I just received mine an hour ago in the mail and skimmed through it. Very nice page layout, interesting artwork, chunks of material that's suited for anyone's campaign and I am sure there is plenty of useful stuff here for anyone who buys this. Though personally, I am more interested in when Volume Two is coming out. Half of this book I already own since half the book sort of worked with 3E material. I hope Volume Two is simply more converted material from 1E/2E.
I'd like to give a bigger review than this, but I only skimmed through it. But I do have one question for the designers.
Could you post, as say a Web Enhancement for the compendium, epic level advancements and a few epic feats for each of the new classes? Quite a number of people play in epic-level campaigns or have epic level PCs/NPCs. It'd be nice to have a few epic material to work with these new classes.
I just got mine, and WOW! I am indeed quite enthralled with it! Very nicely done! I've already conceived of some dastardly plots to unleash upon my unsuspecting foo..ur...players...after just the first flick through! I'd beed wanting a book like this for years! Over the years, I've requested on the WotC boards that the publishers of Dragon convert and compile all the old monsters from past Dragon issues. This is definatly a step in the right direction! Although I did crave a lot more older 1st and 2nd edition conversions, the reality is that the over abundance of 3ed/3.5 material simply NEEDED to be compiled. I'm very happy to have this product as a first volume; by covering a brood range of stuff, it uncaps a deep well of material just waiting to squeeze out...and torment my unsuspecting...players. :)
-Joel
p.s. I propose an idea: In volume 2, just for giggles sake, convert one of the April fools critters (i.e. Deathsheep or Killer Spruce) and slip it in with the monsters, but provide serious artwork and tone, just to see if anybody catches on.
I just got mine, and WOW! I am indeed quite enthralled with it! Very nicely done! I've already conceived of some dastardly plots to unleash upon my unsuspecting foo..ur...players...after just the first flick through! I'd beed wanting a book like this for years! Over the years, I've requested on the WotC boards that the publishers of Dragon convert and compile all the old monsters from past Dragon issues. This is definatly a step in the right direction! Although I did crave a lot more older 1st and 2nd edition conversions, the reality is that the over abundance of 3ed/3.5 material simply NEEDED to be compiled. I'm very happy to have this product as a first volume; by covering a brood range of stuff, it uncaps a deep well of material just waiting to squeeze out...and torment my unsuspecting...players. :)
-Joel
p.s. I propose an idea: In volume 2, just for giggles sake, convert one of the April fools critters (i.e. Deathsheep or Killer Spruce) and slip it in with the monsters, but provide serious artwork and tone, just to see if anybody catches on.
Yeah, I guess I can cope and agree about the amount of 3E material in here. As more volumes come out, the 3E material will decrease and the real fun of seeing 1E/2E material updated will happen.
So this Volume's theme was more "Generic", a starter for the series. I wonder what Volume Two's theme will be? The Planes? Psionics? Oriental Adventures? Campaign Classics? Ah, the future of Dragon Compendium, what awaits us beyond Volume 1?
I enjoyed the 3 dragons, that was what I was mostly interested in. I've noticed some of the feats were edited, like Riposte, Dead Eye, and Astral Tracking.
I am concerned about the Bleeder Beholder. It seems it's both unique and not at once. It's similar to the Death Kiss in Monsters of Faerun, with some noted differences. I know the Bleeder and the Death Kiss were the same creature under two different names in previous editions, I just figured since we had the Death Kiss, the Bleeder would be a unique beholder.
It sort of is. I has a lower CR and has different special attacks and qualities than the Death Kiss, but they're still too similar. A bit too close.
I noticed a few errors myself. One feat has a requirement of "Expertise." I also noticed the duom from the polearms article wasn't corrected and listed as an Exotic Weapon. Don't get me wrong, though, these mistakes don't prevent me from enjoying this as the best purchase I've made this year. :)
Chief Technical Officer
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I didn't get mine... in fact, the tracking info I got via e-mail at least insinuates that it's still in the warehouse... Either UPS tracking sucks, or something went wrong...
The shipment confirmation e-mails are sent when the package is ready for pickup. The tracking info isn't updated on the UPS website until sometime after the UPS driver picks up the package.
-Vic.
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