Tomb Under the Tor (New Playtest Report)

[Jack99]

The wolves rushed Heron, easily flanking him and pulling him to the ground

Sounds like flanking and tripping is in.

The goblin skirmisher in the house hurled a black-shafted javelin at Tian and scored a critical hit! Tian lost more than half his hit points in one blow, and to add insult to injury, the goblin then scampered out of the house’s open back door to a tree on its west side.

No mention of confirming crits as of yet, but more interestingly, standard action + move action in a surprise round? Sounds like as the dragon-fight indicated, we will have "more actions" per round. No matter the level.

Domna rushed a wolf and missed it, after shouting encouragement to her friends (providing a small bonus to them)

Interesting. I would definitely prefer that if wizards get at-will abilities, that they be somehow channeled through rod, staffs or wands, instead of the very supernatural blaster style that the warlock had in 3.5

I like this one. Anyone recalls the name of the 3.5 feat that does the same more or less?

Sasha used a wizard strike with her staff, not only injuring a wolf, but also pushing it away from the prone Heron.

Again, move + standard action (or is rushing a charge?), with her warlord ability being a swift action?

As the initiative count came to the top again, Domna used her tactical acumen to attack in such a way that the wolf she hit opened itself up to Robozcniek.

 

[Mouseferatu]

My guess is that all the celestials have been folded into "angel"

Indeed, if the game is going for a lessened focus/importance on alignment, is there really a need for multiple "holy outsider" types?

And yep, "Eladrin" is a much cooler name than "Aasimar," if that's in fact what they're doing.

 

[Green Knight]

As the initiative count came to the top again, Domna used her tactical acumen to attack in such a way that the wolf she hit opened itself up to Robozcniek. The warforged struck true, and the wolf collapsed in a heap.

That sounds like the "Leading the Attack" White Raven combat maneuver. I wonder just how many of the PC's in the 4E PHB looted the Tome of Battle?

And yep, "Eladrin" is a much cooler name than "Aasimar," if that's in fact what they're doing.

I prefer Aasimar, actually. But oh well. So long as they're in the PHB I'm not gonna complain.

 

[Glyfair]

The wizard has a "wizard's strike" that does damage and moves foes back (unless this is the author's flair for the dramatic again). This attack apparently has an Area of Effect, as it effects both wolves the second time.

I doubt it was author's flair, since the next sentence makes it clear that moving them back was of tactical importance (allowing the ranger to get to their feet).

I also suspect this ability might be somewhat like the warlock's eldritch blast. There seems to be a base ability that has "effects" added. Maybe the effects are the "per encounter" abilities that the wizard has.

 

[The Grackle]

Domna used her tactical acumen to attack in such a way that the wolf she hit opened itself up to Robozcniek.

"Y'know, the wolf just let it all pour out. It told her about its experiences as a wolf pup, its problems with the pack's alpha male, its dreams for the future, and its feelings. They talked for hours."

Yep. New Social Rules are gonna kick three kinds of ass.

 

[Snapdragyn]

1) The Warlord is in, it's a class from first level.

Personally I'd word that as: 'the Warlord shows a high probability of being in as it's being used in a playtest. The most recent information on the Warlord shows it as a class at first level. As with most everything else known about 4e, both of these situations could be changed prior to publication.'

Based on the other new article, it does seem likely that bard won't be in the first PHB. *sigh* Guess I'll have to play a Warlord/Rogue/Sorc multiclass with ranks in Perform who specializes in illusion magic -- which sounds familiar.

Hail, Nale! Not-Nale fell; now Nale sets sail. Will Nale sell well where frail Not-Nale failed, or pale as fans wail and rail at this tale? Time will tell.

/mourn Elan

 

[Snapdragyn]

Apropos of nothing, I predict everyone will be calling the character Donna, not Domna, by the next session.

And give up on Domnanatrix? or Domna Peringona? Bah.

 

[FireLance]

That sounds like the "Leading the Attack" White Raven combat maneuver. I wonder just how many of the PC's in the 4E PHB looted the Tome of Battle?

I'm guessing most if not all.

Warlords will probably have abilities similar to White Raven maneuvers.
Clerics will probably have abilities similar to Devoted Spirit maneuvers.
Rogues will probably have abilities similar to Shadow Hand maneuvers.
Fighters will probably have abilities similar to the less supernatural schools, e.g. Iron Heart, Diamond Mind, Stone Dragon, Setting Sun and Tiger Claw.

4e killed Bo9S and took its stuff.

 

[Green Knight]

4e killed Bo9S and took its stuff.

LOL!

Anyway, I was reading it again, and was wondering about this.

Sasha was having none of it. She pulled out all the stops and set off a fiery blast around the fleeing beast. It tumbled down, still smoldering.

What spell is that? I'm not overly familiar with spells, but it sounds like Fireball. Could it be that Fireball will be available at 1st-level as a "Per Day" spell (possibly becoming a "Per Encounter" spell after you advance a few levels)? Whatever it is, it sounds cool.

 

[hong]

Well, if you squint really hard, burning hands could count as a "fiery blast"....