The new edition of the Savage Worlds supers setting is out, and it’s fantastic. All the rules you need to create super powered characters, a complete campaign, full color throughout, in the digest-sized Explorer Edition format, $20. Absolutely wonderful. Everything you need, except the core rules, is in this book. More like this, please. In … Continue reading
As I’ve stated many time before, the mechanics used to run a roleplaying game do matter, but what matters most is the context that those rules provide. Or, alternately, the context you provide to the rules. It’s a matter of when the rules matter, and how they matter. In preparing to run a 4th Edition … Continue reading
To celebrate the inclusion of two of my articles on shemping in the Open Game Table anthology (on sale now!), I’ve written an all-new article on shemping for your gamemastering pleasure. Previously, we’ve talked about using the stas for one character or creature as stand-ins for completely different characters or creatures. Placing mechanics completely aside … Continue reading
In my career as a gamer I’ve sat on either side of a lot of screens, both commercial and homemade, and I’ve got to say that this is one of the best-looking, best-constructed screens I’ve ever seen. It’s a four-panel, landscape oriented screen, which is not a new idea, but that’s okay. I like the … Continue reading
In addition to the Race and Classes I’ve previously written about, there are several other new bits worth mentioning. Racial Paragon Paths In addition to Class Paragon Paths, there are now Racial Paragon Paths. These can be chosen at 11th level instead of, rather than in addition to, Class Paragon Paths. There’s one for each … Continue reading
The PHB2 introduces eight new playable Classes to 4th Edition Dungeons & Dragons. Four of these are old favorites — Bard, Barbarian, Druid, and Sorcerer. Four of these are brand new. X of them rely on the new Primal Power Source. Avenger Av Avenger is a specially trained holy warrior, “imbued with the power to … Continue reading
The PHB2 introduces five playable races to Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. Two of these are “old” — the Gnome and the Half-orc make their return. Three of these are new, the Deva (previously seen as “Astral Deva” in monster books), the Goliath, and the Shifter. Deva are astral beings made flesh, immortal spirits reincarnated … Continue reading
I make no apologies for being one of the people who threw a hissy fit when gnomes weren’t available as a player character race in the 4th Edition Player’s Handbook. My 2nd-even D&D character, back in 1st Edition D&D, was a gnome (and my first character shouldn’t even really count, because I only played him … Continue reading
Admittedly, it’s gotten easier to create a Bard player character over the years. In 1st Edition AD&D, the Bard only appeared in the appendix as a ridiculously complicated advanced class. To even qualify as a Bard, you had to have a 15 in Strength, Dexterity, Wisdom and Charisma. You also had to have at least … Continue reading
In the Sunday afternoon World of Darkness game I’m currently playing in, we sit around on comfy chairs and sofas in Jason Corley (the storyteller)’s living room, in a game that’s largely conversational with occasional die rolls. There are no props, maps, miniatures or anything of that sort. While it drives Jason crazy, because he’d … Continue reading
