Variant Deck of Many Things

[Glyfair]

WotC posted a web enhancement for the PHB II giving a variant Deck of Many Things. I have to admit, I was excited at first, but then very underwhelmed.

As written, this is almost useless to me. If I want to allow players to rebuild their character I would either allow it, allow it with limitations (a quest, for example) or completely disallow it. I wouldn't introduce a magic item ala the Deck of Many Things to randomly "maybe you can rebuild."

I am tempted, though, to come up with a variant on this deck. I'd use the cards and maybe their theme, but not the actual rebuilding paradigm (at least, not without some benefits being possible).

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think there might be a PDF product (or two) that's a variant on the deck. The more the merrier, I say.

(And I'd love to see an expanded Rod of Wonder table incorporating all the different versions over the years and adding more wackiness.)

 

[Kesh]

It seems like an attempt to make the Deck less destructive. As written, the original deck can really kill a campaign quick. While this one looks to be more work, it also seems much better balanced.

 

[pokedigimaniac]

http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/magicitems/deckofpastandfuture.html

An excellent variant of the Deck that doesn't break games so soundly. Enjoy!

 

[Starman]

http://www.seankreynolds.com/rpgfiles/magicitems/deckofpastandfuture.html

An excellent variant of the Deck that doesn't break games so soundly. Enjoy!

I've seen this before and it is an excellent mod of the original. The PHBII WE deck is...meh.

 

[Glyfair]

I've seen this before and it is an excellent mod of the original. The PHBII WE deck is...meh.

Except that deck just uses a standard deck of cards. I can create my own Deck of Many Things ability-wise. Artwise, I like this new deck.

 

[Ao the Overkitty]

I'm looking for the 'good' cards and not finding any. All I'm mostly finding annoying or 'bad' cards. The stat switchers and feat changers seem to do the least amount of harm, possibly.

As lethal the original deck maybe, it has a lot of interesting results. This varient deck seems to be created just to make a lot of paperwork. When you have to have stipulations for redraws in almost every card, you know there is something seriously wrong with the design.

I can just see gameplay grinding to a halt as everyone stops for an hour or two to rework their characters.

 

[lukelightning]

I can just see gameplay grinding to a halt as everyone stops for an hour or two to rework their characters.

I see many characters committing suicide when the wizard has been turned into a half-orc and looses another 4 points of INT from another card.

 

[joshuakanton]

I think that in making a deck that would be balanced and wouldn't break a game, they made a deck that didn't add anything to the game either. Characters don't get anything from the deck, they just change.

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

I see many characters committing suicide when the wizard has been turned into a half-orc and looses another 4 points of INT from another card.

I don't think that's incredibly different from other negative side effects of the original Deck of Many Things. In fact, I think it is a lot better, because your DM is most likely willing to use the retrain options even without the Deck, so you can at least return to your former glory.

I think I prefer this Deck about the original Deck, though I would probably still use the option not to draw a card at all.