I think what I'd like to see in an Epic product is both not-entirely level dependent, and not-entirely character-focused.
Rather, I'd like to see a treatment of mass combat, and governing properties...be they single strongholds or entire kingdoms or anything in between. Both in mechanical terms, and in fluffly roleplaying terms.
I mean, that could be in the DMG too, but something player friendly, maybe?
And yes, of course, there can be spiffs for characters, but as has been stated before, a level 20 character is kind of crazy in terms of stats and abilities. I like the idea that the game formalizes the transition that has always been hinted at, and often been incorporated unofficially, which is that as characters progress into the teens and upward, the challenge slowly shifts from just saving their own hides in a combat to being directly responsible for real estate and people in the campaign world.
And that could give focus to epic abilities too. Abilities that interact with mass combat, or with the governing rules...abilities to heal a nation, or split it asunder, or lock it in a spell that freezes time for a generation. A ranger or druid might summon an army of treants, or swallow one in a massive earthquake.
Big things. Epic things. And so on. Things that won't necessarily help you against Baalthazzor The Superdragon, but will DEFINITELY be nice to have when the Brotherhood of Racist Men whip their converts to attack your peace-loving half-elf commune!
Rather, I'd like to see a treatment of mass combat, and governing properties...be they single strongholds or entire kingdoms or anything in between. Both in mechanical terms, and in fluffly roleplaying terms.
I mean, that could be in the DMG too, but something player friendly, maybe?
And yes, of course, there can be spiffs for characters, but as has been stated before, a level 20 character is kind of crazy in terms of stats and abilities. I like the idea that the game formalizes the transition that has always been hinted at, and often been incorporated unofficially, which is that as characters progress into the teens and upward, the challenge slowly shifts from just saving their own hides in a combat to being directly responsible for real estate and people in the campaign world.
And that could give focus to epic abilities too. Abilities that interact with mass combat, or with the governing rules...abilities to heal a nation, or split it asunder, or lock it in a spell that freezes time for a generation. A ranger or druid might summon an army of treants, or swallow one in a massive earthquake.
Big things. Epic things. And so on. Things that won't necessarily help you against Baalthazzor The Superdragon, but will DEFINITELY be nice to have when the Brotherhood of Racist Men whip their converts to attack your peace-loving half-elf commune!
