Scales of War vs. Published Modules?

[Spatula]

One slightly odd thing between the two series is that Scales of War has not been releasing any plot overview or preview, ostensibly to prevent later surprises from being spoiled. The reason I find this odd is that each of the paper-published adventures has had excerpts published which freely reveal major plot points and encounter areas, even though the excerpts don't even require a DDI account to access. For example, the recent Demon Queen's Enclave excerpts include the overall adventure synopsis, as did the Trollhaunt excerpts. Apparently the honor system is OK for the H, P and E series, but not for the Scales of War.

They did eventually release an outline for SoW (hidden away in a preview article or something like that), although the paragon & epic parts were so vague as to be basically pointless. That, along with the original reason for not providing one (which, as you say, doesn't make much sense), would point to the whole thing being very much in flux. Which is probably a big part of why the first batch of SoW adventures are on the weak side - they're treading water until they figure out the details of the plot.

 

[Mouseferatu]

Which is probably a big part of why the first batch of SoW adventures are on the weak side - they're treading water until they figure out the details of the plot.

I'm sorry you felt the adventures so far have been weak, but as the writer of the latest installment, I can assure you that nothing is "in flux,"* and that we were given access to knowledge of what's coming up to aid us in writing our adventures.

*Sure, there may be changes in a few details here and there, but there's definitely a comprehensive roadmap of what's coming up.

 

[Jack99]

The modules don't have a storyline. They're not an Adventure Path. They'r ea bunch of self-contained modules with a half-page of weak hooks to transition between each. There's no overall plot, and there isn't supposed to be.

To address the original point - it depends what you're looking for: the published modules are, individually, better; the adventure path (allegedly) has an overall storyline.

Wasn't that what I just said? The SoW has a stronger storyline (since the modules do not have one), but it's fairly easy to string one together, for the (published) modules.

Either way, we agree.

And just to back up Mouse, I do not think most people feel there is no storyline/plan for the SoW. We just wish we knew some more in advance, to better plan the campaign. As it is, I will have to wait until all episodes are published before I can start working on them. Which annoys me slightly.

Cheers

 

[UngainlyTitan]

I have not gotten far in Scales of War, the group I run it for only meet a couple of times a year and so far in the initial dungeson. I have read the followup modue. It has the better story line, there is no real story line for the published modules. That said, Scales of War is better for large parties in my opinion. It is also the harder of the two to rescale because a number of encounters involve small numbers but tough monsters.

Keep on the Shadowfell has better encounter design overall and In the Keep intself I would play the monsters to alert nearby allies when things go pearshaped. It is a bit of a zoo but there is no reall need to explore every room.

Id feel the final encounter was a bit of a drag. At least as the DM.

Thunderspire Labyrinth I have only read through but is is a mega dungeon with only a couple of areas mapped and no direct correlation between the different encouther other than it is the interest of various parties to see that the party is dragged into them.

 

[Ethalias]

On a side note: Top marks Ari, I loved the latest instalment. I was excited just READING it; I look forward to getting a group through to the end of the Heroic tier