Director of Games
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Hello everyone,
Since the product page went up today, I am pleased to announce a new product due to come out in just a few short months. Tired of the same old boring x2 damage?Wouldn't you rather chop off your opponents head?
Check out this new product here!
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Sweet! Show us the artwork, durnit!
Ya know . . . I like this idea in theory . . . but like so many other things, just cause it works in theory doesn't mean that it'll work in execution.
The current critical hit mechanic, x2 damage or whatnot, works just fine. Now, if I'm starting a high level fight, with let's say two barbarians . . . we've got gobs of hp there. I can understand where if one gets a critical hit as their first action they'll deal lotsa damage, but I wouldn't want to allow a 1 in 52 chance that it's an insta-kill (head choppage doesn't allow for anything else)
I can understand that it might just be a wait and see scenerio. I know I don't have all the details about these cards. But if this deck is as hazardous as I fear it could be, I'll definately not allow it anywhere on my gaming table.
Well, I'm assuming that the head shot is the only instagib option...
When players crit, and then roll a natural 20 on the confirmation, I'll often allow for death. That's a 1 in 400 chance. Hardly game breaking.
This deck could actually reduce that chance. (1 in 1040)
If had to guess, I'd say that most things in here will cause penalties and such. i.e. Leg Shot, -10ft movement, -2 dex. Or something similar.
Mind clarifying Jason?
Hmm. . . you allow insta-kills for a natural 20 on the threat confirmation? Interesting. granted, I've been in groups in the past that have ruled that three Natural 20's equate to an insta-kill. So I guess maybe on further thought I'm making myself a hypocrite of my prior statements.
Who knows, maybe I'm just wanting to have more info on the product.
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Director of Games
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Hey there all,
We are going to have some previews of this product soon, but for now I will clarify a few things. Most of the effects are not nearly so dangerous as decapitation. Most involve temporary effects and ability damage. Most of the more serious effects also give a save to mitigate their nastiness. In such cases, the save DC is equal to the crit confirmation roll (that way, the DC scales somewhat as the PCs advance in level).
It is important to note one other thing with this deck. It is primarily for PC use. The default rules assume that the DM only draws cards from this deck for major NPC villains. There are, of course, other options presented as well.
Hope that helps
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Hmm. . . you allow insta-kills for a natural 20 on the threat confirmation?
In some campaigns. Normally small adventures or more casual types. If it's intended to be a very long campaign, usually not. Basically, if there's going to be a lot of story and recurring NPCs then no.
And the nice thing is it's a deck of cards, so if you don't like a result take its card out of the deck before letting your players draw. Nicely done.
I'm liking cards to run my tabletop games more and more. They're flexible and compact, so you can store a pile of cards in a box and tote them to the game instead of lugging a stack of books and multiple 3-ring binders.
So here's another product for my wishlist.
This is sooooooo....AWESOME! I can't wait to get one of these. It'll definitely be one of my Origins or Gencon pick-ups!
The more I think about this product, the more I'm loving it. Mostly because it's more tactile than a % chart. It's also faster. Nothing like letting the players choose their fate. Depending on how strong these cards are, I'll probably offer my players the choice of their critical multiplier or one of these cards.
Any chance of a critical fumbles deck coming shortly after?
Probably all these questions need to wait for the preview, but:
- The deck is designed for general D20 use? Is there a mechanism built in for a weapon with a higher crit modifier to get a better crit result? (Not that I don't have some ideas for how to make that work...)
- Each card has "four different results based on weapon type". Piercing, Slashing, Bludgeoning, and ... what's the fourth? Or is it some other scheme entirely?
Looking forward to this deck. Some days I miss my Rolemaster more than others.
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Director of Games
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Your concern about weapons with threat modifiers higher than x2 is certainly addressed (but I'll save that mechanic for later). The product is OGL compatible.
As for the fourth damage type (as you have listed the first three), the last type is magic (for spell crits).
Previews coming soon.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Was this inspired by MERP/Rolemaster at all, by chance? :)
Looks like a fun one. I shall be getting.
-The Gneech
Was this inspired by MERP/Rolemaster at all, by chance? :)
Looks like a fun one. I shall be getting.
-The Gneech
I was actually talking about those wonderful tables with a friend last week. He wanted to make something similiar for a new campaign he is starting up in the summer.
I've forwarded him the link for this, as it does seem fun.
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Director of Games
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Was this inspired by MERP/Rolemaster at all, by chance? :)
Looks like a fun one. I shall be getting.
-The Gneech
We might have taken a gander, for inspiration if nothing else. Its not like the Arms Law book is sitting 6 inches away from my fingers right now or anything.... hmm.. that gives me an idea.. random crit time!
Woo hoo.. I will pick numbers and refer to the trusty tome, page number, followed by letter, followed by percentile.. hmm.. need dice. Here they are. Alright..
Page: rolled a 47 but I am going to add 8 because the charts do not really start till page 8 and they end at about 108. That gives me page 55, a spear critical. Oooh.
Letter: rolled a 4, corresponding to a D crit, pretty solid.
Percentile: hmm, rolled a 23, which means....
<<drumroll>>...
"You wound foe in hip. Strike strip equipment from right side of waist."
Plus it appears my opponent is stunned for one round and has 2 points of bleed.
Hmm.. in retrospect, I now remember why I was annoyed by Rolemaster. I loved the specific crits, but hated all the charts, referencing and dice rolling.
Let me try this instead. I crit with a spear. Let me draw a card from the crit hit deck play test copy I have sitting here and see what I get. It is a piercing crit. So.. I got...
<<drumroll>>...
"Muscle Severed: Normal damage plus 1d6 Dex and 1d6 Str damage."
Not too bad, and quite a bit easier. Well.. that is all I got right now at 1:23am. Hope you all enjoyed late night maiming theather. More to come next week.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Jason, about what % of the cards deal ability score damage? My only concern is at lower levels ability damage is neigh impossible for PCs to fix (w/o a lot of rest).
Of course I could always take out the more powerful cards until the PCs reach a higher level. :) But that would require me to be a competent DM or something.
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Director of Games
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Jason, about what % of the cards deal ability score damage? My only concern is at lower levels ability damage is neigh impossible for PCs to fix (w/o a lot of rest).
Of course I could always take out the more powerful cards until the PCs reach a higher level. :) But that would require me to be a competent DM or something.
That is a good concern. I just did a rough count and there are about 40 or so effects that deal ability damage. And while many of these are very small amounts (like 1 point or 1d3), there are still a good number of them. Mind you, that is 40 effects spread out in a total of 208 different possible crits, so about 1 in 5.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
LOL. I love April 1st. :D
Jason, about what % of the cards deal ability score damage? My only concern is at lower levels ability damage is neigh impossible for PCs to fix (w/o a lot of rest).
I would imagine that this wouldn't be a huge factor if you only use the cards for PC's criticals and "end level boss type" creatures.
I have used the ICE charts since I found them back in the good ole days. I might have to switch to these. :)
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Director of Games
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Jason, about what % of the cards deal ability score damage? My only concern is at lower levels ability damage is neigh impossible for PCs to fix (w/o a lot of rest).I would imagine that this wouldn't be a huge factor if you only use the cards for PC's criticals and "end level boss type" creatures.
I have used the ICE charts since I found them back in the good ole days. I might have to switch to these. :)
I hope you do give them a try. I am hoping to post a preview of the cards, including the rules card tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
I am hoping to post a preview of the cards, including the rules card tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Eagerly awaiting the preview!
Derek Poppink
GameMastery Uberfan
Deck of Many Cards
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Director of Games
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I am hoping to post a preview of the cards, including the rules card tomorrow. Stay tuned.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand ManagerEagerly awaiting the preview!
Derek Poppink
GameMastery Uberfan
Deck of Many Cards
Any minute now.. so close. I can taste blood.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
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Director of Games
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Well.. for those of you who might have missed it, the preview for the Crit Hit Deck is now up on the product page.
Enjoy
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Well.. for those of you who might have missed it, the preview for the Crit Hit Deck is now up on the product page.
Excellent preview! It's interesting to see how the results can be better than the x2 in the right situation. All of a sudden I'm really interested in a weapon with a x3 or x4 modifier, so I can choose from multiple cards.
My thoughts:
And Stay Down - Unless you're an archer, it's usually very good to make your opponent prone. Some creatures are immune to stun (dragons), but it's a nice extra.
Ventilated - Most creatures that are vulnerable to critical hits are also affected by nonlethal damage, so this is great one.
Knockback - The drawback to this card is that you might get it on your first attack of a full attack action.
Frozen - Not that useful in a lot of situations. I'm not sure what percentage of spells that require attack rolls are cold spells, but I doubt it's more than 25%. I can also think of a lot of monsters that won't be bothered by Dex damage.
Shattered Hand - Very powerful card against most fighter types, and still reasonably strong against all others.
Right in the Ear - Sucks if you're a wizard. Not so bad otherwise.
Stand Aside - As a tactician, this is my favorite result of the preview. It has both offensive and defensive uses. Someone's drawing ideas from DDM Skirmish...
Vampiric Magic - If you are hurt, this is a nice result. If not, you'd probably be disappointed.
This deck looks to be a lot of fun. I may just have to get it. :)
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Director of Games
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Well.. for those of you who might have missed it, the preview for the Crit Hit Deck is now up on the product page.Excellent preview! It's interesting to see how the results can be better than the x2 in the right situation. All of a sudden I'm really interested in a weapon with a x3 or x4 modifier, so I can choose from multiple cards.
My thoughts:...
Interestingly, we found that cards that did not seem that useful at first turned out to be immensely useful if we sought to take advantage of them. We had one foe get flat-footed for one round. At first, it did not seem handy until a severely wounded character next to him wanted to drink a potion, and the rogue came closer to hit him with a sneak attack. That said, not every card will be useful in every situation, but they certainly add a bit of spice to the encounter and get you to think in new and interesting ways.
Also note, we posted some of the less powerful cards this week. Next week, we will really show what the deck can do.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
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Director of Games
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Good News,
The Crit Hit Deck just arrived at our warehouse today and boy does it look nice. To celebrate, here are the details on a random card drawn from the top of my nice, new, shiny deck.
Bludgeoning-2 for 1: Double damage to target and normal damage to adjacent target.
Piercing-Pinned Arm: Double damage and one arm cannot move (DC 20 Str or Heal to be freed).
Slashing-Cut Straps: Double damage and double armor check penalty until fixed (DC 15 Craft).
Magic-Electrocuted: Double damage. If electricity spell, target stunned for 1d4 rounds.
The decks should ship to distributors and on to your FLGS soon. More previews to come this friday. Stay tuned.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
If I ordered this today from paizo, I would receive it in 3 to 6 business days?
j.
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Director of Sales
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If I ordered this today from paizo, I would receive it in 3 to 6 business days?
j.
I'll field this one:
Your order will probably ship in three to six business days. The delivery time will be determined from the shipping method you choose. The shipping time is above and beyond the "will ship" time.
If you have any further questions, please see the FAQ or you can email me at customer.service@paizo.com
Thanks!
cos
I'm always torn between ordering direct from Paizo and buying at my FLGS. Usually I end up buying from my FLGS because it helps both companies, even though ordering direct makes (probably signifcantly) more money for Paizo.
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Director of Games
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Hey there all,
Just a note, this weeks preview is up on the product page. Check it out.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Placed an order for this today (go free shipping on #719425!) and looking forward to inflicting it on my players.
Got mine in today and have to say this seems like an exciting product.
Here's a couple of questions/concerns I have.
#1 - Doesn't seem like this deck is compatible with incorporeal touch attacks. You might be able to use the magic critical with them, but its a bit iffy.
#2 - Natural attacks seem pigeon holed. Why do all bites use the piercing result. It seems like one of the advantages of natural attacks (since most only threaten a crit. on a natural 20) should be to choose from their various types of damage. It seems that natural attacks that do multiple types of damage (such as a bite that does slashing, piercing and bludgeoning or a claw that does slashing and piercing) should get to choose their result.
#3 - There are a couple of results that could seriously ruin an encounter. One decapitates an opponent (insta-death save to resist). Another shunts the target to another plane and the last petrifies a target for hours. Now rare as these will be (1 in 208 chance plus that fact is you'll rarely go through the whole deck each session) they can be encounter killers. There are a couple more that could put a serious crimp on an encounter but I'm willing to live with this. The encounter killers might have to go.
I love the rest of the system. Simple and brutal. I love how it uses the different conditions. Braining someone with a bludgeoning weapon can daze them or cause Int damage. Hamstringing someone reduces their Dex. I'm eager to try it out.
First thoughts.
Shade325
I gotta tell youse guys, this deck is AMAZING. I haven't laughed this hard since I first read a Rolemaster critical chart way back when. These cards are hilarious, easy to use...
...and almost sold out.
I kid you not - the initial orders from distributors claimed damn near half the decks we printed. Methinks this one will be in short supply in no time at all. In other words, no fence-sitting, you! Get it ordered, and get it ordered now! That is all.
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Director of Games
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Got mine in today and have to say this seems like an exciting product.
Here's a couple of questions/concerns I have.
#1 - Doesn't seem like this deck is compatible with incorporeal touch attacks. You might be able to use the magic critical with them, but its a bit iffy.
#2 - Natural attacks seem pigeon holed. Why do all bites use the piercing result. It seems like one of the advantages of natural attacks (since most only threaten a crit. on a natural 20) should be to choose from their various types of damage. It seems that natural attacks that do multiple types of damage (such as a bite that does slashing, piercing and bludgeoning or a claw that does slashing and piercing) should get to choose their result.
#3 - There are a couple of results that could seriously ruin an encounter. One decapitates an opponent (insta-death save to resist). Another shunts the target to another plane and the last petrifies a target for hours. Now rare as these will be (1 in 208 chance plus that fact is you'll rarely go through the whole deck each session) they can be encounter killers. There are a couple more that could put a serious crimp on an encounter but I'm willing to live with this. The encounter killers might have to go.
I love the rest of the system. Simple and brutal. I love how it uses the different conditions. Braining someone with a bludgeoning weapon can daze them or cause Int damage. Hamstringing someone reduces their Dex. I'm eager to try it out.
First thoughts.
Shade325
#1 - It is true the deck will not cover every absolute situation and some will definately call for DM adjucation. Incorporeal touch crits are certainly one. That said, x2 is always still an option.
#2 - We found that DM call on this one usually applies. Sometimes a bite, if from a big enough creature, could certainly be a slashing or maybe even a bludgeoning effect (titan teeth are big).
#3 - We knew that some of the cards might be a bit much for some DMs and their play style. Fortunately, it is easy enough to pull these from the deck.
Glad you liked the product. I am hoping to start a threat of Crit Hit Deck stories soon.
Jason Bulmahn
GameMastery Brand Manager
Anyone found this yet at their FLGS?
I'm going to look tommorrow when I go to pick up some new dice. (Old Character eaten by Xorn last session = New Dice)
But if they don't have it in, I'll order it from paizo before they are all gone.
If it works the way it sounds, I really think I might play a character than runs around with a rapier or something else with a huge threat range.
*And I for 1 loved the old MERPS/Rolemaster game... well, the crit tables and character creation anyways, lol
Anyone found this yet at their FLGS?
I'm going to look tommorrow when I go to pick up some new dice. (Old Character eaten by Xorn last session = New Dice)
But if they don't have it in, I'll order it from paizo before they are all gone.
No store should have it yet, as they won't leave our warehouse until Monday. Then it takes about another week for them to get to distributors, and then out onto store shelves.
So THAT would be why my FLGS didn't have it today. (The lackey working the counter hadn't even heard of it, and now he's excited and wants it!)
If Paizo would just hurry up and develop a teleportation system, we could all get these products faster! Get working!
p.s. So when can we expect a critical fumbles deck? And is there any way to get involved in it's development?!?
No store should have it yet, as they won't leave our warehouse until Monday. Then it takes about another week for them to get to distributors, and then out onto store shelves.Anyone found this yet at their FLGS?
I'm going to look tommorrow when I go to pick up some new dice. (Old Character eaten by Xorn last session = New Dice)
But if they don't have it in, I'll order it from paizo before they are all gone.
Alrighty then, I guess I'll be ordering it direct from Paizo then ;-)
Here's my thoughts on the new preview:
What's Going On? - This is interesting, but it would be more fun against the PCs. Most NPC's end up dead, so what they remember or not is of little consequence.
Nicked an Artery - Yep, that's deadly. Very cinematic.
Carve Your Initials - Zorro lives! I seem to remember something like this in second edition.
Distraction - Clever. Does the flanking count if you are not adjacent to the foe? It says "for you" instead of "with you".
Ruptured Spleen - Another deadly one. Most NPCs with class levels have cure potions, but pity the other foes.
Muscle Severed - Ouch!
Lean Into the Blow - I'm trying to picture this in a movie. Is it more like you end up leaving the sword inside someone, or that the sword flew out of your hands?
Funny Bone - Good that it doesn't depend on the type of spell, and excellent against fighters.
Terrible Bruise - Just like the Ventilated critical for Piercing.
Knockback - Just like the Knockback critical for Slashing.
Armor Damage - A free Sunder effect. Some PC's would cry out in horror as they reduce the loot value of the encounter.
Draining Spell - Awesome in a spell duel. With all the new core classes on the market, this could even be useful against fighter and rogue types.
Staggering Blow - A variation of Terrible Bruise.
Heart Shot - I'm not sure whether this is more dangerous than Rupture Spleen. At least this one can be addressed non-magically. Still, ouch!
Terrifying Display - Fright makes people run away. That's always good for battlefield control.