WotC Mailbog Podcast up

[Stoat]

w/r/t the frequency of Disarm in 3.X

A player in the second to last 3.5 game I DM'd ran the classic Spiked Chain Trip/Disarm Monkey (tm). He used disarm a lot at first, but gradually came to rely more and more on tripping. The game ran from 3rd to 6th level.

Disarm is a very solid tactic in 3.X. Few weapon-using monsters in the Monster Manuals are specifically described as having backup weapons. At higher level, anything using a weapon in combat is likely relying on weapon-specific feats (such as weapon focus) and any weapon used is likely to be magic.

An NPC fighter might be armed with a +1 longsword that he's specialized in. He likely has no other magic weapon. In fact, his backup weapon is likely to be a dagger or shortsword rather than a second longsword. Disarming him drops his attacks by 2 (+1 weapon focus, +1 enhancement) and his damage by 3 (+2 specialization +1 enhancement). If he's forced to rely on a dagger, his strength bonus to damage drops as well.

So yeah, I saw a lot of goblins and orcs running around trying to pick up their weapons.

 

[Shroomy]

Disclaimer: I haven't heard the podcast yet. I'm also not trying to spread rumors, but actually trying to get some confirmation.

There is some discussion on another board that speaker in this podcast is Kerin Chase. (Stop me there if that is not the case)

Chase identifies themselves as a Brand Manager for D&D.

The rumor is that this person is Rouse's replacement. The counter-argument being that one can be a Brand Manager and not be the Senior Brand Manager, and that Rouse is just fine.

Anybody seen Scott Rouse post today? Anybody that has actually heard it care to comment?

You're actually talking about the current podcast (#30), instead of the mailbag (#29). I haven't heard anything about Scott Rouse being replaced as Senior Brand Manager and last I heard, he was heading over to Europe on business (this was right before the layoff announcement). If you read this post from April, Scott Rouse identifies Kierin Chase as a Brand Manager reporting to him.

 

[Rechan]

w/r/t the frequency of Disarm in 3.X

A player in the second to last 3.5 game I DM'd ran the classic Spiked Chain Trip/Disarm Monkey (tm). He used disarm a lot at first, but gradually came to rely more and more on tripping. The game ran from 3rd to 6th level.

Disarm is a very solid tactic in 3.X. Few weapon-using monsters in the Monster Manuals are specifically described as having backup weapons. At higher level, anything using a weapon in combat is likely relying on weapon-specific feats (such as weapon focus) and any weapon used is likely to be magic.

Of course, when word gets 'round about the disarm-happy PC, I would see an upswing in sales of Locked Gauntlets.

 

[justanobody]

Disclaimer: I haven't heard the podcast yet. I'm also not trying to spread rumors, but actually trying to get some confirmation.

There is some discussion on another board that speaker in this podcast is Kerin Chase. (Stop me there if that is not the case)

Chase identifies themselves as a Brand Manager for D&D.

The rumor is that this person is Rouse's replacement. The counter-argument being that one can be a Brand Manager and not be the Senior Brand Manager, and that Rouse is just fine.

Anybody seen Scott Rouse post today? Anybody that has actually heard it care to comment?

The board it started should be this one, because I was the one that asked about it.

You can read more about it from The Rouse himself here: Scott Rouse speaks about the Brand Manager team

It was also not the mailbag podcast (#29) but the newest one #30 Holidays.

 

[Admiral Caine]

You're actually talking about the current podcast (#30), instead of the mailbag (#29). I haven't heard anything about Scott Rouse being replaced as Senior Brand Manager and last I heard, he was heading over to Europe on business (this was right before the layoff announcement). If you read this post from April, Scott Rouse identifies Kierin Chase as a Brand Manager reporting to him.

Ah, thanks Shroomy. When I posted I was at work, sorry I posted in the wrong thread.

The board it started should be this one, because I was the one that asked about it.

Not really. I mean, you might have been the first one in the whole wide world to ever ask about it, but that's not really important. I didn't specify where it might have theoretically started, just that I heard it on another board. And it wasn't this one. People on the Paizo board were speaking about it this afternoon, and I guess they were wrong. But that's why I came here to ask. I can point you to thread if you need me to prove it.

 

[justanobody]

I can point you to thread if you need me to prove it.

That is up to you, but I am surprised someone would take a question from me and run elsewhere with it....but this is the interwebs we are talking about.

 

[Admiral Caine]

That is up to you, but I am surprised someone would take a question from me and run elsewhere with it....but this is the interwebs we are talking about.

Well please, don't let me stand in your way.

Page 4 though someone already verified the rumor is false

Please, find the guilty party and take them to task.

 

[justanobody]

Well please, don't let me stand in your way.

Page 4 though someone already verified the rumor is false

Please, find the guilty party and take them to task.

Yes, Bagpuss linked to the same post I did from Rouse here. I was the one asking here so probably where it came from, ergo, I am the guilty party for the confusion and have henceforth already beaten myself with a wet noodle 5 times for it.