Aleron's page

That would be the Special Edition Subscription option.

Thank you!

Is there any way to subscribe/get the pdf and get the special edition version?

I haven't logged into here for a long time but just wanted to express my appreciation for this. You all rock!

You definitely have all my support in this venture! Best wishes!

A lot of the art and creatures shown are definitely from previous editions, including several pieces of art shown in the video. Did you get permission to use them and/or the art assets? I was under the impression that stuff would have been copyrighted considering WotC track record.

Got my physical copy last week and have been testing the new monsters for the last few sessions now. I'm extremely satisfied, perhaps one of the best kickstarters I've backed to date. Which begs the question, when will be seeing Tome of Beasts 2?

I require more 5e monsters! This has but whet my appetite.

*edit* PS: Never thought I would like using pawns but these are gorgeous! I sincerely hope they did well enough to warrant a revisit too!

I think the feat Great Weapon Master should also be noted. It's what turns strength based into truly damaging monsters. Admittedly dexterity has a similar option, though it is only specifically for ranged attacks.

I absolutely detest the name they gave it, but like the idea. Makes it very confusing with bardic inspiration I've found in my gaming so far.

I basically broke it down into two things for my games. Those being inspiration (functions identical to bardic version, get a dice to add to rolls) and heroic souls (basically hero points converted to 5e). I hand out the inspiration for all the little stuff simply like good ideas, good roleplay, etc. The others are a bit harder to get and generally kept for achieving plot goals, character goals, being really heroic, etc.

It's exactly because of the care and balancing that went into the pathfinder version that I put my thoughts down. I'd like to see the 5e version be as big a hit as the previous version was in pathfinder. In any case, you were asking for feedback and impressions so I was giving you some early ones.

The mention of the number abilities is because 5e is a more streamlined, easier to run system. It's the main reason it is my go to currently for DMing. I do believe some of the class could probably do with some 'paring' down or potentially combining things in a simpler format. As I mentioned above, I didn't remark necessarily on the balance per se due to not having a chance to test it or see it in action compared to other characters. Additionally I found a lot of the spells very complex and long when I glanced them over, likely another instance that could use some smoothing out word/concept-wise perhaps.

The mention of the 'path' at 1st level wasn't saying it was unbalanced, merely an observation it is somewhat strange compared to a number of other classes. Nothing more than that.

As for ranger, they don't tend to do badly in the games I've played in/run. Even if some of the design choices and themes they went with don't particularly appeal to me. I wouldn't argue saying the paladin is overall likely the stronger option between the two regardless and probably a better gauge power-wise. Though as mentioned the arts vs invocations thing is rather fitting itself.

I loved the pathfinder version, though I have been playing extensively with 5e for some time now and it's becoming my preferred system at this point. I'm excited to see this and have high hopes considering how well the pathfinder version turned out!

I've given it an initial read through and my first thought is compared to most classes it is getting a lot each level. Between class features, arts, and spells it has a lot going for it. Got the same reaction from another DM I showed it to. Obviously not sure if it is a balance concern, haven't had a chance to test yet but it is an initial impression.

Another part that stood out to us is getting the path at 1st level. Very few classes do that and while I can see why it was done, few outside of full casters tend to do this.

Worth noting I'm doing most of my comparison against a paladin or ranger since that is probably closer than rogue considering the 5th level spellcasting.

Anyway, will be looking forward to more. Hoping to have more time later to really dive into this more deeply!

Have to say I had some interest until I saw the balancing at work. Some of the feats were way too strong even at a brief glance. The extra damage dice, one that adds two to AC plus a slew of other stuff...

Sorry, but having to go through a lot of effort to re-balance a purchased supplement is not generally something I enjoy doing even if some of the ideas are quite cool.

My vote is for variant multiclassing rules for the bigger releases. I really liked those since they were introduced. They help give a semi-gestalt feel and option for those that want it.

See Here, little down the page

That's a really cool character idea and I'd allow it myself, whether it says that in the rules or not. Run it by the DM and see what they say. Their world may or may not allow for something of that sort.

Forgot about pass without a trace. It's another that made me go 'wow!' when I saw it. During an early portion of one of the campaign our group combined that and ambushed entire groups of enemies that should have took us out. It worked exceedingly well since the chance of them beating even someone with disadvantage was very low.

I gotta ask, I did look over spirit guardians and am not sure what the big deal is? What issue did it cause? I haven't encountered it yet and at least on a glance I feel like I'm missing something.

I think the general feeling really depends on the party as much as how you set it up. Say this because our DM for Hoards has turned into a more light-hearted adventure, though it has its moments of 'oh crap' too.

Elemental evil is extremely open. You could turn all the cults into bumbling fools with one of them just happening to get it right before the heroes get in there way. There is a lot of dungeons but I'd think classic fantasy tends to have those no? Based on the party I've had submitted it's going to be more lighthearted due to them (one of them is literally playing a jester clown so...yeah).

Otherwise haven't really looked over too closely any 3rd party modules so can't say much there. I have converted and run one paizo dungeon from Emerald Spire Super Dungeon that went surprisingly well last week. Players had a lot of fun and the monsters converted over surprisingly cleanly (with some very minor adjustment of encounters, mostly removing a creature or two here and there). It was only actually about I'd say an hour or two of prep to convert all in all.

Familiar of Zero is one of my guilty pleasure anime. It has some obvious glaring flaws, but for some reason I always go back and watch it now and then. I'd give a few episodes a watch and see if it's what you are into.

You know, the only one I've really had a problem with (they've done pretty good at reigning a lot of them in) is bless.

It is an incredibly potent spell but what bothers me is that even if your cleric or pally has tons of other spells they will be concentrating on this one 90% of the time (I think I've seen shield of faith another 7% or so), because that extra 1d4 to saves and attacks is massive.

To me, it doesn't actually feel like the rest of the game. Getting boosts like that is generally very difficult. And this one even as a first level slot affects multiple people for an entire combat. I've strongly considered bumping the spell up a few levels, reigning in the number of targets or something similar but thus far haven't decided what to do with it just yet.

I won't pretend to be a math wiz or to have done the numbers but I'm absolutely sure it skews the bounded curve in a fairly substantial way.

Player's that try use Guidance on every skill check is a similar situation and harder to avoid due to it being a cantrip/orison. Just glad none of my current have done so.

Would be Oracle (Paizo), Swordmaster (Dreadfox), and Onmyoji (Interjection Games).

I use a couple houserules outside of changes that are mostly for the setting.

Fighting Style: Characters that receive the fighting style class feature may select any of archery, defense, dueling, great weapon fighting, protection, or two-weapon fighting regardless of what their class says is available.

Multiclassing: Paladin multiclassing prerequisites are now Strength 15 OR Dexterity 15 and Charisma 13

Hit Points: When determining hit points on level up roll 1d4 and add the difference between the 1d4 and your hit dice (ex. 1d10 = 1d4+6). Add your constitution modifier and other bonuses to hit points after as normal. First level hit points are still maximized per rules in the PHB.

Also use a revised version of the beastmaster ranger done by one of our players and grant one additional tool proficiency in an artisan/crafting tool at character creation.

I use Kobold Fight Club for planning encounters. Has worked really well thus far. Takes all the math/exp packet stuff out of it and just shows you easily what should be easy/challenging/deadly to the party and allows you to also adjust the number of players and so on.

Additionally, in response to Petty Alchemist's spoiler:

This is going straight on the wishlist. High hopes for this one, especially after End's review. Been looking for something like this...

Hey Wrath, I'm curious to your thoughts on Elemental Evil. My home group almost started that one (opted for Out of the Abyss instead).

Well not Wrath, but I've been prepping this for a group over the last few months now and playing the Tiamat one run by another DM. Can't speak for Out of the Abyss, but I can compare those two at least.

The way EE is set up is a lot more sandbox-y than HotDQ was and quite a bit less linear. What I mean by that is there is basically a central hub set up called Red Larch(with a few cities that can also be visited in the area). After that it's mostly up to the player's to investigate. It's set up with a fair number of very much optional side quests and which cults they end up investigating is very much in the hands of the players. Personally that's a big plus for me as I prefer a more open world and it is making it quite easy to import into my own world.

There are notes and lists of repercussions from the cults when certain events happen (whenever they do) and there is (or can be) a bit of a time crunch as the longer you ignore them the nastier they get when you do face them.

One of the few complaints I've seen (and agree with) is they added all these really cool elemental spells in the book and none of the NPCs even make use of them. Something I intend to fix personally.

Overall can say I'm quite happy with it and excited to see the group dive in once it is ready.

Actually running a gestalt game with spheres as the only casting currently. One player elected to go with a rogue/barbarian build that only dipped in it slightly (for warp sphere) through feats while the other embraced it fully with a converted version of the maestro (Interjection Games) mixed with Witch (very buff/control/debuff based). I do have to say it's nice that their spells are changing every day, so I usually have a fair idea what they are capable of. That said...

I love this system, but I can say I've been caught off guard a time or two. I'll add that is nothing bad, just players using the system in creative ways. Others have been a bit more potent than would have been expected.

Simple example of that the maestro/witch concentrating on a simple partial haste from the time sphere turning the barbarian/rogue into a monstrous combatant with two swings at first level. This I saw coming admittedly as it's a pretty obvious use. Another was invisibility which as it is written can be quite good, though not as outright powerful as the regular version (uses perception vs stealth with a bonus based on caster level). The fact this can be taken extremely early with no limit outside of the talents is where they can catch a GM though.

Warp was also interesting. This one didn't kick in till second level for the rogue/barbarian but the pure mobility you get actually makes what could be issues for other characters a joke. Most obvious example was a pit trap they came across. Close ranged teleports on yourself or others at will made it surprisingly easy. Going down a steep cliff was as easy as finding spots where they could perch on the way down. The mobility it gives is truly kind of amazing.

The trickier things I didn't see coming necessarily was how good the protection sphere was. Ward isn't powerful (minor low hp wall), but they've used it to really good effect a few times (blocking a monster about to charge, creating a wall against debris during a storm, using it as readied action platform to catch a falling ally). Being able to do it at will is quite handy, though like many it does take concentration without the spell points.

He also used telekinesis to catch falling traps when they entered a rotted section of forest. Simple first level application, but saved them a lot of headaches.

The player is really good as he lets me know what he is looking at with later levels too. Here is from his sheet currently: Link

Some of which do seem quite potent, but I'd rather be aware of them than not haha.

*edit* I've also built a number of essentially cohorts for them to test out other spheres as the campaign has progressed. A healer that was focused almost utterly on healing was really good with it, easily capable of outhealing a similar leveled other character. Also a butler focused on using spell points for rerolls on allies/enemies was exceedingly effective and loved by the party. One of their favourites though is an ice mage blaster (oracle/bard) that mostly snared and slowed enemies (destruction mixed with some oracle revelations stacked in some really debilitating ways, usually forcing two saves on opponents vs slow/stagger if I remember right).

Not to mention the feat can give you proficiency with 3 more skills which is pretty nice.

Sounds good and you have a point on destruction, my own group had the same impression. Perhaps the boosts and tricks are just what it needs. Eager to see the finished document and will keep giving it a look over when I can spare the time.

They are currently expanding each sphere through their Patreon. I suspect something like this might be queued up after that, if they don't cover a lot of it with the expanded spheres. Meaning not sure it really needs it own sphere necessarily. Though I would expect a conversion for those classes to spherecasting at some point if nothing else.

I don't mind giving them an upgrade, when I originally designed them it was being on the careful side for balancing purposes. That said, some stuff in the document is coming across as perhaps a bit too much on the powerful side (I don't mind the changes you did to the Irhardt ones and feel free to use the same names, I'll probably update my own with some of the changes you did).

If a message was sent out through the Patreon I totally missed it then. Either way started putting some comments in and will try do more a little later. Destruction was one my group and myself felt really did need some expansion and more 'cool stuff' to do.

Also glad to see some of the Irhardt stuff found its way in.

I'm actually a little annoyed I found about this here and not through the Patreon. What gives?

Previously we received playtest info through there first so we could have first crack at looking and commenting on what was coming.

Luckily for that there is Monster a Day

Also the fact you can always contribute with some magic (since cantrips/orisons are unlimited and actually deal an alright amount of damage or have an additional useful effect) makes mages feel more mage-y. Not the guy that throws a couple spells then sighs as he pulls out his crossbow.

Check out the DM Miscellany books, especially wilderness dressing. Gives tons of little interactions and interesting fluff to make things more interesting. Probably one of my most used 3PP purchases to date.

Seconding that, ran into one myself.

Part of a long running homebrew campaign that is almost up to level 5. The group has shifted over the past year or so between different characters, but none of them felt particularly weak or useless from what I've seen.

Overall the base classes are quite well balanced in core, especially if you check over the errata. The only exception I would personally say to that is ranger, specifically beastmaster, which is a bit of a mess. It's the one thing without some homebrewing I would actively tell players to avoid as it just doesn't work well mechanically.

As for the remainder, general comments from what I've seen (note, we use point buy...if you roll to generate this can change a lot too):

Warlock - One I have the most experience with, my character. Depending on how your DM handles short rests they can be quite potent and they definitely have some solid consistent damage with eldritch blast. Admittedly nastier if you simply dip two warlock on a sorcerer build which saddens me, but is correct. Admittedly bit of a one shot wonder otherwise due to low spell slots and limited other abilities. Recovering spells on a short rest is amazing though.

Druid - Our moon druid is arguably one of the strongest in the party. The way their beast shape works makes them very tough and hard to take down. It'd be a contender for strongest overall class we've seen thus far.

Barbarian - Another of our longest played, rage gives them increased damage and an incredible amount of sturdiness combined with their high hit points. Generally pretty easy to hit though.

Rogue - Really effective. Sneak attack at once per round is solid for 5e but the fact it can crit makes for some very high burst damage when everything lines up. They can also be extremely mobile or hide easily with cunning action right out of the gate. Solid class all around.

Monk - One of the classes that if you roll stats can get pretty obscene. Otherwise it's overall alright from the little I've seen.

Bard - We only had a bard for a very short time but they are extremely versatile and inspiration makes them extremely good at supporting allies.

Cleric - Domains feel a lot more customized now. As always a strong class and the healing makes them well liked. I'd place them on the stronger side, but depends which domain you are using too.

Wizard/Sorc - Both use the same list. Metamagic with the sorc is where you'll see some nasty combos admittedly. Some wizard school stuff is thematic and cool as well. They're solid all around but changes to concentration and lowered numbers of spell slots (but better cantrips) have done a lot to make them much more balanced, even aside martials.

Fighter - Only seen a little fighter, but they are quite good. How good depends on archetype, but between action surge and the ability to heal themselves, they hold their own quite nicely.

Paladin - Strong and solid as ever. Good combination of spells and butt kicking. Same for ranger pretty much, except beastmaster as mentioned is basically a mess.

Hope this helps. As always the more options you add, the greater potential for more broken combinations but overall due to the graded curve it is much easier to balance everything and the fact that magic items aren't assumed is a big plus imo!

...I never noticed that creatures part myself. I'd always played it as they functioned against only hostile enemies. Now I'm wondering if that was the intention or not?

What sort of build did you end up with in the end? Out of curiosity.

This is scarily close to the same system I implemented in my home games...though costs and abilities vary quite a bit and I wanted the ability to replicate scythes and similar. Cool!

Had issues adding guns into the mix myself. Still trying to puzzle that one out as they are just so different.

I think you're fine. Depends on the group. Mine are just as long with numerous custom systems as well and if you find the right players that are into that? No issues at all. The thing I did do for mine is try break them into manage-able chunks. One document for classes, one for spellcasting (also use spherecasting), one for custom races, etc. Might help a little, though I personally would have no issues with what you have here.

Yeah, the art turned out really well. Give Allen my thanks! Even though only had one item in this one, really pleased with the result.

The one guy in our current group bought a copy for almost everyone else he liked it so much. I restarted because I felt guilty about killing you know who...and the game knew. It was almost creepy...

I backed it. I'm mostly waiting for a map pack to go on sale so I can run it more easily in Roll20.

For my campaign, I'm breaking up the temple into different dungeons as I found the solar/jing day thing rather confusing. For the moment, they are acting as optional areas to explore for loot (and some additional storyline) regarding to Jing. Very sandbox game and the playfulness of Jing has made for a very different encounter than they were expecting.

Thus far the party has just completed the Trial of Copper last week and they -loved- it. They got really tripped up by the one trap in there, but managed to get around it. It was just a really fun time for everyone.

Spheres is the magic system I use when running pathfinder now. Very happy to be able to support your work!

Could probably start here.

Though it does contain some 3rd party content as well. That said it's a pretty huge undertaking...

Worth noting the Eye Golem has a grammatical error. Seems to be missing a period (I think) within "Primal Voice of Doom" after the word 'frightened'.

No worries, enjoy it! Glad it worked out!

Thanks so much Katina, that's a huge help!

The art sealed it for me admittedly. Really nice. Have high hopes for this one.

Any clue on the sort of breakdown for CRs of monsters? Regular vs ones with legendary/lair actions? New options for shapeshifting druids? Already backed, mostly curious!

Did anyone know that they apparently rebooted Utawarerumono?

I just saw it today and watched! I'm so excited to have stumbled on it. One of my early favorites that got me into anime. I didn't even know there was a second game!

I actually tried to gift it to you Zwordsman and accidentally sent it to 137ben due to a mistake on my part (who already owns it too haha).

Submitted a post with Paizo to hopefully get it fixed up tomorrow. *fingers crossed*