Who Needs The New Dragon Format
- Thread starter Red Viper
- Start date
Alzrius
The EN World kitten
I think part of the reason for the lash against the new format of Dragon is how much space the "regulars" take up.
Between them, the smaller articles detailing new spells, races, feats, PrC's, class options, letters, Sage Advice, etc. are roughly 2/3 of the magazine. That means that the "feature" articles, ones devoted to the monthly theme, seem to be squeezed out in comparisson. It can seem somewhat discouraging at times.
Personally, though, I'm enjoying the new direction the magazine has taken, since easily putting what new mechanics go where free up the feature articles to go where they want, instead of needing to justify themselves with new stats.
Between them, the smaller articles detailing new spells, races, feats, PrC's, class options, letters, Sage Advice, etc. are roughly 2/3 of the magazine. That means that the "feature" articles, ones devoted to the monthly theme, seem to be squeezed out in comparisson. It can seem somewhat discouraging at times.
Personally, though, I'm enjoying the new direction the magazine has taken, since easily putting what new mechanics go where free up the feature articles to go where they want, instead of needing to justify themselves with new stats.
Steel_Wind
Legend
I don't like the new format either - then again - I didn't like the old format.
Dragon has had very little to say that was new and interesting for about - oh - 220 issues or so. Sorry. I am just not a fan of this magazine.
Dungeon, on the other hand, has always been excellent. While I preferred the 3e style WotC borders on their layout, the revamp by moving the only articles from Dragon worth reading over to Dungeon suited me just fine.
Dragon has had very little to say that was new and interesting for about - oh - 220 issues or so. Sorry. I am just not a fan of this magazine.
Dungeon, on the other hand, has always been excellent. While I preferred the 3e style WotC borders on their layout, the revamp by moving the only articles from Dragon worth reading over to Dungeon suited me just fine.
fourthmensch
First Post
I'm pretty satisfied with the new Dragon. Some of the features, I admit, I have little to no interest in (such as Under Command), but I'm not going to complain about a magazine just because it can't make everything within it of complete relevance to my interests; I understand that many people are going to enjoy the minis articles, so I just skip over it and move on the rest of the Dragon goodness.
I particularly like that Ecology is now a Familiar, and am looking forward to monthly articles on various creatures.
I like that most of the crunch now appears in dedicated articles (Magic Shop, Heroic Feats, Spellcraft), allowing the writers to produce interesting articles that, like the Cthulu article in this month's issue, need not have new crunch in order to justify its inclusion.
Gaining Prestige is not so different from the previous Dragon, which included articles focused on a new PrC in nearly every issue.
The one feature I am not happy with at all is Class Acts--a spread of a dozen pages or more which, frankly, does not need to be a monthly feature. Something about this just... irks me. It could be the amount of space it takes up, as compared to other articles; or the fact that I can't imagine how they are going to come up with interesting things to say about every class in every issue for month after month. So far, the results do not encourage me; a whole page on what spells to choose for a pacifist cleric, or coaching players on what feats and prestige classes to choose for a sorcerer.... It just seems that these articles are of a marked less quality, usefulness, and interest than most of the rest of the magazine.
That said, though, I like the new Dragon, and I hope they keep experimenting in an attempt to improve.
I particularly like that Ecology is now a Familiar, and am looking forward to monthly articles on various creatures.
I like that most of the crunch now appears in dedicated articles (Magic Shop, Heroic Feats, Spellcraft), allowing the writers to produce interesting articles that, like the Cthulu article in this month's issue, need not have new crunch in order to justify its inclusion.
Gaining Prestige is not so different from the previous Dragon, which included articles focused on a new PrC in nearly every issue.
The one feature I am not happy with at all is Class Acts--a spread of a dozen pages or more which, frankly, does not need to be a monthly feature. Something about this just... irks me. It could be the amount of space it takes up, as compared to other articles; or the fact that I can't imagine how they are going to come up with interesting things to say about every class in every issue for month after month. So far, the results do not encourage me; a whole page on what spells to choose for a pacifist cleric, or coaching players on what feats and prestige classes to choose for a sorcerer.... It just seems that these articles are of a marked less quality, usefulness, and interest than most of the rest of the magazine.
That said, though, I like the new Dragon, and I hope they keep experimenting in an attempt to improve.
When I got the first issue with the new format, I initially really didn't have a thought and if anything, the issue seemed to be a bit chaotic since I really didn't have a first glance feel for the theme of the issue. I also do not sit down and read it that moment though, after a few days I was finally taking a break and picked it up and started to thumb thru the pages. I had no real feelings for that first issue until I got the second issue under the new format. I found myself looking back at the first issue finding certain columns I somehow missed. Now, I eagerly await the 3rd issue under the new format, to see what new things will be in Spellcraft and such, no longer is an issue with a theme I do not care about, a lost cause. Now, I am sure to find something of interest, either for my game directly or to spark some imaginative juices of my own.
Dungeon likewise, is also a plus under the new format. 3 Adventures everytime and every issue hits 3 different level groups. Don't miss out on the few columns by notable people either.
Dungeon likewise, is also a plus under the new format. 3 Adventures everytime and every issue hits 3 different level groups. Don't miss out on the few columns by notable people either.
Blue_Kryptonite
First Post
I'm loving them both. The format, the regular column content the feature articles... All wonderful in both magazine. I'm looking forward to the Neil Gaimen's American Gods article, if my issue ever arrives. Its only been three weeks since the ship date, and I understand the mail issues, so its a small thing to worry about.
JoeGKushner
Adventurer
And the Red Viper doesn't reply.
Personally, I'm not crazy about the new Dragon. I've hated these covers for a long time now. It's not Maxim with Orcs and stuff guys, it's a gaming magazine. I know this subject has come up before, but where is the action in any of these recent covers. "Look at how cool the center figure is just standing there!" Crap.
I hate tie-ins to other products, especially the miniatures. Doesnt' Piazo have a seperate magazine to cover this collectabile stuff? And the direct tie ins to specific products isn't up my alley either. I can understand it, but I long for a good old collection of monsters like the Dragon's Bestiary or the good old Creature Collection.
Comics: We really need to see some new blood here or something. The ones that are currently here aren't bad, but not up to the older quality of say, Wormy or Phil and Dixie.
Personally, I'm not crazy about the new Dragon. I've hated these covers for a long time now. It's not Maxim with Orcs and stuff guys, it's a gaming magazine. I know this subject has come up before, but where is the action in any of these recent covers. "Look at how cool the center figure is just standing there!" Crap.
I hate tie-ins to other products, especially the miniatures. Doesnt' Piazo have a seperate magazine to cover this collectabile stuff? And the direct tie ins to specific products isn't up my alley either. I can understand it, but I long for a good old collection of monsters like the Dragon's Bestiary or the good old Creature Collection.
Comics: We really need to see some new blood here or something. The ones that are currently here aren't bad, but not up to the older quality of say, Wormy or Phil and Dixie.
I agree with Joe for the most part. Dragon used to sport some evocative scenes. Now they've abandoned the scenic route altogether for solitary monsters and villains with no backdrop glaring at the reader with a menacing "come get some" expression. Blah. Fantasy is supposed to be fantastic, not simply belligerent. I don't know what the editors are thinking. I understand that computer graphics has replaced the airbrush paintings of old, but isn't that a faster, easier way of generating big, colorful vistas? And if not, why bother with it then?
I also see no point whatsoever with articles completely unrelated to RPG's. Specifically, I don't want to read about console and PC games in Dragon. Bad move.
I also see no point whatsoever with articles completely unrelated to RPG's. Specifically, I don't want to read about console and PC games in Dragon. Bad move.
Last edited:
The_lurkeR
First Post
Likes: New article formats. (classes, etc.)
Dislike: Cover art and comics
Dislike: Cover art and comics
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