Back a bit ago WotC announced they were cutting some books and the minis line and other things and the cry went out far and wide that they were doomed. To be fair if WotC had changed the name of a book or the cover art there would be people out there on teh internets claiming it was a sign of their near death.
One of the books that met the gallows that day was "Class Compendium: Heroes of Sword and Spell". It's purpose was to update some of the earlier PHB classes to the new Essentials format. It was never high on my list as something to get; PHB classes and Essentials classes are still equal. But it would have been nice to see some of the content.
So Wizards has released the Marshal, which is the Essentials version of the Warlord.
And they have done it for free. In Dragon Magazine 397.
You can download the Marshal from Wizard's site here, http://www.wizards.com/DnD/Article.aspx?x=dnd/dra/201103warlord
I checked from other browsers to make sure my DDI password was not cached in. It is free.
So if you have not looked into the Essentials classes yet here is a good example.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Happy Birthday Lucy Lawless
In celebration of who might very well be the biggest reason most people come to my blog, here is a happy birthday to Lucy Lawless, aka Xena.
And since DC Women Kicking Ass has declared Xena an honorary DC ass-kicking woman, here are some stats for her for DC Adventures/Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Ed.
I am going with the idea here that Xena might be more than just human.
Xena, Warrior Princess - PL 8
Strength 4, Stamina 4, Agility 4, Dexterity 3, Fighting 5, Intellect 2, Awareness 2, Presence 3
Advantages
All-out Attack, Attractive 2, Chokehold, Connected, Contacts, Defensive Roll 3, Diehard, Equipment 2, Improved Critical: Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Leadership, Power Attack, Precise Attack (All) 4, Skill Mastery: Close Combat, Skill Mastery: Ranged Combat
Skills
Acrobatics 6 (+10), Athletics 6 (+10), Close Combat: Sword 4 (+9), Insight 2 (+4), Intimidation 6 (+9), Perception 6 (+8), Persuasion 6 (+9), Ranged Combat: Chakram 8 (+11), Stealth 4 (+8), Treatment 1 (+3)
Powers
Leaping: Leaping 1 (Leap 15 feet at 4 miles/hour)
Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1 (DC 11, Advantages: Chokehold; Grab-based)
Protection: Protection 2 (+2 Toughness)
Regeneration: Regeneration 1 (Every 10 rounds)
Equipment
Chakram (Boomerang), Sword
Offense
Initiative +4
Chakram, +11 (DC 20)
Grab, +5 (DC Spec 14)
Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1, +3 (DC Fort 11)
Sword, +9 (DC 22)
Throw, +3 (DC 19)
Unarmed, +5 (DC 19)
Complications
Honor
Motivation: Doing Good
Relationship
Languages
Greek
Defense
Dodge 7, Parry 7, Fortitude 8, Toughness 9/6, Will 4
Power Points
Abilities 54 + Powers 8 + Advantages 22 + Skills 25 (49 ranks) + Defenses 11 = 120
And since DC Women Kicking Ass has declared Xena an honorary DC ass-kicking woman, here are some stats for her for DC Adventures/Mutants & Masterminds 3rd Ed.
I am going with the idea here that Xena might be more than just human.
Xena, Warrior Princess - PL 8
Strength 4, Stamina 4, Agility 4, Dexterity 3, Fighting 5, Intellect 2, Awareness 2, Presence 3
Advantages
All-out Attack, Attractive 2, Chokehold, Connected, Contacts, Defensive Roll 3, Diehard, Equipment 2, Improved Critical: Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1, Improved Grab, Improved Hold, Leadership, Power Attack, Precise Attack (All) 4, Skill Mastery: Close Combat, Skill Mastery: Ranged Combat
Skills
Acrobatics 6 (+10), Athletics 6 (+10), Close Combat: Sword 4 (+9), Insight 2 (+4), Intimidation 6 (+9), Perception 6 (+8), Persuasion 6 (+9), Ranged Combat: Chakram 8 (+11), Stealth 4 (+8), Treatment 1 (+3)
Powers
Leaping: Leaping 1 (Leap 15 feet at 4 miles/hour)
Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1 (DC 11, Advantages: Chokehold; Grab-based)
Protection: Protection 2 (+2 Toughness)
Regeneration: Regeneration 1 (Every 10 rounds)
Equipment
Chakram (Boomerang), Sword
Offense
Initiative +4
Chakram, +11 (DC 20)
Grab, +5 (DC Spec 14)
Nerve Pinch: Suffocation 1, +3 (DC Fort 11)
Sword, +9 (DC 22)
Throw, +3 (DC 19)
Unarmed, +5 (DC 19)
Complications
Honor
Motivation: Doing Good
Relationship
Languages
Greek
Defense
Dodge 7, Parry 7, Fortitude 8, Toughness 9/6, Will 4
Power Points
Abilities 54 + Powers 8 + Advantages 22 + Skills 25 (49 ranks) + Defenses 11 = 120
Wanted to Trade
Hey out there!
So I have a couple copies of the 4th Edition "Manual of the Planes" and a copy of the 1st Edition "Manual of the Planes" that I'd like to trade for a 3rd edition version.
The 4e one is in very good condition. A couple of the pages have had some corners bent by accident, but I have it sandwiched between some heavy books and that should fix it. That is all that is keeping it from being in Mint status.
The 1st Ed one is in really sad shape. It has one of those "Dragon Skin" covers on it that has melted to the cover. The book is stained a bit and the binding is loose. It is in poor to fair shape. You can still turn the pages and read them all. But I don't want to play this one up, it is in sad shape.
I'd like a 3e version if anyone would part with one. Just email me or post something below.
I am not at home at the moment, or otherwise I'd post pictures.
So I have a couple copies of the 4th Edition "Manual of the Planes" and a copy of the 1st Edition "Manual of the Planes" that I'd like to trade for a 3rd edition version.
The 4e one is in very good condition. A couple of the pages have had some corners bent by accident, but I have it sandwiched between some heavy books and that should fix it. That is all that is keeping it from being in Mint status.
The 1st Ed one is in really sad shape. It has one of those "Dragon Skin" covers on it that has melted to the cover. The book is stained a bit and the binding is loose. It is in poor to fair shape. You can still turn the pages and read them all. But I don't want to play this one up, it is in sad shape.
I'd like a 3e version if anyone would part with one. Just email me or post something below.
I am not at home at the moment, or otherwise I'd post pictures.
Monday, March 28, 2011
A to Z blog challenge, update
Getting ready for the A to Z April blog challenge. I see there are a lot of RPG bloggers taking part too. That is great, I can't wait to see what everyone does.
I have a tentative schedule and even some posts in the starting phase. Trouble is I keep re-doing my posts for A, B and C! That and I have two Hs, no J yet. Though I think I just came up with something....
I have some game posts, but I am also using this as an excuse to post some non-rpg, non-horror content.
Hey! If you have a blog and are going to participate post a link to blog below so others can also see what you do!
Here are some I am going to follow.
I have a tentative schedule and even some posts in the starting phase. Trouble is I keep re-doing my posts for A, B and C! That and I have two Hs, no J yet. Though I think I just came up with something....
I have some game posts, but I am also using this as an excuse to post some non-rpg, non-horror content.
Hey! If you have a blog and are going to participate post a link to blog below so others can also see what you do!
Here are some I am going to follow.
- B/X Blackrazor
- Gaming All Over the Place
- Lands of Ara
- Sword +1
- Sea of Stars
- Places to Go, People to Be (still one of my favorite RPG sayings ever)
- Old School Heretic
- Porky's Expanse!
- Asshat Paladins
- Grognardia
- Grubb Street
- The Dump Stat
- A Hamsterish Hoard of Dungeons and Dragons
- Calvin's Canadian Cave of Coolness
Ands a few new blogs to me that are also participating.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Reviews: Eden Studios / Misfit Studios Edition
Some more reviews, my goal is to have my review queue cleaned out by the end of 2011.
Here are some of my favorite products from two of my favorite publishers, Eden Studios and Misfit Studios. They had a partnership a while back and produced some really good products.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?cPath=299_4530&affiliate_id=10748
Armageddon: Armed Force
For a while Misfit Studios and Eden Studios worked on a partnership, one of the outcomes of that partnership was this new book for the Armageddon game. Filled with just tons of information on real world and the world of 2018 military equipment. Plus a bunch of new qualities that would also work great for WitchCraft or even Conspiracy X. Great map of the conflicts and what is going on in the war, new combat rules for Unisystem. Not to mention new magic and monsters. If you play Unisystem and need any type of military information then this is the book you need. If you play Armageddon, then this is the book you need.
5 out of 5 starts
Armageddon: Enemies Archived
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too many monsters. And in the post-Reckoning world of Armageddon, this is also true. This book contains a number of horrible beasts that rose up after the reckoning occurred. Some have always been around, others are new to this realm. Written by Steven Trustrum for Misfit Studios under license from Eden studios. This book is a fantastic guide that is perfect for any Classic Unisystem game or even Cinematic Unisystem. It's faux military dossier style makes it perfect for Conspiracy X or even an Initiative based Buffy/Angel game.
5 out of 5 starts
Odyssey Prime
Odyssey Prime is a fantastic premise that was perfect for the time. What if all your d20 (and Unisystem) worlds were connected? One part Armageddon: The End Times, one part Conspiracy X and one part Stargate SG1, the Odyssey Prime Mission was to "seek out new life and new worlds, and get to them before ours blows up!". Some examples were given of various d20 products from many publishers on how link in their product to this one. Pluses: Great use of the d20 system to do a variety of things (military, tech and magic). Built in excuse to use all your d20 books in one game. Minues: Lacked product support since the line was delayed. Still a fun game though and one I would enjoy seeing come back.
4 out of 5 starts
Odyssey Prime: Southern Discomfort
Odyssey Prime was a noble experiment. Take all the d20 worlds you can grab (or buy) and link them all together with a Stargate like device to transversing the multiverse. And for good measure include the in-house rules of Unisystem.
The game was a great idea, but something about it never caught on with everyone. Regardless the ideas are sound and this is a good adventure based on the simple idea that everything is better with velociraptors.
Worth it for the dino-stats alone really.
4 out of 5 starts
Here are some of my favorite products from two of my favorite publishers, Eden Studios and Misfit Studios. They had a partnership a while back and produced some really good products.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?cPath=299_4530&affiliate_id=10748
Armageddon: Armed Force
For a while Misfit Studios and Eden Studios worked on a partnership, one of the outcomes of that partnership was this new book for the Armageddon game. Filled with just tons of information on real world and the world of 2018 military equipment. Plus a bunch of new qualities that would also work great for WitchCraft or even Conspiracy X. Great map of the conflicts and what is going on in the war, new combat rules for Unisystem. Not to mention new magic and monsters. If you play Unisystem and need any type of military information then this is the book you need. If you play Armageddon, then this is the book you need.
5 out of 5 starts
Armageddon: Enemies Archived
You can never be too rich, too thin or have too many monsters. And in the post-Reckoning world of Armageddon, this is also true. This book contains a number of horrible beasts that rose up after the reckoning occurred. Some have always been around, others are new to this realm. Written by Steven Trustrum for Misfit Studios under license from Eden studios. This book is a fantastic guide that is perfect for any Classic Unisystem game or even Cinematic Unisystem. It's faux military dossier style makes it perfect for Conspiracy X or even an Initiative based Buffy/Angel game.
5 out of 5 starts
Odyssey Prime
Odyssey Prime is a fantastic premise that was perfect for the time. What if all your d20 (and Unisystem) worlds were connected? One part Armageddon: The End Times, one part Conspiracy X and one part Stargate SG1, the Odyssey Prime Mission was to "seek out new life and new worlds, and get to them before ours blows up!". Some examples were given of various d20 products from many publishers on how link in their product to this one. Pluses: Great use of the d20 system to do a variety of things (military, tech and magic). Built in excuse to use all your d20 books in one game. Minues: Lacked product support since the line was delayed. Still a fun game though and one I would enjoy seeing come back.
4 out of 5 starts
Odyssey Prime: Southern Discomfort
Odyssey Prime was a noble experiment. Take all the d20 worlds you can grab (or buy) and link them all together with a Stargate like device to transversing the multiverse. And for good measure include the in-house rules of Unisystem.
The game was a great idea, but something about it never caught on with everyone. Regardless the ideas are sound and this is a good adventure based on the simple idea that everything is better with velociraptors.
Worth it for the dino-stats alone really.
4 out of 5 starts
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Dragonslayers vs White Plume Mountain, Part 2
We continued on with White Plume Mountain.
The Dragon Slayers made their way through and fought the giant crab protector of Wave. They got the idea really fast about not poking the semi-solid membrane and they even remembered to shut all the doors in case it did break.
They are now in the inverted ziggurat room they defeated the first water layer and the dessert layer. Then pizza came and the combat was held for another day. I have mentioned that there are other groups of adventures here also looking for the other items, Blackrazor and Wave (they are supposed to get Whelm for Omar), but I have not pulled them out yet. I think I will do that next session.
Also the final battle will be with Keraptis and Dragotha. Dragotha will swoop down and grab the PC holding one of the items and carry them off to the Cave of Bones. Cheesy I know, but it works.
I have the 3.5 update for WPM and while it is nice to have the stats for the monsters handy I don't care for how the weapons have been re-done as legacy weapons. Even with everything that you need to do to get the powers up and going they seem less interesting than they did under 1st Ed. I am thinking of just using the 1st ed stats to be honest, not even really upping them.
Might get some more in tomorrow.
The Dragon Slayers made their way through and fought the giant crab protector of Wave. They got the idea really fast about not poking the semi-solid membrane and they even remembered to shut all the doors in case it did break.
They are now in the inverted ziggurat room they defeated the first water layer and the dessert layer. Then pizza came and the combat was held for another day. I have mentioned that there are other groups of adventures here also looking for the other items, Blackrazor and Wave (they are supposed to get Whelm for Omar), but I have not pulled them out yet. I think I will do that next session.
Also the final battle will be with Keraptis and Dragotha. Dragotha will swoop down and grab the PC holding one of the items and carry them off to the Cave of Bones. Cheesy I know, but it works.
I have the 3.5 update for WPM and while it is nice to have the stats for the monsters handy I don't care for how the weapons have been re-done as legacy weapons. Even with everything that you need to do to get the powers up and going they seem less interesting than they did under 1st Ed. I am thinking of just using the 1st ed stats to be honest, not even really upping them.
Might get some more in tomorrow.
Zatannurday: Adam Hughes
I have mentioned elsewhere that I think Adam Hughes might be my favorite artist for Wonder Woman. He also does a very awesome Zatanna.
This might one of his most recognized versions of Zee.
And this one,
And let us not forget this awesome piece of all the DC women.
He keeps his Deviant Art page updated as well and you can visit his Zatanna gallery here, http://adamhughes.deviantart.com/gallery/27635250
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