Delve Format for Adventures?

[buzz]

I've used published adventures pre-delve and post. The delve format has made DMing far easier for me. I love it.

I really don't care about the space issue. I don't evaluate RPG product as if it were bulk dry goods. The delve format makes the product into a more useful tool for me, increasing the amount of fun I have at each session.

(Honestly, the lack of a delve equivalent layout is my only complaint about Pathfinder.)

 

[Jan van Leyden]

I consider the Delve format as an improvement. While I haven't actually used it, I've read through Cormyr: Tearing of the Weave and Eye of the Lich Queen. In C:ToW the authors made very good use of the format. They introduced environmental effects, which previously have been either neglected, applied to a whole room or been awkwardly described. What's more, several rooms and groups of NSCs have been grouped together in one encounter, making for a very dynamic scene.

This format has its constraints, sure. In 3.5e stat blocks can become very large at higher levels and thus consume a lot of space.

Other people on the WotC boards complain about the amount of page-flipping introduced by this format. I simply do not understand them. A delve encounter gives you two page flips, one after dealing with the introduction and first description, the second one after resolving the encounter and going to the treasure list. This is much less page flipping than having to go to the appendix for stats, e.g., or having the encounter being spread over one odd and one even numbered pages.

I like the Delve format. It lends itself perfectly to dynamic encounters which will hopefully become a hallmark of 4e. There will be situations where this format isn't the best choice, but for 95% of all encounters I want to see it in the future.

---
Huldovll

Jan van Leyden

 

[WhatGravitas]

I've tried it - and I like it - hence my "Yes". But I think it can still be improved. For example, don't put it at the end of the book, but make the two-page spread in the middle of the surrounding text, when you need it. Or provide bookmarks!

Cheers, LT.

 

[buzz]

Other people on the WotC boards complain about the amount of page-flipping introduced by this format.

I've run seven sessions of EotLQ, and my friend ran four sessions of EtCR, and there was a decided lack of page-flipping. I have to wonder how these people are reaching this conclusion.

When I was running CotSQ, the paragraph-style stat blocks and "monsters in an appendix at the back" was so utterly useless to me at the table that I started prepping encounter sheets... which shot my game prep time through the roof. We ended up stopping after the first section as it was just too much work for me.

Ergo, why I find judging a product by wordage ratio pretty useless.

 

[Wepwawet]

I've run seven sessions of EotLQ, and my friend ran four sessions of EtCR, and there was a decided lack of page-flipping. I have to wonder how these people are reaching this conclusion.

When I was running CotSQ (...)

EotLQ? EtCR? CotSQ?
I wish posts were in delve format also... So I could understand all these abbreviations LOL

 

[buzz]

Sorry, Wep.

EotLQ: Eyes of the Lich Queen

EtCR: Expedition to Castle Ravenloft

CotSQ: City of the Spider Queen

 

[mhensley]

I'm playing in Expedition to Castle Ravenloft right now and the dm has problems with the layout and the page flipping involved.

 

[WhatGravitas]

I'm playing in Expedition to Castle Ravenloft right now and the dm has problems with the layout and the page flipping involved.

A totally awesome solution to this problem would be delve booklets: Have the adventure as usual, but have all the delve spreads in an extra booklet. Would be incredible useful!

Cheers, LT.

 

[buzz]

Similarly, a delve packet download so the DM can print off separate encounter sheets would be cool.

(PDF seems an ideal adventure format to me. Ergo, I'm looking forward to the all-digial Dungeon.)

 

[Pbartender]

I've tried it - and I like it - hence my "Yes". But I think it can still be improved.

My sentiments, exactly.

Even before delve format, I'd spend hours of time retyping stats blocks and encounter information into what amounted to the same thing.