It worked for ours, that's all.

 

[Umbran]

WotC could have done much more with this preview, given that they're raising money for the Children's Miracle Network.

For the $25,000 fundraiser goal, we get an artifact recycled from previous editions (and not even the whole artifact description) and some recycled artwork from another product? That's it? Really? And the content is going to published soon anyway.

Well, if you're looking at charity as a way to buy stuff, then yes, there's an issue.

If you're looking at charity as a way to get needed resources to people in need, then what WotC gives us for it is merely a small inducement and thanks. Maybe just enough to kick a few people over the edge into action. And that's okay.

 

[DEFCON 1]

It makes you wonder why they bother previewing anything based on how ungrateful people are when they do.

 

[Morrus]

It makes you wonder why they bother previewing anything based on how ungrateful people are when they do.

I don't think we should be expected to be grateful to a company for previewing its products to us, whether that be a trailer for a movie, a billboard showing off a new phone, or an excerpt from a book. Sure, we have an appetite for news about things we like, and we like to see previews, but that doesn't translate into any requirement for gratitude. Previews are ads, after all - they just happen to be ads we're receptive to, and there is nothing wrong with critiquing a potential purchase based on what we know of it. That's just good sense.

WotC doesn't preview stuff in order to gain gratitude. It previews stuff in order to increase overall awarenesss, excitement, and - ultimately - sales.

 

[Mercule]

In this instance the PC did get to complete the adventure, but that was because of some modifications I made to the RttToEE. (I had a timeline set up.)

I think what's important is that it wasn't an interruption to go look for her soul - it was a player choice. The adventure was where the players decided to go. That sort of thing is what the game was about: do you want to try to save your friend's soul even though you know that time is running down on you?

(I think they made it with a few days to spare.)

However, I realize that such a disruption isn't going to work for all games. It worked for ours, that's all.

Got it. In that case, I agree. A good DM can turn disaster into a fun evening romp.

 

[DMZ2112]

"Gaurunteed?" Groan.

I don't mind the recycling. Full disclosure: I'd never seen the Madness at Gardmore Abbey deck; but it is gorgeous and I am all for consistency between editions rather than change for the sake of change. Spend that time and money elsewhere. Same logic behind no new setting books.

 

[Wednesday Boy]

I am quite happy they decided to give a reward to those who bought Gardmore Abbey by making those cards 100% useable with 5e

Speaking of, I bought that module but never ran it. For those that did, do you think it could work well in 5th Edition? Or would it require too much updating and tinkering?

 

[I'm A Banana]

I don't think we should be expected to be grateful to a company for previewing its products to us, whether that be a trailer for a movie, a billboard showing off a new phone, or an excerpt from a book. Sure, we have an appetite for news about things we like, and we like to see previews, but that doesn't translate into any requirement for gratitude. Previews are ads, after all - they just happen to be ads we're receptive to, and there is nothing wrong with critiquing a potential purchase based on what we know of it. That's just good sense.

WotC doesn't preview stuff in order to gain gratitude. It previews stuff in order to increase overall awarenesss, excitement, and - ultimately - sales.

"Donate more to charity and we'll give you more of those commercials you love!"

I'm fond of the previews, and I don't think tying it to Extra Life was a bad call. Previews for a book I'm almost certainly going to buy are icing on my cake at this point. I'm happy to see the AWESOME art, and delighted that the game isn't afraid to let you break it if that's what you want. Because sometimes, you TOTALLY want that.

 

[Kobold Avenger]

I like that they're going back to the classic format of the Deck of Many Things, 4e (Deck of Many Things) and late 3.5e (Tarokka Deck) I found too jarringly annoying when they tried everything they could to cross promote Three-Dragon Ante when those decks previously had nothing to do with it. So the return to the classic format is very welcomed. And it's back to 22 cards too, so you could use the 22 major arcana of a tarot deck if you want to bother with it too.

 

[bleezy]

I actually really liked this preview. It shows three important things:

1. The deck has the same cards.
2. The cards probably all have the same classic effects from AD&D.
3. Magic items in general may even be more hardcore than in AD&D. Note that you can draw as many cards as you want. And if you don't draw all the required cards, the whole deck flies apart and affects you a at once? Wow!

This definitely make me more excited about the DMG.

 

[TwoSix]

"Donate more to charity and we'll give you more of those commercials you love!"

I'm fond of the previews, and I don't think tying it to Extra Life was a bad call. Previews for a book I'm almost certainly going to buy are icing on my cake at this point. I'm happy to see the AWESOME art, and delighted that the game isn't afraid to let you break it if that's what you want. Because sometimes, you TOTALLY want that.

I'm not going to say I don't appreciate it, because I certainly do. But I think they'd raise even more money if meeting the goals prompted the release of brand-new material that WASN'T going to be included in a release. Say, a 4 page pdf detailing a brand new subclass if they reach the $50,000 goal.

 

[Joe Liker]

Isn't it funny how an item that's supposed to be super-duper rare turns up so darned often, especially in the campaigns of fresh new players?

 

[Paraxis]

Isn't it funny how an item that's supposed to be super-duper rare turns up so darned often, especially in the campaigns of fresh new players?

Well if you are going to unleash this on your campaign the only time is during the early part so that when it destroys characters not much damage is done, that or when you just don't want to run your campaign anymore and just want it to end.

Placing the deck into the middle of a healthy well established campaign is nothing short of insanity and tempting utter chaos.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Pssh, it's a weak-sauce GM who is stymied by the death of the BBEG.

Part of what I like about this preview is that it really implies there's some items out there that they are OK with being "GM opt-in." Like, if you include this deck in your game, it's YOUR choice as a DM. You can run with the consequences. If you don't want the consequences, don't put the item in, and everyone stays happy!

 

[Eric V]

Speaking of, I bought that module but never ran it. For those that did, do you think it could work well in 5th Edition? Or would it require too much updating and tinkering?

Honestly, I think it'd be great. Many of the monsters are already in the MM, but some might need adjusting (there's one in particular that might be too tough). If I hadn't JUST run it, I'd do it.