I hear Epic Destinies getting thrown around alot recently--how they got pared down to only three, how they should feel more like rituals. Apparently I'm in the dark here. What are Epic Destinies, exactly and how do they work? They sound interesting. Just curious. With all the release stuff coming out I think I missed it.
Epic Destinies are sorta like Paragon Paths for the Epic Tier, except instead of representing a further level of training and specialization for your character, they represent your "greater destiny" and provide a means/reason for your characters eventual retirement.
Note there are 4 in the PHB, with surely more to come.
As an example, one of the ones in the PHB involves your character becoming a Demigod. Here is a link to the 4E Excerpt re: Epic Destinies, although I don't recall if that specific destiny is actually in the book (I didn't think to check, and can't remember all four now). Here is a link to an article about adding the idea of Epic Destinies into your 3.5 games.
Is there anything in particular you'd like me to answer?
Cheers! :)
I guess is there a possibility for taking an epic destiny right from the start at chargen? Something to mold your whole character around? Y'know the kind of thing where your character discovers that they are of divine origin right at the start, and if they live worthily and do great deeds that they are destined to become a demigod--like Hercules in mythology? Or is it the kind of thing with loads of prereqs that you can't even touch until you reach Epic Tier?
Likewise I guess I wonder what sorts of things it gives you? Is it like a paragon class in the sense that it gives you powers and stat adjustments--or is it more of a template?
I guess is there a possibility for taking an epic destiny right from the start at chargen? Something to mold your whole character around? Y'know the kind of thing where your character discovers that they are of divine origin right at the start, and if they live worthily and do great deeds that they are destined to become a demigod--like Hercules in mythology? Or is it the kind of thing with loads of prereqs that you can't even touch until you reach Epic Tier?
Likewise I guess I wonder what sorts of things it gives you? Is it like a paragon class in the sense that it gives you powers and stat adjustments--or is it more of a template?
Hrms. You could certainly play it as a pick the Destiny you are heading towards from start, and have the DM work that into the story as you go, but that isn't a default assumption. With that said though, there aren't really any prereqs, if I recall correctly, so even if the DM wasn't on board, you could consider your character a little proto-Demigod in your head. ;)
It does give you a few powers, like your Paragon Path. Generally you get some means of avoiding death 1/day, and a really cool Utility ability. I think Demigods get +2 to two stats permanently at 21st, but I don't have my books on me to confirm. More than Paragon Paths though, Epic Destinies are supposed to be more story oriented. I don't really think you'll focus too heavily on getting crunch out of them (and they don't really offer THAT much for you to get, at least IMO.)
Most of your real ability is still going to be coming from your class, even in the Epic Tier (or so it seemed to me)
Cheers! :)
I guess is there a possibility for taking an epic destiny right from the start at chargen? Something to mold your whole character around? Y'know the kind of thing where your character discovers that they are of divine origin right at the start, and if they live worthily and do great deeds that they are destined to become a demigod--like Hercules in mythology? Or is it the kind of thing with loads of prereqs that you can't even touch until you reach Epic Tier?
Likewise I guess I wonder what sorts of things it gives you? Is it like a paragon class in the sense that it gives you powers and stat adjustments--or is it more of a template?
Well, mechanicall you get your first epic destiny at level 21, but there's no reason why you can't build your character's story around the idea of being a godling in training. Or archmage, or whatever destiny you are choosing.
In fact, considering how big a factor your epic destiny will be in the later stages of a a long running campaign (levels 21 to 30), then you should probably be up front about what you want with your DM. There might not be a mechanical effect, but your DM can weave your eventual godhood into the story. In your example of living well and becomign a god, when your Epic Destiny powers begin to mantifest, it's proof that you've been leading the kind of life you should and that you're achieving your destiny.
Y'know I really like that. Granted when we do run 4e, I'm going to be running it. That said, I like the idea that the endgame for characters is out there in the cards. It's something I can tell them about, as a juicy hook for them to make cool characters around--it's pretty exciting. I've got some grade-A players so I'll be really looking forward to seeing what they come up with.