Have Arcana Evolved, will tell...

[Varianor Abroad]

Any spells different? Any spell mechanics different?

I ask because I'm writing some stuff, and I'd like to make "AU/AE" variant sidebars (and I only have AU).

-- N

AFAIK (having not seen the final copy), there are there are some new racial descriptors and a number of cool new spells, including 10th level. A couple of the higher level spells may have changed level, IIRC. I think if there are any changes that they are so few and far between that you should be okay working from AU, unless you want to add the new stuff.

 

[Staffan]

I don't know if you get +6. It states that you get another +4 to damage, but I assumed that was from having Weapon Specialization twice, not on top of it. It's poorly written to me because it once again refers to a weapon as opposed to that type of weapon and indicates that you get it twice, but then lists the total bonus as opposed to giving it another +2 for a TOTAL bonus.

I figured that since it says "another +4", it means in addition to the normal +2. If not, it would have said something like "increased to +4."

 

[Tyler Do'Urden]

Finally! We'll be able to slay the minions of Tiamat! In Paladine's holy name, vengence shall be --

I think you mean Takhisis...

 

[jeffh]

Hmmm... Don't know if I like the whole taking a feat a second time thing. It's an interesting idea though. I'll have to wait until I see the book and see where else it occurs. According to the interview with PC, it happens at least with Cleave as well.

How about the improved Weapon Focus and improved Weapon Specialization? I ask because since Monte had access to 3.5 material ahead of time and didn't include them, if they're just not appropriate or it was an oversight.

What's not to like? All it is, is a different, simpler way of expressing exactly what you can already do. It just replaces semi-redundant feats like Improved Two-Weapon Fighting and Great Cleave.

 

[jarandus]

How many new spell templates are there?

 

[Nightfall]

Sadly my computer got infected with the WinTools/Huntbar spam...and I had to reinstall Windows...which means I lost a good number of programs and files. AE WASN'T one of them. Adobe was. However since I'm not currently able to connect to the net via my old computer...and I already removed the floppy drive...along with have no other computer with burner qualities, AE has been lost to me for the time being. (At least until the weekend!)

But I can say there are new Spell Templates. (Dragon and Giant being two I liked a lot)

Also many of the spells from the Complete Book of Eldritch Might made it in too.

Invoked Apolcalyse has been moved to 10th level.

That's about all I can remember off hand.

 

[johnsemlak]

The reason Ceg got access to the PDF was an error on DTRPG's part. They accidently released it BEFORE the actual release date of Feb 28th. How do I know this?

I have a copy too. HOWEVER, Craig at DTRPG asked me not to spill the beans. (Sorry Craig!)

It's worth noting that screw-ups like this happen from time to time at these sites. A while back, DTRPG showed Dragonlance: Age of Mortals for sale in the Sovereign Press section, then the product was mysteriously but quickly taken off because apparently there was no deal to release DL products in PDF format (I hope this changes). (One question, did anyone actually get the Age of Mortals PDF before it was taken off?)

I'm sure products get accidentlally released at the wrong date from time to time. Sometimes Amazon accidentally sends its books well before the street date. It happens.


PS. Nightfall, good to see you back. There was a thread a while back specifically wondering where you where.

 

[Arkhandus]

Do Verrik still suck? I.E. are their racial traits, racial levels, and evolved stuff still basically worthless compared to the combat- and casting- and social-goodness of the other races? Do the Verrik still have only the tiniest mention of any background/culture/interesting RP stuff? I haven't been able to make myself play a Verrik Mind Witch because he just seems so weak and minimal in usefulness to a party, though that has as much to do with AU's shoddy/meager choice of which spells are psionic and which of those are simple/complex/exotic, and the very limited usefulness of most. Another, less important question, do the races in AE still seem kinda underpowered/underdeveloped/underwhelming as they did in AU?

 

[Gez]

If your really miffed that i got my copy early and have objections to my posting cool stuff early please feel free to e-mail me.

A bit later...

good...

yeah...

sure...

I've the feeling Monte did email you...

 

[Staffan]

Another, less important question, do the races in AE still seem kinda underpowered/underdeveloped/underwhelming as they did in AU?

I think part of the reason races are less powerful in AU is that every PC gets an extra feat at level 1. That feat increases character power a bit, and Monte chose to balance it out with relatively weak races.