Comments on: Gnome Stew Has a Pre-Release Copy of the PHB 2: Article Coming on the 13th

By: CoarseDragon

CoarseDragon — Thu, 12 Mar 2009 20:39:48 +0000

@Sarlax: You probably already know you can retrain any Power or Feat at any level. I would hold players to that unless the book makes a provision otherwise (but I doubt that). Very interested in Backgrounds as DocRyder mentioned. Perhaps a quick break down of Racial Abilities that seem to be interesting. Thanks.

By: DocRyder

DocRyder — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 06:04:20 +0000

I'm interested in how difficult adding backgrounds into an existing game, or if the mechanic is even truly workable. Seems like something (from the little bit I've seen) that could really be abused by players. Let us know.

By: Canon Puncture 61: License to Roll : Canon Puncture

Canon Puncture 61: License to Roll : Canon Puncture — Wed, 11 Mar 2009 01:52:42 +0000

[...] Uncle Bear - The Chatty DM - Gnome Stew has some pics [...]

By: coolcyclone2000

coolcyclone2000 — Sun, 08 Mar 2009 23:25:11 +0000

How heavy is the focus on melee oriented characters/races/abilities? Are there good feats/abilities to balance the divine and arcane power users?

By: Martin Ralya

Martin Ralya — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 17:58:22 +0000

Thank you for the suggestions! I've also been getting good ideas from my fellow gnomes, and from readers who've pinged me on Facebook. No suggestions from Twitter yet, but we'll see.

By: Swordgleam

Swordgleam — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 14:56:24 +0000

Since I've heard the PHB2 has one each of primal striker, leader, defender and controller, a brief note on the workability of an all-primal party would be great. (I know the roles are interchangeable in theory. I also know a warlord doesn't have nearly as many heals as a cleric.)

By: Barmp

Barmp — Sat, 07 Mar 2009 08:13:11 +0000

I would be most interested in the new feats, how they stack up the PHB1 and if they are useful for all characters or slanted towards just the newly introduced ones. Are more magic items introduced? If so how do they compare to PHB1?

By: zencorners

zencorners — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 15:39:27 +0000

I'd like to know what crunchy bits are most exciting. I've recently come back to GMing D&D in general, and only just getting my feet wet with 4e. I've been winging an Eberron game based on 3e source so this is a big thing for my players (lots of 3e & 3.5 experience). Also, as a GM what classes make the most sense for NPCs.

By: Monoxide

Monoxide — Fri, 06 Mar 2009 04:27:00 +0000

I would like to read about how to incorperate the source material into your exsisting campaign. Also, how to build encounters using whats new and shiny without overloading. Lastly, I would love a comparison to PH1 and how the classes can blend into a functional party. Thanks.

By: Troy E. Taylor

Troy E. Taylor — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:07:23 +0000

All I know about the PH2 is that my long nightmare is over ….

… I can play gnome bard once again.

By: Kurt "Telas" Schneider

Kurt "Telas" Schneider — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 19:03:13 +0000

If this doesn't give us an ENnie nomination, it's clobbering time!

By: Sarlax

Sarlax — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 17:22:37 +0000

How about dealing with players who want to make big changes to their characters because new material is available? In a game like D&D that uses levels, a player might advance for some time in one class / profession / career, only to find a better fit when the next supplement. What do you do when the player of a 6th-level fighter wants to retcon into a 6th-level barbarian? Is it worth it to suspend disbelief when the PC's abilities change entirely, or should the PC be scrapped for someone new?

By: Rafe

Rafe — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 14:13:14 +0000

I'd be interested in perceived power creep. The introduction of Adventurers' Vault introduced it (as most supplements for any game do) but how about a general class comparison between PHB classes and PHB2 ones? (nothing too specific; more like a general feel towards the classes and what they can do)

By: LesInk

LesInk — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 13:30:28 +0000

Here are some article suggestions: 1) Handling Players with New Supplements and GMs Without -- Tips on what is a GM to do when a player brings in a new supplement and the GM does not have a material. 2) Supplement Mismatch Scenarios -- "No, Martin, you can't bring in that primal Shaman with the funky totems into my high fantasy campaign." How to handle that one player that wants to be a bit too odd of character just to use the newest material. 3) Mechanical vs. Campaign Setting -- Get your totem pole out of my campaign. What to do when the standard descriptions in the book just don't really jibe with your campaign. More specific to 4E PHB2, 1) A general review chapter by chapter of the book is always useful (but I bet you were going to do that) 2) Its all a Matter of Personality -- the PHB2 boasts details on how to develop your character's history and personality. I'm sure there will be plenty debate on how good the chapter is on this one and what other people do for this.