More reasons to love Monte

[Droogie]

uhh...

I thought I posted to this thread yesterday. Was it removed? Too inflammatory?

Well to reiterate in a nicer way, I have concerns about this book. If everyone and their sister is going to buy/use it, what happens to guys like me who basically rely on published adventures? Will we see any modules written by Monte to take any of this stuff into account? Will Dungeon Mag publish adventures using AU?

Will it be harder to find players now, with half of the gamers insisting the Dm use AU?

When 3e came out, everyone was back to a clean slate- we were all playing the same game again. Now when a peruse the rpg stuff at Barnes&Noble I can't help to feel a bit...overwhelmed.

 

[Olive]

its not going to replace 3e... no way. so i wouldn't worry about the market for published adventures etc drying up... there's way too many of us who like the elves dwarves etc ...

 

[John Crichton]

Re: Re: Re: See Monte. See Monte Write. Good Monty, good.

You're right on both counts.

I'm being harsh to Monte. It's my abject horror at seeing that a sorcerer, already getting spells a level later than a wizard, now must wait two more levels to get Haste. Alt.sorcerer is bad juju.

It makes me wonder at what kind of powerlevels (read: character efficacy) we can expect from Monte. Do Fighters not learn how to use their swords until 3rd level? Yes, it's hyperbole. Forgive.

As for the second part... it's theorycraft. Compare a first level wizard shooting off Magic Missile twice to a Fighter being able to swing a sword infinitely. Hit points, armor class, and damage output is all in favor of the fighter. The only thing the wizard has going for it is the allure of higher levels (which it's rare to get to anyway).

That's muh'reasoning why I'm worried. It's an overreaction.

Ah, overreactions are ok.

I can understand the worries but I've played with the PHB and Monte alt.Classes a few times and I have to say that as long as the DM is aware of the changes and is running a fair game that they work. For example, letting the wizard take some time to make a few backup scrolls from time to time at low levels to supplement his daily alotment. Fighters have a better chance of hitting things because they will usually be subject to more hits on themselves (not all the time, but in general). Besides, if you have a 4 person party, most of the time the wizard will (read: should) be no where near combat. In smaller parties it's harder to survive anyway.

The way I see all this alternate stuff is more for flavor than anything. I liked the alt.sorceror because he was a little tougher more HP, etc.) and I liked the alt.bard because of the musical flavor. I wouldn't use it in every game I ran but I do like having the access.

I don't see Arcana Unearthed taking the place of the PHB. Wizards books (esp. the PHB) will outsell any other companies offerings no matter what they do. Most people won't even know what it is unless the do a little research or hear about it from a friend (or post here). Besides, Monte seems to know game balance pretty well (close enough for me, anyway) and I love to see other classes and races that have been playtested and battletested before. Saves me the time of doing it. That's why I'll spend the money.

 

[EarthsShadow]

I am hoping in the new DMG he is writing that he writes in a good description of how to properly make a GOOD prestige class. Not just come up with some cool abilities and slap them together and call it a PrC.

also, is he still taking suggestions or is he done with them?

 

[KDLadage]

I am hoping in the new DMG he is writing that he writes in a good description of how to properly make a GOOD prestige class. Not just come up with some cool abilities and slap them together and call it a PrC.

also, is he still taking suggestions or is he done with them?

You are not just whistlin' Dixie there! Take a look at the 40-some-odd reviews I have written on the review pages here at ENWorld and you will see how I feel about the current choices of Prestige Classes...

 

[WayneLigon]

I'm really looking forward to this. I'd love to see more core classes, myself, rather than prestige classes. Once in awhile I'll come up with an idea that might fit a PRC but it's rare. This book sounds like it'll deliver exactly what I want to see. I'll be very interested in seeing how things like combat are changed.

 

[Flexor the Mighty!]

So this book will get rid of the D&D feel and replace it with something else like a non vancian Magic system, etc? No thanks, I play D&D for the (A)D&D feel.

 

[nharwell]

Re: uhh...

I thought I posted to this thread yesterday. Was it removed? Too inflammatory?

Well to reiterate in a nicer way, I have concerns about this book. If everyone and their sister is going to buy/use it, what happens to guys like me who basically rely on published adventures? Will we see any modules written by Monte to take any of this stuff into account? Will Dungeon Mag publish adventures using AU?

Will it be harder to find players now, with half of the gamers insisting the Dm use AU?

When 3e came out, everyone was back to a clean slate- we were all playing the same game again. Now when a peruse the rpg stuff at Barnes&Noble I can't help to feel a bit...overwhelmed.

Actually, I already feel this way about 3E -- I don't know anyone who limits their games to just the 3 "core" books. At the very least, most everyone uses the WOTC products, and that brings in a wide variance in quality (and power/balance). I see Monte's book as potentially a chance to start over (1) without all the preconceptions of the older system books and (2) with a solid ruleset in one book instead of spread out over innumerable splatbooks and the WOTC website.

 

[Arnwyn]

Well, based on the info and FAQ at Monte's site, I am not even remotely interested in this book.

I far prefer the "cliched" elves et al, and try to avoid any product that ends up with these trendy, avant-garde races with weird names.

Traditional fantasy all the way! [IMO, of course.]

 

[kenjib]

Re: Re: uhh...

Actually, I already feel this way about 3E -- I don't know anyone who limits their games to just the 3 "core" books. At the very least, most everyone uses the WOTC products, and that brings in a wide variance in quality (and power/balance). I see Monte's book as potentially a chance to start over (1) without all the preconceptions of the older system books and (2) with a solid ruleset in one book instead of spread out over innumerable splatbooks and the WOTC website.

It sounds like it's planned to be totally compatible with all the d20 product already out there. If you have trouble with using just the 3 core books, then why would you be able to use just Monte's book any more easily?

It sounds like this book will increase options and complexity, not streamline them. Instead of people just saying "I want to play an Alchemist from Occult Lore (eventually taking the Candle Caster PRC from Tome and Blood) using a race from FFG's Mythic Races and some feats from Relics & Rituals." Now you will get someone saying "I want to play an Alchemist from Occult Lore (eventually taking the Candle Caster PRC from Tome and Blood), but with Monte's spell system, a race from FFG's Mythic races, taking feats from the PHB, Monte's book, and Relics and Rituals -- and by the way, can we use Monte's variant combat system instead of the PHB one as well, except for the grappling rules and skill variants, which suck, so I'd rather use the PHB ones?"

EDIT: Not that I think this is a bad thing. More options is not bad -- the DM just needs to use discretion regarding what fits the game and works well.