Rocky M, NC The Annual Geekdom Report...

Thank you! Thank you, thank you... and thank you. Well to kick things off let me just say it's been far too long since we've come together as a group so I had to make a virtual appearance.

Next month HALO 3 will be released on the X-Box 360. Everybody knows that... but did you know they were releasing a limited edition HALO X-BOX 360? You did... darn. Anyway it looks as though we'll be adding one to our house in the coming months. Getting a weekly game should definately be on the agenda.

Speaking of HALO... Red vs. Blue Season Five should be out at Game Stop now. For those who haven't been following be sure to check out the latest episodes at rvb.roosterteeth.com

This past week was Gen Con... the big announcement... D&D is going to 4th edition. Beginning release in May with the PHB. From what i've seen of the system I think it might be pretty good. I haven't been this excited about a product in a while. Although I'm trying to remain reserved and take a wait and see approach.

On the DragonLance front... DragonLance Movie will be releaed this Winter... most likely limited release and straight to DvD for the rest of us. Lucy Lawless is the voice of Goldmoon for those who were curious.

That's all we have time for... remember tune in to Potterwatch for your next update real soon... Accio 360.

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

Where is GenCon usually held? It looks like fun (I haven't been to any cons though there was Castlecon I was invited to but never went) and I'd like to go sometime. My Halo 3 should be in on the 25th since I preordered it. If there is a group get together, I can bring it for Multiplayer if you guys like

 

gen-con is usually in indy and is loads of fun

 

If I am ever there I will check it out then. Kinda far away tho :/

 

About D&D, it just seems that it was not long ago that 3rd edition came out.

About Dragonlance, there's a movie? Animated?

 

Aye... 3rd came out about 7 years ago... with 3.5 coming out about 4 years ago... all in all it seems a bit early to be moving to a new edition this soon. However, after reading several of the playtest reports and hearing on what exactly they are changing, I feel confident that it is time for the new edition. A lot of the rules they are changing feel like a natural progression from 3rd. Whereas 3rd could not change everything that needed changing... 4th is not hindered by those limitations. One example is the Cleric's Turn Undead ability... a hold over from previous editions that makes you consult different charts. I'm getting more and more excited about 4th but I'm still trying to reserve judgement until I can get my hands on the books.

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

You can find out more about the DragonLance movie here and here

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

4th EDITION?? Holy sushi, batman, that's crazy!

 

Wow, I just can't quite absorb that...4th Edition.
Man, they had better not screw any of the good stuff up.

I mean, sure...we've seen the Paladins of the Nine Alignments, Ninjas not of an Oriental Setting, A Complete Book on the Demonweb Pits, which I struggled with to buy in Florida. I had the book in my hands, and I put it back--and bought a bunch of the Drizz't books I havent read yet. better deal

 

On the 4th edition front... from what I've seen their goal is to make each class have something viable and fun every level... to achieve this they have gone back to the four archetypes... Fighter, Cleric, Thief, & Wizard... from that they made roles... Defender, Leader, Striker and Controller. A Defender is a Tank... usually wrapped in heavy armor can take a hell of a beating ( from multiple sources ) and deal good damage. A Leader can grant bonuses on the battle field including healing. A Striker is a single target Direct Damage dealer that uses fast movement or stealth to deal damage. A Controller usually ties up a few enemies at a time so they can be tackled one on one.

A couple more high points include... unlimited abilities. A Wizard may only have 2 or 3 really big spells but can cast say Magic Missles all day long. Abilities are broken down into three categories... per day use / per encounter use / at will use. Even if a character has spent all of their 'per day' abilities they are still at 80%.

Another great concept is the "Points of Light" approach. It has become the norm for a D&D campaign to have ruling "kingdoms" in place streching from coast to coast... governing over all within their borders. Instead the norm will start closer to home. First few adventures will be in a small hamlet and tales of your bravary and deeds will travel to lead you to far away lands to explore. Roads will not be well maintained being as there is no governing kingdom. Bandits and monsters will just be taking what they want and the "Heroes" will have to stop them. Sound interesting yet?

Machanicswise... feats are being changed so there are no dud feats ( keeping fingers crossed on that one ). Skills are going to mean something. Saves and AC are getting overhauled to flow more easily. You will no longer make a saving throw but instead have a set number that will have to be beat. Casters make attack roles and can crit with spells . Touch and Flat-Footed AC are gone... not sure how all of this is going to go down but I'm hoping its easy to remember and plays as fast as they are claiming. Also... grapple, trip and other special maneuvers are going to be incorporated into the system instead of added on.

Here's to the future... /raises a glass of the Blue stuff.

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

Of course as soon as I post a date they change it... instead of releasing the PHB in May, MM in June and DMG in July they are releasing all three in June. Bad news is PHB is delayed one month... good news is all three will be out at the same time... though that becomes bad news for my wallet. Anyway they are offering a package with all three books with a slip cover case... early reports state it's .10 more... not sure why they wouldn't offer the set at a reduced rate... or atleast include a DM Screen with the set. Anyway just a quickie news bit to enlighten your day.

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

Very nice. I will be getting all of those as well.
Well, it appears that from march to the end of 2008 we will be in Portsmouth doing absolutely nothing. I should have alot more free time than I've had in a long time. perhaps we can weed through our schedules and maybe even get together for a campaign??

 

Don't worry, a campaign is in the making... I've been tossing a few ideas around... if things were not so hectic I'd be running a game right now. As it is... the first of the year we may see a last hurrah game for 3.5... followed by the year long story arch I have mostly hammered out in my mind using all 4th edition rules. The great thing about story archs... they are systemless .

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

Click here for the trailer of DragonLance that was shown at Gen Con this past year.

Lod-Reh SaJon ~
"If you seek knowledge and understanding look to the Force,
If you seek pain and suffering look no further than me."

 

I know this isn't a 'social' thread, but I just wanted to pop in and say: Season?s Greetings, Rocky Mount!

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