Eberron - Extreme Explorer PrC

[Tortoise]

While I can appreciate wanting to have some cinematic heroics and flavor in the game world, I find the chosen name to be cliched and uninspiring. It gives me the impression that their imagination and creativity hit some snags which might affect other areas of the setting and system.

I'm hoping they rename the PRC and that "extreme" is simply a placeholder.

 

[Reynard]

While I can appreciate wanting to have some cinematic heroics and flavor in the game world, I find the chosen name to be cliched and uninspiring. It gives me the impression that their imagination and creativity hit some snags which might affect other areas of the setting and system.

I'm hoping they rename the PRC and that "extreme" is simply a placeholder.

I think by "Extreme" they mean "and Explorer of the most extreme [read: dangerous, remote, etc...] areas of the Eberron setting." All the X-Games inspired bashing going on here just indicates what we all knew was true about some gamers: they have "extreme" reactions over things that don't matter one whit.

 

[Plane Sailing]

Johnny, if the theme/core concept behing Eberron is cinematic/pulp adventure, shouldn't these kind of things be available as core abilities or feats for all the classes, as opposed to just abilities in a prestige class?

I believe that the Dragon article (and other sources) indicate that there are action point feats available to all classes (and, indeed, action points). This PrC merely gives a couple of additional enhancements.

So they are not just abilities in a prestige class; this PrC is designed to allow adventurers to focus on that kind of stuff more should they choose.

Cheers

 

[Rugger]

I think by "Extreme" they mean "and Explorer of the most extreme [read: dangerous, remote, etc...] areas of the Eberron setting." All the X-Games inspired bashing going on here just indicates what we all knew was true about some gamers: they have "extreme" reactions over things that don't matter one whit.

Amen.

I think everyone is forgetting what extreme actually means...it is an appropriate fit for the PrC...but it just happens to be an over-used word nowadays.

I'd swear they said at WF that the name wasn't necessarily final, either...

Mechanics-wise, the class should be cool: they get MORE action-points than most PC's. Think of them as a daredevil...someone who tries the crazy stunts just because he can....

-Rugger
"I Lurk!"

 

[BrooklynKnight]

This class gets more action points then any other PRC.

John is right, you shouldnt just say "i use an action point".

During the playtest i took GREAT delight into describing my fantastic actions that used said action point.

Like when I used a table and a PC as stepping stones, while wearing fullplate armor and holding a great sword, to body slam my paladin into an assasin thug.

Or when said paladin decided to run over glass terrain (that would cause him to role reflex save if moving at more then half movement), to charge at a zombie at fullspeed to deliver a devestating attack.

As a DM I wont allow PC's to use action points without describing what makes their action more "extreme" then your standard sword swing.

And yes, All classes get action points and access to feats that use them. Every level you get more action points.

The only thing thats missing, IMO, is what Arcana Unearthed has. The ability to gain an action point when doing something heroic and not spending one. Which i'll add into the system on my own.

Personally i cant wait to play a Swashbuckler/Rogue/Fighter/Extreme Explorer :-D

well maybe just Swashbuckler/Rogue/Extreme Explorer

 

[Kesh]

Johnny, if the theme/core concept behing Eberron is cinematic/pulp adventure, shouldn't these kind of things be available as core abilities or feats for all the classes, as opposed to just abilities in a prestige class?

I got the exact impression from this article that it is a core feature. That there are feats available to any class. The Extreme Explorer simply gains more points and some extra feats/abilities to use them with.

 

[Pbartender]

I think by "Extreme" they mean "and Explorer of the most extreme [read: dangerous, remote, etc...] areas of the Eberron setting." All the X-Games inspired bashing going on here just indicates what we all knew was true about some gamers: they have "extreme" reactions over things that don't matter one whit.

Amen.

I think everyone is forgetting what extreme actually means...it is an appropriate fit for the PrC...but it just happens to be an over-used word nowadays.

I'd swear they said at WF that the name wasn't necessarily final, either...

Mechanics-wise, the class should be cool: they get MORE action-points than most PC's. Think of them as a daredevil...someone who tries the crazy stunts just because he can....

-Rugger
"I Lurk!"

But that's the whole point, you see.

I have nothing against the PrC itself, and I completely understand the true meaning of the word 'extreme'. But when it is used in this manner and context, it conveys a particular image... Especially after the whole 'X-treme' craze of the past few years. Regardless of whether you can look past the word, everyone's first immpression is going to resemble a renaissance Magellan decked out in Raybans and bermuda shorts sailboarding around Cape Horn in a hurricane while slamming down a can of Diet Mountain Dew.

So, either the WotC editors don't understand the connotation the word has in modern popular culture (in which case they need to pay more attention to their target demographic), or they thoroughly understand the popular meaning and are aiming to appeal to a specific group of potential players (in which case they need to evaluate how many current and potential players will be turned off by the tactic).

In other words, actual intentions aside, it comes off as a cheap and easy attempt to cash in on a pop culture buzz-word.

 

[TiQuinn]

I got the exact impression from this article that it is a core feature. That there are feats available to any class. The Extreme Explorer simply gains more points and some extra feats/abilities to use them with.

Okay, but then aside from that, there isn't much to the class in terms of flavor. It's still very generic in description.

 

[wocky]

Disclaimer: I like Eberron and I think the designer (Keith Baker) is a really talented guy. Read my biased responses below.

Well, I'm seriously thinking of getting Eberron when it launches... and have nothing against what I heard so far, however, I really see the trend I mentioned in WotC's products.

Action points are as easy to translate into non-game terms as any of the "points" in D&D. When you "spend an action point," it represents an extreme (that's right) effort, a heroic flourish or a last-ditch attempt.

What I meant is that if you compared a normal Ranger and a Ranger that multiclassed in the Extreme Explorer "in game", there wouldn't be anything visible... the guy is just... more extreme in his actions, or something... plus, there would be no way in which he could describe his career path (i.e., no guild he chose, no special tactic/skills)... he just became more extreme...

I'd rather not see feats or class abilities sacrificed for more action points... feats and class abilities build background and give flavor, action points don't. Taking it to absurd levels you'd have the "Powerpuff Commoner" core class, which is simply a standard guy who sacrificies BaB, Saves, all abilities, skills and feats for action points. He's able to do almost anything he wishes... bah!

Disclamer: I like the idea of "Action points" though, and hope Unearthed Arcana brings them to my game before Eberron does

 

[Dr. Strangemonkey]

Why not simply call it Daredevil Adventurer or Dungeoneer?

Then at least you are celebrating the genericness.