Erik et al,
When submitting ideas for the CT, I know the real determining factor is "How compelling / cool is this adversary? How useful to a DM would it be?" (At least I hope it is.) The question I have is whether one should stick to NPCs with class levels (whether they are core races or monstrous ones)? Would an "Advanced" version of a creature have a prayer of making the cut? In your editorial opinion(s), would you be less inclined (even marginally) to use an advanced submission over one that has class levels?
I'm going to bump EPH's thread, and tack on a question of my own.
If I had an idea for a Critical Threat that required numerous feats from non-core sources, is that OK? Do I have to reproduce the entire text of the feat, or can I just make sure it's clear what the feat grants?
I ask because the feats I have in mind would eat up a lot of space and words to reproduce, though they could be summarize fairly easily.
I had thoughts regarding the latest critical threat also. I understand that explaining the Feats of Class Abilities take up significant space, so in lieu of doing this, what would be nice is using acronyms or identifiers next to these statistics that identify where the Feats/Abilities come from.
I had thoughts regarding the latest critical threat also. I understand that explaining the Feats of Class Abilities take up significant space, so in lieu of doing this, what would be nice is using acronyms or identifiers next to these statistics that identify where the Feats/Abilities come from.
Just to throw an opinion out, if you don't explain a feat/ability to which many players don't have access, a reference won't help. I think Dungeon should continue to include rules and explanations for non-Core abilities, or risk dramatically lessening their value to readers.
Just a thought.
Jack
I agree, Jack. I definitely think non-core material should be explained enough to make it useful to readers who don't have the book. Heck, ideally it presents enough of a teaser that somebody actually wants to get the book to see more.
What I'm asking is whether feats need to be repeated verbatim, or if the benefits can be summarized. If they need to be repeated verbatim, I don't think I can produce the one idea I have.
Here's a small example. Let's say Alertness wasn't core. If I had to reproduce the whole text of the feat, I'd need to include a sidebar that had this:
ALERTNESS [GENERAL]
Benefit: You get a +2 bonus on all Listen checks and Spot checks.
Special: The master of a familiar gains the benefit of the Alertness feat whenever the familiar is within arm’s reach.
That's 35 words. However, if I could just put this in the NPC's stat block:
Alertness: The Alertness feat grants John Doe a +2 to Spot and Listen checks.
I've cut the required word count down to 14, plus I've avoided using a sidebar, which takes up even more room.
Now, Alertness is a short feat. Imagine a feat that had hundreds of words, but could probably be summarized in under 100 words. That's my current problem.
Creative Director
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While it's perfectly okay to use feats and abilities from non-core books, we do have to reprint enough information so that the NPC can be used without having to send the reader off to that other non-core book. And Critical Threats MUST be only 2 pages long; that's 1250 words, tops. So for each non-core feat or ability you add, thats less word space you can devote to the NPC's background and history and personality.
As a general rule, we want interesting NPCs who aren't horrifically complicated as critical threats. If your NPC takes up more than 1250 words... he should be the star of an adventure instead.
As a general rule, we want interesting NPCs who aren't horrifically complicated as critical threats. If your NPC takes up more than 1250 words... he should be the star of an adventure instead.
James, I agree with what you've said. It still does not answer my original question, however. Is there any chance of an advanced monster entry making the grade, or do you prefer submissions with class levels?
James, I agree with what you've said. It still does not answer my original question, however. Is there any chance of an advanced monster entry making the grade, or do you prefer submissions with class levels?
Yes, there is a chance that an advanced monster could make the cut. The critical threat in 127 has no class levels. (In fact, it's not even technically a creature). But, it is harder for an advanced monster to fill an ongoing role in a campaign, so it would be harder for us to use. It sounds like you have a specific idea in mind though, so why not submit it? The worst that could happen is that we will reject it.
...why not submit it?
Touche.