Warcraft RPG exerpts now online.

[Dark Jezter]

There is now a preview of the Warcraft RPG online at Blizzard's site. Featured on the page is the cover artwork, which sure enough features the Dungeons and Dragons logo. There is also a release date given: The week of July 28th.

In addition, several pages can be read. The first few describe a scene where a night elf priestess watches a battle between humans and orcs, while the final two describe the Scout class, which looks to be a mix between the ranger and the druid (with a little bit of rogue thrown in for flavor). Pretty interesting stuff. Check them out here:

http://www.blizzard.com/market/warcraftRPG/

I definately think I'll be buying this book.

 

[Krug]

Looks very good. I hope it manages to bring in Warcraft gamers who haven't ever played a pen and paper RPG.

 

[Chingerspy]

Me too! Looks interesting. And I wouldn't mind trying out playing in the WC setting. Missed out on Wheel of Time and Everquest as I have not played the computer game or read the books yet.

 

[Dark Jezter]

Other things of note in the exerpt:

An "Elven Ranger" prestige class is mentioned in the description of the Scout class. This makes me wonder if the regular Ranger class will be a playable class or not. I'm guessing that Ranger won't be a base class, since many of its abilities are usurped by the Scout class.

Besides the standard alignment requirements for classes, it now looks as though there will be requirements for Race and Affiliation. Likely affiliations for characters will be the Human Alliance and the Orcish Horde.

One of the skills available to the scout is Knowledge (Military Tactics). This appears to be a new skill for the campaign, unless Knowledge (Military Tactics) is a 3.5e skill.

The description of the Scout's Uncanny Dodge ability mentions the Barbarian class, so it sounds like that class will still be around.

 

[3d6]

Hmm. It appears to be using some closely-related variation on the D&D magic system. Not a good thing, in my opinion. Warcraft has always used mana-based casting, blast it.

 

[Krug]

They better have the Pandarens!

 

[Beastman]

Regarding the magic system: it is rumored to be close to the standard system and it will not use a mana-based system. Thus, still the good/old, loved/hated spell-slot thing. My guess is no spell preparation ahead of time, regardless of spellcasting class. Known spells and spells per day regardless of spellcasting class. Casting known spells from memory and casting non-known-spells by reference or something like that. Just rumours and thoughts...

 

[thundershot]

I wonder how compatable and balanced it would be with other D&D classes... Hm...

 

[Beastman]

At least the balance of classes can be determined and compared by using the class construction engine in regard to PHB classes. And since monsters (should) get a CR as it is with other sourcebooks, there should also not be a problem. Feats and spells a harder to balance and I think there could be the greatest trouble when using Warcraft RPG stuff in other campaigns or vice versa. But let's wait another 4 weeks or so and than we will see... Perhaps the upcoming interview with D. Brooks at wolf-spoor.org reveals a few more bits of info.

 

[MarauderX]

...drool...

...mussst have...the PReCiouSssss.....yesssss....


Oh yeah, been waiting for this for a while now, and thanks for putting up the release date too.

Some things I am wondering...

Are there Undead classes to be played, or would it be a mangled mix with Ghostwalk?

Mass combat? I mean, really, the game is all about it.

I will find out in 4 weeks I suppose.