My one complaint [Archive] - Wizards Community

My one complaint [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
mlshuford
06-18-04, 03:08 PM First off, you guys did a bang-up job on Eberron. Really top-knotch. However, my one complaint is the spoilers. I really think WoTC should go back to doing box sets of campaigns. A player can't even read the region of the world he's from without learning the secret motives of it's rulers and seeing their alingment (the evil ones being the important ones). Also the spoiler of some of the "high ups" in Karrnath (you guys know who) is EVERYWHERE. It's in the Karrnath sections, the timeline, AND it has a side bar. I mean can't they warn you? Other than the fact that PC's can't read alot of things without finding secrets it's a wonderful book. Again, that is my only complaint.
kildaere007
06-18-04, 03:24 PM hmmm I just had an excellent idea (well imo)

it is kinda late now...I understand that the reason that WOTC doesn't do boxed sets is to save on the costs. So with that In mind.....I wish that they had split the Eberron book into a "players guide" and a "DM's sourcebook". Not only would more players be willing to plunk down 25$ for a player book but they can charge another 25$ for the DM's book (which would need better/more info to justify the increased cost....read: A MAP!)

I am going the be the DM in our Eberron Game and I already am getting inappropriate questions from my players.
Ch@pel
06-18-04, 03:26 PM I'm totally with you on that. I'd like it if there was a "DM-Only" section, and you could just trust the players not to read it.

I'd want them to read the section on Karrnath and have them get interested in it and want to investigate the area, but if they know all the secrets about it, then it kinda spoils the DM's fun. I'd be even cooler for them to have a character totally loyal to Karrnath, and then you spring this on him half-way through his career. It would shatter all his beliefs and it would be some very compelling RP-ing. But now the player wouldn't be surprised, even if the character is.
Alkaline
06-18-04, 03:30 PM Originally posted by kildaere007
it is kinda late now...I understand that the reason that WOTC doesn't do boxed sets is to save on the costs. So with that In mind.....I wish that they had split the Eberron book into a "players guide" and a "DM's sourcebook". Not only would more players be willing to plunk down 25$ for a player book but they can charge another 25$ for the DM's book (which would need better/more info to justify the increased cost....read: A MAP!) .

I thought this EXACT thing last night. A player's guide with TONS more info on PLAYING in Eberron, and a DM guide with TONS more info on DMing in Eberron. Just split the campaign setting in two.

And price them $25 each.

Alkaline
AvonRekaes
06-18-04, 04:26 PM Hrm. I havn't run into the problem yet (*taps footing waiting for UPS to deliver the book*), but I think there is something that can solve this.

Step 1: Post-it Notes

Step 2: Trust PCs won't peak.

I know my players pretty well and I know they wouldn't cheat, so If I just stick a post-it note over a paragraph or line, they won't question whats under it.
Ch@pel
06-18-04, 05:13 PM Thats not a bad idea Avon-Raekes. Better yet, put the post it note on and photo copy the page. (a page or two, not the whole book!) I know I plan on copying a couple things to give to the poorer of my players, like if someone wants to play an Artificer, I'll give them a copy of his class description. I know that they'll probably buy it when they can anyway.
Jhaelen
06-18-04, 05:26 PM Actually the German translations of all D&D books are sold in boxes. I'm not quite sure why, it's probably got something to do with books (unlike games) being required to have fixed prices in Germany.

Maybe they'll split the Eberron book in the German version :-P
However, none of my current players enjoys reading the English version of the D&D books anyway, so no problem here ;-)

I also usually provide them with short write-ups of the background information they'll need to create & play their characters. Works quite well in my experience.
Hellcow
06-18-04, 05:36 PM It is a problem, Mishuford. The best I can offer is Avon's post-it solution. I think a Player's Guide with more detailed information on playing characters from different nations & more player information about the religions & races is a great idea, but I don't have any idea if it will happen.
Jimmy_Groove
06-18-04, 07:21 PM Since I know that not all of my players will buy Ebberon, and not all will feel like reading through most if it, I'm writing a players introduction to pass out a few days before our first Ebberon game. I'll put nessesary rules and all the nesssary flavor in it. Of course, it still won't make up for them reading the book, but it will make it easier (and not require me to pass my book around to grubby-handed gamers).
Ch@pel
06-19-04, 12:33 AM I know I'll probably just cave in and buy a second copy to hand around to the players who won't buy one. That ought to make WotC happy. :D

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
mlshuford 06-18-04, 03:08 PM	First off, you guys did a bang-up job on Eberron. Really top-knotch. However, my one complaint is the spoilers. I really think WoTC should go back to doing box sets of campaigns. A player can't even read the region of the world he's from without learning the secret motives of it's rulers and seeing their alingment (the evil ones being the important ones). Also the spoiler of some of the "high ups" in Karrnath (you guys know who) is EVERYWHERE. It's in the Karrnath sections, the timeline, AND it has a side bar. I mean can't they warn you? Other than the fact that PC's can't read alot of things without finding secrets it's a wonderful book. Again, that is my only complaint.
kildaere007 06-18-04, 03:24 PM	hmmm I just had an excellent idea (well imo) it is kinda late now...I understand that the reason that WOTC doesn't do boxed sets is to save on the costs. So with that In mind.....I wish that they had split the Eberron book into a "players guide" and a "DM's sourcebook". Not only would more players be willing to plunk down 25$ for a player book but they can charge another 25$ for the DM's book (which would need better/more info to justify the increased cost....read: A MAP!) I am going the be the DM in our Eberron Game and I already am getting inappropriate questions from my players.
Ch@pel 06-18-04, 03:26 PM	I'm totally with you on that. I'd like it if there was a "DM-Only" section, and you could just trust the players not to read it. I'd want them to read the section on Karrnath and have them get interested in it and want to investigate the area, but if they know all the secrets about it, then it kinda spoils the DM's fun. I'd be even cooler for them to have a character totally loyal to Karrnath, and then you spring this on him half-way through his career. It would shatter all his beliefs and it would be some very compelling RP-ing. But now the player wouldn't be surprised, even if the character is.
Alkaline 06-18-04, 03:30 PM	Originally posted by kildaere007 it is kinda late now...I understand that the reason that WOTC doesn't do boxed sets is to save on the costs. So with that In mind.....I wish that they had split the Eberron book into a "players guide" and a "DM's sourcebook". Not only would more players be willing to plunk down 25$ for a player book but they can charge another 25$ for the DM's book (which would need better/more info to justify the increased cost....read: A MAP!) . I thought this EXACT thing last night. A player's guide with TONS more info on PLAYING in Eberron, and a DM guide with TONS more info on DMing in Eberron. Just split the campaign setting in two. And price them $25 each. Alkaline
AvonRekaes 06-18-04, 04:26 PM	Hrm. I havn't run into the problem yet (taps footing waiting for UPS to deliver the book), but I think there is something that can solve this. Step 1: Post-it Notes Step 2: Trust PCs won't peak. I know my players pretty well and I know they wouldn't cheat, so If I just stick a post-it note over a paragraph or line, they won't question whats under it.
Ch@pel 06-18-04, 05:13 PM	Thats not a bad idea Avon-Raekes. Better yet, put the post it note on and photo copy the page. (a page or two, not the whole book!) I know I plan on copying a couple things to give to the poorer of my players, like if someone wants to play an Artificer, I'll give them a copy of his class description. I know that they'll probably buy it when they can anyway.
Jhaelen 06-18-04, 05:26 PM	Actually the German translations of all D&D books are sold in boxes. I'm not quite sure why, it's probably got something to do with books (unlike games) being required to have fixed prices in Germany. Maybe they'll split the Eberron book in the German version :-P However, none of my current players enjoys reading the English version of the D&D books anyway, so no problem here ;-) I also usually provide them with short write-ups of the background information they'll need to create & play their characters. Works quite well in my experience.
Hellcow 06-18-04, 05:36 PM	It is a problem, Mishuford. The best I can offer is Avon's post-it solution. I think a Player's Guide with more detailed information on playing characters from different nations & more player information about the religions & races is a great idea, but I don't have any idea if it will happen.
Jimmy_Groove 06-18-04, 07:21 PM	Since I know that not all of my players will buy Ebberon, and not all will feel like reading through most if it, I'm writing a players introduction to pass out a few days before our first Ebberon game. I'll put nessesary rules and all the nesssary flavor in it. Of course, it still won't make up for them reading the book, but it will make it easier (and not require me to pass my book around to grubby-handed gamers).
Ch@pel 06-19-04, 12:33 AM	I know I'll probably just cave in and buy a second copy to hand around to the players who won't buy one. That ought to make WotC happy. :D