The Book of Exalted Deeds - It's Here! (merged - full ToC posted)
- Thread starter Isida Kep'Tukari
- Start date
Joshua Randall said:
Sure, but there's something strange with having the first "Sacred Vow" be a vow to do...nothing in particular? To be good in general?
I looked at that Vow of Poverty again...damn, that's strong stuff. From a game balance standpoint, I guess it needs to be if poverty is to be a viable option. I guess I'd rather incorporate such big advantages into some prestige classes that rely upon a vow of poverty...
cignus_pfaccari said:
I'd be tempted to knock that Charisma requirement down to 13 or thereabouts...but whatever the questionable mechanics, I love the idea of a Lawful Good assassin. He won't lie to you, he won't torture a prisoner...but he might kill you.
This would work great with the open multiclassing for paladins of Torm in FR...you could have a rogue/paladin/"slayer of Torm."
Upper_Krust
Legend
Hi all! (oh and thanks for the comments Shemeska) 
I picked up the book yesterday, I've given it a quick read through once and I am about a third of the way through on the second more detailed run...
Overall I like the book, but is it just me or are most of the Paragons of Good pretty bland (notably so the Guardinals)!? Also the lack of any tangible discussion of Archon; Eladrin or Guardinal hierarchies rankled a bit. One last gripe was that there was no new Wayne Reynolds art.
However, other than that I think the book is excellent. James Wyatt (& Co) certainly knows his stuff (thats not the first time I have been impressed with Mr Wyatts work*) and raises some interesting points. I was also surprised by how engaging they made some of the mechanics (I know many of you are already deep in discussion about things like 'Vows'). I would have thought the Book of Exalted Deeds would have been easier to write philosphically but not mechanically, than its Vile Darkness counterpart; which would be the opposite. But both the philosophy and mechanics have been well developed. I'm glad I picked it up. Thus far 4/5.
*Oriental Adventures was superb.
I picked up the book yesterday, I've given it a quick read through once and I am about a third of the way through on the second more detailed run...
Overall I like the book, but is it just me or are most of the Paragons of Good pretty bland (notably so the Guardinals)!? Also the lack of any tangible discussion of Archon; Eladrin or Guardinal hierarchies rankled a bit. One last gripe was that there was no new Wayne Reynolds art.
However, other than that I think the book is excellent. James Wyatt (& Co) certainly knows his stuff (thats not the first time I have been impressed with Mr Wyatts work*) and raises some interesting points. I was also surprised by how engaging they made some of the mechanics (I know many of you are already deep in discussion about things like 'Vows'). I would have thought the Book of Exalted Deeds would have been easier to write philosphically but not mechanically, than its Vile Darkness counterpart; which would be the opposite. But both the philosophy and mechanics have been well developed. I'm glad I picked it up. Thus far 4/5.
*Oriental Adventures was superb.
Olive
Explorer
I also got the book yesterday. I like it a whole lot, although I probably won't use it as much as I use the BoVD. I thought most of the art kinda sucked to be honest, especially the chapter openers which were great in the BoVD, and I think the picture of the half-orc paladin and the succubi is moronic. That being said, the text around the picture is actually good, and it's made me realise that no one in the party bar the paladin is actually good, and he's far more lawful than good. The discussion of good is well considered, appropriate and generally will make my game better. And that surprised me.
The variant rules are cool too, but I preferred the ones in the BoVD. I would have liked to have seen a good version of the sacrifice rules using Knowledge religion.
PrCs are fine, tho nothing amazing, and that kinda goes for the rest of the book too. I really like some of the stuff in there - the apostle of peace, the expansion of the celestials generally, and unlike UK I liked the celestial paragons. I liked the saint rules and in particular I liked the rules for relics - something I've always wanted in my game but never sat down to try to nut out.
I like the way they're tying the other books together, but there's some problems. The appendix of celestials and the expanded summon monster lists are much appreciated, but they list cervidals twice, Ghaels not at all, mention lupinals as a creature in the BoED when it's not and a few really frustrating mistakes like that.
Over all, 4/5 but if the mistakes hadn't been there it would have been a 5/5
The variant rules are cool too, but I preferred the ones in the BoVD. I would have liked to have seen a good version of the sacrifice rules using Knowledge religion.
PrCs are fine, tho nothing amazing, and that kinda goes for the rest of the book too. I really like some of the stuff in there - the apostle of peace, the expansion of the celestials generally, and unlike UK I liked the celestial paragons. I liked the saint rules and in particular I liked the rules for relics - something I've always wanted in my game but never sat down to try to nut out.
I like the way they're tying the other books together, but there's some problems. The appendix of celestials and the expanded summon monster lists are much appreciated, but they list cervidals twice, Ghaels not at all, mention lupinals as a creature in the BoED when it's not and a few really frustrating mistakes like that.
Over all, 4/5 but if the mistakes hadn't been there it would have been a 5/5
Gez
First Post
JPL said:
Interestingly enough, Monte Cook had made the exact same decision in the Book of Hallowed Might. First, you take Swear an Oath, which by itself is useless, and then you may take oath feats.
And to take vow feat, you have to take Devout Faith, which is only slightly useful by itself (bless on yourself once per day).
I picked up the book last weekend. I am definitely liking the BoED more than the BoVD. It will be a lot easier to incorporate into the campaign I run. Count me as a fan of James Wyatts' work. I also really enjoyed Oriental Adventures. I would give the BoED a 9/10.
-Psiblade
-Psiblade
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