How have you used Dragon Magazine content?

[devilbat]

So I've been sitting here going through my huge collection of Dragon magazines, and I realize how little of the content I have actually used in game. Now I enjoy the magazine, especially since Erik Mona has taken over the reigns, and I have decide to try and use at least one article from an issue in each session.

I'd like to hear examples of how other readers have used Dragon's content in their own games.

 

[Crothian]

We used the duelist in a 3.0 game once, and the robin hood like setting a nd arrow feats got used too.

 

[Abstraction]

Well, let's just say it's personal and none of your damn business! Or my wife's!

 

[Storyteller01]

Used the Dark Sun races for DS. Also used the Hobgoblin race in the issue about war. The Shen is a nice monk alternative. Since I'm running a DS campaign, the two issues with dragons as a monster (albeit with 20 levels) class is used rather frequently.

To be honest, I've collected dozens, but I only use four regularly.

 

[Psion]

Let's see.

Not going to go fishing through my issues, so just a few examples off the top of my head:

The Talaire (introduced WAAAAY back in the issue pimping the 3.0 psionics HB) got pulled into my planar game and worked into the background, with a frequent NPC ally being Talaire.

I used the idea of "nightmare keys" from the recent Far Realms issue in my Planar game.

I haven't used it yet but I am dying to use one or more of the dragon insanities in #313, for it presents the playes with a powerful foe that they have to go to complicated lengths to deal with... straight up attacking it probably won't prevail (it might even be good...)

The Planar Handbook sort of lacked for new races (among other things) (oh, it had some, they just didn't do it for me). Fortunately, the alternate planetouched in 297 is written with the right tone.

 

[Alzrius]

One of my players is taking levels in the Tainted Warrior PrC from issue #302. Since we're playing The Shackled City Adventure Path, his character's being partially possessed by an arrow demon (MMIII) is working itself into the story quite nicely.

 

[STARP_JVP]

One of the Annuals had a "Royal Herald" prestige class that I ripped off, adapted for my old campaign and formed a group of 12 secret agent NPCs who were constantly investigating the PCs and generally making their lives difficult. Agent 07 had the initials "JB" and a reputation as an unkillable womaniser.

I also use the "Random Tavern Generator" from the same issue.

 

[The Shaman]

Birdcage liner.

Those glossy pages are surprisingly absorbant.

 

[diaglo]

Currently using The Strategic Review issues 1 thru 4 for the OD&D campaign i'm refereeing.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

Way back when, I used the Barbarian that was introduced in issue 63, and the clarifications Gygax wrote in a later issue. Same goes with the Cavalier and the Thief-Acrobat (I don't remember issue numbers, but they were way back). Used these classes a good while before they appeared "officially" in the 1e Unearthed Arcana.

Since then, I've used odds and ends, but I have to admit that I haven't used all that much mechanics-wise. However, there has certainly been a lot that has been inspirational.