Dmg II

[Particle_Man]

I have to disagree, using smart tactics a bunch of lvl 1 warriors can get some hits in on all but the highest ac PCs. ...Against mid-level characters that's a high probability of a hit, with a power attack to boost the damage being a real possibility.)

Power attack thus giving the one lvl 1 character trying to hit you a possible +1 or +2 damage? Be still my heart.

 

[Ranger REG]

This product is gearing up to be perhaps one of the most thought-provoking ones in a while. I'm on the hook, it wont take WOTC much to reel me in..

Ah, but I'd be wary of having high expectations before picking up the new book.

 

[Razz0putin]

I'm sure you and I have entirely different perspective on fantasy, even though we use D&D/d20 as a common "playground."<edit>

That's exactly the point that 2 people can have 2 different ideas of fantasy and both could be equally valid and not be locked in to one. I'm guessing by your avatar that maybe you're a bit locked in to one which is great but by making the game lean that way it limits what I might be trying to do. I love the Lotr's but in my mind they've been done. not saying my ways better just different

<edit>I'm guessing you want a formulaic approach to creating class with the ability to add variables without upsetting the base equation? Sounds more like in the realm of Calculus or Boolean Math than your basic Algebraic polynomials. <edit>

I just want point buy for class abilities that are pretty close to even

<edit>So, What's Monte Cook's variant player's handbook got to do with DMG II/i]?/QUOTE]

It showed me some of the classic CLASSIC archetypes that D&D didn't bother to cover i.e. check out the unfettered some say well just play a rogue it's not the same a rogue isn't designed to get in a straight up fight the Unfettered is ala Erol Flyn(sp?), ala Wesly in princess bride etc etc.

 

[Ranger REG]

I'm sure you and I have entirely different perspective on fantasy, even though we use D&D/d20 as a common "playground."

That's exactly the point that 2 people can have 2 different ideas of fantasy and both could be equally valid and not be locked in to one. I'm guessing by your avatar that maybe you're a bit locked in to one which is great but by making the game lean that way it limits what I might be trying to do. I love the Lotr's but in my mind they've been done. not saying my ways better just different

If WotC want to offer that as a variant rules option, they can go ahead so you and other who feel the same way can be satisfied.

I'm guessing you want a formulaic approach to creating class with the ability to add variables without upsetting the base equation? Sounds more like in the realm of Calculus or Boolean Math than your basic Algebraic polynomials.

I just want point buy for class abilities that are pretty close to even

See above response.

So, What's Monte Cook's variant player's handbook got to do with DMG II?

It showed me some of the classic CLASSIC archetypes that D&D didn't bother to cover i.e. check out the unfettered some say well just play a rogue it's not the same a rogue isn't designed to get in a straight up fight the Unfettered is ala Erol Flyn(sp?), ala Wesly in princess bride etc etc.

Then you should thank your blessing that WotC allowed this via OGL. If you want "outside-the-sandbox" approach this core rules system, then don't look for it in WotC. Their pool of game designers is ankle-deep. You're better off searching game companies now run by former WotC/TSR employees, like Monte Cook.

 

[Li Shenron]

From the preview the DMGII doesn't look that interesting to me... I am a DM, currently nearly in desperate need of new well-planned adventures, in general always looking forward for any DM material, but from the ToC in the preview I only see "Medieval Society" and "Law and Punsihment" which can be useful to me.

Obviously most of the little bits here could be useful, such as the traps or the monsters special abilities. Only not that much to make this book a must. And the many random tables are largely unnecessary to me. Checklists? Aren't they stuff for "D&D for dummies"?

Eventually the sample town, NPCs, locations and organizations can be a good thing. However the hardest part of the job is to put them together, and that's still left to the reader.

Strange but I thought until a few weeks ago that the DMGII was a very good book I should take a look at and Heroes of Battle a useless one, but with the last news about both I am switching my mind in favor for HoB...

 

[Henry]

...like when unruly peasants try to lynch a hero or if a stampede of hores tries to run him over.

Best. Typo. EVAR.

 

[Kapture]

???

You want to explain the distinction between the two genres you mentioned above?

How about this: No one would ever confuse the Wizard of Oz with Lord of the Rings, or the Chronicles of Narnia, or Harry Potter, or Chine Mieville, or Clive Barker.

They're all fantasy.

The DND Genre uses a pallet of monsters, some not available anywhere else, many derived from early 20th century pulp sources. It uses core Tolkien races (though from DND to DND their various role's change). It uses the "first level assumption" for NPC's, and assumes that magic only comes in two forms: arcane and divine (which itself assumes that there are active dieties). Even from campaign world to campaign world, it generally uses a series of high priests, demon lords, evil wizards, and barbarian warlords. It assumes a generally ubiquitous level of magic.

It often feels like a pastiche of Conan/Fahferd/and Tolkein, with a little cover of something else: Mad Max or Dune in the case of Dark Sun, Star Wars with Spelljammer, Eighties and Nineties action movies in the case of Eberron. Greyhawk is a little more Conana, Realms is a little more Fahferd/Tolkein.

Even if you disagree on the influances, DND the brand is a distinct fantasy type. I disagree with the original poster in that I think it's setting neutral enough to wring whatever flavor you want out of it, though.

 

[Kae'Yoss]

Best. Typo. EVAR.

His pelvis was crushed, but he died with a grin on his lips.

 

[Ranger REG]

Even if you disagree on the influances, DND the brand is a distinct fantasy type. I disagree with the original poster in that I think it's setting neutral enough to wring whatever flavor you want out of it, though.

And what flavor would not be acceptable under the D&D brand ruleset?

 

[TheAuldGrump]

Best. Typo. EVAR.

Yes, that plus the Wet Wench was nigh irresistible.

Does that qualify as the Random Prostitute encounter table?

The Auld Grump