Tome of Battle preview

[glass]

Looks like it could be a nice cap system. I'm afraid that it might just be that one extra level of complexity that I don't want to take, though.

I've been meaning to ask for ages; what exactly is a 'cap system'?


glass.

 

[Mercule]

I've been meaning to ask for ages; what exactly is a 'cap system'?

IIRC, it's an "add-on" that adds new features to the game.

I forget all the classifications, but WotC has a few that represent things like new features (ToB, ToM, etc.), expanded use of existing mechanics (Complete *), and a couple of others. I want to say there are/were five categories (including core rules), but don't remember for sure.

 

[satori01]

Actually, considering how much like the Hero martial arts system those entries look, it makes me wonder why I'm playing D&D instead of Hero.

Why dont you get right on that, ok
It is not like you have to buy the book, and D&D combat works fine as it is. To bash an optional combat rules supplement for adding an xtra layer of complexity is silly. It is an optional rules supplement meant to be overlayed onto the existing game, of course it is adding an extra layer of complexity.

You basically just said you do not like chocolate, and thus you will not like this new chocolate cake and should be eating vanillia pudding instead.
You are right 100%, if you do not like chocolate dont eat chocolate. but do not disparage a product, because it is clearly, and obviously spelled out to be chocolate

(The point is somewhat serious, but no harshness is intended, thus smiley faces, chocolate, and pudding refrences)

 

[SteveC]

Very interesting. It looks like it could be extremely useful, but also quite complicated.

The note "while a sorcerer's spells rely on arcane power that is depleted by continuous use, a martial adept's abilities are always available to him as long as he has a few minutes to prepare the maneuvers he wishes to use."...makes me wonder how often you can use these abilities and what the restrictions on them will be.

I think this system is going to be one of those "devil is in the details" sort of things.

Still, I find it interesting, and I'll probably pick it up.

--Steve

 

[Mercule]

Why dont you get right on that, ok
It is not like you have to buy the book, and D&D combat works fine as it is. To bash an optional combat rules supplement for adding an xtra layer of complexity is silly. It is an optional rules supplement meant to be overlayed onto the existing game, of course it is adding an extra layer of complexity.

You basically just said you do not like chocolate, and thus you will not like this new chocolate cake and should be eating vanillia pudding instead.
You are right 100%, if you do not like chocolate dont eat chocolate. but do not disparage a product, because it is clearly, and obviously spelled out to be chocolate

(The point is somewhat serious, but no harshness is intended, thus smiley faces, chocolate, and pudding refrences)

What the heck are you talking about? I think you have my point completely wrong.

I said it looks like a nice, interesting book. Then I mused over whether D&D is starting to add enough complexities that it wouldn't be just as easy to switch over to Hero (which is a game I really, really like).

Or, to use your analogy; I said I like chocolate. I also said I'd like this new chocolate cake, but thought it might be getting to the point of diminishing returns to grind a chocolate bar into white cake batter instead of just eating the chocolate bar itself.

 

[Shade]

Add me to the camp of "wasn't interested before, but now I definitely am".

 

[glass]

IIRC, it's an "add-on" that adds new features to the game.

But why 'cap'. AFAICT, it is a system, or maybe a sub-system, but cap system?



glass.

 

[Sir Brennen]

But why 'cap'. AFAICT, it is a system, or maybe a sub-system, but cap system?

The original term IIRC was 'capstone': a system you can put on top of the basic building blocks of the core books. Psionics is really the most complete example of the concept, I think.

 

[Snapdragyn]

I'm not too keen on the more overtly supernatural ones, & some seem a bit high-powered for first level (heal 1d6/successful attack? seriously?), but there's enough that looks good to retain my interest. I still have to say I've slipped from 'absolutely must have' to 'very very likely to buy' (not much of a slip, but it is there).

 

[Arnwyn]

This looks somewhat interesting.

I wasn't even going to bother looking at it previously, but now it definitely looks like it merits a skim-through.