Free Keep on the Shadowfell at Wizards.com

[Knightfall]

I have to admit, this is a really cool thing for WotC to do for 4e fans. Now excuse me while I convert this module to 3.5 for my own purposes.

 

[chriton227]

While this is really nice for the players, what does this mean for any FLGS that have copies sitting on the shelf?

 

[Daern]

Looks like the final battle has been improved. Also, mshea has some nice KOTS advice on his website.

 

[Obryn]

So WotC still thinks that a L+5 encounter is appropriate for the 3rd encounter that a new player is going to experience? Um? It looks like it WAS made a little easier, but it's still L+5...

It's doable, but tough.

It's also fairly optional, when it comes down to it. You can finish the entire adventure without facing Irontooth. Better yet, you can come back to him when you hit 2nd or 3rd level and have a much easier time of things.

Personally, love it. I think it feels like a throwback to those wonderful killer encounters in 1e - a fairly unbalanced, high-risk, high-reward optional side-quest. Like, say, following that secret passage under the tower in ToEE...

-O

 

[Dire Bare]

It is nice to have the quick start rules so easily accessible.

Can anybody at WotC say anything about an FLGS burning them to CD or something and handing them out?

It may be a free download at wizards.com, but it's still copyrighted. My guess would be "no".

 

[Dire Bare]

While this is really nice for the players, what does this mean for any FLGS that have copies sitting on the shelf?

Hard to say. Some free PDFs have led to higher hard copy sales for various RPG publishers . . . but I don't think a massive study has been done on the subject (at least not one that's been made public).

This module's been in the retail chain long enough I doubt it will seriously impact retail sales. Now, if they released a free download for "E1: Death's Reach" (released this month) . . . I'd be more curious what kind of impact that would have!

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

It's funny that so many people say that KotS isn't such a great adventure. Yet I have stolen a lot from it. A part of my base plot in the online campaign uses material from KotS - it provides me with a nice starting city and a few NPC to run around. Of course I removed most of the plot line (the Keep is still intact, protected by Nerathi Guardians and much more changes).

The fact that they updated the adventure is neat, especially considering it is free.

 

[Vicar In A Tutu]

Very cool

 

[FireLance]

Area 8 (Sir Keegan's Tomb) - Keegan's stats have been reworked, and a proper skill challenge has been added.

Too bad the skill challenge can't decide whether four or six successes are required. I'm personally inclined to go with six successes myself.

 

[Mephistopheles]

Lowering the barriers of entry for people to get a look at what it's all about is definitely a good move. Thumbs up to WotC on this one.