So, lots of new coming out from GenCon, and what sounds like some really exciting stuff. For those who haven't seen any of it, Critical Hits has been covering most of it.
Some key things coming in 2011:
-Mordenkenian’s Magical Emporium is the new magic item book, basically "Adventurer's Vault 3" but with a much bigger focus on the story for items. Additionally, all magical items will be classified as 'Common', 'Uncommon' or 'Rare', with Rare items being more unique and powerful items that can only be handed out by the DM.
-Shadowfell supplement coming out, but as a fulled boxed set. So not just the planar book itself, but also maps and more, including a 'Despair Deck' for inflicting mental effects upon PCs, similar to rules in the past for Ravenloft, places of horror, etc.
-Speaking of which: Ravenloft. Late 2011 release, functional either as a standalone game or usable as part of a normal D&D game.
-Another Monster Vault book, which also includes monster tokens and poster maps. I really like this, since I'm always a fan of more maps to draw from, and including those in the monster books will be a big draw for me.
-Player's Handbook: Champions of the Heroic Tier. Looks like this will focus very heavily on new options and roleplaying elements, including both themes (as seen in Dark Sun) and non-combat options like Blacksmith and other background professions. We've seen more and more attempts at this sort of this thing (in backgrounds, themes, etc), and sounds like WotC is finally buckling down and codifying them once and for all.
-Conquest of Nerath, a new D&D board game. I do like seeing more and more D&D non-RPG stuff, as it seems a good way to expand the hobby recognition and draw in new players.
-Neverwinter Campaign Guide, a new supplement for Forgotten Realms. Interesting, since the original plan was not to have extra books for the released settings. I'm betting this is aimed at drawing in players of the Neverwinter Nights video games... and wouldn't be surprised if we hear about a 4E CRPG version in the near future.
Those are some of the ones that caught my mind. Sounds like a lot of responses to player feedback (more focus on story, more support for non-combat options, etc.)
Some other random comments from the panels, it sounded like there was talk of work on a book focusing on Skill Challenges; one of the jobs for Mike Mearls is now to try and super-edit books to really catch possible need for errata before it hits print; several alternate treasure systems will be showing up in Essentials and elsewhere, including the return of random magic item tables; DMG3 is on hold while they wait for more groups to hit Epic, and might not be seen until 2012.
I'm just impressed they kept so much under wraps. I was really not expecting half this many big announcements, but apparently they've got a lot of new ideas in the works, and quite a few I already can't wait for...
I admit this helps allay some of my fears of the direction. They're still not matching all my druthers, but it's not my company . . .
I have to admit that this set of previews is disappointing to me. They seem to be focusing a lot on undead campaigns (Shadowfell box set, Ravenloft RPG), which is fine, but I already feel I have an undead book for 4e and don't feel any need for special focus in that area (I would have preferred a feywild sourcebook). Also, I appreciated WotC's previous stance of not coming out with new sourcebooks for each setting, but they seem to be breaking from that with Neverwinter. Lastly, they don't seem to be coming out with a Campaign setting (unless you count the Ravenloft RPG), which has been something I've always looked forward to.
As far as the Essentials and Player's Options line - it appears that they are making improvements to the game and presentation, which is good. However, I already have the game and I'll only be picking these items up for the latest updates to the rules (for example, the Rules Compendium is something I feel is needed). But it doesn't necessarily excite me.
I liked the way WotC was putting out books - a new book for each planar realm, a PHB#, DMG#, MM#, a campaign setting with 3 supporting books and that's it, a book that emphasised a type of creature (dragons, demons, undead, etc.) - but they seem to be breaking from this release format. Of course, WotC needs to make money and probably is changing gears a little to meet demand. Most of the people on Enworld seem excited about these previews. Am I alone in feeling underwhelmed?
Whimsy Chris wrote: Most of the people on Enworld seem excited about these previews. Am I alone in feeling underwhelmed? The only title which may catch my attention, is the Forgotten Realms Neverwinter book.
But yeah, the other 2011 WotC titles feel kind of underwhelming to me.
Whimsy Chris wrote: I liked the way WotC was putting out books - a new book for each planar realm, a PHB#, DMG#, MM#, a campaign setting with 3 supporting books and that's it, a book that emphasised a type of creature (dragons, demons, undead, etc.) - but they seem to be breaking from this release format. Of course, WotC needs to make money and probably is changing gears a little to meet demand. Most of the people on Enworld seem excited about these previews. Am I alone in feeling underwhelmed? I don't think thats an unreasonable position to have - though I think some of the stuff you are interested in will still be there, just is somewhat hidden away in the new presentation.
We're still getting monster books, with Monster Vault for Essentials, along with the 2011 one, so I think they are just a renamed Monster Manual accompanied with some accesories.
No immediate DMG - but the two books of optional rules, and the idea of a future book focusing on Skill Challenges, sound like just the sort of stuff that would show up in the DMG, just spread out in more focused products.
We aren't getting any more books listed in the 'Martial Power' series (as desperate as my Invoker is for a Divine Power 2)... but I think the Heroes of Shadow book will be having more options for existing classes, and the Essentials classes themselves are somewhat taking the role of new builds for many classes.
We're getting the Shadowfell as the new planar book, and Feywild is supposedly on the way after that. No mention of a 'monster' book, though they have hit most of the big ones... though I remain eager for a 'Codex of Betrayal' for Devils.
Ravenloft seems likely to fill the role for the 2011 setting, along with some expanded stuff for the Core setting like with the Nentir Vale book, and we might potentially see more standalone adventure sites like Hammerfast.
The Neverwinter Night book breaks the pattern of no future supplements for existing settings... but again, I suspect that ties into drawing in the video game ground, rather than setting a general trend for more setting books.
So one or two areas with less material, one or two areas with more, but the difference is much smaller than it looks... it is just a huge change in presentation. We've got different names for the products and material spread out in different sources.
Some of which seems focused on, alongside Essentials, drawing in new players. Some of which seems a response to feedback, what with the greater emphasis on story and flavor.
Now, the danger of course is that too much focus on those elements means leaving current players without any big things to sell. I'm hoping that doesn't become the case. I'm hoping what we've heard about thus far isn't all of their upcoming releases... just the ones they want to mention now because they are so new.
I like a lot of what is coming out, definitely. I'm hoping we'll see some more stuff like Divine Power 2 alongside it - or that some of these products will be including that sort of material in them in ways we haven't yet seen...
Matthew Koelbl wrote: I'm betting this is aimed at drawing in players of the Neverwinter Nights video games... and wouldn't be surprised if we hear about a 4E CRPG version in the near future. I would - they'd be in serious breach of contract with Turbine (DDO).
Ravenloft as a standalone RPG? Meaning I don't have to buy the bazillion other books? Count me IN! Ravenloft rules!
@Whimsy Chris: There is no such thing as too many undead references...
Jeremy Mac Donald wrote: Matthew Koelbl wrote: I'm betting this is aimed at drawing in players of the Neverwinter Nights video games... and wouldn't be surprised if we hear about a 4E CRPG version in the near future. I would - they'd be in serious breach of contract with Turbine (DDO). Even if it wasn't an MMO? Since it certainly seems likely something is on the way (there was mention of some upcoming announcement coming from Atari). I suppose we'll have to wait and see...
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Jeremy Mac Donald wrote: Matthew Koelbl wrote: I'm betting this is aimed at drawing in players of the Neverwinter Nights video games... and wouldn't be surprised if we hear about a 4E CRPG version in the near future. I would - they'd be in serious breach of contract with Turbine (DDO). As far as I know Turbine does not have an exclusive right to a D&D MMO, there was an issue with Hasbro and Atari recently over Atari working on getting a new MMO made, but it had nothing to do with Turbine, the issue was the company they picked, Hasbro considered competion to their main business, which was against Atari's contract with Hasbro.
Matthew Koelbl wrote: Even if it wasn't an MMO? Since it certainly seems likely something is on the way (there was mention of some upcoming announcement coming from Atari). I suppose we'll have to wait and see... This scares me. I really want a good 4e based CRPG. But Atari has a horrid, terrible, record as a publisher for D&D games. There are many better publishers out there that WotC could have gone to to ensure proper support for whatever design studio gets the project.
Matthew Koelbl wrote:
-Neverwinter Campaign Guide, a new supplement for Forgotten Realms. Interesting, since the original plan was not to have extra books for the released settings. I'm betting this is aimed at drawing in...
Interesting but not a big surprise. I liked the philosophy of no extra books, but also realze that things change. Imagine that the new Dark Sun setting sells more than both the FR and EB settings combined and fans are clamoring for more content. WoTC would be crazy to not produce more content.
Did they have the new Castle Ravenloft Board game there ? And if so did anyone get a chance to really look at.
Thanks
Stanc
StanC wrote: Did they have the new Castle Ravenloft Board game there ? And if so did anyone get a chance to really look at.
Thanks
Stanc
I believe Mr. Mona had chance to play it.
Looks like they put out some videos on the D&D website.
One looks to be someone from the company explaining what comes in the game and all. The other 2 looks to be from Gen con.
They have also put out rule book in PDF format.
The Jade wrote: StanC wrote: Did they have the new Castle Ravenloft Board game there ? And if so did anyone get a chance to really look at.
Thanks
Stanc
I believe Mr. Mona had chance to play it. Yeah, and actually has a pretty enthused review here.
What sounds really cool to me is that people were playing it in an hour and a half or so, including the time to explain and learn the rules. After some recent experiences with great boardgames that nonetheless go on forever, something faster paced is appealing.
Matthew Koelbl wrote: What sounds really cool to me is that people were playing it in an hour and a half or so, including the time to explain and learn the rules. After some recent experiences with great boardgames that nonetheless go on forever, something faster paced is appealing. Agreed.
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