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I just responded to an email from one of my newer contributors asking me what sorts of Class Acts articles I want. That got me thinking: I should post something to our boards to let everyone (who reads our boards) know what I'd like to see. Just in case someone is interested in writing Class Acts (and I know a lot of my best contributors visit these boards).
So! Class Acts...
The basics:
We're looking for articles of about 1400 words based on the four archetypes as explored by the Complete books (Adventurer, Arcane, Divine, Warrior). Oh yeah, in case you haven't seen the hints...
More specific:
I need articles for all four categories. I'd like to support the new standard classes from the Complete books.
I don't want:
• Advice articles of any kind. There are much better things to print in the 2-page format.
• Background vignettes. I have plenty, thanks.
• Magic items. I could sneak in magic items now and then when Class Acts were only 1-page affairs, but now if you're going to write me 1400 words you might as well write me 2000 and call it a Bazaar of the Bizarre.
• Organizations. I have plenty, and I think we might start doing that sort of thing as feature articles (we all like the wizards schools article in issue #338). Or at least, I'd like to see them as features
• Spells. You'll note that Class Acts has never printed a single spell, and for as long as I'm editor of the department Class Acts never will. There are a couple reasons for that, but the main one is I don't want to compete with Spellcraft.
I like but I'm not sure I can run many:
• Alternative classes. These are neat, but each one is terribly specific to the class it alters. Really cool in the old format, less cool in the new format (because they focus on a particular class). On the other hand, if you have a compelling new standard class that fits into one of the archetypes I might be interested in running it. Maybe.
• Substitution levels. I'm not sure how popular they are. :\
I want:
• New systems and subsystems.
• Feats. I do love the feats. :)
Substitution levels. I'm not sure how popular they are. :\
I like them. :D But then, you already knew that. ;)
Mike,
1400 words isn't much longer than a 1000 word query---I'm assuming that you guys want the whole thing sent in...the contributor guidelines still hold on the really short articles?
"New systems and subsystems." Er... can you define what you mean?
1000 word query? My queries for class act articles are usually no more than four or five sentences.
I like but I'm not sure I can run many:
• Alternative classes. These are neat, but each one is terribly specific to the class it alters. Really cool in the old format, less cool in the new format (because they focus on a particular class). On the other hand, if you have a compelling new standard class that fits into one of the archetypes I might be interested in running it. Maybe.
Please keep in mind that although altering a base classes is specific to a particular class, it does make the class become more appealing to a wider variety of players. Personally I tend to play nature based or chaotic characters so the Wild Monk and the Chaos Monk really opened up that class for me. Anyway the new format sounds good. :)
Sorry, confusion on my end (must have been that darn umber hulk ale)....5 sentence queries for Class Acts are probably more appropriate...
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Please keep in mind that although altering a base classes is specific to a particular class, it does make the class become more appealing to a wider variety of players. Personally I tend to play nature based or chaotic characters so the Wild Monk and the Chaos Monk really opened up that class for me. Anyway the new format sounds good. :)
That's good to know. I'll probably continue to run alternative classes (the inaugural 2-page format has one I really like) unless I get a lot of opposition to them. Which I don't really anticipate.
"New systems and subsystems." Er... can you define what you mean?
Sure. These are new things you can do that aren't already in the rules or, alternatively, that are in the rules but have been tweaked in some way. Examples include Hal Maclean's "Spellgrafts" (#337) and "Vision Quests" (#332), Joshua Cole's "Blasphemous Utterances" (#336), and John E. Ling's sorcerer's spheres in "Sorcerers are Special...ists, Too" (#330).
And that brings up another point, really. Class Acts articles need nice short 1-3 word titles, and editorial policy right now is to just title the article as what it is. Fancy names are best left for features (although I'll always try to keep a pun in the name if it fits). :)
...and John E. Ling's sorcerer's spheres in "Sorcerers are Special...ists, Too" (#330).
*blushes*
Wow - I don't think I've been held up as a good example before in my life. More often when I'm used as an example, it sounds sort of like, "Don't make the same stupid mistakes John made!" :D
...and John E. Ling's sorcerer's spheres in "Sorcerers are Special...ists, Too" (#330).
Oh, there will be no living him now. :D
Wow - I don't think I've been held up as a good example before in my life. More often when I'm used as an example, it sounds sort of like, "Don't make the same stupid mistakes John made!" :D
Yes, I'm also more used to serving as a cautionary tale...
I tend to think of myself as Driver's Ed film for all occasions :)
One thing I'll share, since I learned it directly from Mike but I don't recall him mentioning it above. Using XP loss as a balancing mechanic doesn't seem to be on.
For an example, imagine a CA based upon the notion of merging your essence with various primal forces (light, dark, stone, nature, whatever) and gaining new abilities to go along with that theme. Gaining these powers through any sort of ritual that involves XP loss, as if creating a magic item, will, as I understand it, lead to a request for a revision at the minimum.
although I'll always try to keep a pun in the name if it fits). :)
And sometimes you'll even suggest a punny name which then gets spiked somewhere along the way :)
I imagine I am being somewhat dense, but I'm not sure I understand what the new Class Acts articles should focus on. Mike's initial post spent a fair amount of time focusing on what he does *not* want, but offered precious little information about what Class Acts are really looking for. Would it be possible to get a little more clarification on the new format? I hate to waste anyone's time by sending in queries that don't meet the needs of the editors and the magazine.
Thanks!
Here's what I understand, from e-mail conversations with Mike. There's going to be four articles per issue, each two pages long. They'll be organized along the same lines as the "Complete" series of books - Warrior, Divine, Arcane, Adventurer. Much like the complete books, an article for any given class (even the non-core ones ;) ) could end up in any of those four slots as long as the theme of the article fits the theme of the slot. For example, if you develop a new set of feats that make wizards and sorcerers slightly better in combat, that article could go in either the "Warrior" slot or the "Arcane" slot.
It should end up doing two things. First, authors should have a little bit more room to explore a concept and flesh out an article. Second, it provides Mike flexibility in getting stuff in, such as an ocassional Hexblade or Warlock or Psion or whatever article.
Does that help, Mark?
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Zherog sums up pretty well the basics of what we're after.
Essentially, I want the new Class Acts articles to do many of the things the old ones did (minus the things in the "don't" list of the first post) but expanded to two pages and generally with a more open application. For instance, an article that would have at one time been a sorcerer or wizard CA should now also support the war mage, warlock, wu jen, and maybe even the hexblade.
Maybe a few examples of which queries I'm interested in (plus what we're running in #339... which you haven't seen yet) could help. The following queries might or might not end up as actual articles, but they've at least passed the first hurdle:
• Soulknife feats (eh, eh... psionics... eh...)
• Alternative to the familiar class ability
• Something for clerics who don't worship deities
• New type of "animal" companions
• Alternative monk abilities
• Racial substitution levels
You know. The same ol' new things. :)
Thanks for the clarifications -- they help considerably. "Light dawns upon marbled head," as St. Cuthbert of the Cudgel might say.
Sounds like the new Class Acts format will allow additional depth to what has already been an extremely good series. I'm looking forward to seeing these in print.
Sounds like the new Class Acts format will allow additional depth to what has already been an extremely good series.
For the ones I've written, I've found that to be true. The extra words do two things: A) it allows deeper exploration of ideas; B) It allows ideas that could never have been done in 700 words to be explored.
For anyone interested, it took Mike less than a week to get back to me about my submissions. I found that rather refreshing. Thanks, Mike.
Purely as reader, Mike, I applaud the changes that you are considering. As much as I love the Class Acts articles- and they are the first ones I read each month!- I really did regret that they did not cover the additional Complete series and XPH classes. As a mad-multclasser, I absolutely *love* character options, and many of the additional classes are just plain nifty.
The thought of an article focused on Ninjas, for instance, makes me cackle with glee. (Or even Scouts. Or Warlocks. Or Hexblades. ...)
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For anyone interested, it took Mike less than a week to get back to me about my submissions. I found that rather refreshing. Thanks, Mike.
You're most welcome. My standard operating procedure is to reply within a few days to at least let you know I received the email. I've been trying to review everything as it comes in lately, though. I'm hoping that keeps me from falling too far behind. We'll see, though. :)
Purely as reader, Mike, I applaud the changes that you are considering. As much as I love the Class Acts articles- and they are the first ones I read each month!- I really did regret that they did not cover the additional Complete series and XPH classes. As a mad-multclasser, I absolutely *love* character options, and many of the additional classes are just plain nifty.
We had discussed a few different ways of supporting the Complete books, and this way seemed best. As of right now my intent is to include one non-core Class Act every issue. That might go up or down depending on submissions.
The thought of an article focused on Ninjas, for instance, makes me cackle with glee.
Oh, me too. Me too... ^_^
(Or even Scouts. Or Warlocks. Or Hexblades. ...)
I think hexblade is my favorite new standard class (yes, even moreso than the ninja). So expect to see as much hexblade support as I can put in. :)
* takes notes of non-core classes Mike likes *
:)
Here's one I've been meaning to ask you Mike, but since you've set up a public venue I'll try it here just so no one else has to ask.
What about artificers? Since they're eberron specific my guess is that you're aren't interested in an arcane CA devoted just to them, but if someone does up a "nugget" CA (lots of little things like feats or new powers on a theme) should people include stuff tailored to artificers?
Just like to throw in my hat for more substitution levels, and also suggest that a replacement for a paladin's mount would make an excellent class acts...
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Likewise, I had a crack myself for a Pelorian paladin player in my campaign using a substitution level but it would be nice to see a defenitive example. What I mean is what is a the Special Mount Class feature worth? A feat, a new class ability of x power? Might help when people try to design alternate classes if they are given an example of what a Special Mount is worth is game balance terms. The only precedent I have found was Lion's Legionaires in CoV and they get wings instead. Anyone know of any other (balanced) examples?
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Here's one I've been meaning to ask you Mike, but since you've set up a public venue I'll try it here just so no one else has to ask.
What about artificers? Since they're eberron specific my guess is that you're aren't interested in an arcane CA devoted just to them, but if someone does up a "nugget" CA (lots of little things like feats or new powers on a theme) should people include stuff tailored to artificers?
As of right now I want to avoid setting-specific support. That means no artificers, no racial substitution levels for Eberron or FR (or any other world) races, and so on.
The place for campaign-specific articles is the features well. :)
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Just like to throw in my hat for more substitution levels, and also suggest that a replacement for a paladin's mount would make an excellent class acts...
I'm working with Zherog right now to figure out how I want to format substitution levels articles in the new format. The next substitution levels article we run will be a little different, but after that I'm hoping to come up with a format that everyone can enjoy.
The problem, see, is that substitution levels take up a page of text. So what do we do with that second page? Add in tons of flavor? Do a second, related substitution level writeup? Something different but related to the substitution levels? I don't know yet. That's what I'm trying to figure out.
The replacement for the paladin's mount is a toughie. We've had lots of requests and a few queries, but nothing has come in that looked just right. So yeah, feel free to query me with your ideas. Eventually we might find one we like. :)
I just responded to an email from one of my newer contributors asking me what sorts of Class Acts articles I want. That got me thinking: I should post something to our boards to let everyone (who reads our boards) know what I'd like to see. Just in case someone is interested in writing Class Acts (and I know a lot of my best contributors visit these boards).
So! Class Acts...
The basics:
We're looking for articles of about 1400 words based on the four archetypes as explored by the Complete books (Adventurer, Arcane, Divine, Warrior). Oh yeah, in case you haven't seen the hints...
Sorry if this is a waste of time but I am in asia and getting info about the new D&D stuff is a little hard. I know I have written many personal prestige classes for some of the characters I have played but I have no idea what this class acts stuff is about. Is there anyway to find out what they are? Are there any samples out there? Also what are substitution levels? Do you mean something that could only be used by say a generic barbarian for example for a class act? IF you have any idea where I can answer these questions or if you can answer them please let me know.
Thank you very much in advance.
I very isolated and frustrated individual.
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Non setting specific? Hmm, I suppose what
I did could just be for a paladin that focuses on battling undead as opposed to being a mounted knight. The reason would be that undead tend to be in and under graveyards and catacombs and as such a Large size Special Mount is bloody useless. A counter argument could be that the Hunter of the Dead covers that specialisation, although a Paladin/Hunter of the Dead still ends up with a Special Mount he probably doesn't need. For those that have not read my ramblings look here http://paizo.com/paizo/messageboards/dragon/articleRequests/mountlessPaladi n#38921
Whilst doing this I did think of another alternative. Use the Nobanion winged sunstitution level but in a general form. Have the paladin grow angels wings insetad of having a monut. They only get to do it for a limited period, it will be more useful in dungeons, and just like Mounted Combat and it's associates this Special Mount replacement could use up all the paladin's rare feats on Fly-by Attack etc (although the paladin can only select these from level five whereas he can have trained in mounted feats from level one on ordinary horses, which is slightly unfair).
Of course all these ideas are merely adapting someone elses ideas or warping an existing rule. Or in other words plagarising. Another one could be the ability to influence people via holy oratory, a bit like bard abilities, particularly as paladins have such a high Charisma and have Diplomacy as a class skill.
Another one is having paladins descended from angels that use the arcane power of their ancestry (a sorcerous celestial bloodline kind of thing) to cast arcane spells as opposed to divine, a bit like a bard, where they can cast in up to Medium Armour without arcane failure (a bit like bards with light) and have Use Magic Device as a class skill, and as such lose Heavy Armour proficiency. You could combine both where the fly around in their Medium Armour (as Heavy is too cumbersome to fly in) using angelic arcane power and flight to fight evil.
Hmmm, I'll shut up now before I come up with anything truly stupid. The problem with paladins is they are almost setting specific by default (generally), just like clerics, in that their abilities (or domains) for clerics tie them to an ethos, and thus usually a God(dess), and as soon as you have Gods you have settings. If anything the variants proferred so far actual make paladins more tied to a specific god, not the opposite, and as such coming up with ideas for an alternate "generic" paladin is going to be difficult. This is probably why we have no articles for this as yet :)
A "Class Act" is the name of an article - four articles, actually, per issue. The article is two pages long and can run a wide variety of topics - as long as it has something to do with the theme of that particular class act (Warrior, Divine, Arcane, Adventurer).
A Substitution Level is a level in a base class that you take in place of the standard class. There's always some sort of prerequisite to take the levels. For example, to take a racial substitution level, you must be that race; to take a planar substitution levelm you must be considered a "planar" creatue (and that's defined in The Planar Handbook). So for example, in order for your character to take the 3rd level of the dwarven rogue racial substitution level, you must be a dwarf about to take your 3rd level in rogue. You gain everything the substitution level lists, and nothing the base class lists.
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I'm working with Zherog right now to figure out how I want to format substitution levels articles in the new format. The next substitution levels article we run will be a little different, but after that I'm hoping to come up with a format that everyone can enjoy.The problem, see, is that substitution levels take up a page of text. So what do we do with that second page? Add in tons of flavor? Do a second, related substitution level writeup? Something different but related to the substitution levels? I don't know yet. That's what I'm trying to figure out.
Well, maybe you could also accept submissions for Class Acts that were only 700 words (whatever they may be). That way, when you did have substitutions, which only took up one page, you would be able to include one of these one-page articles as well.
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Well, maybe you could also accept submissions for Class Acts that were only 700 words (whatever they may be). That way, when you did have substitutions, which only took up one page, you would be able to include one of these one-page articles as well.
Well... we already did that for more than year. So I have a stack of roughly 200 Class Acts that are only 700 words long. The "fun" now (which I'm putting off working on at this very moment... shhh... don't tell) is going through those 200+ articles and figuring out what will and won't work for the New World Order.
As any of my frequent contributors to CA might tell you, it's been a slow process that is resulting in the rejection of some articles that I had already accepted for the previous format.
As any of my frequent contributors to CA might tell you, it's been a slow process that is resulting in the rejection of some articles that I had already accepted for the previous format.
le sigh, black armbands of mourning for many articles that will never see the light of day. On the plus side, doubling the length of others is fun :)
As any of my frequent contributors to CA might tell you, it's been a slow process that is resulting in the rejection of some articles that I had already accepted for the previous format.
Even though a few of my own articles aren’t going to see the light of day, I’m pretty happy with the new format (I just recently finished my first two-page class act and am pretty pleased with the results). I can’t wait to get the next issue to see the new format in print!
Even though a few of my own articles aren’t going to see the light of day, I’m pretty happy with the new format (I just recently finished my first two-page class act and am pretty pleased with the results). I can’t wait to get the next issue to see the new format in print!
I agree - the new format is tons more flexible, and topics can be explored more in-depth.
I think the new format is cool and all, but I would love to see compilation book/disc/magazine that has all of the old CA articles. I have bought dozens of issues for nothing but the CA article.
Hmm, so you like feats huh? And you want to support the other classes too? That's perfect. I sent, almost a month ago I believe, a query on some Ninja feats I've written up and wish to send you guys.
Just wondering when I should expect a reply? :D
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I think the new format is cool and all, but I would love to see compilation book/disc/magazine that has all of the old CA articles. I have bought dozens of issues for nothing but the CA article.
I agree that such a thing would be very cool. We had talked about something like that a while ago, but since I haven't heard such talk in close to a year I'll need to bring up the topic with Monsieur Mona again. :)
Hmm, so you like feats huh? And you want to support the other classes too? That's perfect. I sent, almost a month ago I believe, a query on some Ninja feats I've written up and wish to send you guys.
Just wondering when I should expect a reply? :D
I would like to see that. Did you send it directly to me or to dragon@paizo.com? If the latter, please do the former. If the former, please resend it, as I've not seen it.
Hmm, so you like feats huh? And you want to support the other classes too? That's perfect. I sent, almost a month ago I believe, a query on some Ninja feats I've written up and wish to send you guys.
Just wondering when I should expect a reply? :D
I would like to see that. Did you send it directly to me or to dragon@paizo.com? If the latter, please do the former. If the former, please resend it, as I've not seen it.
Alrighty then, sent it to your email as requested. : )
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Hey Mike,
Just wondering What catagory Psionic characters would fit into, and if there are any plans for Psionic Class Acts.
Hey Spyder,
That depends on the class, really. We're going to run something for the soulknife under Adventurer and something for the psychic warrior under Warrior, but psion and wilder create a little bit of trouble...
Arcane is probably the best fit; of course, I'm sure doing so while result in many letters being written to complain about that placement. :D
Why not just put them under the heading of Psionic? Drop whichever of the four you don't have something particularly strong for in that month, or whichever category seems most appropriate for the particular article:
Dropping Warrior for an issue in which the Psionic class is Psyhic Warrior would seem appropriate, while dropping Adventurer for Soulknife and Arcane for Psion.
I'm sure either Jason or Erik will hate this idea, but personally I'd prefer it to trying to hedge the Psionics into the other categories.
- Ashavan
Or how about adding another 2 pages and just calling it Psionic?
Because we're dealing with 4 psionic classes now, let's not forget there are 3 more coming. That's 7 psi-classes. It'd be best to place them maybe in their own category possibly?
If not, then I agree with sticking Psion/Wilder into Arcane for one good reason. Sorceror/Wizard have ENOUGH abilities. They have the biggest repertoire of spells than any of the other spellcasting classes combined. I think sticking Psion/Wilder into Arcane will beef up psionics while knocking those darn Wizards down a good peg. : D
Or how about adding another 2 pages and just calling it Psionic?After talking to Erik this is what we're going to do in the future.
I take it that means you're going to need a whole lot more Psionic queries....
- Ashavan
* goes to read the SRD *
Alright, a Psionic section! : )
But yes, that does mean they need queries like crazy since they told us already they hardly get psionic ones. Time for me to think up one myself as well, to help out.
Hmmm...
Um, big question. I understand no spells in Class Acts, mainly due to the fact it shouldn't compete with Spellcraft. But what about psionic powers? They're so far behind compared to spells so I doubt it'll hurt. Also for already dedicating 2 pages to psionics I am sure there is no room for a Psicraft feature either. Just wondering.
Hello all! I'm seriously thinking about sending in some queries for Class Acts, but find myself wondering what exactly the format should be. I know it is 4 to 5 sentences, but what do they want to know about your prospective article? How much do they want to know? Anyway, any help you could give me would be greatly appreciated. Thanks, everybody.