devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
    
 | | 07/04/2005 12:30 AM |
| | recovered topic 5491 | |
You see! There ARE others out there just like me. What? Why are laughing? | |
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devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
| | 07/04/2005 12:30 AM |
| Was visiting the LGS this weekend and he was opening up his retailer boxes from WoTC and he had a real nice poster display for Stormwrack. Almost made me tell him to reserve me one. I bought Frostburn which I was impressed with. Sandstorm I took a pass on, maybe later when I can pick it up from ebay cheaper. Stormwrack definitely looks good though.
If they cover some prestige areas like a ship's wizard or a sea druid type I think my intrest would go up some more. I'm sure we'll some sort of storm/lightning wielding type. I'm hoping they maybe expand some on sea elves, sahuagin, tritons etc.
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 07/04/2005 12:34 AM |
| The latest Dungeon has two spells from that book included in an adventure:
The return of Airy Water!
and "Transformation of the Deeps"
Hope the spoilers help. [)]
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FeranEldritchKnight
Sergeant
385 Posts
Kansas City, MO USA
| | 07/04/2005 12:38 AM |
| I can't wait for this one to arrive! I'm usually a "wait and see" kinda guy, but I have a campaign set on a ship. The rules I've been using I feel are incomplete and not well researched, but they get me by. I just wish I had this back when the party traveled underwater the a sea elf kingdom and fought the coral golem I created.
(Side note: after the battle, I picked up Seafarer's Handbook, which had a coral golem with stats almost identical to mine. Same HD, abilities, saves, etc. Guess I followed the rules correctly. The exception being the strange effects magic had on it.) | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/04/2005 11:04 AM |
| Hello,
Thanks for the info Dariustad. I have not yet received my latest issue of Dungeon, so I will look forward to the spells.
Devasque, the posters sound interesting. Guess I need to stop by my local store as well.
Thanks all for info. Lets keep the leaks coming.
Cheers [:)]
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 07/04/2005 9:38 PM |
| | I'm torn. Its about adventures at and in the sea, but its part of the Environment series, or as I call them, the Books of Cold Cheese and Hot Cheese. Considering that its predecessors are two of the most overpowered books that WotC has put out (along with Races of Stone and the BoED), I'm very much in the "wait and see" camp. | |
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Fry
Underboss
1724 Posts
| | 07/05/2005 9:57 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by Testament
I'm torn. Its about adventures at and in the sea, but its part of the Environment series, or as I call them, the Books of Cold Cheese and Hot Cheese. Considering that its predecessors are two of the most overpowered books that WotC has put out (along with Races of Stone and the BoED), I'm very much in the "wait and see" camp.
Does that make this one the book of Runny Cheese? | |
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/05/2005 10:20 PM |
| Testament,
Out of curiosity, what exactly did you find overpowered in Frostburn and Sandstorm? I have not had a chance to use either one in game yet, but reading through them nothing struck me as hugely overpowered (although some bits were cheesy in terms of the idea being dumb in my opinion).
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 07/05/2005 11:17 PM |
| I'll start with the worse book, the Book of Cold Cheese. First examples to come to mind are some spells, Shivering Touch, both lesser and true versions. For one round a level, my touch attack deals either 1d6 or 3d6 dex DAMAGE, no save. A first level spell that deals ability DAMAGE? And can do it multiple times per casting? Or Iceberg, a 9th level spell, true, but it does 20d6 damge, no save, to a fireball sized area, and leaves them buried in snow. And can potentially do that to an even bigger area (80ft radius!). Not even Meteor Swarm can do that much damage to that big an area, and only one guy cops saveless damage. Or my personal favourite, Flesh to Ice. Same level as Flesh to Stone, but flat out better, and can be followed up with a frickin' cantrip to cause instant, irrevocable (other than True Res) death. And then they throw in a Mass version of it! And for the most insanely dangerous spell ever printed, look up Frostfell (I think thats the name). Finally, Conjure Ice Beast, summon an absolute BEAST of a creature at the same level as SM or SNA. That it allows Wizards to yoink off the SNA list is just a cherry on top of this sundae of madness. Its like the designers decided that because its cold, its just flat out BETTER!
Then there's the PrCs. Take a look at the Disciple of Thrym, and give me one reason that you wouldn't take it. Immunity to the two most common energy types, an alpha BAB, some spells AND funky combat abilites. Or how about Frost Mage, a full casting progression, granting natural armour, extra feats AND gives you a subtype and an enchanced version of the profoundly stupid Piercing Cold feat (normal version can't crack spell-based resistance, Frost Mage can!). Other than the Special pre-requisite, which is theoretically impossible (grab a pen and paper and work out the DCs for a blizzard!), it may be THE BEST mage PrC ever printed.
Feats? How about Sugliin mastery? Or maybe Snow Caster, or Frozen Mage? Or the glorious conceptual stupidity of "my cold is colder than cold", Piercing Cold.
Sandstorm is only marginally better. For spells we have Flesh to Salt (hey, yet another flesh to stone type that allows me to eradicate you with a cantrip!) and a Mass version AGAIN. And again we have super-summon in Summon Desert Ally (although the template isn't as good as Ice Beast). And we have Parching Touch, a spell that AUTOMATICALLY fatigues by dint of doing "dessication" damage, and even the 1st level version can potentially do a point of con damage. Not as bad as Shivering Touch, but that's a hard spell to top for absolute brokenness. And there's also Sunstroke, a first level spell that deals 2d6 unsaveable non-lethal that can't be healed without effort (have to treat them for sunstroke), and also fatigues with no save. Fail the fort save and you're exhausted.
For feats there's nothing that really stands out like there was in Frostburn, although I'm sure I could find something. Although, there is "my fire is hotter than hot" in Searing Spell. Its worth mentioning here that while it has the same level mod as Piercing Cold, its better as it allows you to hurt Fire subtype creatures, while PC doesn't. That's right, you can fireball a fire elemental to death with this spell.
PrC wise this book also has its share of madness in the Sand Shaper. Complete this PrC and you have yourself a nice little permanent, undispellable contingency that means that if you die, you come back automatically in your lair. And it beefs your Desert Ally spells.
This is just off the top of my head, give me a while to sit down with these books and put my powergaming hat on, and only the Book of Exalted Deeds allows me to unleash more insanity than these two books. That's why I fear for Stormwrack. At any rate, we know there's going to be "my lightning is more shocking than lightning" in the feats chapter. | |
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Malin Lug
Sergeant
742 Posts
| | 07/05/2005 11:44 PM |
| Testament...
This is the sort of thing that I am seeing in alot of the books, high powered spells, feats and prestige classes to put the cheese factor of a game way over the top. Give me settings, NPC's and Maps over super cheesy spells and feats any day. I own frost burn and couldn't bring myself to waste any more money on Sand Storm or the new upcoming Storm Wrack.
Just my opinion. | |
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Champion of the Common Bar Wench
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Testament
Underboss
1397 Posts
| | 07/06/2005 8:47 PM |
| | That's your perogative. Personally, I think that out of the entire 3.5 line, the only books that have upping the cheese factor are the Environment Books, Races of Stone and the Book of Exalted Deeds. Nearly every book is going to have something potentially gamebreaking (usually by book comboing), but as a GM, you can pre-stomp that anyway. | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/06/2005 8:51 PM |
| Testament,
Thanks for you observations. I have had to do a bit of owrk, so I have not had time to really look anything up. I will consider all you have said before using anything in game (not that I would not have boned up a bit more before using material in game anyways).
Cheers [:)] | |
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Wynd of the North
Warrior
310 Posts
| | 07/06/2005 9:54 PM |
| | Unless it's air AND water, which would make it Bubbly Cheese | |
Patience is a virtue and ignorance is bliss thus the world is full of stupid people waiting | |
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The Defenestrator
AesophDarkfable
Warlord
5628 Posts
| | 07/06/2005 10:13 PM |
| I agree on Sand Shaper, but id never allow it for a PC, its an NPC super villian though!
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Im out- find me on Hordelings if you want to chat. | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/07/2005 12:50 PM |
| Hello,
As AesophDarkfable points out, you don't necessarily have to offer everything in the new books to PCs. Sometimes they simply provide you with more ideas to throw things into your game that are only meant for NPCs or have nothing to do with the rules at all.
Stormwrack may end up having overpowered elements, but I suspect I will gain inspiration from it.
Cheers [:)] | |
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devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
| | 07/07/2005 2:17 PM |
| | Everyone is intitled their own take on it. For the most part, I love getting the books and pulling tidbits or pieces to use in my own personal campaign. And I would agree, the DM (weather its you or someone else) has the final yeah or nay as to what is usable or allowed. Someone mentioned that a lot of the material makes for great NPC/villian material which is spot on. What better to throw at your intrepid band of heros than a mad ice wizard bent on plunging the world in to an ice age or a mysterious desert oppenent that just keeps coming back! | |
You see! There ARE others out there just like me. What? Why are laughing? | |
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Liquidburn
Sergeant
944 Posts
| | 07/08/2005 12:31 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by devasque
Everyone is intitled their own take on it. For the most part, I love getting the books and pulling tidbits or pieces to use in my own personal campaign. And I would agree, the DM (weather its you or someone else) has the final yeah or nay as to what is usable or allowed. Someone mentioned that a lot of the material makes for great NPC/villian material which is spot on. What better to throw at your intrepid band of heros than a mad ice wizard bent on plunging the world in to an ice age or a mysterious desert oppenent that just keeps coming back!
I agree. While some of the stuff these books can be overpowered. It's really cool to use for flavor, especially, if you are a DM. | |
Jason Slingerland
"Why do I have to be Mr. Pink?" | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/11/2005 10:30 PM |
| Hello,
So, Mat Smith's previews late last week we got a closer look at Stormwrack. The preview is here if you missed it:
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050707a
So, what did people think of the content?
It looks OK to me overall. Not too many prestige classes by the sounds of things, and only 4 clerical domains in the spells section (although 2 sound completely new).
There are three new races, which does not enthuse me too much, but I have not seen the details. The monsters section will be one I will liekly loot, if there is good content, however.
Other observations?
Cheers [:)] | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 07/15/2005 9:48 PM |
| FYI:
Not Stormwrack, but the latest Dragon, #334, has 6 spells for seafaring spellcasters. | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/15/2005 10:48 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by dariustad
FYI:
Not Stormwrack, but the latest Dragon, #334, has 6 spells for seafaring spellcasters.
Dariustad,
Thanks for the heads up. I have not received my issue yet, but I expect it will show up in the next few days (usually does arrive around the 18th).
Cheers [:)] | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 07/15/2005 11:50 PM |
| | No proplem! I'm the one-stop D&D magazine information stop. [)] | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/16/2005 7:28 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by dariustad
No proplem! I'm the one-stop D&D magazine information stop. [)]
That, or you have too much time on your hands. [:D]
Cheers [:)] | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 07/17/2005 12:27 AM |
| Well, they've been in the theme.
There was also an adventure in Dungeon recently that dealt with destroying some kind of very powerful templated Kraken. (nothing undead)
I'd have to go digging to find it, though. | |
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Fry
Underboss
1724 Posts
| | 07/17/2005 10:35 AM |
| quote:
Originally posted by dariustad
Well, they've been in the theme.
There was also an adventure in Dungeon recently that dealt with destroying some kind of very powerful templated Kraken. (nothing undead)
I'd have to go digging to find it, though.
Either this months or last months had a level 15ish adventure that was entirely underwater, and featured aquatic githyanki, the templated kraken, and (IMO) a very nasty lich. As they point out: DR/bludgeoning and magic, and being underwater nerfs bludgeoning weapons. :/ | |
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Darastrix Maekrix
dariustad
Warlord
6322 Posts
| | 07/17/2005 7:26 PM |
| | No, there's another adventure with something like this, but not the one with the Githyanki lich, et al. I'd still have to do some digging. | |
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devasque
Sergeant
874 Posts
| | 07/17/2005 11:49 PM |
| Not a WoTC product but I remember seeing an expansion book based on Undersea adventures, races, classes, monsters etc. Still kick myself I didn't buy it when I originally saw it on the shelf in the FLGS. That was many moons ago though.
It had some pretty damn cool adventure synopsis and I'm sure most of what is in Stormwrack could have been combined/updated for some kickarse underwater material.
Now that I think about it, they did produce some sort of undersea game extension for the Forgotten Realms setting - The Sea of Fallen Stars or something close to it. | |
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Omand
Commander
3117 Posts
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | 07/24/2005 11:32 PM |
| quote:
Originally posted by dariustad
No, there's another adventure with something like this, but not the one with the Githyanki lich, et al. I'd still have to do some digging.
Dariustad,
You are talking about the one with the sinking ship, right? There have been several aqautic adventures recently in Dungeon. Lots of goodness there.
The module with the Githyanki lich does have Stormwrack experts for two spells though.
Cheers [:)] | |
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