White Dragon

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Organized Play Member. 29 posts. No reviews. No lists. No wishlists. 1 Organized Play character.


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I had no idea you guys did this sort of thing. Very cool. Well, this was my first year entering. Didn't know what to expect.

Lich's Heart Amulet
Aura strong necromancy; CL 13th
Slot neck; Price 90,000 gp; Weight --

Description
This filigreed silver necklace is set with a large obsidian gem cut in the rough shape of a heart. The wearer gains a +2 deflection bonus to AC and a +2 resistance bonus on saves. These bonuses only apply to attacks made or effects created by undead creatures. Once per day, the user can speak the command word and control undead, just like the spell.

In addition to protecting against undead, the amulet also attracts them. Whenever a Lich's Heart stays in one area (roughly one square mile) for 12 consecutive hours, there is a 25 percent chance that 2d8 HD of mindless undead will arrive and attack the bearer of the amulet and any other living beings around it. This occurs regardless of whether the amulet is worn or used during the 12-hour period. If the area where the amulet is kept is near a graveyard, battlefield or other location with a high concentration of corpses, the chance goes up to 75 percent. While intelligent undead are immune to the attraction effect, they are not immune to the amulet's other abilities.

Construction
Requirements Craft Wondrous Item, control undead, protection from evil; Cost 45,000 gp


OWEN STEPHENS wrote:
zeppelined wrote:
So, Owen, can I interest you in using all that free time I know you have to sell advertising for Robot Viking? :-)

Sure, Ed.

Everyone, buy advertising on Robot Viking.

Aaaaand... I'm out of free time.

With the SGG release schedule, that's more free time than I thought you'd have.

In all seriousness, and if I can be spammy for one moment, advertising on RV is really inexpensive. Ask me about the details if you're interested.

I have to say, my gaming group moved on to 4E, so I hadn't been following Pathfinder/OGL too closely until Billy started doing the reviews for us, and it's awesome to see that the game is healthy enough to support so many 3P publishers.


Owen K. C. Stephens wrote:

Nice save, Vic! I'll try that. (Not that anyone on this thread would qualify for such a trap. Hmmmm...)

And no, I was referring to a more generic Illuminatus, not 'Illuminatus!' himself. :)

Ed tells me he's gotten a fair amount of 3pp stuff to review since my post so it sounds like Pathfinder will be well-represented among the cyber-raiders, which is great!

So, Owen, can I interest you in using all that free time I know you have to sell advertising for Robot Viking? :-)

Thanks for sending in your review materials, everyone!


NSpicer wrote:

Thanks, guys!

zeppelined wrote:
Congrats on the win! We'd love to do a quick interview with you....
Ummm...I'm not really sure how that'd work. And I don't imagine Paizo would mind. If I were interested, what exactly would it entail?

I'll email you a few questions (about game design, your past work, things like that), you'll email us the answers, then we'll publish it in a Q&A format. We've been covering RPG Superstar all along.

I don't want to clog up the message boards, so if you have any other questions, feel free to email me! :-)


Congrats on the win! We'd love to do a quick interview with you for Robot Viking. If you're interested, just email us: zeppelined@robotviking.com.


Haha, I was stumped by YMYK too. Ancient Semitic is the only thing I could find.

In any case, other than the cryptic acronym, the response was extremely helpful...thanks!


I have a question regarding ordering a magazine subscription from amazon.com. Is there any way that that order would be connected to my paizo account, so that you would know when my current subscription ends? In other words, I know that if I order it here, it adds 12 issues to my current subscription. I'm worried that if I order it from amazon before my current subscription ends, they might start sending them out too soon and I'll get doubles of some issues.

I'd normally just order from paizo, but I got an amazon gift card for Christmas that I'd like to use.


Just adding myself to the "slowness of the site hinders my ability to participate in forums and purchase products" bandwagon. I know it costs a lot to fix, but this place is really cool, and, well...sometimes it just doesn't function. Or takes. Really. Long. To. Load. All the coolness goes to waste when the site is too slow.


Awesome, thank you very much for the info.


Hi all,

A friend of mine lost a bunch of 1st and 2nd edition D&D books in a basement flood recently. His insurance agent (who will be arriving in a few hours) has told him that the books will be valued at roughly one percent of their purchase price unless he can establish that they are collectibles.

Normally, this is done with a price guide, such as with comic books or collectible card games. We're not sure how to establish collectibility with gaming books. Does anyone know of a price guide for this stuff? Has anyone else ever encountered this situation before? Maybe there's an online marketplace for gaming books, or perhaps a used book store somewhere that specializes in them? The insurance agent has specifically said that pricing the books on ebay is not sufficient.

Any help (especially in the next hour or two) would be very much appreciated. Thanks!

Ed


Are you British, by any chance? Because I'm a big Wolverhampton fan. That would be pretty ironic. :-)

Griselame wrote:

i'm not from Buffalo , not even from the States , but I just wanted to scream something really important here , that I hope you'll understand as it is absolutely non-topic related :

GO BILLLLLLLLLLSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

:) Thank you and nice games !


We have a small gaming group in Buffalo, and we're looking to add more players. We play 3.5, but are taking a break from that for a little while, so we'll be starting up a new campaign in a different genre soon (probably superheroes). We also play all kinds of different tabletop games, miniatures games, card games, board games, etc., and we have a pretty cool gaming room. Our RPGs are more character and story driven than dice and rules driven, and players should be mature (age isn't important, but you should be able to handle intelligent, complex storylines).

Send me an email if you'd like more info. Newbie gamers are welcome, not that many newbies are on these boards, but feel free to bring a spouse along for the game!

zeppelined@yahoo.com

Thanks!


Mike McArtor wrote:
Ten months ago would have put it at around January, when I was absolutely desperate for Class Acts articles (especially for rangers). Had I seen it, I would have undoubtedly accepted it (obviously).

Oh, like *that* makes me feel any better. :-) Actually, I think I submitted in late November of last year (I think my month counting is a little off), and I chalked up the lack of response to staff changeover.

Ok, I am going to end my little rant here on a positive note, and speak of this no more:

I can't wait to get Dragon in the mail each month. I have been reading for over ten years now, and I honestly think this is the best the magazine has ever been. To the writers, editors, and artistic folks - awesome job! Did I mention how much I liked Lords of Dust?


Zherog wrote:
zeppelined wrote:


Why do I think it's such a great idea? It's the *exact* same article idea I submitted about ten months ago.
When you submitted the idea, did it get rejected? If so, it's possible it was rejected because Mike already had this article lying around waiting for a slot in which he could publish it. Just speculating...

Actually, I never received any kind of reply, nor did I get a response to the other query I sent a few months later. Which I also know is to be expected, no big deal there.

Well, like I said, intellectually I know it's just coincidence or an accident, but it's still a bit of a kick in the shins, you know? :-) I do feel better for venting though, and thanks for the responses everyone.


In the latest issue's Class Acts, I must say I liked the article based on Rogers' Rangers quite a bit. It's a great idea for a Class Acts piece.

Why do I think it's such a great idea? It's the *exact* same article idea I submitted about ten months ago.

Now I know this is bound to happen from time to time. But it's such an exact copy of the idea I submitted, I can't help but be bothered by it. I'm not even saying someone stole the idea - it could be coincidence after all, or perhaps someone saw my submission, forgot about it, then months later the idea bubbled up through their subconscious. "Wilderness combat and survival tips, based on Rogers' Rules of Ranging, creating an NPC ranger to take the place of Rogers himself for added flavor." It does sound kind of familiar, yes?

I apologize if this seems snarky or petty, but I just had to vent about this. It's really a pretty crummy feeling, coincidence or not.

Otherwise, I think the magazine is amazing lately. Lords of Dust was incredible - I think I might incorporate the rajahs into my non-Eberron campaign.


I had a problem with this as well. I think the artistic backgrounds are a big improvement over the ultra-plain concept that a different recent editor tried to go with, but the words need to be readable. It's important that articles stand out with different colored backgrounds and interesting borders, but it should never interfere with the text of the article.

Also, some of the wacky fonts are a little tough to read as well. Visions of Fear...it took me a good 30 seconds staring at that to figure out what it said, and even then I had to look at the article itself for a clue. Different is good. Barely readable is not.


I personally think flaws should be more harsh. Players shouldn't see them as opportunities, but rather as a major sacrifice in exchange for moving a little further down the feat tree. Thus, the penalty for having a given flaw should outweigh the benefit gained from a feat. It seems like more severe flaws would be more interesting and force players to make more difficult choices. Being "curious" doesn't seem like a terrible flaw. Having one arm? That's a flaw.

I will henceforth refer to this as the "Crocodile Dundee Rule of Flaw Design."

"That's not a flaw. *This* is a flaw!"


Since I was right smack in the middle of writing a query email when I saw this thread, it has been *enormously* helpful. I've found that different editors can have vastly different expectations when it comes to queries, so this has made it feel much less like trying to hit the pinata while blindfolded. Thank, editors and freelancers alike!


Just to balance out the prudes in the audience: I recently subscribed to Dragon (again, after a few years away), and I have to say when this subscription comes up for renenewal, I will absolutely *not* renew unless I see a Dragon Magazine Swimsuit Issue and/or a cover featuring a fully nude woman. I can point out some great Fastner/Larson paintings that would look spectacular. ;-)


This was my favorite issue in a while. I'm feeling a little dizzy about the frequent changes in "direction," but if this is the one that sticks, I'll be very happy.

I'll start with a few negatives, so I can end on an up note. I don't like the game/novel/movie tie-in articles. I especially dislike the video game ones. Even if it's a game I've played or book I've read, I'm only mildly interested, and if it's not (most of the time), I never give it a second glance.

Under Command leaves me pretty underwhelmed as well - and I actually play the miniatures game. And finally, Nobody's Perfect was disappointing. I felt it was poorly written, and the flaws themselves seemed sort of thrown together.

The good stuff, though - the other feature articles were excellent. Others have done a good job of describing why they were so good, but I found two articles particularly enjoyable, and both for the same reason. Dwarves at War and the Ecology of the Will O'Wisp had a great deal of verisimilitude. They approached the subject from an almost scientific viewpoint. Each article answered the question, "What would it be like if these things really existed?"

The only thing I found lacking was some immersive flavor around the articles. For example, the Dwarves at War article could have referenced "real" battles ("In 1243, the Year of the Moon, Cragwell Brickthunder and his clan held off 2,000 goblins at Spanton Pass by collapsing one side of the pass, creating uneven terrain the goblins could not easily negotiate. Once the goblins were within the pass, they collapsed the other side, causing massive casualties to the goblin force. The remaining beasts could not penetrate the dwarves' defensive position."

You get the point.

Overall, props to the editorial crew and the various freelancers (one of which I fervently hope to become one day).


It really is a solid idea, grey. One problem might be the legality of it. Could paizo sell a rules guide for a game put out by another company? I mean, the actual rule book is obviously copyrighted. I think Wizkids might take a dim view of someone putting out something of that nature, unless a deal were worked out in advance.

But who knows, maybe the corporate dogs at Topps would realize that publicizing a clarified, expanded rules document could only benefit the game in the long-term. I think photographic examples of tricky rules points would be enormously helpful. An illustrated FAQ! You could add a lot of value to this thing by working in strategic and tactical tips alongside the rules.

Look at me, I'm talking myself into it. Ok, yes...it's a great idea! :-)


Doom wrote:


But, the only way I ever make it work is either with Mastermind (problematic, since you might well take a huge load of damage to deliver two clicks).

So, what's the 'real' way to use Venom to great effect?

You actually said it yourself - you risk taking a load of damage to do two clicks. Poison is for that specific situation where you will have a very difficult time hitting the figure normally because of a high defense or Stealth. Although you may sacrifice a figure to do it, once you deal those two (or hopefully a few more) clicks, you have probably solved the problem. The defense score has dropped, the figure is less useful, maybe they even lost Stealth. You've thrown a serious wrench into your opponent's strategy. Meanwhile, you spent, what, 35 points on a figure with Poison? You still come out way ahead.


I've never used duplicate figures on a team either, except for generic figures like AIM Agents. That's in part because I only bother to collect one of each figure, but also because I like the game to be fun and "comic bookish.". Actually, I've never really built teams like the archetypes I mentioned above. I always seem to put together "all-around" teams, with a good mix of abilities, or teams designed specifically to counter a strategy I know I'll be facing.

I'm very fond of taxiing in figures with the Mastermind/Poison combo to deal with turtle teams that stack all their figures around R Invisible Girl. Once they scatter the team to avoid the Poison damage, I pick them off with a good ranged attacker. Keeping a medic or two in reserve works well against these annoying teams, because they can't stick to their turtle tactics and still cross the board to take out your medics. You can run in, take your shot, push for another, and then run back and heal.


Michael Mikaelian wrote:


Got a suggestion for an Essential HeroClix archetype?

Probably the most universally hated team type these days is the "hooker bomb." A bunch of con artists, sometimes with a Pulse Wave on the team to get them all to their Perplex click in one action. This is often combined with a Sentinel to devastating (and frustrating) effect. Not even incorporating the Rule of Three to Heroclix put much of a dent in this strategy.

Another archetype I run into frequently is a team based on Stealth. Batman team figures are popular, but anyone with Stealth can find a place on the team. Immune to Outwit. Immune to a high percentage of ranged attacks. Park a figure with Stealth and a decent ranged attack in cover on a building corner and you've got a sniper pinning down most of the map.

The counter strategy to the Stealth team, of course, is an Ultimates team.

One of my least favorite team types is the Wildcard Abuse team - a bunch of Minions of Doom or Spider-Man Allies combined with figures from the right teams to give them access to almost any team ability. Rookie Robin and Steel gives everyone Stealth and "anti-Stealth." A Hydra or Shield medic will give everyone ways to boost ranged attacks, and rookie Invisible Girl not only lets everyone get clicks of healing when someone dies, but her high defense and Defend power can make the team tough to crack.

I also humbly offer my services to write the article about any of these team archetypes - I'm a professional freelance writer. I've already sent an email in response to the "Writers Wanted" thread. :-)


That's not a bad idea - how about "...Not Like a Pro?" Or, "Like the Average Person Who Only has an Hour or So Each Day to Work on this Stuff and has Little to No Artistic Talent?" Some basic techniques for painting minis quickly and easily, and yet still get them looking half decent (ie, a base color, a dark wash, dry brushed highlights, and a few details, and Voila!). Quick and easy ways to make your own terrain would be good as well.

Other ideas: I would love to see how-to articles on some of the crazy customizations people have done, with the LEDs and all. What about making a gaming table? You could do different ones depending on the primary game to be played. Don't forget the cup holders and a dice-rolling compartment.


Paul McCarthy wrote:
That's a good point, Otter. I forgot how overwhelming Advanced D&D might be for someone starting out. I started with the Basic set too, Patrick, then Expert, then on to AD&D. Patrick (you're still there, are you?) the basic set might be the way to go because it is a hell of a lot cheaper and a little easier to understand. Once you conquer that, you may want to move on to AD&D or you may be just fine playing the regular D&D. Unfortunately, more WOC products are geared towards the AD&D system so it is your call. By the way, another Canadian here (NFLD,Can). Hello from the Rock to all my fellow Canucks.

Um...I think Paul may be confusing the issue here. There is no Basic or Advanced D&D anymore. That went out the door with 2nd edition. There is only one D&D game right now. 3dr Edition D&D is it. One game. One set of rules.

What Paul is referring to is the difference in 2nd edition between the red and blue boxed sets (which were "Basic" and "Expert" D&D) and the hardcover 2nd edition books, which were Advnaced D&D, or just AD&D.

The confusion comes from a boxed set WotC recently put out that does present a simplified version of the rules. It's sort of like a starter set to help new players learn the game and get into it without dropping $80 on books and slogging through 400 pages of rules. It's still the same rule set, however.


Robert Head wrote:
We're working on building up distribution. It is entirely plausible that the two places you tried simply don't carry it yet.

I hit three comic book stores and a game store today, still no luck. I just had my favorite game store owner order one for me, but still...sheesh. :-)

Do you guys have a list of retailers that you know already carry it?


I went out to buy an issue of Undefeated earlier tonight, because I realized I hadn't actually bought one yet. Then I figured out why - I haven't seen it on store shelves anywhere! I hit two different stores (Borders and Media Play) and neither of them had Undefeated. Did I just hit a lull in between issues? Or did I happen to hit two retailers who don't carry it? Maybe I'll try some comic/gaming stores over the weekend. Has anyone else had trouble getting their hands on this magazine?


Hi Patrick. Here's my suggestion for getting into D&D. Even though you live in the middle of nowhere, you've got some friends, right? At least one other kid who comes over to play Playstation after school or something? And usually your friends are interested in some of the same things as each other - so talk to some of your friends and see if any of them are interested in playing D&D. All you need at first is one. Just one buddy who says, "Ok, it sounds kinda cool." Save up some money, and next time you go to Winnipeg, one of you buys the Player's Handbook, and one of you gets the DM's book. You can decide who's going to be the player and who'll be the DM, or just take turns.
Read those books. Make some characters. Invent some fun stories about them. Read the books some more. By then, you'll have saved enough money to get the Monster Manual, and those are the only three books you need to play. Although 1-on-1 playing isn't ideal for D&D, it can be a lot of fun, and it can be a great way to learn the basics of the game. So design some adventures, or buy a pre-made one, and just start playing. At that point, some of your other friends will have seen your D&D books and characters, and maybe a few of them will get interested. Before you know it, you'll have a whole adventuring party, right there in Manitoba.
Online playing is cool, but I think the best way to get started is to just play face to face, with paper and pencil and dice.

Ed