17. You do not have to wear a Christmas tree of magic items to be a successful adventurer. Monsters are designed with normal characters in mind.
I'm really excited by this, but does this mean a further change from the current wealth system? Or is it simply a reference to the changes made in beta?
I'll have to see that before I believe it.
17. You do not have to wear a Christmas tree of magic items to be a successful adventurer. Monsters are designed with normal characters in mind.I'm really excited by this, but does this mean a further change from the current wealth system? Or is it simply a reference to the changes made in beta?
I would expect, given their desire for "backwards compatability" that the changes that were done in beta would be more likely.
17. You do not have to wear a Christmas tree of magic items to be a successful adventurer. Monsters are designed with normal characters in mind.I'm really excited by this, but does this mean a further change from the current wealth system? Or is it simply a reference to the changes made in beta?
Seems like a change in Monster design philosophy to me.
August is so darned far away!
I think this all depends on what the definition of "normal character" is.
I don't believe Jason meant it in the context of Farmer Joe, the "normal" npc, trying to slay dragons with his hoe and ploughshare.
That surely is not the definition of normal that Jason meant.
So I think he meant "normal character" in terms of a "normalized" D&D adventuring PC character. (yes, I know that's redundant, but I wanted it to be clear).
D&D adventuring PCs must rely on magic items. It's built into the core mechanics of the game.
But a "normal" D&D PC may not be an optimized D&D PC. He may not have the highest possible +x weapon, +x armor, +x ring of protection, +x cloak of resistance, and +x belt/hat/periapt/gloves/etc. of Ability Scores. He may not be walking around with rings of wishes and staves of the magi, carrying a quiver of his favorite rods and wands for all occasions.
A "normal character" in the sense of a D&D adventuring PC might just have 2nd best, or even 3rd best gear, because that's all he's found so far, and the Magic Emporium was closed this week.
I think this is the "normal character" that Jason was talking about.
It would be backwards compatible, it wouldn't turn Pathfinder into 4e, and it wouldn't involve redesigning the entire set of game mechanics. And, it wouldn't drive away everyone who likes magic item Christmas tree effects. Best of both worlds.
So at the risk of putting words in Jason's mouth, I'm going to bet, and hope, that this is what he meant.