I have to say I'm dieing to see more. As others have mentioned, this is probably the first D&D book I've been excited about it a long time!
So...
In the coming weeks, we will be taking a look at a number of the changes made since Alpha release 3, such as the revision to arcane schools (now you choose bonus spells), alterations to most of the combat feats to change them into ordinary feats (some even get an upgrade, such as Dodge), bard and ranger modifications, a simplification of the cover rules, and a host of other changes (many inspired by the playtesters). We will also be taking a look at some new rules that appear in the Beta, such as revised traps guidelines (CR 19 Meteor Swarm trap), a new system for generating encounters, and a mountain of equipment, magic items, and spells.
What do you guys think he means by "you now choose your bonus spells for arcane schools?"
What do you guys think he means by "you now choose your bonus spells for arcane schools?"
Presumably you won't be stuck with a predefined spell-like ability at even levels.
And isn't this more like a pre-preview? Or "preview #0"?
I would guess that an evocator would get a power like; 'Select one 2nd-level evocation spell that you can cast twice a day.' The type of thing that everyone would have house ruled anyways.
What do you guys think he means by "you now choose your bonus spells for arcane schools?"Presumably you won't be stuck with a predefined spell-like ability at even levels.
And isn't this more like a pre-preview? Or "preview #0"?
I suppose it is the pre-preview... but still.
Any other speculations from the blog post? Aren't you guys excited in the least bit?
RPG Superstar 2008 Top 32, 2011 Top 16
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I would guess that an evocator would get a power like; 'Select one 2nd-level evocation spell that you can cast twice a day.' The type of thing that everyone would have house ruled anyways.
Personally, I'm thinking it's more of select one from a list of 2 or 3, instead of leaving it open ended like any 2nd level evocation spell. This would keep the powers still in the core/iconic type abilities, instead of having a huge variation for campaigns that allow spells from any of the splatbook sources, etc. (not that it would be bad the other way, it's just my take on how it might be done.)
It should be easy to make the choices pretty open ended in your game if they're not that way.
I suppose it is the pre-preview... but still.Any other speculations from the blog post? Aren't you guys excited in the least bit?
I find trickling out a continuous stream of small "teasers" to be kind of lame (cf. 4th Edition D&D); "meta-teasers" (ie. teasers for teasers) are even lamer. If they released a whole section of the rules (like the ex-Combat Feats or the wizard schools), I'd be more interested.
I'm looking forward to some of the meat in the Beta version ... my question is, what day will the Beta be available for download on the website?
I second that question. I been wanting to switch my current game over to the Alpha, but with the Beta so close, I've been thinking of waiting. Some sort of more solid release date would be nice. I'm guessing it still August but is it the first half or the latter half?
I also wonder if there will slightly different release dates for the print version ( which I pre-ordered) and the the Downloadable PDF version.
I'm looking forward to some of the meat in the Beta version ... my question is, what day will the Beta be available for download on the website?
I second that question. I been wanting to switch my current game over to the Alpha, but with the Beta so close, I've been thinking of waiting. Some sort of more solid release date would be nice. I'm guessing it still August but is it the first half or the latter half?
I also wonder if there will slightly different release dates for the print version ( which I pre-ordered) and the the Downloadable PDF version.
The print version and the PDF should become available at the same time via the website. My guess for the date is the monday after GenCon.
The print version and the PDF should become available at the same time via the website. My guess for the date is the monday after GenCon.I'm looking forward to some of the meat in the Beta version ... my question is, what day will the Beta be available for download on the website?
I second that question. I been wanting to switch my current game over to the Alpha, but with the Beta so close, I've been thinking of waiting. Some sort of more solid release date would be nice. I'm guessing it still August but is it the first half or the latter half?
I also wonder if there will slightly different release dates for the print version ( which I pre-ordered) and the the Downloadable PDF version.
Once I found the Blog post about it, It sort of answered my questions.
I'm looking forward to some of the meat in the Beta version ... my question is, what day will the Beta be available for download on the website?
I second that question. I been wanting to switch my current game over to the Alpha, but with the Beta so close, I've been thinking of waiting. Some sort of more solid release date would be nice. I'm guessing it still August but is it the first half or the latter half?
I also wonder if there will slightly different release dates for the print version ( which I pre-ordered) and the the Downloadable PDF version.
This is exactly what I've been waiting for as well. I'm itching to switch my game over, but I don't feel confident making the changes to the npcs (or PCs for that matter!) until the Beta release.
So if they are released at the same time, the Monday after Gencon that's August 18th?
On the subject of the Blog. The book is 408 pages. The character sheet starts on 404. I hope that means we're getting the 4 page /11 x 17 version of the char sheet, and not just that there's 2 pages of ads in the back.
On the subject of the Blog. The book is 408 pages. The character sheet starts on 404. I hope that means we're getting the 4 page /11 x 17 version of the char sheet, and not just that there's 2 pages of ads in the back.
4 page, 11x17 character sheet!? That's crazy talk :)
Your use of the word "the" makes me think there is one already around that just hasn't been included -- did I miss something?
The standard 2-page compact sheet (for alpha 3) is a free download. It should be listed at the top of you 'My Downloads' page.
Director of Games
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On the subject of the Blog. The book is 408 pages. The character sheet starts on 404. I hope that means we're getting the 4 page /11 x 17 version of the char sheet, and not just that there's 2 pages of ads in the back.
There are a few ads in the back. I would have loved to do an 11x17 character sheet, but time was short.
Jason Bulmahn
Lead Designer
Paizo Publishing
The standard 2-page compact sheet (for alpha 3) is a free download. It should be listed at the top of you 'My Downloads' page.
That is a great sheet dude, I actually like that sheet better than any of the others that I have seen but, since when did spellcraft become a dex based skill? I think there was another skill or two that had the wrong ability scores listed as well. Not sure on that one though, spellcraft was the one that really stuck out. Looked in the Alpha and it was still Int based.
Charles
I find trickling out a continuous stream of small "teasers" to be kind of lame (cf. 4th Edition D&D); "meta-teasers" (ie. teasers for teasers) are even lamer. If they released a whole section of the rules (like the ex-Combat Feats or the wizard schools), I'd be more interested.
I suppose it is the pre-preview... but still.Any other speculations from the blog post? Aren't you guys excited in the least bit?
Well I certainly agree with you that the 4e teasers were super irritating I think this will be bit different. We'll have to see what exactly the 'teasers' are. For starters it's only a month off, they aren't going to be screwing around with worthless teaser previews for the next 9 months before the release.
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I been wanting to switch my current game over to the Alpha, but with the Beta so close, I've been thinking of waiting.
Question for you nblade and anyone else who's planning on switching over an existing campaign to the Beta rules-
The Alpha rules evolved several times (and somebody griped every time about players just getting used to Alpha 1 and then Alpha 2 changing things, etc.). I'm guessing that in the next year the Beta rules might get a few less-drastic patches, too. Does it make sense to convert an existing, beloved campaign to the Beta rules to use as a playtest?
Pros - You're already familiar with the characters so you could quickly tell if they are working right or not in Pathfinder, it will be easier to compare Pathfinder to 3.5, etc.
Cons - Is somebody going to get annoyed if their favorite character loses some ability or doesn't work as well as in 3.5? Is it going to bug folks to fix their characters every time a rule gets tweaked?
I'm not part of any on-going campaigns at the moment so this is an academic question for me, but I've been thinking about what is going to make the best playtest and return the best data for Paizo. I guess they'll need info on both new campaigns and converted campaigns, I'd just be a little nervous about putting a campaign that was going well through the potential roller coaster that a really thorough playtest should be.