Elemental Power Source

[Dragonhelm]

I know there has been talk amongst fans about the possibility of an elemental power source. Just wondering if WotC has mentioned any plans for an official elemental power source, or whether that’s been scrapped.

I’ve noticed that there are few tools in 4e for playing an elementalist, or elemental mage. Some of the elements are there, but some are spread between classes, and there doesn’t seem to be much in terms of air, earth, or water spells for arcane classes.

Thanks, everyone.

 

[the Jester]

The PH lists "elemental" as one of the power sources to be detailed in the future.

Of course, it also listed Ki, which (as we know) has been rolled into others like Psionic and Martial.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Shadow and Elemental in PH4.

 

[ggroy]

I’ve noticed that there are few tools in 4e for playing an elementalist, or elemental mage. Some of the elements are there, but some are spread between classes, and there doesn’t seem to be much in terms of air, earth, or water spells for arcane classes.

One lazy way is to just reskin some of the mechanics and powers from other classes (ie. wizard, sorcerer, druid, cleric, etc ...) but change the keyword to air, earth, or water.

 

[Shroomy]

When the monk playtest article was first released and it was revealed that the ki power source was being dropped, many speculated that the elemental power source would suffer the same fate (others also speculated that the shadow power source was also being sacrificed). Over at rpg.net, Mike Mearls said the following in response:

Elemental and shadow aren't going anywhere. When we thought about ki, we also thought a lot about other power sources. We did some concept work on story and mechanics as a proof of concept.

(In general, that's a key component of our design approach. We're less into doing things now because they seem like good ideas. We'll do them because we can prove that they are good ideas.)

RPGnet Forums - View Single Post - What will ki be like?

 

[Marshall]

With fertile ground like Butcher's Furies series out there to be mined for story ideas I dont see how Elemental, or more likely, Primordial could die as a power source.

 

[ggroy]

When the monk playtest article was first released and it was revealed that the ki power source was being dropped, many speculated that the elemental power source would suffer the same fate (others also speculated that the shadow power source was also being sacrificed).

I can see shadow being done, perhaps for PHB4. If they're really lazy, they can always see what has already been done in "Forgotten Heroes: Scythe and Shroud" by Goodman.

Goodman Games

Elemental is harder to say for sure whether it will be dropped or not.

At this piont I wouldn't put too much base in what the WotC designers say. The final judge will be when and if some elemental classes published by WotC start to appear.

 

[Shroomy]

I can see shadow being done, perhaps for PHB4. If they're really lazy, they can always see what has already been done in "Forgotten Heroes: Scythe and Shroud" by Goodman.

Goodman Games

Elemental is harder to say for sure whether it will be dropped or not.

At this piont I wouldn't put too much base in what the WotC designers say. The final judge will be when and if some elemental classes published by WotC start to appear.

Shadow has already begun, the assassin class uses the shadow power source and there are also a couple of paragon paths that utilize it.

 

[Rechan]

This is purely an "Off the record" conversation I had with a WotC employee, and I can't back any of it up except with my word.

I had lunch with Rodney Thompson earlier this year. Among the things I asked, I brought up the Elemental power source, asking how it could differ from other elemental using classes.

Rodney responded that they had not started at all with Elemental yet. However, when they did, they would create a story for the classes, and from that story would come their mechanics.

 

[FireLance]

Rodney responded that they had not started at all with Elemental yet. However, when they did, they would create a story for the classes, and from that story would come their mechanics.

Hmmm...

PH1: A New Game
PH2: The Return of the Primals
PH3: The Far Realm Menace
PH4: The Primordials Strike Back?

 

[Deverash]

With fertile ground like Butcher's Furies series out there to be mined for story ideas I dont see how Elemental, or more likely, Primordial could die as a power source.

Jim Butcher's Furies series are definately awesome. I'm not sure how'd they'd work in 4e, but I'd love to see someone try.