News in Review for Jul 12 to Jul 18 2010
If I were to sum up this week’s news in just a few words, I’d have to say call it the “’Not a new edition’ controversy”.
D&D Essentials continues to be the hot button topic this week, with Bill Slavisek posting an Ampersand Archive blasting the internet rumor mill for not accepting WotC’s assurances that Essentials are “not a new edition”. As proof, the new Essentials Wizard was previewed, with claims that Essentials powers would be available to “old style” Player’s Handbook Classes the same way that Essentials Characters can draw upon the old powers.
But based upon the hits and comment responses on my own editorial blog asking “Are D&D Essentials Truly Essential?”, the D&D 4E Community appears to be split over the issue, with feedback ranging from pro-Essentials to concern over what it will mean for the game. And there was a sharp reminder from A Hero Twice a Month blogsite, discussing how we were all told that 3.5 was not a new edition, and that it was completely compatible with 3rd Edition. It certainly begs the question of whether D&D Essentials is a case of WotC history repeating itself.
And to round out the discussion of the recent controversial changes to 4E, Greywulf’s Lair posted an excellent analysis, asking the question “Is Magic Missile a change too far?”, and even going as far as concluding that “in short, if you’re playing a Wizard and don’t take Magic Missile, you are an idiot.” Any power described in those terms sounds like it might be needing some re-evaluation.
While I certainly look forward to seeing how D&D Essentials plays out, I truly hope that WotC knows what it’s about while making changes that has the 4E fan-base so torn. D&D 4E is a great game, and it is clear we all want to see it get better, but as to whether D&D Essentials and some of the new errata coming out constitutes better is yet to be proven, and only time will tell all.
- Wizards of the Coast has released Dark Sun Excerpts this week, starting with Eight Characteristics of Athas. The Dark Sun Campaign Setting is due out in August 2010!
- Matthew Sernett offers a new Feature Article in Dragon #389, offering new Skill-Based Utility Powers for Corrupted Characters – new concepts for less than good Characters.
- Necromancers of the Northwest has some very Hazardous Explosives to threaten Characters with.
- Kobold Quarterly releases a new solo encounter worthy of “clashing titans”: check out the fearsome might of Giant Scorpions!
- Former WotC Designer Logan Bonner has been announced by Kobold Quarterly to lead the Lost City 4th Edition Open Design project.
- Dave “The Game” at Critical-Hits.com reviews, with a minor disclaimer, Sly Flourish’s Dungeon Master Tips eBook.
- Mike Shea at Sly Flourish.com has a boost for blood-sucking fiends with his new Monster Optimization: Vampires.
- Wyatt Salazar at The Spirits of Eden.com has a rather sharp review of Dungeon Mastering’s Humble Beginnings 4E Module.
- Bauxtehude at Dungeon’s Master.com has penned a new blog of his Confessions of a D&D Camp Councilor.
- Check out At Will.com’s newest “cursed” magic item: Tragic Imprint: The Laughing Axe.
- Robert J. Schwalb publishes part 2 of the Psionic Traditions Feature article, discussing Psionics Beyond Civilization. Now available in Dragon #389.
- The Rules of the Game column by Jeremy Crawford this month finally pulls all the rules and errata together to bring you the definitive way that Teleportation works in D&D 4E!
- Ameron at Dungeon’s Master.com makes the claim that Predators: The Movie That Begs to Be a D&D Adventure.
- The Tome Show #140 podcast, with guests Quinn Murphy and Mike Shea, looks at WotC’s Monster Manual 3.
- At Will.com offers a new way to run “fights through the basic form of a skill challenge”. Find out all about Threshold.
- Greg Bilsland at his In the Eye of the Beholder blogsite offers 10 Must-Watch Films for the D&D Player.
- The new Chaos Scar Adventure is out now in Dungeon #180. It is written this month by Robert J. Schwalb, and entitled The Pillar of Eyes, and set for adventurers of 4th Level.
- Check out Skull City, an excerpt from Chapter 3 of the upcoming Tomb of Horrors adventure!
- At Critical-Hits.com, Dave “The Game” posted an Interview: Steve Townshend, D&D Freelancer and Co-Author of “Demonomicon”.
- Wimwick at Dungeon’s Master.com has recommendations on how to manage Adventuring With A Sub-Optimal Party.
- Adventures in the Sky explores airship combat for the world of Eberron in Dungeon #180. Aerial Battles includes background material and a Paragon Level Encounter entitled “Sky Pirates”, complete with a map of an airship deck!
- Kobold Quarterly continues its “My First GenCon” essays with one from Chris Pramas of Green Ronin Games!
- Bartoneus at Critical-Hits.com has an blog regarding Spicing Up Your Class Features.
- Mike Shea at Sly Flourish.com compiles his DM Tip Twitter Archive: June 2010.
- At Greywulf’s Lair.com, experience his newest 3rd Level 4E Scenario, Shadowland: it begins with horses, complete with pics, and a new “monster” – the Stampede!
- Bill Slavicsek publishes an Ampersand Special: The Essential Classes in order “to address some misconceptions we’ve been noticing on the boards”. Check out the Wizard Preview of D&D Essentials, and find out why this new product line is “Not a New Edition”.
- Ed Greenwood offers the second part of a Realmslore series, pulled from his new upcoming novel regarding the famed Sage of Shadowdale. Check out Elminster Must Die! #8-14!
- There is a new Dark Sun Excerpt out, entitled The World of Athas, from Chapter 1 of the upcoming Dark Sun Campaign Setting, due out next month!
- Wimwick at Dungeon’s Master.com posted the second part of his blog regarding Adventuring With A Sub-Optimal Party.
- At newbieDM.com, there’s a great idea for starting a D&D community-based project to create A program like D&D Encounters for the rest of us.
- At A Hero Twice a Month.com, there are Some thoughts on D&D Essentials, and a reminder about how 3.5 was originally proclaimed as just “a minor rules update”.
- At Greywulf’s Lair.com ponders the question: Is Magic Missile a change too far? Check out his insightful (and somewhat frightening) analysis of how over-the-top Magic Missile has become.
About The Author
Comments