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From Novice to Master
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<blockquote data-quote="Christopher Heath" data-source="post: 2014281" data-attributes="member: 27204"><p>We at Heathen Oracle appreciate Joe taking the time to review From Novice to Master, and he makes some good points, but I think some need discussed...</p><p></p><p>1)core classes that really don't need another version like the bounty hunter, duelist and gladiator.</p><p></p><p>I beg to differ. First off, they aren't core classes, they are officially prestige classes. I felt the option for full class versions should be open for these categories. If they are available as full class versions, I haven't seen them. A duelist should begin his training with a singular weapon type at the earliest age possible, for example. Plus, we gave them added features to make those classes more attractive while preserving game balance. </p><p></p><p>2) This isn't to say that they're all what you'd directly expect though. For instance, the crusader is the first class I've ever seen that gets a 1d8+1 for hit points. In addition, she can cast spells, but does so without memorization at the loss of spontaneous healing. What's the point of the latter if you have the former ability though? </p><p></p><p>First off, it's a minor point considering the scope of the class, but it has more to do with semantics and design engineering. The class is sturdier than a cleric, but not so sturdy as a paladin, hence the d8+1. They aren't as good with divine magic as clerics and don't prepare spells, hence the lack of ability to convert a prepared spell to healing energy. Hope that explains it.</p><p></p><p>3)The prestige classes face similar problems to the core classes in that many of the ideas have been done before. </p><p></p><p>I don't really consider this a problem if they're better than what's come before. For instance, if there's a more detailed, better dragon slayer on the market, I'd like to see it. I haven't.</p><p></p><p>4) Formatting problems...</p><p></p><p>I forgot to number pages only on the light version. It is all in alphabetical order, so shouldn't be a huge problem. Still, good point. For some of the (very) minor layout issues, I think we're all proud that this is one of the best looking PDFs to date. I did forget to bookmark the PDF, unfortunately, as Joe pointed out. It's all alphabetical, though. </p><p></p><p>5) What's wrong with Novice to Master? While there are two versions, it's still only a 50 page product and runs at $10. </p><p></p><p>All I can say to this is: When's the last time we've seen a PDF with 15 highly detailed interior color illustrations that wasn't some sort of big business rpg book scanned in? </p><p></p><p>6) There's nothing wrong with PrCs, but with the plethora of them on the market, the book's utility needs to be kicked up a notch. How about some magic items? How about some feats? How about some organizations? There needs to be a little meat around the bones. </p><p></p><p>7)From Novice to Master is a book of classes and prestige classes. Would somebody buy a book of Feats and say "Hey, where's the classes?" We included a Brochure of Calante as an added bonus. I actually prefer products that are focused, that way you don't have everything scattered when you're trying to look something up. For example, "I think that Feat was in the back of an Ultimate Prestige Class book." Maybe it was in some book about arcane staves. Before you know it, you're flipping through five different products trying to find it. The organizations will be there, when we come out with the Azieran Campaign Setting. Give us time, please. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":)" /></p><p></p><p>We never made the claim that all the classes were original in origin (although there are some, like the Malkan Knight, which would be a great addition to any campaign). I gave them all fresh looks and made these classes more functional than what I've seen on the market. I don't think you can find a better bounty hunter (with many abilities including urban tracking and the 'quick cufff' ability). Or any of the other classes. I think the beauty of this product was overlooked, because when you compare any of our classes or prestige classes to what's out there, it's obvious that more thought and innovation went into them than what's available from other companies. Point in case, we haven't had customer complaint one. If I paid $10 for a PDF and found it to be a 3 star product, I would have a complaint. How about another star or two, Joe? <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink ;)" data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> I realize you didn't have time to pair up our classes against the competition, but that's where a lot of the value is. We were, in part, trying to put out quintessential versions of known classes, and then focus in on some prestige classes. That's not to say we weren't inventive with the known classes. </p><p></p><p>Again, we'd like to thank Joe for being kind enough to review our product.</p><p></p><p>-Christopher Heath</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Christopher Heath, post: 2014281, member: 27204"] We at Heathen Oracle appreciate Joe taking the time to review From Novice to Master, and he makes some good points, but I think some need discussed... 1)core classes that really don't need another version like the bounty hunter, duelist and gladiator. I beg to differ. First off, they aren't core classes, they are officially prestige classes. I felt the option for full class versions should be open for these categories. If they are available as full class versions, I haven't seen them. A duelist should begin his training with a singular weapon type at the earliest age possible, for example. Plus, we gave them added features to make those classes more attractive while preserving game balance. 2) This isn't to say that they're all what you'd directly expect though. For instance, the crusader is the first class I've ever seen that gets a 1d8+1 for hit points. In addition, she can cast spells, but does so without memorization at the loss of spontaneous healing. What's the point of the latter if you have the former ability though? First off, it's a minor point considering the scope of the class, but it has more to do with semantics and design engineering. The class is sturdier than a cleric, but not so sturdy as a paladin, hence the d8+1. They aren't as good with divine magic as clerics and don't prepare spells, hence the lack of ability to convert a prepared spell to healing energy. Hope that explains it. 3)The prestige classes face similar problems to the core classes in that many of the ideas have been done before. I don't really consider this a problem if they're better than what's come before. For instance, if there's a more detailed, better dragon slayer on the market, I'd like to see it. I haven't. 4) Formatting problems... I forgot to number pages only on the light version. It is all in alphabetical order, so shouldn't be a huge problem. Still, good point. For some of the (very) minor layout issues, I think we're all proud that this is one of the best looking PDFs to date. I did forget to bookmark the PDF, unfortunately, as Joe pointed out. It's all alphabetical, though. 5) What's wrong with Novice to Master? While there are two versions, it's still only a 50 page product and runs at $10. All I can say to this is: When's the last time we've seen a PDF with 15 highly detailed interior color illustrations that wasn't some sort of big business rpg book scanned in? 6) There's nothing wrong with PrCs, but with the plethora of them on the market, the book's utility needs to be kicked up a notch. How about some magic items? How about some feats? How about some organizations? There needs to be a little meat around the bones. 7)From Novice to Master is a book of classes and prestige classes. Would somebody buy a book of Feats and say "Hey, where's the classes?" We included a Brochure of Calante as an added bonus. I actually prefer products that are focused, that way you don't have everything scattered when you're trying to look something up. For example, "I think that Feat was in the back of an Ultimate Prestige Class book." Maybe it was in some book about arcane staves. Before you know it, you're flipping through five different products trying to find it. The organizations will be there, when we come out with the Azieran Campaign Setting. Give us time, please. :) We never made the claim that all the classes were original in origin (although there are some, like the Malkan Knight, which would be a great addition to any campaign). I gave them all fresh looks and made these classes more functional than what I've seen on the market. I don't think you can find a better bounty hunter (with many abilities including urban tracking and the 'quick cufff' ability). Or any of the other classes. I think the beauty of this product was overlooked, because when you compare any of our classes or prestige classes to what's out there, it's obvious that more thought and innovation went into them than what's available from other companies. Point in case, we haven't had customer complaint one. If I paid $10 for a PDF and found it to be a 3 star product, I would have a complaint. How about another star or two, Joe? ;) I realize you didn't have time to pair up our classes against the competition, but that's where a lot of the value is. We were, in part, trying to put out quintessential versions of known classes, and then focus in on some prestige classes. That's not to say we weren't inventive with the known classes. Again, we'd like to thank Joe for being kind enough to review our product. -Christopher Heath [/QUOTE]
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