It Starts (Splatbooks - Martial Power in October)

[GVDammerung]

We've heard of the Tome of Treasures. Now we've got Blood and Fist or Complete Warrior for 4th edition:

Martial Power

If you want to live in a world where D&D only has the core rulebooks there's a very short window to play. One advantage to being an 'early adopter' I guess.

When I was in the army, there was this marching cadence -

"Here we go again,
Same old **** again,
Marching down the avenue,
X more days and we'll be through."

Gentlemen and ladies, present wallets!

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

But I'm really curious about what's in "Martial Power" - none of the most anticipated classes are Martial Classes.

Swordmage -- Arcane
Sorcerer ----- Arcane
Druid -------- Fey (Feral)
Barbarian ---- Feral (Fey)
Monk -------- Ki?
Psionicist ---- Psi
Bard -------- Arcane

Maybe the Monk is Martial after all? But what else can there be in there in the way of Base Classes? I hope it's not all Paragon Paths / Epic Destinies (though some would be nice, obviously).

The Monk could be Martial if it's a pure martial artist, Ki, Psionic is they throw ki into psionics, or even Divine if they emphasize the religious aspects. There's just too many options depending on the designer's conception of the class. R&C said it'll be a striker, so I suspect it may not be a Martial class, since it looks like we'll be getting two Martial strikers in the PHB1.

Druid and Barbarian seem to be Primal since they've been said to be related. I don't think we'll be seeing them from Wizards before PHB2. I could see the Sorcerer as a Primal controller as well - the primal classes seem to be associated with uncontrolled powers and shapechanging, and I think a reconcepted Sorcerer would fit in there just fine. I'd prefer the Bard to be the Primal controller as well, but that's just so that Bards and Druids are in the same group, like they should be, dammit!

[As an aside, I've been wondering if the Primal power source is actually derived from the primordials, who also seem to have a big theme of rage and protean abilities. It would make Primal and Divine classes rather natural enemies.]

 

[cignus_pfaccari]

The Monk could be Martial if it's a pure martial artist, Ki, Psionic is they throw into psionics, or even Divine if they emphasize the religious aspects. There's just too many options depending on the designer's conception of the class. R&C said it'll be a striker, so I suspect it may not be a Martial class, since it looks like we'll be getting two Martial strikers in the PHB1.

I'm thinking Divine Striker, myself.

I have a really hard time seeing anything else being a Ki Defender, etc.

Brad

 

[Klaus]

It has been stated that the Martial power source isn't entirely nonmagical. If you go by the Shaolin philosophy that your spiritual advancement is reflected in your fighting prowess, the monk would be the poster boy for the Martial power source.

 

[Felon]

Where did it become common knowledge that there's a "fey" or "feral" power source and that the barbarian will have it instead of being martial?

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

We've heard of the Tome of Treasures. Now we've got Blood and Fist or Complete Warrior for 4th edition:

Martial Power

If you want to live in a world where D&D only has the core rulebooks there's a very short window to play. One advantage to being an 'early adopter' I guess.

Did WotC ever claim they weren't going to be releasing splatbooks in 4e? One of the earliest leaks about 4e was from the Israeli translator/distributor, and it mentioned that there would be a martial book later in 2008.

 

[Scholar & Brutalman]

Where did it become common knowledge that there's a "fey" or "feral" power source and that the barbarian will have it instead of being martial?

In Races and Classes, I think - I've lent out my copy so I can't check. With the comment in the latest Countdown to the Realms:

In truth, it seems that magic can be accessed in more ways than ever before, fueled by newfound knowledge of arcane, shadow, primal, and other sources of power.

Primal seems to be the official name for the power source.

 

[JoeGKushner]

The price is actually... 'pleasing' to me in that while they've increased the price of the core books (both in terms of actual price and cutting down on # of pages in MM and DMG), at least the splatbooks haven't gone up yet.

$29.95 for 160 Pages.

Not pleased that trend appears to be set in stone.

I would speculate that it will probably be similar to the original completes - 3 new 'base' martial classes. A smattering of paragon and epic tier spin off classes and a spell book style collection of feats/talents/powers.

WotC knows that spells sold well - spells are now powers, and all classes get them - so every book class based book now has a section that useful to all players - maximizes the appeal that way.

Monks may appear here. Psionic is definitely a power source - Gaia/Earth/Fey is probably a powersource - Ki might be a power source. Shadow is probably a power source, but probably not one of the first 3 (PHB2).

Monks could be Psionic, but probably are not. They are definitely Ki - but unless there is a OA style book slated for 2009, the Ki power source is probably not one of the first 3 either. Given that situation - the monk becomes one of the 3 base clases in Martial Power.

 

[Vigilance]

Whereas I am Seriously Pissed that they're putting crunch in adventures, basically forcing us to buy fluff we don't need to get a few Good Bits.

Hates adventures. Hates them forever!

I always loved adventures that gave me some crunch to go along with the fun, made the adventure much useful in the wider campaign, and players LOVE getting new spells that only they have as a reward.

 

[The Ubbergeek]

Agree - like it when you get a new spell, a new magical, a new monster/race etc...