Impressions from KotS

[D'karr]

Aren't they old maps repurposed for this adventure?

They are maps from Fantastic Locations that have been cleaned up for use as RPG maps rather than DDM maps. Over all I think they are very good, and I have the Fantastic Location maps.

 

[Halivar]

But what happens if there are interrupts on the stack?

You can't interrupt an interrupt. You can only react to it (a "reaction" action occurs only after the interruption is resolved).

Unconscious: An unconscious high level character is harder to hit than an equally unconscious low level character.

I read this as "harder to hurt" rather than "harder to hit."

Dominated: Damn, did they wussify/simplify this, at least for the quick start rules.

I think I remember hearing that serious enchanters were being prorated for a later PHB.

No 'common villager' stats? No stats for, well anyone you aren't expected to kill? How about just for basic bluff/insight/diplomacy checks? Sheesh, even Village of Hommlet statted out the local yokels.

I expect that, for non-vital NPC's you simply succeed. If you attack them, you kill them. If you hit them, you knock them down. If you lie to them, I'd probably ask you if your modifier was higher than +5, in which case they believe you. One of the Forge-isms I rather like is the "narrativist" GM rule "Just say 'yes'". It's certainly going away from the "simulationism" of 3E.

Same with the hobgoblin's armor. It's not clear if these items are "real" and can be looted or are "flavor text".

The first encounter says something along the lines of, "the players find xx silver and whatever weapons and armor the kobolds are carrying."

 

[davethegame]

The first encounter says something along the lines of, "the players find xx silver and whatever weapons and armor the kobolds are carrying."

It didn't appear, however, that there were prices for the kobold's gear you can collect when you try to sell them in town.

Our writeup is here:
http://www.critical-hits.com/2008/05/20/session-report-keep-on-the-shadowfell/

 

[Wolfspider]

The ink on the cover of the book didn't stand up to my thumb-sweat and has fingerprints all over it after one read-through, so I agree with the cover stock criticism.

Fitz

Ooooh...I hate books that attract fingerprints like that.

 

[Celebrim]

30 bucks for this? I feel like just bought gas.

LOL.

There are no size penalties on forced movement? Or is it just not relevant due to the foes in the adventure?

In newspeak, this question makes no sense. Your simulationism is disloyalty to the new edition.

I like how clear it is which actions you can take during the upkeep phase...I mean, at the start of your turn. But what happens if there are interrupts on the stack?

LOL

The rogue hits more often than the fighter? (+8 vs. +6)

There was a time when you could claim moral superiority for playing a rogue. Alas, now its just another munchkin class for power gamers.

Unconscious: An unconscious high level character is harder to hit than an equally unconscious low level character.

Once again, do not ask questions. This is not an edition designed for people that ask questions.

Forced movement not hindred by difficult terrain? Yeah, THAT won't be exploited...

Don't think of it as an exploit. Think of it as opening up new tactical oppurtunities.

Apparently, being restrained/immobilized doesn't keep you from attacking/casting in any way. 106 hit points? For a KOBOLD? At 3rd level? Wow. Not your father's D&D.

Just think, he can deliberately jump off a 200' cliff and be healthy again in time for dinner.

No 'common villager' stats? No stats for, well anyone you aren't expected to kill? How about just for basic bluff/insight/diplomacy checks? Sheesh, even Village of Hommlet statted out the local yokels.

Questions. Questions. Always want to know 'Why?' Stats for something you aren't expected to kill, need you not. For adventure fourth edition is. No more will I teach at this time.

If you kill Keegran, can you take his stuff? Same with the hobgoblin's armor. It's not clear if these items are "real" and can be looted or are "flavor text". (In any other version of D&D, I wouldn't even think to ask, but 4e follows a different paradigm...)

Wait, never mind. Just saw that the blade "falls to pieces" if you fight him. Yeah. THAT'S not lame. Railroad plot, boarding at station 3...last call, station 3 for the plot railroad.

Uhm...wait a minute...the sword you get if you're nice to Keeran has totally different powers than it does when he wields it? The FRACK? What, is this some sort of "magic" sword? (Well, yeah, but really...)

Don't think of it as a railroad. It's a road map with exception based design so that everything leads to the same destination.

 

[Halivar]

Once again, do not ask questions. This is not an edition designed for people that ask questions.

If I drink the Kool-Aid, it's because I like the flavor, not because I'm mentally deficient. 4th Edition is Purplesaurus Rex flavored. I think we can all agree this is the best flavor of Kool-Aid ever produced.

 

[Cadfan]

Celebrim- thank you so much for your opinions.

The best part is your comment on the rogue, because I can't tell if its a slam on 3e, a slam on 4e, both, or a completely meaningless comment filled with buzzwords.

 

[Scribble]

If I drink the Kool-Aid, it's because I like the flavor, not because I'm mentally deficient. 4th Edition is Purplesaurus Rex flavored. I think we can all agree this is the best flavor of Kool-Aid ever produced.

your purplesaurus rex = wrongbadfunbad

The best koolaide was obviously ektokooler... wait was that a flavor of koolaide or it's own thing. Did I even spell that right?

It was green though... and came in a big can you had to open with a can opener. What were they thinking?

 

[Rechan]

your purplesaurus rex = wrongbadfunbad

The best koolaide was obviously ektokooler... wait was that a flavor of koolaide or it's own thing. Did I even spell that right?

It was green though... and came in a big can you had to open with a can opener. What were they thinking?

I think I remember that stuff! That's a real blast from my past right there. But it also came in pouches or little boxes. I think - had Slimer on them.

Friend of mine says that Midori Sours at any bar taste like it.

 

[Badkarmaboy]

Peter Schaefer from wotc R&D and Sammy Simpson (wotc customer support IIRC) came down to my FLGS to run some 4E demo action with me this past Saturday (with a total of 69 folks showing up to play!). Sammy and I ran encounters from Escape from Sembia while Peter ran selections from KotS. All the players I talked to really had a good time with it. I'm looking forward to running it for my home group.


Cadfan- I was thinking the same thing with the whole Rogue comment.