Ecology of the Deathknight up

[Merlin the Tuna]

Um, no. What i mean is what I said.

Okay, so you meant that there are two diametrically opposed schools of thought in the current fan base, and that this makes it count as a split fan base only if the designers side with one as opposed to the other?

 

[Glyfair]

Okay, so you meant that there are two diametrically opposed schools of thought in the current fan base, and that this makes it count as a split fan base only if the designers side with one as opposed to the other?

I think he means the split is brought out by the announcement of the change. It wasn't really important because those that didn't like the Great Wheel used something else. Once the new cosmology was described, many liked it. They didn't like it before because they didn't know about it.

For example, in another thread someone pointed out some fluff that mentioned "dim-witted" undead, rather than mindless undead. I remembered that I always disliked the mindless undead, because I couldn't buy into the undead being able to make any decisions if mindless. It wasn't something I worried about, and mostly ignored it. I was complaining that they needed to change such a silly thing. Once the difference was pointed out though, I liked the change and would argue for that change.

 

[MerricB]

Don't expect the Death Knight to have its Abyssal Blast power. Note that when they added it back in, that version "didn't feel right". Especially consider, "The death knight retains its supernatural nature without having abilities that feel like spells".

Cheers!

 

[mhacdebhandia]

I guess I'm a 4e fanboy or something, but I really LOVED the article.

The artwork is fantastic---and I am confident that the art direction of 4e is in good hands. The 'fluff' is evocative, interesting and (for this DM at least) inspiring.

I just want to comment that I loved the artwork too - apart from the elf in the picture, which is just badly composed and composited, everything else is great. I especially love this image:



When you look at the large version (click!), there's an amazing level of detail and inspiration there. I love the skeleton with the "shocked" expression on the right - look at the exposed skull where the dried flesh has been torn away!

I also love the colour in this picture.

 

[Blair Goatsblood]

Now it's been a long time since I read the original Death Knight entry in the 1e FF (it's in storage) but IIRC one of the reasons for Demogorgon creating the DK's was to use undead loyal/created by him (Demo) against the Prince of the Undead.

A friend of my decided in his campaign that of the 12 DK's 6 remained loyal to Demo while 6 went over to Orcus.

I imagined that due to the intense rivalry between Orcus and Demogorgon, Demogorgon created the Death Knights as an insult to Orcus.

 

[mhacdebhandia]

To me it appears there is a 3 in the green glow of the death knight's left eye socket (eye on the right side of the cover).

I think you're right. Also, the etching on the left side ("stage right") of the side plates of his armour resembles a 3.

Not sure about the elf's legs resembling a 4, but the filigree on her scabbard looks like an elongated, reversed 4. At a stretch, you could also say there are 4s in the stitching of her leggings.

ZOMG conspiracy.

 

[Geron Raveneye]

I think you're right. Also, the etching on the left side ("stage right") of the side plates of his armour resembles a 3.

Not sure about the elf's legs resembling a 4, but the filigree on her scabbard looks like an elongated, reversed 4. At a stretch, you could also say there are 4s in the stitching of her leggings.

ZOMG conspiracy.

Oh man, you had to point that out, didn't you? Stop bashing my spark of optimism into the ground, you!

 

[Wormwood]

I just want to comment that I loved the artwork too - apart from the elf in the picture, which is just badly composed and composited, everything else is great. I especially love this image:

My favorite. My wallpaper, in fact.

 

[M.L. Martin]

Don't expect the Death Knight to have its Abyssal Blast power. Note that when they added it back in, that version "didn't feel right". Especially consider, "The death knight retains its supernatural nature without having abilities that feel like spells".

Cheers!

Yeah, but on a Religion check of 25 or higher, you learn that "A death knight can also surround itself in a burst of unholy fire that burns the living and wreathes undead in dangerous green and black flames."

I think it's in, just with some new wrinkles.

 

[Irda Ranger]

My favorite. My wallpaper, in fact.

I say this as a friend, so don't take it the wrong way ...

... but you out-fanboy F4NBOY.