D&D 4E On the set of 4E: the Beholder

[Simplicity]

I liked it alot. This sort of thing is really what D&D insider needs to be interesting to the internet at large. If they keep this sort of thing up, I can quit reading altogether.

Anyways, very nice. And it shows that the Drider stats DID reveal something about 4e mechanics. There will probably be some form of paralyzation points or petrification points that are gained over each round. And once your Con bonus (or something) is reached... Then poof. You're done. Very heroic being able to act before you are taken out of combat. I likey.

 

[Amphimir Míriel]

Hmmm, good point. But what about elite monsters? Can they make two actions or somehow be more active than an average monster?

I'd say that elite monsters would be creatures with a limited "immediate counterattack" ability, or maybe synergy feats like the "hammer and anvil" thingie.

 

[JohnSnow]

I hope the slow petrefication gives a straight penalty to rolls instead of mucking about with abilities. -2 to all rolls per round is no big deal to keep track of but abilities tend to interact with so many things you didn't think about at first.

That sounds about right. Although, it might be interesting if there was an escalating penalty to all attacks, skillchecks and defenses, say something like: -1, -2, -5, -10, DONE.

Funnily enough, that's how the Condition Track works in Star Wars Saga Edition.

Additionally, Mearls house-ruled Drow Paralysis Poison was -1 to movement for every 1 point and -1 to attacks and AC for every 2 points.

Coincidence? I think not.

My guess is that, in the interest of creating an inevitable "death spiral," they won't penalize your fort or will defense. So the penalty would go to attacks, checks, AC and (possibly) ref defense.

Direct penalties are a whole lot easier to manage than ability damage or negative levels. And from what we've seen, it seems "bonuses" (buffs) will work that way too. Evidence? There was some comment in one of the blogs about an ability that gave the characters a bonus to some kind of defense. I'll find it if I can.

 

[Kid Charlemagne]

There is a 3.5 spell that does the slow turn to stone thing - I don't have access to books, or I'd look it up. Its probably in Spell Compendium, or Complete Arcane. That might give us an idea of how the 4E Turn to Stone ability might work...

 

[Thaumaturge]

There is a 3.5 spell that does the slow turn to stone thing - I don't have access to books, or I'd look it up. Its probably in Spell Compendium, or Complete Arcane. That might give us an idea of how the 4E Turn to Stone ability might work...

I also don't have my books with me, but I thought it was in the PHBII.

Thaumaturge.

 

[Kunimatyu]

Curse of Stone, PHB2, I think.

 

[Loincloth of Armour]

There was some comment in one of the blogs about an ability that gave the characters a bonus to some kind of defense. I'll find it if I can.

1st part of playtest of Castle Smoulderthorn. Talking about a warlord ability to give a blanket +2 to people's saves.

here

 

[JohnSnow]

1st part of playtest of Castle Smoulderthorn. Talking about a warlord ability to give a blanket +2 to people's saves.

here

That's the one. Thanks!

 

[Christopher Perkins]

Monsters by the Toonage

I liked it alot. This sort of thing is really what D&D insider needs to be interesting to the internet at large. If they keep this sort of thing up, I can quit reading altogether.

One of the advantages that D&D Insider has over the print medium is the ability to do Flash animations, which is something we intend to continue doing. The beholder toon is the first in a series. Next on the interview list is the 4th Edition gnome. We hope you find it hilariously informative. I won't spoil anything except to say that our intrepid interviewer returns ... only to perish yet again. Stay tuned!

 

[Gargoyle]

One of the advantages that D&D Insider has over the print medium is the ability to do Flash animations, which is something we intend to continue doing. The beholder toon is the first in a series. Next on the interview list is the 4th Edition gnome. We hope you find it hilariously informative. I won't spoil anything except to say that our intrepid interviewer returns ... only to perish yet again. Stay tuned!

His name is Kenneth?

Bravo, good way to take advantage of the medium.