| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Kuje |
Posted - 03 Apr 2009 : 01:21:43
Didn't see anyone else posting this so I grabbed it from ENworld. My thanks for Thalmin for posting it.
D&D
Dungeon Master's Guide 2 by Mike Mearls, Robin D. Laws, and Greg Gorden
This core rulebook for the Dungeons & Dragons Roleplaying Game features advice and rules for Dungeon Masters of all levels of experience, with a particular focus on running adventures and campaigns in the paragon tier (levels 11-20). It includes advanced encounter-building tools (including traps and skill challenges), storytelling tips to bring your game to life, new monster frameworks to help you craft the perfect villian, example campaign arcs, a comprehensive look at skill challenges, and a detailed "home base" for paragon-tier adventures -- the interplanar city of Sigil.
Sept 15, 2009
224 page hardcover $34.95
Dragon Magazine Annual, Volume 1 Editied by Chris Youngs
This book collects the best Dragon magazine content from the past year into one easy-to-reference source. The articles contained herein provide exciting character options for players as well as inspiration and campaign-building support for Dungeon Masters. All of this material is 100% official and suitable for any D&D game.
In addition to the compiled articles, the book contains never-before -seen notes from the designers, developers, and editors that take you behind the curtain, offering a firsthand glimpse into the origin and evolution of each article.
Sept 15, 2009
160 page hardcover $29.95
Primal Power by Mike Mearls, Rob Heinsoo, Logan Bonner, and Robert J Schwalb
Take a walk on the wild side! This must-have book is the latest in a line of player-friendly game supplements offering hundreds of new options for D&D characters, specifically focusing on heroes who draw power from the spirits that preserve and sustain the world. It provides new archtypal builds for barbarians, druids, shamans, and wardens, including new character powers, feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies.
Oct 20, 2009
160 page hardcover $29.95
E3 Prince of Undeath by Bruce R. Cordell and Scott Fitzgerald Gray
This epic-level D&D adventure is designed to take characters from 27th to 30th level. In this adventure, the demon lord Orcus tries to usurp the Raven Queen's power over death using a shard of evil plucked from the depths of the Abyss. Only the world's most powerful heroes have the slightest hope of stopping him.
This adventure can be played as a stand-alone adventure or as the conclusion of a three-part series that spans 10 levels of gameplay.
Oct 20, 2009
$24.95
Sinister Woods Dungeon Tiles
This D&D game accessory gives Dungeon Masters an easy and inexpensive way to include great-looking terrain in their games. This set provides ready-to-use, configurable tiles with which to build encounter locations. It allows DMs to build outdoor encounter sites with wondrous terrain.
Oct 20, 2009
6 double-sided sheets $9.95
Draconomicon 2: Metallic Dragons by Richard Baker, Ari Marmell, David Noonan, and Robert J. Schwalb
Draconomicon 2: Metallic Dragons describes several varieties of dragons, including gold, silver, copper, iron, and adamantine dragons. It also introduces several other kinds of metallic dragons suitable for any D&D campaign.
This supplement presents dragons both malevolent and benign, and gives details on each dragon's powers, tactics, myths, lairs, servitors, and more. In addition, this book provides new information abut the roles that metallic dragons fill in a D&D game. Story and campaign elements in the book give Dungeon Masters ready-to-play material that is easily incorporated into a game, including adventure hooks, quests, encounters, and pregenerated treasure hoards.
Nov 17, 2009
288 page hardcover $39.95
Arcane Power Cards
Each deck of 100 cards includes all the powers from Arcane Power for each of the five classes featured in the book - swordmage, bard, wizard, warlock, and sorcerer, - plus a few blank cards for players to use for other powers.
(note: the catalog gives SKUs for 6 different decks - bard, sorcerer, warlock, wizard, swordmage 1, and swordmage 2 - as well as an SKU for the assortment display. thalmin) edit: the swordmage 1 deck is probably the Forgotten Realms Player's Guide deck, while the swordmage 2 deck would be the Arcane Powers deck.
Nov 17, 2009
$9.99 per deck
The Plane Below: Secrets of the Elemental Chaos by Ari Marmell, Bruce R. Cordell, and Luke Johnson
A hotbed of adventure opportunities awaits you in the roiling maelstrom of the Elemental Chaos - a plane of titans, elementals, genies, slaads, and demons. This game supplement builds on the overview of the Elemental Chaos presented in the Manual of the Planes game supplement and explores the tumultuous plane in greater detail. From the City of Brass to the githzerai monestary of Zerthadlun to the spiraling depths of the Abyss, adventure lurks behind every lava waterfall, across every icy battlefield, and beyond every raging lightning storm.
This game supplement describes the Elemental Chaos in detail, featuring key locations throughout the plane. It also presents a multitude of new monsters, mighty primordials, and powerful demons, as well as adventure hooks, encounters, hazards, and everything Dungeon Masters need to make Elemental Chaos a featured setting in their campaigns.
December 15, 2009
160 page hardcover $29.95
Star Wars
Galaxy at War by Rodney Thompson, Gary Astleford, Eric Cagle, and Daniel Wallace
Warfare is a common theme throughout the Star Wars saga. From the Clone Wars to the Galactic Civil War, soldiers have their work cut out for them. this supplement gives players and Gamemasters everything they need to run games or play characters in a war-torn galaxy. Includes rules for military units as well as new character options, new gear and starships, and a host of adventure hooks and campaign seeds that can be used to inject military flavor into campaigns of all eras.
Contains new content based on the popular animated series, The Clone Wars
Sept 15, 2009
224 page hardcover $39.95
Scavenger's Guide to Droids by Rodney Thompson, Sterling Hershey, Patrick Stutzman, and Rob Wieland
The Scavenger's Guide to Droids is the ultimate reference to droids across the Star Wars saga. With this guide, players and gamemasters will find tools to build their own droid characters, using templates from various manufacturers. New options for game play include talents, feats, equipment, modifications, quirks, and prestige classes for any droid character. This supplement also contains scores of new droids for Gamemasters to include in adventures and campaigns set in any Star Wars era, as well as tips for customizing unique droid models.
Nov 17, 2009
160 page hardcover $34.95
Miniatures
Axis & Allies Early War: 1939-1941
Tanks, aircraft, and infantry from the early campaigns in Poland, Belgium, and France will debut in this set. It will also include German and Russian units that fought in the furious opening battles of Operation Barbarossa, the invasion of the Soviet Union. 50 figures in the set, 5 random figures per booster.
Sept 15, 2009
$14.99
Star Wars Galaxy at War
This set features characters from The Clone Wars animated series. 40 figures in the set, 7 random figures per booster.
Oct 30, 2009
Monster Manual: Savage Encounters
This set features miniatures from the Monster Manual and other game supplements. 40 monsters in the set, 1 visible and 4 random figures per booster.
Nov 17, 2009
$14.99 |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 19:36:34
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Didn't you use to have Rodent-bane Scepter as well?
I think Wooly hid that when he 'ascended'. 
Nope, don't know a thing about that. See my innocent expression? *dusts off halo* |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 19:35:30
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Actually, the original Staff of the Irritated Moderator was my own creation. The other Mods, and Alaundo, simply started borrowing it from me. 
As for the "+5," well, I don't quite recall which scribe suggested that particular increase.
My mod hat has usually been enough for me. That or threatening people with a swarm of Miniature Giant Space Hamsters. |
| Markustay |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 17:05:44
Didn't you use to have a Rodent-bane Scepter as well?
I think Wooly hid that when he 'ascended'. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 16:10:40
Actually, the original Staff of the Irritated Moderator was my own creation. The other Mods, and Alaundo, simply started borrowing it from me.
As for the "+5," well, I don't quite recall which scribe suggested that particular increase.
|
| Asgetrion |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 14:59:27
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Good. 'Tis been a while since I've had to use the dreaded Staff of the Irritated Moderator +5.
You stole it from Alaundo?  |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 09 Apr 2009 : 00:06:04
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
As a upstate NYer, I agree. Yes people, there are places in NY besides NYC! Grumble.
I think I've heard of that, yes... It's called Attica, right? |
| Kuje |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 05:59:46
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Good. 'Tis been a while since I've had to use the dreaded Staff of the Irritated Moderator +5.
Shivers in fear. What if I find my Axe of Evil Chopping +10 to chop up your staff? :)
Okay, I'm done being snarky. :) |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 05:46:58
Good. 'Tis been a while since I've had to use the dreaded Staff of the Irritated Moderator +5.
|
| Kuje |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 05:34:34
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Hmmm. I sure there was a topic here somewhere?
Oh please, not like you never go off topic! Grin. Yeah, I'm being snarky tonight. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 05:16:01
Hmmm. I sure there was a topic here somewhere? |
| Markustay |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 04:45:41
I live on the Island, and yet I still refer to myself as a 'NYer' (although people from there call where I live 'the country', which I find very funny).
Then again, people who live in Manhattan think the other four boroughs are 'the burbs' (and two of those are on MY island). I suppose if there is such a thing as the "Ugly American", then NewYorkers would probably be the stereotype.
What were we talking about... Oh yeah... Heidi Klum.... I find myself addicted to her Project Runway show for some bizarre reason.  |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 02:35:48
quote:
Originally posted by Kuje
As a upstate NYer, I agree. Yes people, there are places in NY besides NYC! Grumble.
No you LIE YOU LIE!!!  |
| Kuje |
Posted - 08 Apr 2009 : 00:50:22
As a upstate NYer, I agree. Yes people, there are places in NY besides NYC! Grumble.
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Wasn't it Moses who said "Fool me once..."
As a New Yorker, I have to look at everything this way - anytime anyone tries to convince you of anything, there's a 99% chance that they are lying to you about something.
The other 1% of the time they are being honest... which just makes them a schmuck. 
Does that make all NYers cynical pessimists? Of course it does... but pessimists are rarely disappointed.
|
| Ashe Ravenheart |
Posted - 07 Apr 2009 : 21:37:13
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
<snip> but pessimists are rarely disappointed.
Actually, pessimists are disappointed every time it's sunny instead of raining. Cynics, however, distrust all, so are rarely disappointed when the see trust that has been misplaced. Having not trusted, they are never betrayed and thus are rarely disappointed in their outlook.
Anyway, I agree with you about New Yorkers (growing up 90 minutes from the city and then having a lot of commuters move into the area taught me that much).
I'm sorry, what were we talking about again? The fall catalog? Oh, yes, I think that Heidi Klum looks lovely on page 13... |
| Markustay |
Posted - 07 Apr 2009 : 20:26:47
Wasn't it Moses who said "Fool me once..."
As a New Yorker, I have to look at everything this way - anytime anyone tries to convince you of anything, there's a 99% chance that they are lying to you about something.
The other 1% of the time they are being honest... which just makes them a schmuck.
Does that make all NYers cynical pessimists? Of course it does... but pessimists are rarely disappointed. |
| Christopher_Rowe |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 15:57:39
quote:
Originally posted by capnvan
What was that Johnson said about the "triumph of hope over experience"?
I believe it was "A second marriage is the triumph of hope over experience," but I'd have to consult Gwenda's copy of Boswell to be sure. Gwenda being my second wife, to whom I'm happily married.
He also said that "sturdy rejections are among the most common topicks of falsehood." Interesting cat, Johnson.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 15:57:29
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
I might actually consider the Dragon Magazine Annual because I prefer having my D&D material in book format rather than on a computer.
Not me. I was just looking at the Dragon Compendium. It has content from several years' worth of Dragon, not just one, has almost 100 more pages, and is only $10 more. And Monster Ecologies -- also from several years of Dragon -- was 130 pages, softcover, and $19.99.
So 30 pages less and softcover is $10 less, and 100 pages more in hardcover is $10 more.
If it was a 160 page softcover for $20 or $25, I'd be closer to being interested. |
| Christopher_Rowe |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 15:18:45
quote:
Originally posted by Alisttair
Well I WOULD like to have more bang for my buck as it pertains to Realms articles.
At a guess, with the new rules that more closely tie the powers of clerics, paladins, invokers and avengers to the portfolios of their deities previewed from Divine Power today, I bet we'll be seeing a string of articles about Realms deities. The placeholders left open in the Compendium under all the Realms greater gods, gods, and exarchs makes me even more hopeful that that's the case. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 14:42:00
Well I WOULD like to have more bang for my buck as it pertains to Realms articles. |
| Kyrene |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 14:38:09
Since I didn't really get an answer to my question, I did some searching myself and found that up to now only four of the Dragon articles Christopher listed require both a DDI subscription and can be considered Realms articles:
"Adventurers of the Realms, "Playing Shadar-kai", "Backdrop: Tarmalune" and "Ecology of the Sharn".
By the time the 'annual' gets published, and at the current rate of publication, it'd be about 8 articles @ $3.75 each. Of course we'd get the other 100 pages for free if all the 'Realms articles' make the "best" cut in the first place. |
| Alisttair |
Posted - 06 Apr 2009 : 14:34:36
I might actually consider the Dragon Magazine Annual because I prefer having my D&D material in book format rather than on a computer. |
| Asgetrion |
Posted - 05 Apr 2009 : 21:10:53
quote:
Originally posted by Quale
the Pathfinder's fall catalog is much more appealing, I'll look at the planar book, won't buy it cause of what happened with the tanar'ri, yugoloths and archons
Paizo's catalog for 2009 is full of *awesome* stuff... Cities of Golarion, Legacy of Fire AP, Dungeon Denizens Revisited, Bastards of Erebus AP, Dwarves of Golarion (with stronghold maps, no less), Cheliax, Taldor, Guide to Absalom, The Great Beyond (just to name a few)... and the most surprising product: City Map Folio, which includes bird's eye view maps of the cities in the Valerie Valusek-style (the amazing map she did of Waterdeep).
Seems like I'm going to be dirt poor by the end of the year, but I think it'll be well worth it! |
| Quale |
Posted - 05 Apr 2009 : 15:58:53
the Pathfinder's fall catalog is much more appealing, I'll look at the planar book, won't buy it cause of what happened with the tanar'ri, yugoloths and archons |
| George Krashos |
Posted - 05 Apr 2009 : 12:58:36
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
If I had the money, I would SO invest in that stuff.
I buy army men for my younger boys just so I can play with them.
They don't call it "Plastic Crack" for nothing. It is highly addictive.
I too am buying them for my boys so they can game with their old man in years to come. Hopefully it'll keep them off the streets ...
-- George Krashos
|
| Rinonalyrna Fathomlin |
Posted - 05 Apr 2009 : 00:05:03
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
So what about this thread?
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2599 It starts at post #3.
You're grasping at straws, I think. A thread from four years ago? Come on... |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Apr 2009 : 15:25:02
Indeed. I don't even think I bothered reading the last few articles posted for that series. I just gave up because it was so boring. |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Apr 2009 : 14:21:55
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
So what about this thread?
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2599 It starts at post #3.
BRIMSTONE
So what about it? That particular series of articles was crap. There have been a whole lot of other articles, though, and a large percentage of them were quite well received. I've got literally hundreds of articles I've grabbed from the WotC site, over the years, and the only (non-4E) ones I have complaints about were the Adventure Locales and the Return to Undermountain ones. |
| Brimstone |
Posted - 04 Apr 2009 : 09:14:50
So what about this thread?
http://forum.candlekeep.com/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=2599 It starts at post #3.
BRIMSTONE |
| The Sage |
Posted - 04 Apr 2009 : 08:49:39
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Now compare that to all the Realms articles over the 3e years - all of which are still available for FREE. It seems the more they want, they less they are willing to give.
The only Free Realms articles that people didnt complain about were the Ed ones. The other articles were called too generic or not realmsy enough.  Case of revisionist history?
No. I quite enjoyed many of the non-Ed articles. I have a great many of them parked on my hard drive.
Indeed. Like Eric Boyd's "Mintipers's Chapbook" series and Steven Schend's "Realms By Night" articles for example. Good and wholesome Realmslore from the early 3e period.
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 04 Apr 2009 : 06:51:35
quote:
Originally posted by Brimstone
quote:
Originally posted by Markustay
Now compare that to all the Realms articles over the 3e years - all of which are still available for FREE. It seems the more they want, they less they are willing to give.
The only Free Realms articles that people didnt complain about were the Ed ones. The other articles were called too generic or not realmsy enough. Case of revisionist history?
No. I quite enjoyed many of the non-Ed articles. I have a great many of them parked on my hard drive. |
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