My typical query for a class act idea lately does one of two things.
1) It points out a "hole" in the rules, then explains how I'm going to patch that hole with my short article. Completely fabricated example:
"Hey Mike! There's no rules or flavor within the system for what happens when a character makes a survival check to gather food. I have some ideas for new feats. They include Berry Picker, Acorn Gatherer, and Hunter Extraordinaire. Along with the feats, there'll be some flavor text about hunters and gatherers - in particular, the different mindsets these people have. I see this fitting in nicely in the 'Adventurer' slot."
2) It pitches some really cool idea I have to build on something else within the game. these are often shorter. Here's an example of one I know Mike will reject, because humans can't have racial sub levels:
"Yo, Mike! Racial sub levels are really cool. They allow players to customize their characters without really multiclassing. I'd love to write some more for you. I'm particularly interested in doing articles on humans - I think Bard and Sorcerer could combine nicely into an 'Arcane' article. Also, I think Ranger and Rogue would make a fun and interesting 'Adventurer' article."
Basically, lay out the idea for him; and possibly a sentence or two to sell the idea.
Thanks, Zherog. Just one more question: Should I send CA queries directly to Mike, or to dragon@paizo.com?
Thanks, Zherog. Just one more question: Should I send CA queries directly to Mike, or to dragon@paizo.com?
Send them to him directly.
I think my queries are very similar to Z's. Here's a pretty good example of one I would send...
Class Act - Paladin Auras: This article will give option rules for the paladin who wishes to have an aura tied to the deity or cause he espouses. In lieu of the Aura of Courage ability, paladins would be able to substitute these optional auras. For instance, a paladin of Olidammara might choose an aura that permanently shields his alignment, or grants bonuses to Bluff, Disguise and Hide checks.
Of course, I've been told that using the phrase "This article will..." is not a good idea, so you might not want to use that phase :) Also, Unearthed Arcana covers variant auras, so the topic is a no-go. At any rate, it's about the right size for a query.
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.
Fantastic! It only makes sense with Complete Psionics coming out. That's very exciting. Thank you.
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I take it that means you're going to need a whole lot more Psionic queries....
Some more, yes. I don't think we're going to run 5 Class Acts every issue, but I could be wrong. I haven't talked to Erik much about it yet, so I can't give you any more information than that (simply because such information doesn't exist yet).
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.
Hmm... Save your new powers ideas for later. Send me non-powers queries to begin with until I've familiarized myself more with 3.5 psionics. I'd say... no powers queries until we've run at least 6 psionic CAs. Then feel free to query me powers 'til you're blue in the fingertips. :)
Some more, yes. I don't think we're going to run 5 Class Acts every issue, but I could be wrong.
Wha!? Come on. Don't relegate it to ugly stepchild already.
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Wha!? Come on. Don't relegate it to ugly stepchild already.
Nani? How are we relegating it to "ugly stepchild" status? I'm afraid I don't understand your complaint. :\
Currently, neither the supply (which might pretty easily change) nor the demand (which might also change, but I'll believe it when I see it) can support a psionic Class Act in every issue.
I think we've proven time and again that if enough of a call is made we'll change how we're doing things. The new Class Acts format is one example. Including psionic Class Acts is another. With enough cry for support I'm sure eventually we'll be amenable to making the 5th Class Act a monthly thing. :)
Besides - can you relegate something to a status it already possesses? :P :P :P
Nani? How are we relegating it to "ugly stepchild" status? I'm afraid I don't understand your complaint. :\Wha!? Come on. Don't relegate it to ugly stepchild already.
Because when everything looked bright at the inclusion of the fifth CA, you said it may get only limited attention... as an ugly stepchild.
Currently, neither the supply (which might pretty easily change) nor the demand (which might also change, but I'll believe it when I see it) can support a psionic Class Act in every issue.I think we've proven time and again that if enough of a call is made we'll change how we're doing things. The new Class Acts format is one example. Including psionic Class Acts is another. With enough cry for support I'm sure eventually we'll be amenable to making the 5th Class Act a monthly thing. :)
Well I'll just have to start writing faster and crying louder.
Besides, there's power in fives and you want to be powerful don't you? ;)
Besides - can you relegate something to a status it already possesses? :P :P :P
Scoundrel! You wound me.
But no... I can not be baited. Yours is an ignorance that can be overcome. You will eventually come to see the truth. Let me show you the way.
:PpPpP
Mike is already powerful - he can make me cry with just one e-mail. :P
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Because when everything looked bright at the inclusion of the fifth CA, you said it may get only limited attention... as an ugly stepchild.
Ah, a communication error. I need to be more clear in the future.
Well I'll just have to start writing faster and crying louder.
Besides, there's power in fives and you want to be powerful don't you? ;)
I already have the power to crush people's dreams (ask Zherog). What more do I need? ^_^
Wha!? Come on. Don't relegate it to ugly stepchild already.
Nani? How are we relegating it to "ugly stepchild" status? I'm afraid I don't understand your complaint. :\
Currently, neither the supply (which might pretty easily change) nor the demand (which might also change, but I'll believe it when I see it) can support a psionic Class Act in every issue.
I think we've proven time and again that if enough of a call is made we'll change how we're doing things. The new Class Acts format is one example. Including psionic Class Acts is another. With enough cry for support I'm sure eventually we'll be amenable to making the 5th Class Act a monthly thing. :)
Did you just use the word for an exclaimed "What!?" in Japanese? lol You watch a lot of anime don't you?
I think what he meant as "ugly stepchild" refers to how WotC treats psionics since it was released, and he felt betrayed Dragon might do the same. I truly believe, without the need for marketing statistics, that the reason there isn't as much of a demand for psionics as there should be is because of the fact WotC strays away from it and lets it rot. Lately, however, their new line of products has been including a little (a little goes a long way for psionics) psionic material in eachy book,ostly new psionic powers.
Personally, I'd slowly integrate psionics into the game to the point where it ends up being an almost "forced" acceptance. We can call it "Psi-Tolerance". *lol* But I don't own WotC (and if I did...heh...) so that plan may never come to fruition.
Psions have red hair?
You mean like Kim Possible?
Can you say Boo-Yah!
If so, I'm a psionics fan from now on!
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Did you just use the word for an exclaimed "What!?" in Japanese? lol You watch a lot of anime don't you?
I'm certain I don't know what you're talking about... *tries to hide anime collection behind him* ^_^
I think what he meant as "ugly stepchild" refers to how WotC treats psionics since it was released, and he felt betrayed Dragon might do the same. I truly believe, without the need for marketing statistics, that the reason there isn't as much of a demand for psionics as there should be is because of the fact WotC strays away from it and lets it rot. Lately, however, their new line of products has been including a little (a little goes a long way for psionics) psionic material in eachy book,ostly new psionic powers.
I'd rather everyone see our move as an effort to increase coverage and acceptance of psionics. We have to ease into these things, though. I've noted an increase in psionic content in Wizards of the Coast products as well, and I welcome the change (I'd like to play a psionic character some day but neither of my DMs allow allow it...). In fact, I begged Wizards of the Coast to let me work on the Complete Psionics book. (I didn't get to, for the record.)
Personally, I'd slowly integrate psionics into the game to the point where it ends up being an almost "forced" acceptance. We can call it "Psi-Tolerance". *lol* But I don't own WotC (and if I did...heh...) so that plan may never come to fruition.
Slowly integrating more psionics into the magazine is what we're doing. ;) I apologize if everyone thought from my earlier comments that we'd be including psionics every month.
I agree with Declench if we write a blizzard of CAs and call for Psionics to have it's own page, then maybe just maybe Mike the Great and Powerful Wizard of Paizo will hear our cries and we psionisists will no longer be looked upon by our brethern at DRAGON as red-headed step-children... :|
I don't know about Powerful but I'll certainly accept Great. ;D
Seriously, though, if I get a blizzard of psionics support (and from more than just a handful of snowflakes falling on me more than once) I will take that avalanche of support to Erik and ask that we no longer put our psionic supporters on ice. (Get it... it's a bunch of snow humor... ha ha ha... *ahem*)
On a second note, WotC brought back the "Mind's Eye" to their website. An article dedicated to monthly psionic content. I am part of the playtest team, but the difference is we don't have as much words per article as we did before.
Still, it's wonderful to see more psionic content releases no matter how small. I was happy the Mind's Eye returned, considering I was part of a big factor of helping it to be released (I wrote the first one, "Master More Powers of the Mind"). : D
Did you just use the word for an exclaimed "What!?" in Japanese? lol You watch a lot of anime don't you?I'm certain I don't know what you're talking about... *tries to hide anime collection behind him* ^_^
Ah, dont' be ashamed of the otaku in you! Embrace it! *proudly displays his collection of anime* Anime is also a great source for D&D material! ^_^
I have a question. What's the average wait for a reply after sending in a query?
A query to Mike, you mean? Average is probably in the 3-5 day range. I've heard back the same day; I've also had it go as long as about 2 weeks. Usually, though, Mike is quick about replying (though he owes me one at the moment, too ;) ).
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Ah, dont' be ashamed of the otaku in you! Embrace it! *proudly displays his collection of anime* Anime is also a great source for D&D material! ^_^
I think I'm actually ashamed of how small my anime collection is, being as I love the medium so much. It only takes up 2-1/2 shelves of my 5-shelf DVD shelving unit. :(
I have a question. What's the average wait for a reply after sending in a query?
A query to Jason probably takes at least 2-3 months for a reply. And despite how much sass I give him about that it is through no fault of his own. That's just the nature of the beast for Features.
A query to me should get a reply within a 1 week, depending on where we are in the production cycle and how many free calls I put out on the messageboards. ;) As of right now it's actually looking more like a 2-week wait to hear back from me.
I have no idea how quickly Wes responds to queries, but I suspect it's at least as quickly as I do.