Kesh
First Post
Here's a more detailed look at the contents of Dragon #311 than I gave in the news scoop:
Sneak Preview: D&D Miniatures
This five-page article is about the new D&D minis game, of course. Mostly, it's the same stuff we've already been told online: random packs, plastic minis, hardbound rulebook, etc.
One thing of note: future expansions (after the initial Harbringer set) will include creatures appropriate for Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms and Eberron. I'll really be looking forward to the latter!
In addition, they will be pulling classes from Complete Warrior, and classes and monsters from Miniatures Handbook and Draconomicon for future sculpts. The latter should show up in the Dragoneye expansion set, along with the Dragonlance stuff.
The RPGA will be handling organized play leagues and tournaments.
One of the new items in the Miniatures Handbook is a fantasy spin on the Japanese samurai. They've tweaked them to be more fantastic, and clan-based using the chromatic & metallic dragons as inspiration.
Repainting the figures is mentioned. Rares are said to have much more detail than commons, and from the pictures it really does show. The Owlbear looks very good, while the elvish archer beside him looks horrible.
A few sample scenarios for the skirmish game are given, as is an example of the random dungeon design that got left out of the Miniatures Handbook.
The biggest surprise are Aspects. These are summoned creatures that are based on deities, demons and devils: anything that has an Avatar also has these lesser-powered Aspects. The example sketch for an Aspect of Llolth is quite impressive! Rules for Aspects will be in the Miniatures Handbook and I would guess we may see figures for them in 2004.
Preview: Eberron
No offense, but someone needs to be shot for calling this a 'preview'. It's three pages of lightly annotated sketches, and 1/4 page of text about the setting search.
That's it.
This being said, the sketches themselves are gorgeous. If I wasn't already interested in Eberron, I would be now.
First, we have... well... a human... that's as good as I can do. I honestly can't describe what he's wearing, because I'm not even sure what it is! Very stylish, though.
Next is a human in what appears to be thick, quilted clothing, probably quite garishly colored. (Note that all the pictures are black & white pencil sketches, so I'm extrapolating on that bit.) He has a bongo-style drum slung over his shoulder, playing it on his left hip. I would guess this is a bard for one of the regions.
After that is what I assume to be a wizard. He's wearing some rather elaborate robes/longcoat, apparently adorned with leather and possibly some sharp metal edges. He has a staff in his left hand, holding it like a cane. Also, just behind him (and in the bard image) is a lizard, similar in size and shape to a chameleon. Guessing that's his familiar.
A heavily armored orc is next. Looks like some nice splint mail, with the requisite buckles and spikes made famous in 3e.
He has a broadsword/longsword in one hand and a dagger in the other.
What follows really wowed me. A pair of mechanical golems... and good gravy, I would not want to fight the first one as a PC! It's difficult to describe, but it's a hunchbacked mechanical golem, made of lots of open metal bits (think an exposed skeletal system, only thicker), and thick metal plates on its back. The right arm ends in a large, heavy stone or metal block, while the left ends in an axehead.
The other golem looks more humanoid, and much more covered by its metallic exterior. Interestingly, the spots that are exposed appear to have muscle-like lines... perhaps some kind of thickly bound wire system?
Below those sketches are a pair of humanoid faces in profile. One is an elven lady in a mask and elaborate headdress. The other is a closeup of our mystery human I mentioned earlier, complete with a strange hornlike adornment.
Finally on these pages is a very 'Arabian Knights'-style assassin or thief.
The final page is where it gets... interesting. Our dinosaur-riding halflings make an appearance, as does a size-comparison between a human and some form of medium-sized dinosaur. If my science books were present, I might be able to identify the species.
It's the third 'dinosaur' that throws me. It looks like a four-legged dinosaur and a Mind Flayer had an illegitimate love child. I can't really describe it any better than that.
The final sketches are a couple of building pieces (including the joined towers from the GenCon preview), some skeletal remains in a desert, and a pair of humanoids: one appearing to be a tribal-dressed zombie, and another is a human(oid) in thick leathers (complete with hood over his head) holding his hands together, as if in prayer.
Arcane Ancestry
This is our article on Sorcerers. I was fairly impressed. The entire article is about 'bloodline feats', which grant your character extra spells known per spell-level based on their ancestry. You can choose to have an elemental ancestor, celestial or fiendish ancestor, or draconic ancestor. Each one has one or two specific feats assigned to that ancestor type, and a few general tie-in feats (such as allowing you to turn or rebuke creatures of your ancestor's type once per day).
Overall, I like it. It adds flavor to the sorcerer, allows more customization, grants one extra spell known per spell-level (much like a clerical domain), and doesn't unbalance the class at all.
Arcane Alterations
Ostensibly the Wizards' article, this is actually some OGL material based on a concept from Arcana Unearthed. Spell Templates are feats which allow you to add a special effect to a spell as you cast it, usually requiring an additional material component (varying from 25 GP up) and a somatic component that cannot be Stilled away.
Faces of Faith
The cleric article actually has nothing to do with the core Cleric. Instead, it presents some alternate divine classes. One deals with speaking to ancestors and other spirits of the dead, while another gains special abilities against an enemy of her chosen god. There are six new, 20-level classes in total.
Changing Nature's Design
Like the cleric article, these are variant Druid classes. Two are based on seasonal concepts (Autumn and Winter) while the other two are based on elemental concepts (Air and Metal).
Personally, I really like the Wild Reaper class, though some of its flavor restrictions are... odd. (Animal companion must be a carnivore or omnivore which eats carrion, for instance.)
Musical Masters
Bards got the shaft!
Sorry. But, this article is a little weaker than the rest, merely offering 5-level prestige classes for the 3.5 Bard. None of which really grabbed me.
Guinevere's Fate
A short story by Ben Bova, set in the traditional Arthurian saga.
The Play's the Thing
More fighter feat combos. A few neat ideas (Two-Weapon Fighting + Flail = stylish trip attacks!) but nothing game-shaking.
DM's Toolbox
A basic article on the uses of hirelings & followers. A few good tips on what kinds of personalities a DM can use, and the ways to make them useful.
Dungeoncraft
I've only given this a cursory glance. Mostly a continuance of the previous articles, this deals with making the inhabitants of your dungeon react realistically. Includes sage wisdom, such as "never place a trap that would kill the inhabitants without giving them a way to disable/get around it."
Sage Advice
Mostly spell-based questions, including clarifications on Cleaving vs. mirror image.
NEXT ISSUE:
Reavers of the Divine - Anti-paladins to complement the "Champions of the Divine" article from issue #310.
Thieves of Will - An article on enchanters. Specifically, evil, mind-controlling enchanters. <insert maniacal villainous laughter here>
Ecology of the Drider - Duh.
The Ebon Maw - A new demon lord! Turglas the Insatiable, new items & spells, plus his plots to gain power.
Angel Classes - Celestial monster classes, a la Savage Species.
DUNGEON #103
Glacial Inferno - A fire-obsessed wizard and his plots to take over a kingdom. Looks like a pyromaniac's dream. For 7th level PCs.
Forest of Blood - A Silver Marches (Forgotten Realms) adventure for 5th level PCs. Woo!
Sinkhole (Subscribers only!) - Stay at an inn, watch it fall into a cavern in the ground. Try to get out. For 4th level PCs.
Polyhedron - A complete technical overview and history of the Millenium Falcon for Star Wars, new Living Greyhawk Journal with Epic-level stats for Rary, a team of hackers for d20 Modern and an RPGA update.
(whew!)
Sneak Preview: D&D Miniatures
This five-page article is about the new D&D minis game, of course. Mostly, it's the same stuff we've already been told online: random packs, plastic minis, hardbound rulebook, etc.
One thing of note: future expansions (after the initial Harbringer set) will include creatures appropriate for Dragonlance, Forgotten Realms and Eberron. I'll really be looking forward to the latter!
In addition, they will be pulling classes from Complete Warrior, and classes and monsters from Miniatures Handbook and Draconomicon for future sculpts. The latter should show up in the Dragoneye expansion set, along with the Dragonlance stuff.
The RPGA will be handling organized play leagues and tournaments.
One of the new items in the Miniatures Handbook is a fantasy spin on the Japanese samurai. They've tweaked them to be more fantastic, and clan-based using the chromatic & metallic dragons as inspiration.
Repainting the figures is mentioned. Rares are said to have much more detail than commons, and from the pictures it really does show. The Owlbear looks very good, while the elvish archer beside him looks horrible.
A few sample scenarios for the skirmish game are given, as is an example of the random dungeon design that got left out of the Miniatures Handbook.
The biggest surprise are Aspects. These are summoned creatures that are based on deities, demons and devils: anything that has an Avatar also has these lesser-powered Aspects. The example sketch for an Aspect of Llolth is quite impressive! Rules for Aspects will be in the Miniatures Handbook and I would guess we may see figures for them in 2004.
Preview: Eberron
No offense, but someone needs to be shot for calling this a 'preview'. It's three pages of lightly annotated sketches, and 1/4 page of text about the setting search.
That's it.
This being said, the sketches themselves are gorgeous. If I wasn't already interested in Eberron, I would be now.
First, we have... well... a human... that's as good as I can do. I honestly can't describe what he's wearing, because I'm not even sure what it is! Very stylish, though.
Next is a human in what appears to be thick, quilted clothing, probably quite garishly colored. (Note that all the pictures are black & white pencil sketches, so I'm extrapolating on that bit.) He has a bongo-style drum slung over his shoulder, playing it on his left hip. I would guess this is a bard for one of the regions.
After that is what I assume to be a wizard. He's wearing some rather elaborate robes/longcoat, apparently adorned with leather and possibly some sharp metal edges. He has a staff in his left hand, holding it like a cane. Also, just behind him (and in the bard image) is a lizard, similar in size and shape to a chameleon. Guessing that's his familiar.
A heavily armored orc is next. Looks like some nice splint mail, with the requisite buckles and spikes made famous in 3e.
He has a broadsword/longsword in one hand and a dagger in the other.What follows really wowed me. A pair of mechanical golems... and good gravy, I would not want to fight the first one as a PC! It's difficult to describe, but it's a hunchbacked mechanical golem, made of lots of open metal bits (think an exposed skeletal system, only thicker), and thick metal plates on its back. The right arm ends in a large, heavy stone or metal block, while the left ends in an axehead.
The other golem looks more humanoid, and much more covered by its metallic exterior. Interestingly, the spots that are exposed appear to have muscle-like lines... perhaps some kind of thickly bound wire system?
Below those sketches are a pair of humanoid faces in profile. One is an elven lady in a mask and elaborate headdress. The other is a closeup of our mystery human I mentioned earlier, complete with a strange hornlike adornment.
Finally on these pages is a very 'Arabian Knights'-style assassin or thief.
The final page is where it gets... interesting. Our dinosaur-riding halflings make an appearance, as does a size-comparison between a human and some form of medium-sized dinosaur. If my science books were present, I might be able to identify the species.
It's the third 'dinosaur' that throws me. It looks like a four-legged dinosaur and a Mind Flayer had an illegitimate love child. I can't really describe it any better than that.
The final sketches are a couple of building pieces (including the joined towers from the GenCon preview), some skeletal remains in a desert, and a pair of humanoids: one appearing to be a tribal-dressed zombie, and another is a human(oid) in thick leathers (complete with hood over his head) holding his hands together, as if in prayer.
Arcane Ancestry
This is our article on Sorcerers. I was fairly impressed. The entire article is about 'bloodline feats', which grant your character extra spells known per spell-level based on their ancestry. You can choose to have an elemental ancestor, celestial or fiendish ancestor, or draconic ancestor. Each one has one or two specific feats assigned to that ancestor type, and a few general tie-in feats (such as allowing you to turn or rebuke creatures of your ancestor's type once per day).
Overall, I like it. It adds flavor to the sorcerer, allows more customization, grants one extra spell known per spell-level (much like a clerical domain), and doesn't unbalance the class at all.
Arcane Alterations
Ostensibly the Wizards' article, this is actually some OGL material based on a concept from Arcana Unearthed. Spell Templates are feats which allow you to add a special effect to a spell as you cast it, usually requiring an additional material component (varying from 25 GP up) and a somatic component that cannot be Stilled away.
Faces of Faith
The cleric article actually has nothing to do with the core Cleric. Instead, it presents some alternate divine classes. One deals with speaking to ancestors and other spirits of the dead, while another gains special abilities against an enemy of her chosen god. There are six new, 20-level classes in total.
Changing Nature's Design
Like the cleric article, these are variant Druid classes. Two are based on seasonal concepts (Autumn and Winter) while the other two are based on elemental concepts (Air and Metal).
Personally, I really like the Wild Reaper class, though some of its flavor restrictions are... odd. (Animal companion must be a carnivore or omnivore which eats carrion, for instance.)
Musical Masters
Bards got the shaft!
Sorry. But, this article is a little weaker than the rest, merely offering 5-level prestige classes for the 3.5 Bard. None of which really grabbed me.
Guinevere's Fate
A short story by Ben Bova, set in the traditional Arthurian saga.
The Play's the Thing
More fighter feat combos. A few neat ideas (Two-Weapon Fighting + Flail = stylish trip attacks!) but nothing game-shaking.
DM's Toolbox
A basic article on the uses of hirelings & followers. A few good tips on what kinds of personalities a DM can use, and the ways to make them useful.
Dungeoncraft
I've only given this a cursory glance. Mostly a continuance of the previous articles, this deals with making the inhabitants of your dungeon react realistically. Includes sage wisdom, such as "never place a trap that would kill the inhabitants without giving them a way to disable/get around it."
Sage Advice
Mostly spell-based questions, including clarifications on Cleaving vs. mirror image.
NEXT ISSUE:
Reavers of the Divine - Anti-paladins to complement the "Champions of the Divine" article from issue #310.
Thieves of Will - An article on enchanters. Specifically, evil, mind-controlling enchanters. <insert maniacal villainous laughter here>
Ecology of the Drider - Duh.
The Ebon Maw - A new demon lord! Turglas the Insatiable, new items & spells, plus his plots to gain power.
Angel Classes - Celestial monster classes, a la Savage Species.
DUNGEON #103
Glacial Inferno - A fire-obsessed wizard and his plots to take over a kingdom. Looks like a pyromaniac's dream. For 7th level PCs.
Forest of Blood - A Silver Marches (Forgotten Realms) adventure for 5th level PCs. Woo!
Sinkhole (Subscribers only!) - Stay at an inn, watch it fall into a cavern in the ground. Try to get out.
For 4th level PCs.Polyhedron - A complete technical overview and history of the Millenium Falcon for Star Wars, new Living Greyhawk Journal with Epic-level stats for Rary, a team of hackers for d20 Modern and an RPGA update.
(whew!)
