The Recycle Bin

I have had the 4E Underdark source book on preorder for a while. I noticed this afternoon that the local B&N had one in stock, which I thought was strange since it does not officially release until Tuesday. I did not flip around through the book very much; was more or less pressed for time and somewhat distracted keeping up with 3 kids!

I also noticed that there was a single copy of the 4E Player’s Handbook Races: Dragonborn supplement, but right now I am not interested in these types of supplements. Other than trying to make money for WotC, I am not sure what purpose these race supplements serve. The only reason that I would pick it up is for a brief reading (it is all of 32 pages) and to flip it a few years down the road, which assumes it will become a rare and/or high in demand book. Besides, the PHB3 should be out later this spring; seem like this sort of material is best served with the PHBx books.

I always enjoy a good review. In fact, regardless of my hobby du jour, when I am searching, research, and reading, I always appreciate a finely crafted review. Such is the case this Game Cryer’s review of the 4E Dungeon Master’s Guide 2:

In many ways, this is a true sequel. For example, what seemed to be lacking in the first book was rules for creating traps. This book includes an entire section detailing that particular process, as well as giving additional examples. DMG 2 also provides rules for creating themed monsters and templates for classes in the Player’s Handbook 2. On the other hand, this book is also a venue for Wizards of the Coast to backtrack on previous inadequacies. There’s an extensive chapter on Skill Challenges, providing lots of variation and concrete examples. If you’re critical of the company, you might wonder why this wasn’t included in the original Dungeon Master’s Guide. And then there are areas that, while I gladly welcome them, could easily fall under errata, such as revised formulas for calculating the defenses of Solos and Elites.

If you are already playing (really DM’ing) 4E, you probably already own this guidebook, and while I was not making a purchase decision based on the review (I already own this supplement), I did greatly enjoy the review.

In what can only be described as a tremendous deal, Wizards of the Coast is offering up a special “holiday” bundle for 4E players. Featuring the Player’s Handbook (PHB) and the Player’s Handbook 2 (PHB2), 4th Edition Player’s Handbook Collection: 4th Edition D&D Core Rulebooks is a steal of a deal. Amazon has this set listed for $23.07, which just happens to be the same price as the PHB and PHB2, so you are getting a buy one get one free deal.

For those so inclined, this bundle also includes a voucher to save $12 off a yearly D&D Insider subscription.

Mmmmm. Gnome Stew. I stumbled across this site looking for some 4E materials. Now comes an article covering some of the all time worst, dare I say completely stupid monsters of all time! This has to be the funniest D&D type article I have read in a while. Then again, maybe it is the Jack and Diet Dr. Pepper. Either way, this stuff has me ROTFLMAO.

Player: “Wait…did you say ‘You see a T-rex up ahead’? In a fantasy game?”

GM: “Yep. Its jaws are glistening with saliva as it turns its –”

Player: “Fuck you, man. I’m going home.”

Seriously. Any DM [it's a DM dammit!] that pulls this shit on me can kiss my little white ass. Hey, just trying to get in the spirit of things.

BTW – In the comments section of the campaign built around stupid monsters are a couple of great links …

• http://www.headinjurytheater.com/article73.htm
• http://www.headinjurytheater.com/article95.htm

I guess that is it for stupid monster stuff.  I am laughed out.

This is not so much a review of the 4E Monster Manual 2 (MM2) as it is a few random comments about one of the newest books in my 4E library. I order this one earlier this week from Amazon, which means the MM2 only set me back $23.07 (no taxes; free second day shipping via Prime service) instead of the suggested retail price of $34.95.

I do not have the time or inclination to research older versions of the various Monster Manual releases to see which of the approximately 170 monsters spanning 223 pages of the MM2 are new to Dungeons & Dragons. Suffice it to say that there are obviously many repeats, but that is too be expected.

The MM2 is fairly standard fare; presented in the same format as the first Monster Manual. Each monster entry has a brief description and ample statistical game information. Most also include some background information on tactics, lore, and encounter groups. For what is presented, it is fairly down to earth, but I wish that more time were spent on ecology type information. In 4E ecology information is sparse, but perhaps it is better served in other accessories, Draconomicon: Chromatic Dragons being a perfect example. It is worth noting that there is a special call out section on the Rust Monster (“A Guide to Using Rust Monsters”); more of these types of call outs would have been appreciated.

Speaking of dragons, the MM2 introduces several Metallic dragons: Adamantine, Copper, Gold, Iron, and Silver. Each entry includes statistical game information for Young, Adult, Elder, and Ancient forms. If you like dragons, the MM2 gives you 14 pages of dragon goodness.

For some longtime Dungeons & Dragons fans, the appearance of Demogorgon (L34) may be a selling point. Dagon (L32) also makes an appearance, but I do not remember this Demon Lord from my younger playing days.

As you can see from the chart below, the MM2 contains a fairly diverse range of monsters, but I could not help myself for wanting to see more lower level creatures, especially humanoids. I guess there is always the Monster Manual 3. I have already alluded to two of the three 30+ level monsters. The third is the Ancient Gold Dragon (L30).

Rounding out the MM2 is a 4 page glossary. If you are picking up the MM2 you probably do not need a 4 page glossary. While it is helpful to newer 4E players such as myself, it is really throw away material. There is a single page covering the Racial Traits for possible playable races: Bullywug, Duergar, and Kenku. While this section is interesting, I would rather see more details or have it removed all together to a future Dungeon Master’s Guide. Finally the MM2 wraps things up with 3 pages of Monsters by Level. This section is certainly helpful, but I wish there were also encounter tables – by level, terrain, etc. I really miss those from my AD&D days (before there edition designations).

MM2 is certainly a quality book that will give Dungeon Master’s a new set of tools to play with, but future versions could be improved by expanding ecology information, and this old gamer believes that encounter tables are a must. I will probably rate the MM2 on Amazon as 4 (out of 5) stars.

I ran across A Hamsterish Hoard of Dungeons and Dragons over the weekend, and thought it was worth a mention here. If you are still into “the box set” version of D&D or the later Rules Cyclopedia version, you will probably enjoy the various trinkets that this blog has to offer. I like how the author starts off the blog …

The BEMCI [JJC: Basic, Expert, Masters, Champion, Immortals] edition of D&D makes me happy. So does 2e AD&D, but right now my creative notions are in D&D mode so that’s what I’ll be posting. I might start adding AD&D bits if something catches my attention, though.

I’m sticking with low-level things, in the main. The Red Box was what I was craving, so high-level widgets probably won’t do it for me *grins* In an ideal world I’ll be posting every day or every two days — but knowing myself all too well, I’m not making any hard and fast promises.

I am not vouching for the gameplay balance of the various offerings, but the blog does offer a fun trip through the world of BEMCI.

I started perusing the Player’s Handbook (PHB) and had a couple of immediate comments. First, what happened to “roll 3d6 six times, in order, apply the scores?” Second, what the heck is going on with the lack of evilness and the pre allocated deities? Finally, Dragonborn?

But I want to roll my stats!
The 4E Player’s Handbook presents three different methods of determining your ability score, and for veterans of the game, two of the three methods are kind of head scratchers. I am sure working a standard array brings some sibilance of balance to the game, but all the different ways to roll scores in 1st Edition are gone. Maybe it is just me misremembered good ‘ol days; going to take a while to get use to the new ways of ability score generation. To be fair, the 4d6 method is still included, but with some caveats. Who wants terms and conditions around rolling the dice? We all know that you just throw away the numbers if they completely suck, right? Oops.

Of course I can do whatever the heck I want, and allow any sort of ability score generation method that I would like to implement. I may wreck havoc on game balance, so I will continue reading before making any catastrophic decisions. I bet a future supplement adds some other variants.

Say goodbye to evil
I can understand that playing evil characters is no longer encouraged. 4E looks to be heroic “us vs. them” action at its finest. Alignments are now more or less slanted towards “good” and “lawfulness.” I still like the idea of playing chaotic good or maybe lawful neutral characters. Maybe that is in the later parts of the book, the Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG), or some other supplement. I really do not like the idea of including deities, complete with backgrounds, right in the PHB; it more or less forces you to make some assumptions about your gaming world (or at least the one your DM sets up).

Dragonborn
I really do not get the Dragonborn thing as a player character. I mean to say that I really do not like the idea of Dragonborn characters running rampant.

I can appreciate that this is a fantasy game. I can accept the idea of a human village that has a dwarf blacksmith, a halfling baker, and the occasional almost anything else race that passes through town. Rumors of elves in the nearby forest? Mixed party of adventures that stay in the inn? I can live with all of this because this is a fantasy game. With that said, there is no way on God’s Green Earth that you are going to convince me that the town folks do not totally freak out when a Dragonborn abomination strolls through the marketplace. To make matters worse is the background material which states

“Long ago, their empire contended for worldwide dominion, but now only a few rootless clans of these honorable warriors remain to pass on their legends of ancient glory.”

Give me a f’ing break. Not in my campaign. Breath weapons of acid, cold, fire, lightning, or poison? Sounds like a monster, not a PC.

Moving on …
So far I am happy with what I have read in the PHB. I think really like the d20 mechanics, but of course have not actually tried them on a dry run to see how they actually work. I doubt I will remember all the various modifiers, bonuses, and the like, but all in all, the base rules look straight forward and, on the surface, easy to understand.

Oh yeah, WTF is a Tiefling?

On a drunken tangent I decided to order the latest Dungeons and Dragons rules, along with a handful of supplements. I have to admit that at the time I ordered I was not as drunk as I may have wished, and it really was not much of a tangent. I am a lifelong RPG fan, mostly of the D&D and AD&D variants, but it has been years since I actually played the game. That would be back in the AD&D 1st Edition rules days, with maybe some D&D Rules Cyclopedia (i.e. Basic, Expert, Champions, Masters, and Immortals – 1991) mixed in during college.

I have always enjoyed reading the rules and various supplements. At the very least I used to do a decent job keeping up with the changes. Even if I did not play I would purchase the occasional Dragon Magazine to see what was going on in the world of AD&D. I am even proud to say that I made a decent amount of money by buying materials, reading them, storing the stacks of goodies away for a later date, and eventually selling “rare” merchandise on eBay.

Most of that buying and flipping on eBay ended shortly after the release of the 3E rules. I pickup up the core books, some Forgotten Realm supplements, and that was basically that for a long period of time. To be honest 3.5E came and went, and until recently I had no idea that Dragon Magazine was digital only, and that a new hope – 4E – was now upon us.

While I am in no hurry to play regularly or join a group, I am trying to talk my kids into playing. Their only experience with the game comes from the old campy cartoons – yes, like every good gamer born in the early 70’s, I have those fun cartoons on DVD. D&D to the kids is watching me playing some WoW [I know, technically not D&D], and playing a handful of video games such as Champions of Norrath for the PS2. I think the kids need to be educated, and D&D could be an interesting family game night experience. My wife said she was willing to try if I could explain things and keep it fairly simple. If I can convert her to being a fan of Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings then there may be some hope down this avenue of pencil and paper gaming.

I decided to place an order from Amazon for the Dungeons and Dragons Core Rulebook Gift Set, 4th Edition and a handful of supplements that I will discuss later. Maybe. Depends on how much this holds my interests with other competition for my time – mainly football season is about to start. For what it is worth, this core gift set is actually $3.09 cheaper than ordering the three core books individually; go figure.

I am not going to profess that I am a game rules/mechanics expert, or even a decent reviewer of D&D books, but I plan to write a few observations on some of this new 4E material. We can see where this takes us.

4E Monster Manual Initial Impressions
Don’t ask me why, but I decided to pick up the 4E Monster Manual (MM) first. My initial impressions are pretty simple. What happened to treasure types, and why are there so few lower level monsters?

I assume treasure listings are located in the Dungeon Master’s Guide (DMG), and I can also assume that I can actually read the Player’s Handbook (PHB) to learn some of the mechanics and what the various statistics box listings mean. To be fair, the MM does contain a four-page glossary of terms, so help is probably only a few minutes away.

After getting past the mechanics stuff, my very next impression was that some of the descriptions were really brief? What happened to the detailed monster descriptions? I may be in the minority, but I really enjoyed the “ecology of” series in Dragon Magazine.

I then took a second pass at the book at realized that some of the monster listings, in fact I would say a majority of the monster listings were fairly deep and well described. Maybe not to the ”ecology of” level of detail, but certainly enough for a DM to run with things. For example, there are seven pages dedicated to goblins and their ilk. Most of the descriptions also have a DC to determine if the characters learn some interesting information about the creature at hand. Of course since I am unfamiliar with 4E, I have no idea what DC means. Some of the descriptions state that a Nature, Religion, Arcana, or Dungeoneering check is needed to gain this information. I am sure I will figure it out at some point. For example, if you run into a Zombie, a successful Religion check of DC 15 will let your character learn “Most zombies are created using a foul ritual. Once roused, a zombie obeys its creator and wants nothing more than to kill and consumer the living.”

The MM also contains a four-page section on racial traits that allows DM to build out NPCs, and I suppose for players to give something different (i.e. humanoid monsters) as go.

I was disappointed in the four-page [that looks like a theme] monsters by level section. I suppose it is useful, but the old encounter tables would have been a nice addition.

This is really a minor quibble, but I was very surprised by the lack of low level monsters.  As I am writing this article I do not have the MM in front of me, but at most there were 15 1st level monsters, many of which were not unique (i.e. three different types of kobolds)  and less than 20 2nd level entries.  It just seems like a lack of low level variety, but I am sure additional supplements will be released that will help fill in the gaps.  I can always revert back to some of my older materials, but I bet it will be a major undertaking to convert from pre 4E to 4E equivalents.

For first impressions I was neither impressed nor disappointed. The MM seems to be a utilitarian rule book that serves its purpose – detailing monsters.