WotC and D&D

[Nightfall]

Tell that to the monster people that like to buy monster books. Picture sell monsters. Trust me.

 

[Orius]

Some more points people have brought up:

The minis: they're a pretty good idea, from what I've read and seen of them on the Net. I haven't actually seen them though. I don't care if they're painted crappy. At least not in the case of stuff like rank and file goblins, kobolds, etc. The skirmish rules don't really matter to me, but they might be a good way to handle mass combat. The randomness I can't really judge; getting a lot of rank and file troops really isn't that bad, because a DM can always use them for encounters. I've played enough CCGs to know how useless multiple crappy common cards can be.

Complete Warrior. This seems to be largely a rehash of material from Dragon and Sword and Fist, so it has little interest to me.

Flavor. Some people have complained 3e doesn't have any. Isn't that the point of D&D though, to add your own flavor?

 

[Apocalyptic Kitty]

AK,

I don't appreciate you attacking a man I consider a great RPG reviewer. If you don't like his opinions fine. But no need for personal attacks.

You've got to be kidding!

 

[DaveMage]

Ah ok, I see.

Still, I wouldn't mind sacrificing the color for a lower price tag. Some of you may disagree, but I don't buy game books to look at the pictures.

I would disagree.

I *love* color products. In fact, I love color so much, I don't mind paying more for it. It's so much easier on the eyes (IMO)--I can read a color book longer before my eyes get tired.

Also, I think Wizards *should* set the production standard, so if that makes the cost a few $$ higher, that's fine with me.

(Of course, I'm also the same person who keeps asking for companies to release full-color versions of their monster books - even at a higher price - so maybe I'm not typical in my views.)

Edit - ooh, my 333rd post - I'm halfway to hell - woohoo!

 

[Darrin Drader]

Also, I think Wizards *should* set the production standard, so if that makes the cost a few $$ higher, that's fine with me.

I find myself agreeing with that statement.

(Of course, I'm also the same person who keeps asking for companies to release full-color versions of their monster books - even at a higher price - so maybe I'm not typical in my views.)

You're preaching to the choir here. Amen bro!

 

[bloodymage]

I like donuts...er...OAD&D!

 

[PJ Mason]

Really?
If anything, I'd say the two books are direct opposites. Both borrow from each other, use the same ideas, and draw upon the same mechanics. If anything, the BoVD seemed to provide a more 'dry and boring' look at evil, as in 'Look at me, I chop stuff up and have sex with Zombies, I'm eeeeeeeevil.'
Don't get me wrong, I like the BoVD, but I think the BoED does a much better job with its material. Unfortunately, it doesn't contain the Nipple Clamps of Rapturous Delight.

I agree. I didn't see a lot that made me shiver from the evvvvviiillllllness. The dark lord guy with children chained to him was ok. Mostly the whole "mature" readers only thing still smacks of hype-building. But BOED seemed the ssame level of build up. If anything those sacrifice bonuses outdo the BOED stuff. The Dark speech seemed much better than the Words of Creation did too. The celestial beast lords were a bit much, but didn't take up all that room, so if other people liked them, i don't mind. I think the nipple clamps are in a upcoming source book....Celestial Domination.

 

[Bendris Noulg]

The dark lord guy with children chained to him was ok.

Aren't those halflings?

 

[MerricB]

One reason I prefer colour pictures is because I don't like WotC's B&W artists that much. I feel that the faces of characters in the B&W books are often drawn extremely poorly.

Cheers!

 

[johnsemlak]

I find myself torn on the color/b&w issue. I generally am completely satisfied by products with good B&W artwork. Full color is nice, but for me it's really the whipped cream, not the main course.

That said, I do feel that overall, WotC's production values are excellent, and that includes a variety of things--illustrations, layout, organization, binding, etc.