Well since the iconic characters thread was hijacked and Erik said his piece about whether or not they would be included. I just wanted to add a thread to give some postive feedback to Dungeon and Editors. I worry in the electronic community, that a single often loud and frequent voice can send a strong [yet often misleading from the silent majority] signal of the fan base, the purschaers and subscibers.
I really like the direction that Dungeon has gone. I let my subscription run out when they axed poly [I understand that I was a minority there]. But the recent issues that I have bought in Japan [which btw are far more expensive than what folks in the states pay for] are really strong.
I espically like the AP, and the online support that it has been seeing. I like 3-4 useful adventures.
My litmus test as reader, and a person with large disposal income, is that I would buy a dungeon if it has one useful adventure in it. Because of the online support I can print the maps v. photocopy those that are included in a module. Plus I get some great ideas and maps from reading other adventures even if I don't use them.
The art is high quality and adds to the expierence.
So I guess in the end, what I am saying, is hopefully with one or two vocal posters, who as far as I can tell don't even like 3E, please don't get your signals/feedback and reposonse to such mixed up and ignore the noise.
The only recommendations I would make to regarding the magazine is to bring maps of mystery, and to make sure that once in a while you do a great campaign backdrop article like the Isle of Dread or Diamond Lake or Cities of Adventure. As a DM those are ripe for plunder into any campaign. Of course, the villages/towns and cities are more useful generically than the specific island information.
Cheers,
You beat me to the punch, DMSteve.
I see a lot of griping on message boards. People who are 90% thrilled will grouse loudly about their 10% dissatisfaction.
Don't get discouraged Paizo. You guys rock!
... I hope I wasn't the threadjacker. I haven't been back there yet, I just wanted to know about the Drow and the Tiefling.
Overall, I'm mostly happy with Dungeon. I have a few complaints, but they probably stem from not getting to see the scenarios in action, so they probably work better than they look.
But yes. Please don't let the loud, negative voices get to you. Silent majority and all that.