ELEMENTAL EVIL Player's Companion - FREE!

The Elemental Evil Player's Companion is available for free download over at DTRPG (and RPGNow). It includes new races (aarakocra, deep gnome, genasi, and goliath) and ove 40 new spells. The PDF is a full-colour 25-page PDF; according to the first page, the genasi in chapter 1 and all of the spells in chapter 2 also appear in the appendices of Princes of the Apocalypse, the adventure due to hit store shelves very soon.

"Not inherently evil, elemental power can be mastered by those with both malevolent and benign intentions. The Elemental Evil Player’s Companion provides everything players need to build a character that is tied directly into the Elemental Evil storyline.

New race options include the aarakocra, deep gnome, genasi, and goliath. Additionally, a plethora of new spells put the elements directly at your command.

The Elemental Evil Player’s Companion, was original designed by Richard Baker, Robert J. Schwalb and Stephen Schubert, with additional design and development by Wizards D&D R&D.

This accessory is specifically meant to support the Elemental Evil–Princes of the Apocalypse adventure product."

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[Dausuul]

Thoughts:

• Maybe this will sate the beast for a bit and we won't see so many threads complaining about the 5E release schedule.
• Non-fire sorcerers get a decent boost, but not as much as I was hoping. Cold sorcs do pretty well out of the deal. Frostbite, ice knife, and Snilloc's snowball swarm bolster them at low levels, and at the higher end, investiture of ice is a strong alternative to Otiluke's freezing sphere. Lightning and acid sorcs don't get as much love, but they do see their mid-range options beefed up by storm sphere and vitriolic sphere, respectively. Poison sorcs can go cry in the corner.
• Aarakocra can fly starting at level 1. Good deal. 4E tried to balance aarakocra by denying them the ability to fly until Paragon tier, and that never sat well with me. 5E's approach is much better--just give 'em the darn wings, and add a sidebar warning for DMs about the possible consequences of low-level flight.
• Love the new elemental cantrips.
• I foresee shenanigans around create bonfire and the warlock invocation that lets you push people with eldritch blast. Great way to make life hell for opponents in tight corridors.

 

[neobolts]

I am quite happy with this offering, especially for free. I wonder why the PDF was pushed through DTRPG rather than the articles format on the D&D website?

 

[CapnZapp]

I am quite happy with this offering, especially for free. I wonder why the PDF was pushed through DTRPG rather than the articles format on the D&D website?

Perhaps a kind soul could put a copy on Dropbox for us who can't easily get it from rpg stores?

Thanks.

I am quite happy with this offering, especially for free. I wonder why the PDF was pushed through DTRPG rather than the articles format on the D&D website?

 

[Kobold Stew]

I am quite happy with this offering, especially for free. I wonder why the PDF was pushed through DTRPG rather than the articles format on the D&D website?

Two main reasons I can think of:

1. They can track downloads more efficiently (and anything posted elsewhere is watermarked and so traceable to the first downloader). This lets them tell their stakeholders they are doing something about piracy.

2. Because it supports the hobby, directing traffic to another site that sells rpg materials.

I suspect #2 is of less importance to WOTC, but I'd be surprised if no one was pleased at the result.

 

[Manchu]

Maybe this will sate the beast for a bit and we won't see so many threads complaining about the 5E release schedule.

I can only speak for myself, but a 25-page PDF is not what I have in mind when I'm wondering why WotC seems so hesitant to print D&D products.

 

[neobolts]

Two main reasons I can think of:
1. They can track downloads more efficiently (and anything posted elsewhere is watermarked and so traceable to the first downloader). This lets them tell their stakeholders they are doing something about piracy.

I was thinking of this too. DTRPG already runs WotC's "classics" website. Maybe this is a trial run of things to come, gauging if they can move forward with current pay materials with DTRPG.

 

[Ramaster]

I skimmed the DMG, but never got around to finish reading it. I didn't realize that they included stats for the Aasimar, neat!

My joke was unfortunate and in hindsight I shouldn't have done it (I thought it was OK because this is a UK-based site. I'm not even from the USA myself!). I apologize.

This PDF is solid work by Mearls and Co. The Flying on aarakocras is bothersome to me and I would not allow them in my games. Goliaths are looking great though.

 

[raphaelus]

*hyperventilates*

---
Ok, now, that I've skimmed it, I'm stoked for the new races, particularly the return of the Goliaths. I think 4e did a good job highlighting the flavors the different races brought in their Player Handbooks. Also, elemental spells! Love the ice ones, and I now can satisfactorily make that earth focused transmuter rock gnome concept I had.

I would like more racial exclusive feats for races like the ones in this supplement (and tieflings, dragonborns, and shifters), who derive abilities from the uniqueness of their nature. In the air genasi, it was hinted the connection to the old concept of the storm genasi (crystals on hair on some of them). This screams feat!

 

[bogmad]

A spell list with schools and ritual tags!!

 

[Reynard]

I can only speak for myself, but a 25-page PDF is not what I have in mind when I'm wondering why WotC seems so hesitant to print D&D products.

I agree.