blog

Here are some stories from behind the Dungeon Master's Screen. Be sure to check out Pen and Paper Portal for all of your nerdy needs.

Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition Released 

After months of teasing, Wizards of the Coast has finally released the Players Handbook, Dungeon Master Guide, and Monster Manual for Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. Out today with a MSRP of $34.99, the books can be picked up at your local comic book shop or online retailer. Sitting next to me I have copies of all three, so I will be able to fill in all of the gaps of information in the coming weeks. This also means that Pen and Paper Portal can kick in to full gear with D&D rules, including pre-made characters and campaign ideas, as well as comics and other fun content for your nerdy pleasure. Throw a bookmark on the site, you know you want to, we wont judge you here, and get ready to enjoy some more tabletop gaming. 

Preview: Combat in 4th Edition

Combat in Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition has been changed around to be more active, with the main focus being changed to be about movement. Several confusing rules from 3rd edition, mainly grappling, have been changed. Instead of a complicated procedure with several different checks being rolled and modifiers being added, the player simply rolls an strength check versus the enemies reflex save, and the target has a save against the attack every turn. While an opponent is grappled, the grappler (I guess that’s a word) can drag the enemy around the battleground, placing them wherever they want.

Many classes have been given moves that push or pull enemies several squares, with the rogue receiving the most abilities in this vein. One ability moves an enemy as many squares as the rogue’s charisma modifier, placing the foe exactly where they want him. Whether it is about moving someone away from the party as a distraction or towards them for a final assault, the amount of abilities with similar features to the one above will lead to a very different strategy game, giving Dungeon Masters plenty of new abilities and reasons not to set battles near cliffsides.

Preview: Epic Destinites in 4th Edition 

When it was first announced that Wizards of the Coast had chosen to raise the level cap of Dungeons & Dragons from 20 to 30 I was convinced that they were simply stretching out the game. I thought that a level 20 in 3rd Edition was going to be comparable to a level 30 in 4th. After reading about Epic Destinies I realized that I was very, very wrong, and leveling from 21-30 should be a very unique experience that adds a huge amount of customization.

“And once you’ve achieved so much, your epic destiny allows you a way to gracefully step aside, to make room for new generations of heroes to take up the fight. After all, your immortality is assured, whether in myth or in actuality (depending on the destiny you chose). Upon completing your epic quest, where you faced the greatest challenges of your career, your destiny describes why, after so many adventures, you finally take your leave of the mortal realm… and where you go next.” – Bruce Cordell

Completing an Epic Destiny quest is an actual endgame for your character, hitting the heights they have always wanted to hit. The DMG and PHB give good examples of Epic Destinies. Completing the quest will allow you to rise above what the rest of the world has been able to do and let you find your true place in the cosmos as an immortal, an Archmage, or whatever else you can dream of.

For me, the more interesting aspects of Epic Destinies are not the pre-made ones in the books, but the ones players will be able to come up with. In the past I have played characters that had extremely high hopes that were essentially unreachable without heavy rule breaking, including one character whose goal it was to become a god. Now, thanks to the expanded rule set and leveling, his dreams would not only be possible, but plausible. It will be up to the DM and the Player to decide what this level – their destiny – entails, and I can not wait to hear what everyone is able to come up with.

 
Related Articles:

PAX07: Wizards of the Coast Interview

R.I.P. - Gary Gygax Dies at 69

Dungeons & Dragons Online Module 7 Dated

Share this article: