New SCAG Info: Someone Got The Book

Sword Coast Adventurer's Guide hits preferred stores tomorrow (and everywhere else in a couple of weeks). However, some stores have jumped the gun - which only benefits us, as folks on social media are telling us all about it! Below is a compilation of that information. I'm sure come tomorrow, the amount of information on the book will increase dramatically.

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[h=4]Original Post[/h]
Thread is here, Gnunn and others are answering questions about it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/dndnext/comments/3pot39/call_your_local_stores_scag/

The info:

I'am trying to compile the answers here by those who have new information. The answers do not represent me in anyway I'am just passing on the information.

Q: Name all the subclasses (submitted by me)

A:

Not really interested in spoiling all of the specifics, but here's what I noticed to be new at first glance:
Races:
Gray Dwaves (Duergar)
Ghostwise Halflings
Deep Gnomes (Svirfneblin) -- also provides a new feat "Svirfneblin Magic" (same as EE)
Half-Elf Variants
Tiefling Variants


Classes (only new class options, not new classes):
Barbarian - Path of the Battlerager, new Totem Spirits
Bard - New musical instruments
Cleric - Arcana Domain
Fighter - Purple Dragon Knight
Monk - Way of the Long Death, Way of the Sun Soul
Paladin - Oath of the Crown
Ranger - Several paragraphs that amount to nothing
Rogue - Mastermind Swashbuckler
Sorcerer - Storm Sorcery
Warlock - The Undying
Wizard - Bladesinging


New cantrips for sorcerers, warlocks, and wizards
Booming blade, green-flame blade, lightning lure, sword burst.

Backgrounds:
City Watch
Clan Crafter
Cloistered Scholar
Courtier
Faction Agent
Far Traveler
Inheritor
Knight of the Order
Mercenary Veteran
Urban Bounty Hunter
Uthgardt Tribe Member
Waterdhavian Noble
This only covers about 50 pages of the almost 160 page book. There's a TON of info on the Sword Coast itself. I'm sure DMs who already have the book are salivating at the moment.



Q: No Bard, Ranger or Druid subclasses?

A: There are new bard colleges. I only listed non-flavor changes (in my opinion at least each one is paired with an existing class option so nothing new in terms of mechanics.

-Q2: Wait WHAT? So the Bard Colleges AND Druid Circles don't list fully new subclasses that offer new mechanics to that class? And no "spell-less" Ranger variant or anything?

-A2: Correct on all accounts.



Q: Monk Subclasses specifics

A: Sun Soul gives the monk methods of dealing radiant damage. Burning hands makes an appearance as well.It seems almost too obvious, but all of the Long Death abilities are triggered by death in some way - either yours or an enemy.



Q: Warlock the Undying

A: Hard to explain. It's Lich-like, but not undead it seems.



Q: Paladin Oath of the Crown

A: The new paladin oath is a straight up tank. They seem to have added a ton more detail for the paladin codes. Too much to go into here.



Q: Fighter Purple Dragon Knight

A:Party buffs/heals. Would be a good party leader out of combat as well.




Q: How do the Half elf and tiefling variants work?

A: Tiefling variants are pretty different. I'm not next to my book currently, but I believe there were three options. Half elf replaced the half elf skill dealy with a selection from the elf half. Like Drow magic replacing the skill selection for example.


Q: What does it say about Aasimar?

A: It basically just says, "See the DMG.

(I guess that makes Eldarin valid as well)

Edit 1: Did some cleaning, added cantrips and explanation that is not me giving the answers.

 

[Greg Benage]

Also, the 3rd level ability is now in English instead of French, and the relaxation of sneak attack occurs 'if no creature other than your target is within 5 feet of you' rather than 'target has none of your allies adjacent'

Oh my! So if you're solo in melee against 2+ opponents, no sneak attack for you. That's a fairly significant nerf.

 

[Z. H. Darkstar]

Oh my! So if you're solo in melee against 2+ opponents, no sneak attack for you. That's a fairly significant nerf.

Correct, the Swashbuckler needs to stick to outside edge of melee to get the solo SA.

 

[The Myopic Sniper]

I hope WOTC includes a full subclass in future Adventurer's Guides for each core class. There is always going to be a sense of disappointment among partisans of particular classes even if it is not a subclass that they would ever use if they don't get equal treatment with the other classes.

 

[pukunui]

Honestly its best to ignore either the novel timeline or the adventures league timeline...or both.

I don't read the novels, so yes, I think I'll just ignore them and go with the RPG product timeline.

They did, in fact, add such a clause.

Glad to hear it. That makes it much more palatable.

 

[Macca86]

Is there a charging bonus or anything for the Barbarian Elk totem?

 

[MonsterEnvy]

Thank you. That's the final straw I think I'm going to pass on the book because that. You saved me some money.

Get rid of your review. You have not looked at the book. Also seriously one minor god was not mentioned, why is that a deal breaker?

 

[Arryn]

Sorry if this has been asked, but if the Tiefling opts for the Int/Dex bonus, do the innate spells from Infernal Legacy or other still key off of Cha?

 

[fba827]

I know I'm in the minority, but I'm actually GLAD they don't have a new subclass for each class. It potentially shows that wotc isn't looking to force an idea for the sake of symmetry but rather stuck with what was flavorful and inspired for the concept of the book.

In my opinion , designing subclasses purely for the purpose of 'filling out symmetry of all classes getting included" is just begging for half assed things that aren't really inspired by concept but are shoe horned in. I mean one doesn't mean th other will happen but it's definitely knocking on the door in that direction if it did.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Get rid of your review. You have not looked at the book. Also seriously one minor god was not mentioned, why is that a deal breaker?

This. Expressing an opinion is one thing, but writing an actual review for a book you haven't read? Dirty pool, and frankly disingenuous.

 

[Parmandur]

Yeah, dishonest "reviews" like that are why I don't pay any attention to that part of the site here.