Tomb Under the Tor (New Playtest Report)

[Green Knight]

Wrong under 3.x rules. He is not surprised, but since the goblin acted before him, he would most certainly be flat-footed at that point.

Yeah, you're right. Been a while since I've played regularly.

 

[Rechan]

So, I am thinking that perhaps the spellbook still governs that extra 20%, and the staff the other 80%. Perhaps a wizard without a staff is like a fighter without a sword using improved unarmed strike. Makes me wonder if you could in fact specialize in using magic without a staff and spellbook. Kind of like the 4e equivalent of a sorcerer, but still using the wizard class.

I'd like to see an ability that lets the mage charge gems or rocks or something, to use as grenade-like weapons, or "bombs". A wizard playing Gambit would be sexy.

 

[Klaus]

Eh, I hope not. I like the idea of racial progressions such as the racial paragon classes from UA, or abilities themed for a particular race-class combination such as those found in racial substitution levels but I don't like the idea of actually chaging your race. It has it's place as a plot device (Ashardalon becoming a half-fiend, for example) but I don't like it as a generally available option.

Now, if you're just talking about what the abilities might look like, I guess that's OK. But even then, I'm not thrilled with the idea of wings sproutin' out of tieflings' and eladrins' backs. :\

BTW, does anybody else think it's funny that in 3E half-celestial humans are more celestial than celestial humans?

I'm thinking aasimars and tieflings getting more powerful as they advance, like the Bloodlines in UA.

Now can you imagine a high-level LG tiefling paladin with the racial ability to cast "blasphemy"?

And yeah, the Celestial/Half-Celestial dichotomy is weird.

 

[Jhaelen]

Very nice playtest report and full of new information

It made me much more excited about 4th.ed. than the dragon fight article. Of course the Wizardstrike bit is obviously inspired by the first LotR movie Gandalf vs. Saruman, but who cares if it's cool

I doubt warforged will be in the first PHB, but the eladrin might very well be - might make sense as a counterpoint for the tiefling. I don't particularly care for warforged but one of my players likes them, so I don't mind if they are in.

 

[Zurai]

Now can you imagine a high-level LG tiefling paladin with the racial ability to cast "blasphemy"?

I'd much rather imagine a LE tiefling paladin with the racial ability to cast Blasphemy.

I've always thought it was stupid that paladins were forced into LG. I much prefer paladins the way, for example, "The Deed of Paksenarrion" presents them - exemplars of their deity or deities.

 

[Klaus]

I'd much rather imagine a LE tiefling paladin with the racial ability to cast Blasphemy.

I've always thought it was stupid that paladins were forced into LG. I much prefer paladins the way, for example, "The Deed of Paksenarrion" presents them - exemplars of their deity or deities.

I was suggesting a scenario of a devil-descended warrior who is dedicated to all that is Good and Just, and still, by virtue (or is it vice?) of her bloodline, has very Evil powers available (but which she chooses to never use).

LE tiefling with blasphemy? That's run-of-the-mill.

 

[Mercule]

I doubt warforged will be in the first PHB, but the eladrin might very well be - might make sense as a counterpoint for the tiefling.

I hope they aren't two separate races, but one "planetouched" race with multiple ability trees. That would make their inclusion a whole lot more palatable than just tossing in a pretty rare race as core.

 

[Zurai]

LE tiefling with blasphemy? That's run-of-the-mill.

Really? I wasn't aware LE tiefling paladins were common in any available edition of the game.

 

[Rechan]

Really? I wasn't aware LE tiefling paladins were common in any available edition of the game.

He means that an evil tief using his blasphemy would be the expected the Norm, but a GOOD Tief having the blaspheme ability and debating if he should use it is more engaging storywise.

Also, LE paladins were presented in Unearthed Arcana, so it must be in someone's game.

 

[Andor]

Things I noticed.

In 4e as in all previous editions, Rogues should not take point.

The party had no healer. Silly party.

There was no mention of anybody trying to save the dying rogue.