Is encounter books next?

[Olgar Shiverstone]

There was the Book of Challenges for 3.0, so there is precedent for it even with this edition.

And since there hasn't been a "Book of Challenges II" for 3.5, I surmise it wasn't a particularly successful product.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

And since there hasn't been a "Book of Challenges II" for 3.5, I surmise it wasn't a particularly successful product.

True. Too bad, though, because I really like BoC. A nifty little book.

 

[Frostmarrow]

Here is another example of the new encounter format. This time form Barrow of the Forgotten King.

A whole book full of these please.

 

[thedungeondelver]

The Book of Lairs series had its moments. I think the big issue with them was that they did not follow through on the concept as much as I think they could have.

The maps and art for same were pretty boring and uninteresting, most of the encounters failed to develop the tactics as well as they could have or lend real detail and inspiration, and in general the idea seemed not to be as well executed in practice as it was when originally pitched I suspect.

I wish I could have a chat with the editors of the original BOOK OF LAIRS and follow-on becaue I have a sneaking suspicion those particular booklets weren't really designed around the notion of "Hey let's build some stand-alone encounters" as much as they were "Hey who's got a bunch of notes on things they're working up for modules, we need some cash, quick."

I don't know what it is about them that gives me that feeling.

 

[00Machado]

TSR did this late in AD&D's life with two books : THE BOOK OF LAIRS and THE BOOK OF LAIRS II; you can pick them up relatively cheaply.

And WotC did this with Book of Challenges. I assume it didn't sell especially well, because we didn't see more "blue/GM books" after that. I like the idea though, especially if I get large maps like with the fantastic locations products.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

And WotC did this with Book of Challenges. I assume it didn't sell especially well, because we didn't see more "blue/GM books" after that. I like the idea though, especially if I get large maps like with the fantastic locations products.

We discussed that up in posts 8, 21, and 22. Anyway, I also like the idea, and would like to see more such books.

 

[Lord Zardoz]

I would seriously consider purchasing such a book.

It would depend on the way the encounters were done though. If it is just a slightly dressed up monster entry for combat, then I do not need that.

But if it had both combat and non combat encounters, and put alot of detail into listing situational modifiers and DC's for various skills that you could use in the encounter, then I would buy it. I would love to have a set of combat encounters with obstacles, cover, difficult terrain, heat damage from the nearby lava, concealment modifiers for the current weather, and the break DC / Hardness for the bridge, and whatever else could be handy.

END COMMUNICATION

 

[DM_Jeff]

>>Is encounter books next?

Already done, I think they called it "Monster Manual 4".

-DM Jeff

 

[DJCupboard]

The problem with the BoC for 3.0, was that the encounters, at low levels, were VERY underwhelming. Things like helping a wizard find his familiar in his tower. It was definitely written with the assumption that to be exciting an encounter needed to feature powerful oposition, rather than engaging exposition. For a book of encounters to showcase them at all levels, it needs to cater to what each level is good for, and that means investigation, skill tests, and easy but stimulating combat scenarios for the lower levels.