Rules Compendium - what do we expect?

[Shade]

I think we'll see all the "new" action types, like swift and immediate actions.

I think we'll see new conditions, such as the immobilized condition reprinted in MMV.

I bet we'll see grapple, trip, sunder, etc. all better fleshed out and with easier reference.

 

[Sqwonk]

I think (hope) it will be the core rules in alphabetical order.
So if you want to look up Bull Rush - you go to the B's

I am sure it will add in other rules from Dragon, Website, Complete books.

 

[Shade]

I'd also really like to see all the alternate uses for skills from various resources compiled.

The stuff from the "Power Fantasy: Action Movie Stunts in D&D" from Dragon #306 would be at the top of my wish list for this book.

 

[Raven Crowking]

Any other theories?

A very, very small font.

 

[KingCrab]

This isn't gonna be the book for feats. I think the feat compendium will come someday.

Probably it will just be a collection of rulings on things everyone knows.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

Books it cannot replace at the gaming table:

Player's Handbook / Dungeon Master's Guide: yeah, you could take the adventuring, magic and combat chapters and condense them, but you'll still need both books on hand to look up magic items and spell descriptions. So while they could include that info in the RC, what would be the point if the other two books are still needed?

I disagree. I think the Rules Compendium will negate the need to bring the PHB and DMG, as long as you already have the Spell Compendium, Magic Item Compendium and future books like perhaps a Skills & Feats Compendium and Character Compendium (containing races, base classes and PrCs). I think Sqwonk has it right as an alphabetical listing of rules like Grapple, AoO, Encumbrance etc.

It won't reduce the number of books for people who play primarily using the 3 core rules books, but it will for those who use many of the Complete series and other supplements.

This is my theory, which belongs to me.

 

[Kristian Serrano]

I disagree. I think the Rules Compendium will negate the need to bring the PHB and DMG, as long as you already have the Spell Compendium, Magic Item Compendium and future books like perhaps a Skills & Feats Compendium and Character Compendium (containing races, base classes and PrCs). I think Sqwonk has it right as an alphabetical listing of rules like Grapple, AoO, Encumbrance etc.

It won't reduce the number of books for people who play primarily using the 3 core rules books, but it will for those who use many of the Complete series and other supplements.

This is my theory, which belongs to me.

The only problem is that the Spell Compendium doesn't include core spells and the Magic Item Compendium doesn't include DMG items.

I anticipate this book containing rules that govern the game, including core rules such as Surroundings, Weather, and Environment; Carrying Capacities, Movement, and Exploration; and Combat. Each of those sections will also include the additional mechanical content found in supplements that have since added to those basic rules (e.g. - swift and immediate actions, any new rules (not character options) from the environment books, etc.).

It might include new uses for skills as well. I certainly don't expect it to contain feats, the abundance of feats would require a book of it's own. Actually, I don't expect it to include any character options at all.

 

[Moggthegob]

No, thats simply wrong. The spell compendium added a ton of new spells but did not actually compile all the ones from the PHB and a lot of other spells from other locations.

I think whatll happen is rule s clarifications and cleared up. For example. what does"trained for war mean' you would think it means combat riding tricks but it doesnt according to the FAQ. So what does it mean? I think there will be a few of those. Also, errata on the Ki blast and fiery ki defense thing(it lets you use a bonus monk feat that you do not have.) Also, i think reprinting base classes that have had actual options added to them(like monk) and the substitution levels and alternate class features will be there.

Perhaps a few new mechanics but mostly reprinting, recompilations and clarifications. Especiallyon tihngs like trip, and mounted combat in general needs better fleshing out.

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

The only problem is that the Spell Compendium doesn't include core spells and the Magic Item Compendium doesn't include DMG items.

That's what I get for making assumptions about books I don't own. Of course that assumption was based off the description of the Spell Compendium on the WotC website:

Drawing from a treasure trove of sources, Spell Compendium is the one place to find spells that are referenced time and again: the best, most iconic, most popular, and most frequently used.

Silly me for assuming that the core book spells are not the best, most iconic, most popular and most frequently used spells.

 

[Shawn_Kehoe]

I think we'll see all the "new" action types, like swift and immediate actions.

I think we'll see new conditions, such as the immobilized condition reprinted in MMV.

I bet we'll see grapple, trip, sunder, etc. all better fleshed out and with easier reference.

Maybe the line-by-line explanation of the incorporeal quality that was first printed in Libris Mortis.