Wow. Just wow. Every time I bring up psionics I get the same kind of reaction. I never said I wasn't going to run more psionics. I said I have SO MANY psionic articles right now that I don't need any more right now. I meant that as a positive thing. Strangely enough, whenever I talk about psionics I always get the same reaction: "OMG he's never going to run psionics again!" I have never said that. I will never say that. I'm not a big psionics fan, but I'm NOT anti-psionics. I do and will continue to support psionics in Class Acts, as time, space, and availability permit. So to everyone who is a psionics fan: Peace and smiles. You're going to continue to see psionics support in Class Acts.
Mike, my post was meant completely in jest (I knew I should have added more smilies :) :) :) :) :) ). I apologize if it seemed like an attack and did not read with the playfulness with which it was written. I will go write-up a plethora of ninja queries in pennance. Peace and smiles back at ya! :):):):):):):)
~Scott
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I meant existing skills. Sorry i was excited and typed fast. Great now i've embarrassed myself to an editor. I like my new skill use idea though so you are getting it anyway. Take that.
You shouldn't be embarrassed. God knows even I maek tpyoes nwo nad t hen. :)
Prepare for that query to be rejected outright. Just so you know. ;)
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Mike, my post was meant completely in jest (I knew I should have added more smilies :) :) :) :) :) ). I apologize if it seemed like an attack and did not read with the playfulness with which it was written. I will go write-up a plethora of ninja queries in pennance. Peace and smiles back at ya! :):):):):):):)
lol!
And I should have been less cranky. ;D
Darn it, Your use of winky face makes this decision making process so much harder.
The one time I tossed an alternate skill use at Mike, the article got rejected. So I don't think he's necessarily kidding. :D
--John
Oh well, I like my idea and I may be classifying it wrong, it'll be a in a query with other ideas so hopefully something will get through. I'm going for the multi-shot theory of querying. The more arrows the more chances for a natural 20.
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Oh well, I like my idea and I may be classifying it wrong, it'll be a in a query with other ideas so hopefully something will get through. I'm going for the multi-shot theory of querying. The more arrows the more chances for a natural 20.
That's the best approach, really. Considering that the acceptance rate is somewhere between 5–10%, the more you throw at me the likelier you'll get at least one yes. :)
Include an idea or two for the ninja and your chances increase a bit. Just a tip. ;)
--John
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Zherog, once again, speaks the truth. I loathe "new uses for old skills."
They seem like a waste of space to me; in many cases, they're not 'new' uses at all. They're what I always imagined people bought the skill for in the first place...
Climb: You know, you don't just have to climb walls, you know. You could use it to climb trees too...
{slap head in a wave of sudden epiphany..."Doh!"}
Sleight of Hand: As well as using this skill to hide something, you could use it to make something appear from someone else's possession....
{Well, Buggger me sideways!}
Sorry about the freak out on Psionics articles, Mike. You can see now us psi-fans are immediately pessimistic with psionic material. Can't entirely blame us for that, though, heh. We've suffered a lot of let downs (not from you guys, of course).
Reading the post over, yeah that is a great thing. That there's actually so much psionic articles that you're done accepting anymore. Glad to see the large increase of queries on that topic.
As for the topic of "all feats" articles, I enjoy those if it serves a theme. One of the "All Feat" articles I enjoyed was the one that covered all the Divine classes in Complete Divine. Instead of focusing too much on one subject, it covered them all. I hope to see that with the other classes such as one devoted to all Complete Warrior classes, Tome of Magic classes, or Tome of Battle classes.
And on the topic of "new uses for old skills", I believe those are great if done properly. Though, personally, I think an article on a thorough mechanic for Profession (gambling) skill checks in, say, the Adventurer section of CA would actually be useful.
Now a "new uses for old skills" would work out even better if it involved epic DCs and what you can do with them. :D
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Sorry about the freak out on Psionics articles, Mike. You can see now us psi-fans are immediately pessimistic with psionic material. Can't entirely blame us for that, though, heh. We've suffered a lot of let downs (not from you guys, of course).
'sokay, man. No biggie. I was in a bit of a bad mood that morning, else I would have been more civil and diplomatic. ;)
But yeah, let me just re-re-re-restate this for the record: As long as I am in charge of Class Acts, there will always be psionics support. It will be sporadic, but it will be there. In fact, we're editing the next psionics Class Act right now (for #349). It is a very cool article I think y'all will enjoy. :)
Reading the post over, yeah that is a great thing. That there's actually so much psionic articles that you're done accepting anymore. Glad to see the large increase of queries on that topic.
Yeah, it exploded all over my Inbox. I think I have you to thank for that! :)
As for the topic of "all feats" articles, I enjoy those if it serves a theme. One of the "All Feat" articles I enjoyed was the one that covered all the Divine classes in Complete Divine. Instead of focusing too much on one subject, it covered them all. I hope to see that with the other classes such as one devoted to all Complete Warrior classes, Tome of Magic classes, or Tome of Battle classes.
Whenever my moratorium passes (and I'm sure it will someday) I will indeed look for more all-feats articles like the ones you mention there.
And on the topic of "new uses for old skills", I believe those are great if done properly. Though, personally, I think an article on a thorough mechanic for Profession (gambling) skill checks in, say, the Adventurer section of CA would actually be useful.
I don't really see new Craft or Profession skill write-ups as new uses for old skills. Craft and Profession are unique in that way. In fact, #349 is going to have an article about a Craft skill (I'm sure that doesn't sound very interesting, but just you wait and see!).
Now a "new uses for old skills" would work out even better if it involved epic DCs and what you can do with them. :D
Heh. Maybe. That sounds more like a Feature article to me. But I do want to see an Epic Class Act some day! :)
Holy bump Batman. I'm a bit hazy on one aspect of the Class Acts (as it pertains, possibly, to one such query that Mike has Okayed from me). I'm also sure I've asked this before, but here goes...
Could you define the difference between Alternative Classes and Alternative Class Abilities?
Basically if I am creating a class act that is based on the statistics of an existing class (lets say paladin), and change around some of their class features, does that make it fall in the Alternative Class Abilities bracket? What exactly would I have to change in the paladin description/stats to make it the unholy Alternative Class? Name? HD?? Bueller???
Could you define the difference between Alternative Classes and Alternative Class Abilities?
An alternative class is a new twist on the entire concept of an existing class. One good example from Class Acts for this is the Chaos Monk. Another good example, from Unearthed Arcana, is the Urban Ranger. In both cases, it's a full 20-level progression that keeps the basic feel of the class, but tweaks the abilities to function in a different theme.
Alternate Class Abilities, however, are more modular. They take an existing ability and replace it with something else. For example, I could take the ranger's wild empathy ability at first level, and write an alternate class ability called urban lore. Everything else about the ranger - class skill list, hd, saves, bab, every other ability - remains unchanged, but now a player has an option to replace wild empathy with urban lore, if she thinks the new ability better fits her character concept.
Alternate class abilities first appeared in the PHB2, and they've replaced substitution levels (racial or otherwise).
Does that help?
Sort of. I'm still pretty hazy about the entire concept. Taking your example, how many alternative abilities would it for that ranger to become an alternative class?
Does renaming the class make it suddenly alternative?
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Sort of. I'm still pretty hazy about the entire concept. Taking your example, how many alternative abilities would it for that ranger to become an alternative class?
Okay, here's the thing: Ever bought a new car? Ever dreamed of buying a new car? If you have, you know that carmakers offer options in two ways: as packages and as individual options. Let's say you start with the base model of a car and start adding in options. At some point, it's more cost-effective and easier to just pick up a package, even if the package doesn't have exactly everything you want or includes more things than you want.
The difference between the alternative class and the variant class feature is the same. Think of variant class features as options you can select individually for your car. Er... character. Think of alternative classes as options packages.
An alternative class tends to move around class features, deleting some and adding others. A variant class feature is a swap: you lose one (or more) class feature to gain a different class feature, but generally speaking you gain the different class feature at the same level as the class feature you lose (or at one of the class features you lose, if you lose more than one).
Another way to look at it is like this: a variant class feature is in many ways the same as a substitution level (remember those?). A variant class feature says, "At this level you may give up your normal ability for this new and different ability. You cannot make this change at any other level."
An alternative class re-envisions how the class operates. A variant class feature offers an option to subtly (or not-so-subtly) alter one aspect of how the class operates.
The sidhe scholar (Dragon #339) is an alternative class. So is the anagakok (Dragon #344). Those are the only ones I've run since we made the switch.
Variant class features have appeared in #346's Adventurer, #346's Divine, and #347's Divine. There will be more. Oh good gravy, yes, there will be more.
Does renaming the class make it suddenly alternative?
Yes.
Thanks a bunch Mike (and Zherog), that definately clears it up. I'm a bit apprehensive about a CA I sent you a month or two now, but at least I won't make the same mistakes again in the upcoming few you've requested.
Thanks again.
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My group goes through Psionicists like wet naps at a craw fish boil...
which has the advantage of being able to see the plethora of feats--classes--abilities available (we are currently in a Eb campaign that likes to bounce between the continents a lot although we are based in Sharn)...
Personally I pour over every issue for the newest feat--spell--trick etc for arcane/divine casters (my specialty) as I currently play the groups moral compass, A cleric/twilight redeemer (custom PrC), who worships the Shadows aspects of twilight.
Our parties ranger is always trying to adjust his class with every issue it seems like as a new Ranger feat becomes available (hes a fighter/ranger with a legacy bow... think DnD Cartoon!)
Anyhow on to the point (yes there is one), less psionics and more magic! (and domains and cookies for all)
That's just because Nanyea promised cookies.
Did somebody say tequila? What would you like me to write? :D
--John
Did somebody say tequila? What would you like me to write? :D
--John
How about an Ecology of the Worm? the tiny, drunken cousin to the purple worm? Tequila I think.
I'm not promising anything, but if the postman brings me a bottle of whiskey I might just be open to suggestion.
No alternative classes. Use variant class features. They are the new hotness.
Nooo! That's unfortunate news. I sent you a samurai-based CA a little while ago which presents two variant classes. My real life name is James Spence by the way. I am quite happy to rework it to variant class features, I'm not fussy...
Oh, and I agonized for ages about my 875 words, because the writer's guidelines say the CA word limit is 800 not 1400. So if you want me to add some more words I'm easy on that score too!
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Nooo! That's unfortunate news. I sent you a samurai-based CA a little while ago which presents two variant classes. My real life name is James Spence by the way. I am quite happy to rework it to variant class features, I'm not fussy...
Oh, and I agonized for ages about my 875 words, because the writer's guidelines say the CA word limit is 800 not 1400. So if you want me to add some more words I'm easy on that score too!
We'll see. I have some news regarding Class Acts and variant class features, and I don't know if I'd call it good.
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I'm going through queries right now (and listening to heavy metal as I do it, which is not a good sign for you guys) and I realized I need to update this thread. I know some of you pay attention to when this thread goes up on the Recently Updated list, as that usually means I'm announcing something. Here goes...
Moratoriums
• No all-feat articles. This one still stands, as it has for more than six months now. Put a feat or two into an article about something else, but don't query me on an article of nothing but feats.
• Variant class features. No, it's true. I love these things. Maybe a little too much. I've greenlit sooo many variant class feature articles that Jason brought up the number I've been running lately. I have a glut, so for now don't query me any more.
• Psionics. I have, at the current rate of publishing (which is roughly two per year), about a three-year supply of psionics. (Simple math should tell you how many I have in the queue. Arithmetics FTW.)
Reminders
• No spells.
• No magic items.
• Support for new systems is good.
• Support for the core is also good.
Thanks for reading.
Steel yourselves, my friends. Many Shuvs and Zuuls will know what it is to be roasted in the depths of the Slor this day, I can tell you!
Aww man, no more all-feat articles!?
Those were the best!
Ok, question. What if the article was all feats but central to a theme that helped out not one class in particular but several at once? A good example would be that one article that was all feats but it was feats for clerics, favored souls, shugenja, and spirit shamans. Another one was also the Ambush feats, which helped out Rogues and Ninjas and just about any PrC that gave sneak attack. Or feats that helped out those into unarmed strikes, or say a "Tome of Magic" feats article with new feats all Tome of Magic classes as opposed to just feats only for Truenamer.
Also you say no spells, but I assume soulmelds are ok since I saw one article with them recently? What about martial maneuvers from Tome of Battle? Could those be in Class Acts?
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Ok, question. What if the article was all feats but central to a theme that helped out not one class in particular but several at once? A good example would be that one article that was all feats but it was feats for clerics, favored souls, shugenja, and spirit shamans. Another one was also the Ambush feats, which helped out Rogues and Ninjas and just about any PrC that gave sneak attack. Or feats that helped out those into unarmed strikes, or say a "Tome of Magic" feats article with new feats all Tome of Magic classes as opposed to just feats only for Truenamer.
If I already have the article in, then it's fine. But new articles that are all feats are verboten.
Also you say no spells, but I assume soulmelds are ok since I saw one article with them recently? What about martial maneuvers from Tome of Battle? Could those be in Class Acts?
As long as it's not spells or magic items, which are covered in other departments, it should be fine. Oh, but no vestiges, since those are covered by Spellcraft as well.
I'm dreading the answer, but...
What about alternate class features that have been queried and given the thumbs up, but aren't done yet? Should I abandon work on those, or finish 'em and send 'em in?
What about a query with a vestige you gave a go on? Keep on it or pitch it?
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I'm dreading the answer, but...
What about alternate class features that have been queried and given the thumbs up, but aren't done yet? Should I abandon work on those, or finish 'em and send 'em in?
The moratorium is only against new queries. If you're already writing something for me, feel free to finish it and send it in. Just keep in mind that if it gets accepted it might not see print for a while. But you already know that. ;D
Yay! I didn't have to dread the answer! You're OK in my book, Mike. I don't care what Jason says about you.
As long as it's not spells or magic items, which are covered in other departments, it should be fine. Oh, but no vestiges, since those are covered by Spellcraft as well.
If I sent a query about vestiges as a feature (along with a couple other feature article queries), should I possibly redirect it to you as a Spellcraft then? I figure it might get to you eventually, but I just know you seem able to reply faster than Jason (not a dig at Jason, of course). :)
Thanks!
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If I sent a query about vestiges as a feature (along with a couple other feature article queries), should I possibly redirect it to you as a Spellcraft then? I figure it might get to you eventually, but I just know you seem able to reply faster than Jason (not a dig at Jason, of course). :)
If you think it would be more appropriate as a Spellcraft you should send it on to Wes (wes@paizo.com), who governs that department. Which you might want to do, just in case he's interested. :)
If you think it would be more appropriate as a Spellcraft you should send it on to Wes (wes@paizo.com), who governs that department. Which you might want to do, just in case he's interested. :)
Whoops, that's right. Forgot who did what for a second there.
Sorry for taking a tangent on the Class Acts thread, but thanks for the help!
Now to compose an email to Wes, and while I'm at, I might as well work up some Class Act ideas for Mike, as well. :)
Mike,
I think it's great you take the time to give us struggling writers a little guidance.
My question for you is this: the online Dragon sub guidelines say CA articles should be 700 words long, but the guidelines updated on the message boards indicate they should be 1400 words. If in a query we sent you we indicated 700 words would be the piece's length will that kill the chances of a go-ahead? I could certainly pump up the word volume on an article if it meant a shot at publication.
Thanks.
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Mike,
I think it's great you take the time to give us struggling writers a little guidance.
My question for you is this: the online Dragon sub guidelines say CA articles should be 700 words long, but the guidelines updated on the message boards indicate they should be 1400 words. If in a query we sent you we indicated 700 words would be the piece's length will that kill the chances of a go-ahead? I could certainly pump up the word volume on an article if it meant a shot at publication.
Thanks.
As Hanz and Franz used to say (remember them?): "We'ah gonna POMP you op!" ;)
1400 words, please, or expect a rejection.
As Hanz and Franz used to say (remember them?): "We'ah gonna POMP you op!" ;)
1400 words, please, or expect a rejection.
Good to know. Should I resubmit my query with a revised word count? Unlike Hans and Franz this won't be padding, but real meat on the bone.
Thanks again.
Thanks for taking the time to respond to us all Mike. It's good for us first-timers to be able to ask questions.
Good to know. Should I resubmit my query with a revised word count? Unlike Hans and Franz this won't be padding, but real meat on the bone.That would be a good idea, yes. :)
I don't want to be asking a stupid question, but does that go for me too? You asked to see my article at the beginning of January so I think I got in just before the new world order was announced...
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I don't want to be asking a stupid question, but does that go for me too? You asked to see my article at the beginning of January so I think I got in just before the new world order was announced...
If you pitched to me a 700-word article and I accepted it anytime in the last two years I was clearly fuzzy-headed at the time. Make sure any Class Act article you hand to me is around 1400 words.
Sorry for any confusion.