Dragon 400: Nerathi Legends: The Iron Wolf Barbarians

[Saracenus]

New background info for one of the kingdoms out from the Conquest of Nerath Game (behind DDI paywall):
The Iron Wolf Barbarians

Author: Rich Baker

Contents:

• History of the land's people
• Description of the current 5 tribes
• Forest of Harthia
• New Theme: Iron Wolf Warrior

I like the Theme's Starting Feature: Iron Wolf Charge

You scream out an unnerving howl as you charge into battle.
Faint-hearted foes shrink from your savage wrath.
Encounter * Fear, Martial, Primal
No Action Close burst 2
Trigger: You hit an enemy with a charge attack.
Effect: That enemy takes 1d6 extra damage from the
triggering attack, and you make the following attack.
[removed the 11th and 21st level damage]
Target: Each enemy in the burst
Attack: Highest ability modifier vs. Will
Hit: You push the target up to 2 squares. The target
takes a –2 penalty to attack rolls until the end of
your next turn.

There are some cool optional powers.

Enjoy,

 

[Mummolus]

Yeah, I love this article and the associated theme. Just awesome stuff, and hopefully indicative of the design direction going forward.

 

[jbear]

That sounds perfect for my character who I intend to multiclass into barbarian next level. I think I'm going to have a chat with our DM about including themes. It would be nice if WotC came out and said 'Hey! This isn't optional, we want this to be core! Everyone takes a theme!'

 

[UngeheuerLich]

Only thing to complain: although 3, 13, 23 seems logical, actually you replace your 1st level encounter at 13, not your third level one...

 

[MrMyth]

That sounds perfect for my character who I intend to multiclass into barbarian next level. I think I'm going to have a chat with our DM about including themes. It would be nice if WotC came out and said 'Hey! This isn't optional, we want this to be core! Everyone takes a theme!'

Ugh. Speaking as someone who just started a new campaign where themes are a really big deal... I really hope WotC doesn't do so. Themes are a cool idea and their execution has been.. decently handled... for the most part. But they also are an undeniable boost in power level - and complexity - and not every game will be suitable for them. Keeping them at DM's discretion is definitely the way to go, in my book.

That said - if you want themes, definitely talk with your DM about them! Just make sure they know what they are getting into.

 

[jbear]

Ugh. Speaking as someone who just started a new campaign where themes are a really big deal... I really hope WotC doesn't do so. Themes are a cool idea and their execution has been.. decently handled... for the most part. But they also are an undeniable boost in power level - and complexity - and not every game will be suitable for them. Keeping them at DM's discretion is definitely the way to go, in my book.

That said - if you want themes, definitely talk with your DM about them! Just make sure they know what they are getting into.

Fair enough.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

Personally, I love themes - can't get enough of them! This one is particularly excellent (in both design and flavour, IMHO), and I hope that it shows the direction they plan to take with them here on out.

I say that as both player and DM.

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I also think it is a pretty cool theme and would like to see more along these lines.

 

[Matt James]

Rich did a great job!

Needless to say, I am a huge proponent of themes in 4e.

 

[Incenjucar]

Rich did a great job!

Needless to say, I am a huge proponent of themes in 4e.

Considering the overwhelming approval of our very particular audience, I think it's safe to guess that, in some form or another, the extra layers (Theme, Paragon Path, Epic Destiny) are going to be part of the game from now in, throughout the editions. Whoever first came up with themes should be proud.