[WOTC] Revised Corebooks for July confirmed with info

[Dr_Rictus]

Wow, it's strange to see how many people (in this and the other thread) think that their particular pet rules are going to get into the revision.

And frankly, if WotC lets the discussion groups influence them much at all, they're crazy. Discussion groups do contain some of the biggest experts on your game, so you have to pay attention to them if you want to catch the occasional insight. But they're also just about the least representative sample of your overall market you could come up with.

 

[JeffB]

OH!


11) The Revised Monster Manual would have additional information: Flat Footed AC. Touch AC. Grapple Check bonus, etc. these little things help a lot in a combat situation to keep the game flowing. And obviously the Stat-Blocks would not be split up.

12) How about a better Character Sheet (perforated for easy copying) in the book, and an improved DM’s screen (after all that’s been a staple of D&D’s past when a new revision or version of the game has surfaced)? Of course the Kalamar screen is great, but it’s almost too cumbersome and over-loaded with info. Using something like Angramainyu’s (sp?) reference sheets would be ideal: short but sweet explanations of all the abilities, conditions, etc.

13) More examples. Or should I say more DETAILED examples. The original core books had examples. But they often only had the real basics covered. For example: the combat example. It’s extremely basic, and more complicated aspects that NEED an example, don’t have it. Give us an example of grappling and constriction, disarms…trips,… etc. Examples of item creation. Examples of using Metamagic feats, ranged touch attacks, etc, etc. More detailed examples take up space but also make for much less rules confusion. Feat examples: using some of the more “cumbersome” feats in the combat examples..whirlwind attack, great cleave, etc. The example of play in the DMG is another example…it’s entirely too basic for a system with so many additional rules/situations that come into play.

14) More Domains for the core (GH) Gods. There is not enough variety to really make a Cleric of Incabulos, much different than Nerull, or Iuz or whomever.

All for now…

 

[Swack-Iron]

You know what else? If they do revisions to the classes, e-Tools will be out of synch. *sigh*

 

[Dr_Rictus]

I bet the bard is beefed up, the ranger and monk have more options for customization, haste is reduced in power, harm gets a save, and there's yet ANOTHER version of polymorph self.

I hear a various people prognosticating changes to the bard, and I really have to say I don't get it. Anyone who doesn't like bards doesn't like playing support characters, as far as I can see, but that's not an argument not to have them. Even if KidCthulhu still misses 2e bards being able to cast fireball. I credit that to nostalgia, not thuggishness.

I wouldn't be surprised if they did something to harm, and lord knows the polymorph business still needs more errata. That would actually be helped a lot by working on the terminology for special abilities so they had a way to differentiate natural, non-magical abilities and other extraordinary abilities. I also wouldn't be surprised if they nerfed haste, though I actually don't think it needs it in a campaign where you actually have significantly more than one big fight a day. Because of that, I think it'd be better served by just adding a specific variant for that case (in the DMG, where such things go).

I'd be surprised if they didn't add the monk feat options from Oriental Adventures. A similar system for rangers is about the only sensible plan I've heard yet for dealing with all the whining in a way that would be back-compatible with all the existing material.

 

[Estlor]

My thoughts:

RPHB is something I'm more inclined to purchase for a couple of reasons. The adjustments made to the book sound a little more interesting and the spine on my existing book never was in good shape and worries the heck out of me. If I had to wager what they're doing, I'd figure this:

RPHB

• Addition of feats from OA, S&F, and T&B. Just a dusting of each, offering more choices for the martial arts-based monk and fighter plus a few of the (now) standard metamagic feats no in the PHB.
• Bard class that gets six skill points, a slightly beefier spell list, and perhaps a few more bardic music abilities
• Monks that can multiclass and can swap out class abilities like in OA
• Ranger bonus feats instead of front-loading the class.
• Clarification of Attacks of Opportunity with new picture examples.
• Corrected Polymorph Self - though haste and harm will be left alone

RDMG

• Addition of a number of prestige classes from splat books that are generic enough for every campaign.
• Clearer magic item pricing guidelines.
• A generally less-sucky layout and content for the book on a whole.

RMM

• Monster ECLs for most if not all monsters (as was done in the MM2).
• Ever so slight layout changes. Still not one monster to a page, but no more breaking stat blocks up and causing lots of widows and orphans across pages.
• A picture for every monster type in the book.
• Replacement of some of the blatantly BAD illustrations.
• Tweaked monster CRs.

As I'm not psychic, I could be (and probably am) completely and totally wrong here.

 

[blue crane]

Disgusted!

I just heard that WotC will be releasing new Core Rule-books for D&D. I can not believe it!

Here in South Africa, the books cost me a whole lot more than what my US- and UK- counterparts would pay for them. With our bad exchange rate ($1 = R10), how would you like to pay $300 for the Player's Guide alone?

Well, it is not as bad as that, but it gets the point across! I just completed my collection (all three core books) and now I have to go out and buy another set of them?

All I can say is that I am disgusted! Next time, WotC, think about places beyond the USA - and loyal fans who have been playing D&D long before you were a twinkle in Hasbro's eyes! Your actions are killing us out here in South Africa.

I fell for the revised Star Wars Core Rulebook - but this time I am sure that I'll give WotC a huge miss....

Highly disgusted!
Blue Crane

 

[MerakSpielman]

That's because Harm doesn't NEED a save. That's your crazy house rule, Hong.



I'm wondering the same thing, since they recently laid off all their top designers in spectacular bullet-in-the-foot fashion.

I have a feeling these very same designers were involved in the revision before they were sacked. Who's to say this hasn't been in the works for a year or more? This is just, as somebody has stated, a good time for the release.

 

[Eridanis]

And remember that AFAIK, Jonathan Tweet is still with WotC.

 

[Dave G]

You know, people, there's nothing that says you will be held down and forced to buy these.... I haven't seen such righteous indignation since my last political discussion with my family!

If you don't think you need them, don't buy them!!!

 

[MerakSpielman]

Re: Disgusted!

I just completed my collection (all three core books) and now I have to go out and buy another set of them?

Highly disgusted!
Blue Crane

Nobody's forcing you to do a thing, crane. If you have fun with the products you have already, keep using them.

edit: You beat me to it, BillyBeanbag.