Wizards are adding an unearthed arcana article into Dragon/Dungeon. This presents oddball "unofficial" rules into the game so people can see how they like them, while being entirely optional (at DMs discretion). I am pleased about this and I look forward to seeing what they put in! While I won't use all of it, I definitely have nothing against this and more stuff I can include in my games is good.
Unearthed Arcana!
- Thread starter Aegeri
- Start date
Kelvor Ravenstar
Explorer
This will be awesome. I really hope we get the gunpowder weapons, or new odd paragon paths soon.
Yeah, I'm really hoping for some whacky things that can show me some interesting new designs/styles. As its optional and won't be CB etc official material, it means it doesn't have to impact on my games unless I want it. That's a pretty good deal to me and might inspire anything!
RigaMortus2
First Post
Probably will have facing rules in there too I would imagine.
Gunslinger paragon path would be freakin awesome.
In general, "fringe" rules sounds awesome. I look forward to this.
Kelvor Ravenstar
Explorer
Wow, my mind didn't even go there. I hope if it comes with a paragon path its open to all weapon using classes. If they work with any powers that have ranged weapon and [W] I'd be happy. I'd probably make them superior weapons that count as crossbows for class abilities. Gunslinging Rangers, Rogues, Warlords, Artificers, Bards, and Seekers - Yay! There's probably a class or two that has a ranged build I forgot, but that's a pretty good selection of compatible classes right there.
I am disappointed about no Compendium or Character Builder support. I realize they have limited staff to implement this, but we already have some support for option rules in the Character Builder already. Just put a check box on the Manage screen like for Inherent Bonuses. If they only publish at most one Unearthed Arcana article a month, DMs who only allow one or two optional articles would just have the players uncheck that month's issue from the manage campaign rules area. But that will likely cause problems with players wanting content from that unchecked issue. I'm beginning to see the programming hassles of adding this to the CB. If only they better supported houseruling in the CB, I'd be happy to add this content myself.
On another note, Unearthed Arcana might be a good place to publish classic campaign options like races from Spelljammer and Mystara. With Giff and guns I'd have all the rules I'd want to run a Spelljammer campaign again.
I believe the point here is to be absolutely clear these are fringe, absolute 100% DMs discretion elements for groups who are willing to let potentially completely broken options into the game. In other words, not suitable for the CB and I actually like this. I don't want this zany crap in the CB where it looks like a legitimate addition to the game. I want it as something that needs to be specifically asked for and used in my games.
I hope we might see optional rules for
1. running the game at the paragon and epic tier levels without using paragon paths and epic destinies
2. reintroducing skill points and removing the +1/2 level bonus
3. breaking down the skills to be less broad
The above could get my friends and I to give the game another look.
1. running the game at the paragon and epic tier levels without using paragon paths and epic destinies
2. reintroducing skill points and removing the +1/2 level bonus
3. breaking down the skills to be less broad
The above could get my friends and I to give the game another look.
Bagpuss
Legend
So Dragon/Dungeon have gone from decently developed full articles and adventures to smaller bite sized articles, and "encounters" that need less development, and now to half-baked ideas that have little or no development, that won't even get Character Builder support if I find them interesting and want to use them.
And this is sold as a good thing?
Seems WotC have found a way to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
If you are going to make optional rules make them actually optional, if all the players are using the Character Builder for their character sheets and you introduce an unoffical class or feat that a player/DM want to use how can they use it if there is no support? All the existing stuff published by Dragon/Dungeon and WotC is optional already. A Player can opt to use it or not, the DM can opt to allow it or not. This new unearth arcana stuff you won't be able to opt to use it in the character builder, or adventurer tools, which is why people pay for the D&DI and an invaluable tool for players and DMs.
This isn't "It's all experimental, optional, and unofficial." as if that is something cool and exciting. The only thing is, is rushed out (without development) to fill the rapidly thinning content of the magazine and unsupported.
And this is sold as a good thing?
Seems WotC have found a way to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear.
If you are going to make optional rules make them actually optional, if all the players are using the Character Builder for their character sheets and you introduce an unoffical class or feat that a player/DM want to use how can they use it if there is no support? All the existing stuff published by Dragon/Dungeon and WotC is optional already. A Player can opt to use it or not, the DM can opt to allow it or not. This new unearth arcana stuff you won't be able to opt to use it in the character builder, or adventurer tools, which is why people pay for the D&DI and an invaluable tool for players and DMs.
This isn't "It's all experimental, optional, and unofficial." as if that is something cool and exciting. The only thing is, is rushed out (without development) to fill the rapidly thinning content of the magazine and unsupported.
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I agree with you entirely that the magazines content is sliding as of later in both quality and quantity, but I can't see this as anything but a good thing. Being optional and not in the CB is the best part of it, because they can put really whacky stuff in there and it is just up to the individual DM.
I am rather hoping the curses have tracks that end up being turned into a newt permanently.
I am rather hoping the curses have tracks that end up being turned into a newt permanently.
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