March and Beyond

[Klaus]

Alas, the Black Hound was a paragon path chosen earlier in the book's development (since, as mentioned in the original article, I was drawn to any paragon path thematically tied to dogs!). However, it did not make the final book, and was swapped out with the Shadow Thief. Apologies for the confusion.

Aw, drat!

 

[TerraDave]

hound? another novel preview?


What I saw looked....really...good.


Its something of a strange feeling.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Black Hounds sound cool. If they don't bring it back then we should just rework the sucker so it is good and make them put it in Dragon. Crud, why complain the stuff we want isn't there?

 

[Colmarr]

Alas, the Black Hound was a paragon path chosen earlier in the book's development (since, as mentioned in the original article, I was drawn to any paragon path thematically tied to dogs!). However, it did not make the final book, and was swapped out with the Shadow Thief. Apologies for the confusion.

That sounds like a WotC staffer talking.

You know, we really should have a rule that you guys need to identify yourselves in the sig

 

[bryanlo]

What, it's gone? I just read it last night! Damn. I love me some doggies.

 

[Neverfate]

Someone who takes a live dog and turns them into a undead shadow creature is just outright evil. That line has been crossed.

Or, you know, just reflavor the mechanics however you want. Shadow Thief? Rainbow Thief!!! Shadow Hound? Sparkle Hound!!

There are no inherent properties to a game of pretend. WotC is just using a new angle to sell a book (because the thought of Martial Power 13 seems drab and unappealing to everyone).

 

[Mouseferatu]

Or, you know, just reflavor the mechanics however you want. Shadow Thief? Rainbow Thief!!! Shadow Hound? Sparkle Hound!!

Stephenie Meyer? Is that you, Stephenie?

 

[Canor Morum]

the second monster vault is actually a hardcover, not a boxed set. Apparently they are just shrink-wrapping the token sheets and poster maps with the book.

If this is the case Threats to the Nentir Vale is a definite buy for me. I was on the fence at first because of the expected small softcover format.

I would have picked up Heroes of Shadow either way but I'm really glad it is going to be a hardcover now.

Gloomwrought and Beyond is a buy as well. I can live with the box I guess.

Overall it looks like they finally have some books I'm excited about. I would have bought more Essentials if it weren't for the boxes, tokens, and small paperbacks. The ship has sailed on that one.

 

[Jhaelen]

I hate to disappoint you, but the second monster vault is actually a hardcover, not a boxed set. Apparently they are just shrink-wrapping the token sheets and poster maps with the book.

Oh, wow! Since it includes tokens I automatically assumed it was going to be a box. Everything's cool then - thanks for clearing this up

 

[Klaus]

That sounds like a WotC staffer talking.

You know, we really should have a rule that you guys need to identify yourselves in the sig

That's Bart Carroll. You can tell by the red shirt.

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

That's Bart Carroll. You can tell by the red shirt.

Yes, and we have assigned Bart a new task, make the shadow puppy PP show up in Dragon. We'll be sure to point out any and all mechanical tweaks needed, we promise.

 

[Colmarr]

That's Bart Carroll. You can tell by the red shirt.

Ahh. We meet at last Mr Carroll... [steeples fingers]

Yes, and we have assigned Bart a new task, make the shadow puppy PP show up in Dragon. We'll be sure to point out any and all mechanical tweaks needed, we promise.

Wait. "We"? Don't tell me you're a staffer too (or do you mean the collective ENworld "we")?

 

[AbdulAlhazred]

Wait. "We"? Don't tell me you're a staffer too (or do you mean the collective ENworld "we")?

The collective Enworld we, yes. Of course if someone is offering me a job... lol.

Really though, any and all expertise needed to polish up that PP is certainly present here. There were several promising suggestions upthread. Personally I didn't see much wrong with it at all. The main issue really seemed to be that the hound's main benefit was a tad bit situational. With the right fighter build for instance the thing can be quite effective as-is, you'd just want to optimize around it a whole lot (to punish prone enemies basically). I think it could use being a decent amount broader in applicability. Beyond that the fluff was pretty sweet and we can deal with any other issues easily enough.

 

[Klaus]

The collective Enworld we, yes. Of course if someone is offering me a job... lol.

Really though, any and all expertise needed to polish up that PP is certainly present here. There were several promising suggestions upthread. Personally I didn't see much wrong with it at all. The main issue really seemed to be that the hound's main benefit was a tad bit situational. With the right fighter build for instance the thing can be quite effective as-is, you'd just want to optimize around it a whole lot (to punish prone enemies basically). I think it could use being a decent amount broader in applicability. Beyond that the fluff was pretty sweet and we can deal with any other issues easily enough.

Just FYI, the original Black Hound PP was a bit different from what was seen in the preview.

 

[Dausuul]

Stephenie Meyer? Is that you, Stephenie?

Y'know, penanggalans sparkle. At least, so says Wikipedia. Their dangling, bloody, engorged entrails "twinkle like fireflies."

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

See... this is why we aren't getting Ravenloft 4e. Vampires of the Mists are not, I repeat *NOT* allowed to sparkle.

 

[Ryujin]

See... this is why we aren't getting Ravenloft 4e. Vampires of the Mists are not, I repeat *NOT* allowed to sparkle.

Give them the Twilight work-over and they will. Might even start a buying frenzy with teenaged girls.

 

[Nemesis Destiny]

I should have chosen my words better; let me try again.

"This is why we should not get Ravenloft 4e; Sparkling vampires sell books, and sparkling vampires would completely ruin* Ravenloft."

* Especially if Mearls gets his hands on it!!!

 

[Knightfall]

I hate to disappoint you, but the second monster vault is actually a hardcover, not a boxed set. Apparently they are just shrink-wrapping the token sheets and poster maps with the book.

I haven't heard anything about this being a hardcover instead of a boxed set.

Source?

If this is the case Threats to the Nentir Vale is a definite buy for me. I was on the fence at first because of the expected small softcover format.

Oh, wow! Since it includes tokens I automatically assumed it was going to be a box. Everything's cool then - thanks for clearing this up

While I was looking forward to another boxed set, I'm glad it will still include the tokens. If it didn't, then I'd be a little annoyed since the tokens are one of the best features of the original MV.

Besides, I can just put the new tokens into my essentials MV box.

 

[Dice4Hire]

I would also like to know the source of the hardcover rumor also. I ahve seen nothing that supports it.

Edit: Looking at WOTC's product catalog it says a 128 page book, which is odd. The MV is 318 pages and MM3 was 220, so by either standard it is pretty slim. Not sure what this means