So, in this month's preview column (April and Beyond), we got a glimpse of some entries from the upcoming Monster Vault: Threats to the Nentir Vale. Which is basically MM4, by any other name - new monsters, with the latest design, and apparently a much larger emphasis on flavor.
As far as I can tell, it paid off. The recent player options in Essentials have been interesting but haven't really wowed me. I'm looking forward to the upcoming Heroes of Shadows and Shadowfell boxed set, but mainly because my next campaign is likely to be Ravenloft.
But this book has me desperately awaiting for June to arrive, especially after seeing a sample from the book: The Wandering Tower. Because a tower-sized mimic populated by duplicating mimics, living walls, and blood-drinking ravens, with a half-dozen plot threads and story hooks to use with it, is pretty much 100% awesome.
Interesting. Is this product going to be a hardback release or a boxed set like the Essentials Monster Vault?
Supposedly the product will not be boxed, per se, but will be shrinkwrapped in plastic with the token sheets and map.
I need this product now. I have a peryton encounter coming up in a couple weeks and no peryton to use! And they didn't preview it! D:
I'm always of two minds with a product like this. As a general rule I'm not searching for a little self contained encounter or baby adventure. So I generally don't much care for things like plot hooks. I'd rather that sort of book emulate the Dungeon Delve hardback which was chalk full of that sort of thing.
On the other hand I sure do like my monsters to be generally more detailed so that element is nice. The tower also looks excellent in terms of monster design so that is nice.
But this book has me desperately awaiting for June to arrive, especially after seeing a sample from the book: The Wandering Tower. Because a tower-sized mimic populated by duplicating mimics, living walls, and blood-drinking ravens, with a half-dozen plot threads and story hooks to use with it, is pretty much 100% awesome.
Thanks! As one of the four designers of this project, I am pleased to see people getting excited about it. It will definitely be a more thorough product as far as detailed monsters/creatures go. As for its final media (boxed set or shrinkwrap), I have no clue. I'm hoping for a boxed set myself, but we'll have to wait I guess.
Thanks! As one of the four designers of this project, I am pleased to see people getting excited about it. It will definitely be a more thorough product as far as detailed monsters/creatures go. As for its final media (boxed set or shrinkwrap), I have no clue. I'm hoping for a boxed set myself, but we'll have to wait I guess.
But this book has me desperately awaiting for June to arrive, especially after seeing a sample from the book: The Wandering Tower. Because a tower-sized mimic populated by duplicating mimics, living walls, and blood-drinking ravens, with a half-dozen plot threads and story hooks to use with it, is pretty much 100% awesome.
I'm very glad to see 4e writing monsters with flavor now, rather than just overlarge statblocks with a few scant lines of generic prose like in the 4e MM. And I've always been a fan of the penanggalan. Good to see them back.