PHBIII and IV: Oriental Adventures?

[The_Fan]

Random musing I had. If we get the expected four Primal classes in the upcoming PHBII, then that means all covered power sources will have four core classes. So with the PHBIII and IV, it would be a good time to start all over. What's left?

Shadow, Ki, Psionics, and Elemental.

When I look at those powers and pick three, I can't help but get an oriental feel to it. Even leaving out ki, Psionics has always had a slight eastern flavor to it, albeit one leaning more towards India and the near east than the far east. Shadow brings to mind void disciples and ninja (though those could easily be ki instead). Elemental makes me think of Shugenja and Sha'ir (again near eastern, but still eastern). Ki is obvious.

Could it be that the PHB III and IV will be more Asian influenced than I and II, possibly even qualifying as Oriental Adventures?

 

[Steely Dan]

Could it be that the PHB III and IV will be more Asian influenced than I and II, possibly even qualifying as Oriental Adventures?

That's an interesting theory (I dig it). Since I'm doubtful at this point that we'll see an actual 4th Ed OA book, seeing as they have this campaign setting a year deal, you may very well have a point.

I also think it's a good idea to spread Asian/Oriental material across the D&D line, we already have the Kensei paragon path. I would also like it if they didn't lump all classes with an Asian/Oriental title in the Ki power source, but, again, the Kensei paragon path gives me hope that they won't.

While I have no problem with the monk being Ki, other Asian/Oriental classes could come from any power source (as you said, and some nice ideas too) – I'm just throwing these out there:


-Yogi (psionic)
-Ninja (shadow)
-Wu-Jen (elemental)

etc

Oh, and as for Ki, since it is the power source of the soul, how about an Incarnate?

 

[Draksila]

Personally, I'm expecting Psionic with the Player's Handbook that coincides with the relaunch of the Dark Sun campaign setting and Shadow with the relaunch of Ravenloft, assuming those rumors are true.

 

[Steely Dan]

Personally, I'm expecting Psionic with the Player's Handbook that coincides with the relaunch of the Dark Sun campaign setting

Yeah, I'm hoping Psionics debuts in the PHB III, and that Dark Sun is the premiered campaign setting of that year (2010).

 

[charlesatan]

That's an interesting theory (I dig it). Since I'm doubtful at this point that we'll see an actual 4th Ed OA book, seeing as they have this campaign setting a year deal, you may very well have a point.

Actually in an interview with Rob Heinsoo, those oriental "ki" classes might be popping up in the future. The question is whether to release it as part of the PHB set or in its own handbook (i.e. Martial Power).

 

[Steely Dan]

Actually in an interview with Rob Heinsoo, those oriental "ki" classes might be popping up in the future. The question is whether to release it as part of the PHB set or in its own handbook (i.e. Martial Power).

I know that Ki classes will be popping up, but I do not want them to be exclusively Asian/Oriental.

I also think the Ki classes will debut in a PHB, like all other power sources/classes. Martial Power will expand already existing classes, same with the Arcane one, I don't think you will find a book that brings out just one power source and all the classes it contains.

 

[Rechan]

Actually in an interview with Rob Heinsoo, those oriental "ki" classes might be popping up in the future. The question is whether to release it as part of the PHB set or in its own handbook (i.e. Martial Power).

I came here to say this.

Also, Rob was talking about how it's an issue of branding. An OA book = Sells like hotcakes. However, segregating classes with a different feel into their own book leads to DMs saying "No, you can't play that because it lives in that book"; putting the Ki classes (or psionic classes, whatever) in the PHBs equals legitimacy. The last thing that WotC wants, according to Rob, is to tell DMs "Hey, don't use this" by making it live in its own little book.

And yes, I expect the Ki classes to be Power Source: Asian, whether folks like it or not.

As to the OP's question:

No. I don't think we'll see Shadow: Ninja. Shadow is pretty much going to be something like out of the Shaddowfell; Necromancers, Assassins, Shadowdancers, etc. Possibly illusionists (that's the theory, at least).

 

[Steely Dan]

-And yes, I expect the Ki classes to be Power Source: Asian, whether folks like it or not.



-Shadow is pretty much going to be something like out of the Shaddowfell; Necromancers, Assassins, Shadowdancers, etc. Possibly illusionists (that's the theory, at least).

-Why, we have a Kensei paragon path for Martial?




-Yeah, I'm thinking the same thing for Shadow:

-Assassin/Shadowdancer = Striker
-Illusionist = Controller
-Necromancer = Leader

Maybe Hexblade = Defender?

 

[Runestar]

I am personally not seeing the point of differentiating all the various power sources like that. What's the use, when they all just end up working the same at the end of the day? Best example is the web article on illusions - they are mechanically identical to PHB wizard's spells.

Seems like what we need are not more splatbooks, but a web enhancement detailing how to reflavour existing powers to accommodate various themes...

 

[Charwoman Gene]

2010 PHIII: for Psionic, Shadow, and Elemental Heroes
Psionic getting the full PH1 Martial in one book coverage.

Setting? DARK SUN

2011 PH: for Ki, Shadow and Elemental Heroes

Setting? Kara-Tur