On the day I bought the PHB2, I was using things from it in the session that night. There are few books that I could say that about. (Spell Compendium would be another).
So, I'm interested on gathering together people's experiences in using the book. What has worked, what hasn't - that sort of thing.
To start things off, here's what I've been using:
The Shifter Druid
Much as the druids in my groups have effectively used their wildshape and animal companions, there have often been sessions where the animal companion has just been a pain. ("We're going down this mine shaft now, Rex. You be a good Tyrannosaurus and wait for us!") Or forgotten altogether. ("Rex? Oh yes... err... he's behind me!") And the pain of trying to work out what animal forms are legal ("And you would have seen a crocodile when, exactly?") and what they do ("So you keep your feats, but your damage...") has often been more trouble than the abilities are worth.
So, within minutes of the PHB2 becoming available, both Craig and Sarah were asking to change their PCs to use the new rules. Sure thing. Suddenly, Sarah has an effective role in combat, and Craig is just having fun, stomping things into the ground.
This is one of the best class variants in the book. It's just cool. Of course, I didn't just allow them to take it immediately...
Retraining
"Remind me why I took Weapon Focus (whip) again?" There are times when you make mistakes because you're new. Or there are times a new book comes out, and there's something in it you really want. Or you mistakenly chose something incorrectly and you're lacking that prerequisite for a prestige class you really want...
Retraining is great. A fighter specialised in Greatsword who finds a powerful Greataxe can adjust his feat chain (albeit over a few levels). We used it immediately to get the Shifter Druid abilities, and there are other little changes that just eliminate those small mistakes in character generation.
Seeking Spell
It ignores cover, concealment, and being in melee. Then it makes Scorching Ray better. I'm not sure if my PCs are entirely convinced, as I used this in a trap against them, but for those ray-focused wizards and sorcerers, it's a lot of fun.
Quick PC/NPC Generation
Primarily the treasure tables, but even the feat chains have been useful in guiding my NPC creation (and helping the newer players create their PCs). Very happy to see them here.
Shield Specialisation
Probably the biggest mistake in the book - I didn't need Adam's dwarf to get his AC any higher. When he has a 27 Touch AC and a 33 regular AC at 7th level, my evil minions are beginning to get the hint: take down someone other than the dwarf first!
More seriously, love seeing new love for shields.
Cheers!
So, I'm interested on gathering together people's experiences in using the book. What has worked, what hasn't - that sort of thing.
To start things off, here's what I've been using:
The Shifter Druid
Much as the druids in my groups have effectively used their wildshape and animal companions, there have often been sessions where the animal companion has just been a pain. ("We're going down this mine shaft now, Rex. You be a good Tyrannosaurus and wait for us!") Or forgotten altogether. ("Rex? Oh yes... err... he's behind me!") And the pain of trying to work out what animal forms are legal ("And you would have seen a crocodile when, exactly?") and what they do ("So you keep your feats, but your damage...") has often been more trouble than the abilities are worth.
So, within minutes of the PHB2 becoming available, both Craig and Sarah were asking to change their PCs to use the new rules. Sure thing. Suddenly, Sarah has an effective role in combat, and Craig is just having fun, stomping things into the ground.
This is one of the best class variants in the book. It's just cool. Of course, I didn't just allow them to take it immediately...
Retraining
"Remind me why I took Weapon Focus (whip) again?" There are times when you make mistakes because you're new. Or there are times a new book comes out, and there's something in it you really want. Or you mistakenly chose something incorrectly and you're lacking that prerequisite for a prestige class you really want...
Retraining is great. A fighter specialised in Greatsword who finds a powerful Greataxe can adjust his feat chain (albeit over a few levels). We used it immediately to get the Shifter Druid abilities, and there are other little changes that just eliminate those small mistakes in character generation.
Seeking Spell
It ignores cover, concealment, and being in melee. Then it makes Scorching Ray better. I'm not sure if my PCs are entirely convinced, as I used this in a trap against them, but for those ray-focused wizards and sorcerers, it's a lot of fun.
Quick PC/NPC Generation
Primarily the treasure tables, but even the feat chains have been useful in guiding my NPC creation (and helping the newer players create their PCs). Very happy to see them here.
Shield Specialisation
Probably the biggest mistake in the book - I didn't need Adam's dwarf to get his AC any higher. When he has a 27 Touch AC and a 33 regular AC at 7th level, my evil minions are beginning to get the hint: take down someone other than the dwarf first!
More seriously, love seeing new love for shields.
Cheers!