Monte Cook Presents the Year's best D20

[Arcane Runes Press]

Year's worst d20, now there's a crackerjack idea, Phil. I think we'd need more than 96 pages for that one though.

But would it be by submission only?

Might make for a short book that way. Probably sell pretty well, though. People love a train wreck.

Here are some entries.

Total Death
Necromancy
Level: DM 1
Components: V, S, M
Casting Time: 1 session
Range: Table
Target: 1 player
Duration: Permanent
Save: Will save negates
Spell Resistance: No

When this spell is cast, the DM takes your character sheet and rips it to pieces. The player can make a Will save to resist, using his own ability scores.
Material Component: Scissors, or bare hands.

Break Fourth Wall
Divination
Level: Player 1
Components: V, S
Casting Time: Free action
Range: Personal
Target: You
Duration: 10 to 60 minutes
Save: Will save negates
Spell Resistance: No

When this spell is cast, the characters are interrupted by phantom voices. The language is familiar, but confusing: the voices talk about "Grand Theft Auto", and "Cheetos", and "babes". A successful Will save from the DM is required for the characters to be able to accomplish anything meanful for 10 -60 minutes.


Awesomeness
You are awesome

Prerequisites: BAB +1
Benefits: You become a zombie, monkey, pirate, ninja, cyborg, or dinosaur.

Improved Awesomeness
You are even awesomer

Prerequisites: BAB +1, Awesomeness
Benefits: You become any two of the following: zombie, monkey, pirate, ninja, cyborg, or dinosaur.

Epic Awesomeness
You are sweet!

Prerequisites: BAB +1, Awesomeness, Improved Awesomeness
Benefits: Your name changes to Elminster Do'urden. Also, you have a lightsaber.


Patrick Y.

 

[Darkness]

Here are some entries.

ROFLMAO. I find your views interesting and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.

 

[Wombat]

Awesomeness
You are awesome

Prerequisites: BAB +1
Benefits: You become a zombie, monkey, pirate, ninja, cyborg, or dinosaur.

Improved Awesomeness
You are even awesomer

Prerequisites: BAB +1, Awesomeness
Benefits: You become any two of the following: zombie, monkey, pirate, ninja, cyborg, or dinosaur.

Epic Awesomeness
You are sweet!

Prerequisites: BAB +1, Awesomeness, Improved Awesomeness
Benefits: Your name changes to Elminster Do'urden. Also, you have a lightsaber.

...another monitor spewed with morning tea...

 

[Wulf Ratbane]

I will thank you to not try to divine my motives through the aether in the future.

So, what, just put you on the ignore list then?

Or should I read the words you post and then have the opportunity to say what "I think..." about them, as most old hands around this here internet thingy do?

The rolleyes smiley is greatly missed, let me tell ya.

Wulf

 

[OregonGM]

As for the assertion that Monte has better credentials than the ENnie judges, reviewers included-- well, I think that's a transparent case of "hero worship."

Getting his fans to eat from his hand is the easy part

As I mentioned earlier, I'm just not getting this. I'm to understand that this would be more acceptable if I (having no fans) put this together?

The name calling, by the way, is just irritating and silly. A blanket statement for everyone who thinks this might be okay? It would be clearer to type "If you think this is a good thing in any way, you suck. You are a hero worshipping fanboy and will take anything he says as gospel.", but then I suppose more people might catch on that this is name calling and not much more.

Okay, make it clear for me. Since this is the worst idea since Adolph gave up on art school and took up public speaking, what is the horrendous outcome on the other side? What is the worst case scenario?

As an aside, "Worst Case Scenarios" would make a great name for the "Worst Products of 2004" with a focus on adventures and settings. . .

 

[mearls]

I think that if you look at the Malhavoc track record, you'll see that we've done a good job of responding to criticism and complaints. Look at the DRM issue - once it was clear that a sizeable number of people objected to it, we went back to PDFs. In our forums, I like to think we're good about answering questions and fixing our errors.

The "criticism" I've read on this thread is:

* Malhavoc fans are hero worshipping fools who take everything Monte says as gospel.

* Monte isn't qualified to offer his opinion on what's best.

* Malhavoc should pay for entries, even though we could just mine the OGC for free, cut almost all ties to its source, and print the book without a single shred of evidence that clearly connects a given piece to its author.

This is all really, really sad. Apparently, the only criticism that people can come up with is "Monte Cook isn't as cool as you think he is, and if you disagree you like him too much to see the Truth."

Oh, what a comforting world we live in where those who disagree with us cannot possibly be right. If only it was true.

 

[Sir Elton]

MY, that was a lovely rant.

I got over the whole "Monte is the best." Although, from now on, I put "sucks" in quotes to make sure everyone knows that the word "sucks" is often subjective when it applies to D20 products.

So really, the "Year's Best d20" is mute, actually. It's what Monte thinks that is the "Year's Best d20" and not what we all think. So, really, anything that goes into this title is really and necessarily subjective to how monte judges as to what "sucks" or has maximum "suckage" or not.

 

[BryonD]

Mike, with all due respect, I think that you are showing an inside perspective that may not automatically be shared by those on the outside.

Both regarding past events and those criticisms posted herein.

But, just to show there is no hard feelings, I'll go buy a copy of BoIM over at RPGnow. Oh, wait......

 

[Napftor]

But, just to show there is no hard feelings, I'll go buy a copy of BoIM over at RPGnow. Oh, wait......

Ouch, that was low. *breaks out popcorn before reading responses*

 

[mearls]

But, just to show there is no hard feelings, I'll go buy a copy of BoIM over at RPGnow. Oh, wait......

Oh, wait, you can buy the PDF from White Wolf.