Wednesday Knights Blog

Before completing my review, I do have to admit that I have not spent anywhere near the amount of time reading the rules to have a full understanding of them.  Some points might be in error.  I’m losing interest in this new gaming system, something which has never occurred before.  It might be the fact it is so different will require play testing to solidify the rules in my head.  It also might be that the game is so much like table top WOW that it’s just not as tasty a game.

The magic system is just too alien.  With the reduction of power in wizard spells, wizards are just too squishy.  Wizards also seem to have a disadvantage with attacks in general.  Classes using missile or melee weapons get a proficiency bonus with weapons (2 or 3).  Spell casters do not get a bonus.

Saving throws are too easy.  The save on 10 or better to resist makes spell casters a lot less powerful.  Weakens the magic system even more.

For magic items, again, these are altered too much to fit into the once an encounter/daily frame work.  I do like how weapon critical numbers are tied into the plus of the weapon.  I dislike how all weapons have become burst weapons on a critical; a flame weapon does extra fire damage with a critical hit while a dancing weapon does (plain) extra damage.  I don’t like what was done with potions and scrolls.  Rings have been significantly depowered.  Weapons seem to be incredibly powerful compared to other magic items in regard to the fact that as a combat driven game, the more rolls to hit, the more likely you are to have criticals.

I took a brief look at the artifact section in the DMG.  The Hand and Eye of Vecna are listed but the sword of Kas is not.  This is an integral part of the artifacts and the history of the 3 items.

I do agree with Bryan that there was a lot of effort put into the new books.  There are a lot of great charts to help players and DM alike.  I give them an ‘A’ for effort.  As to the over all system, I’m reserving judgment.  The one thing I am willing to commit to is that this is not real D&D.  This is a completely different game and should be judged on it’s own without the other 3 versions hanging over it’s head.