Info from the 2006 May to August WotC Catalog

[thalmin]

I just added the Trade books to the first post, which include a reprint of a RAVENLOFT novel!

 

[thalmin]

Thalmin, is there a new edition of the D&D Basic Game listed in the catalogue? We've had a couple of markers on randomhouse and amazon for it.

Cheers!

I see no mention of anything, only the Player's Kit, which seems to be in a similar box and aimed at Basic Game graduates.

 

[thalmin]

Aaron, I liked your typo better.

 

[Lord Mhoram]

I like the books. For the first time in a couple of years, I have a book for each month of the catalog I want. Pretty cool.

 

[thalmin]

Just added paperbacks to the first post. Done.

 

[Shade]

Right, because nobody's been asking for sample encounters and similar DM aids.

Oh, wait. Yes they have. A lot. Heck, there are entire threads devoted to the concept over on the WotC boards.

I'm not opposed to sample encounters and DM aids, but I don't think a Monster Manual is the place for it. I'd rather see these things in the more focused monster books, like Draconomicon, than in the general monster books. I'd rather have more space devoted to expanded flavor text, fleshing out the creature's ecology, habitat, etc. (like the old days), or simply to have more monsters. A treasure chart won't be very useful unless you use the monster at that exact CR. Since the rules support and encourage improving monsters, that's just wasted space for a large number of us. Just my #.02. I may be in the minority.

 

[I'm A Banana]

But where's the innovation!?!

It has lots of potential to be there. They might take a sleeper on the MMIV, but the new statblock format and other, non-monster-stat information leads me to believe they'll follow through with a solid monster book. I could be underwhelmed, but recent threads have established that it's not hard to underwhelm me.

Specifically, the PHBII has a lot of potential. The DMGII was quite a bold choice for a new format, and though it came off as a random collection of assorted notes, it is virgin territory for WotC. The PHBII will be the same -- something they haven't really done before.

Fiendish Codex I could go either way, depending on how much of the book is cultivating a true feel for the different demons of the Abyss and how much is just updating 3.0 demon stats and reprinting Demon Lords.

Secrets of Xen'drik is intriguing, too. I'm eager for an Eberron book that isn't at least 50% about warforged, and I think that might do the trick.

Tome of Battle could be VERY good. Way too early to tell, but it's easily the one I'm looking forward to seeing the most.

I don't see anything quite as dull as Spell Compendium on the list, at least at first grok. So it looks like they had already taken my advice by the time I've given it. And the spell compendium will pass quickly into wordless obscurity and a good time will be had by all.

 

[NexH]

I'm not opposed to sample encounters and DM aids, but I don't think a Monster Manual is the place for it. I'd rather see these things in the more focused monster books, like Draconomicon, than in the general monster books. I'd rather have more space devoted to expanded flavor text, fleshing out the creature's ecology, habitat, etc. (like the old days), or simply to have more monsters. A treasure chart won't be very useful unless you use the monster at that exact CR. Since the rules support and encourage improving monsters, that's just wasted space for a large number of us. Just my #.02. I may be in the minority.

I'd also prefer the things you mentioned, but these additions may be useful beyond their immediate purpose. For example, the treasure charts and sample encounters could serve to expand the flavor of the monsters by showing examples of the creature's behavior.

 

[Rafilar]

Secrets of Xen'drik is intriguing, too. I'm eager for an Eberron book that isn't at least 50% about warforged, and I think that might do the trick.

Don't be so sure. Xen'drik is where House Cannith's original fortunes came from, where the warforged components and docents come from, and where it's rumored the schemas for warforged came from. All in all, I think we may be getting some information on how the giants originally invented warforged, or how there's an ancient warforged homeland in Xen'drik, or something similar. This book should be ever more warforgedey than the previous selections.

 

[DragonLancer]

Only the Demon Codex and the MM4 interest me from that list.