Which is the Best Faction? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Which is the Best Faction? [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Onslaught[IT]
07-26-07, 01:05 PM Hello all,

you guys who play in more than one faction, which you like the most?

I've a character in Blackwheel Company, but aside from what is written on the XE C.Standards, I don't know the other factions.
WolfStar76
07-26-07, 03:26 PM As someone who GM's all four factions I've found that the answer varies greatly based on what style of play you like as a player, and to a lesser degree, simply which character you have in which faction.

That said, having read, I think, all of the published modules now, I'm partial to running Covenant of Light (the mods are really well written IMHO).

As a player, however, I'm really enjoying the Crimson Codex (finally got someone else to take over running that faction so I could play) - the story line, to me, seems to the the most focused. I also enjoy the occasional puzzle (props, Mr. Merwin, for the puzzle in CDX-6 - though I did crack it. :) ).

My character is a Factotum in that faction as well, which seems to fit the theme, and also plays well in RPGA play where you never know what a table will have. . . or need. :)
Istaran
07-26-07, 04:53 PM They are all awesome in different ways.
Crimson Codex is awesome in that it strongly rewards RP-type skills, including skillful playing, and allows you to get away with more moderate combat capabilities (meaning you can afford to be less optimal of a monster slayer and invest more in out of combat skills). It also offers interesting puzzles and other wierdness.
Cabal of Shadows is awesome in that you get to play out the other side of things. You get to go around slaughtering the innocent and dealing with the reprecutions of that in a scenario in which you are not the most powerful things around.. stealth and discresion are keys to your survival, but ruthlessness is a key to your success. Not for everybody, but definitely a nice addition to the RPGA.
Blackwheel Company is awesome in that it gives challenge combat opportunities without requiring you to dilute yourself too much with out of combat skills and such. A great opportunity to play a melee monster, or a nuclear warmage.
Covenant of Light is awesome because of Grave.

And the expeditions are awesome because you need a well balanced, fully functional party that can do anything and everything well.
Marcus Majarra
07-26-07, 05:40 PM I'm partial to the Crimson Codex myself. It features plenty of intrigue, action, adventure, and puzzles, and it interacts with the Caldyn Fragments a lot more than the other factions (mostly due to the fact that Ohnal Caldyn belongs to the faction). There's plenty of fun to be had for everyone, although problem-solvers will tend to enjoy it more.

I like the Covenant of Light as well, although I'm partly disappointed most modules tend towards tragedy. Grave is an excellent character introduced by this faction, and I'm glad that at least one expedition adventure featured him. This faction is excellent for players who enjoy more dramatic games.

Conceptually, the Cabal of Shadows seemed like an interesting idea to me. However, it features one improtant drawback: it has self-destructive tendencies. The adage "evil feeds upon itself" is most appropriate for this faction, and this can easily lead to player frustration. I would like it better if either the Obscura didn't exist or if they had more compatible short-term objectives. I'm surprised the faction manages so much in spite of the inner conflict.

The Blackwheel Company is a special case. It's probably the best faction around for players that know little of Eberron or that want to involve themselves less with the intricacies and motives of their faction (although it has recently started to feature a manageable degree of intra-faction intrigue, much like the Crimson Codex and the Covenant of Light). You can manage quite well in this faction, even if you miss out on older modules. This faction is excellent for goal-oriented people.
Evanta
07-27-07, 09:56 PM I've played in all but COS. Didn't bother with COS as I didn't like the backstabbing aspect.

The COL modules are very well-written, though a little depressing. However it does lend a lot of flavour for PCs by making them play their characters a little less 1-dimensionally. Somewhat regret not playing a paladin in CoL.

The CC modules in contrast, is fun for its out of combat sequences like puzzles and role-playing dilemmas. Also it seems to follow what appears to be the 'main' storyline most closely.

BWC is swashbuckling, military-style action. By far the most action-packed of the lot. Who can say no to a MAD and pirates? 'nuff said. :D
Timlagor
07-28-07, 09:04 PM You should know whether Cabal will suit you.
Of the other two I'd pick Covenant over Codex (and not just because of the choices I made).

I've enjoyed BWC a lot -the interesting combat encounters have been the highlight for me with the mechanics of the environments being key. The Rocking Ship stands out* but you have to love the MAAD Drops.
* probably the best environment for a combat I've seen.

Codex I went with something of a BDF on the grounds that most people probably wouldn't.. he's had his moments but that might have been a mistake. I think I'll stick with it a while longer though.
I really didn't like the player-puzzle in CCD6. I don't like puzzles like that in general and I particularly don't like puzzles in D&D that are aimed at the players. (I also think I should have been able to cut a narrow passage through the rock around the force-wall in [based on 900hp/10'cube per DMG] about half a minute which is much faster than the puzzle was solved -not sure if the time needed was down to the GM or the Author but it should have been covered one way or the other in the module -you can do a lot with adamantine and power attack ...I've no objection to magic that prevents this working but I got the impression there wasn't any)

My Cabal character seems to have terrified a lot of people.. and he's well short of the peak of his powers still (not sure whether the character's actual power is relevant). He's immense fun to play and the modules I've played (all the current batch) have been good ...if you like that sort of thing.

My Covenant Artificer is my favourite character and is proving disturbingly adept at skill-based challenges. (Skill Enhancement Infusion is very very nice)
I do worry about Brigette though .. she's suspiciously well-informed.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Onslaught[IT] 07-26-07, 01:05 PM	Hello all, you guys who play in more than one faction, which you like the most? I've a character in Blackwheel Company, but aside from what is written on the XE C.Standards, I don't know the other factions.
WolfStar76 07-26-07, 03:26 PM	As someone who GM's all four factions I've found that the answer varies greatly based on what style of play you like as a player, and to a lesser degree, simply which character you have in which faction. That said, having read, I think, all of the published modules now, I'm partial to running Covenant of Light (the mods are really well written IMHO). As a player, however, I'm really enjoying the Crimson Codex (finally got someone else to take over running that faction so I could play) - the story line, to me, seems to the the most focused. I also enjoy the occasional puzzle (props, Mr. Merwin, for the puzzle in CDX-6 - though I did crack it. :) ). My character is a Factotum in that faction as well, which seems to fit the theme, and also plays well in RPGA play where you never know what a table will have. . . or need. :)
Istaran 07-26-07, 04:53 PM	They are all awesome in different ways. Crimson Codex is awesome in that it strongly rewards RP-type skills, including skillful playing, and allows you to get away with more moderate combat capabilities (meaning you can afford to be less optimal of a monster slayer and invest more in out of combat skills). It also offers interesting puzzles and other wierdness. Cabal of Shadows is awesome in that you get to play out the other side of things. You get to go around slaughtering the innocent and dealing with the reprecutions of that in a scenario in which you are not the most powerful things around.. stealth and discresion are keys to your survival, but ruthlessness is a key to your success. Not for everybody, but definitely a nice addition to the RPGA. Blackwheel Company is awesome in that it gives challenge combat opportunities without requiring you to dilute yourself too much with out of combat skills and such. A great opportunity to play a melee monster, or a nuclear warmage. Covenant of Light is awesome because of Grave. And the expeditions are awesome because you need a well balanced, fully functional party that can do anything and everything well.
Marcus Majarra 07-26-07, 05:40 PM	I'm partial to the Crimson Codex myself. It features plenty of intrigue, action, adventure, and puzzles, and it interacts with the Caldyn Fragments a lot more than the other factions (mostly due to the fact that Ohnal Caldyn belongs to the faction). There's plenty of fun to be had for everyone, although problem-solvers will tend to enjoy it more. I like the Covenant of Light as well, although I'm partly disappointed most modules tend towards tragedy. Grave is an excellent character introduced by this faction, and I'm glad that at least one expedition adventure featured him. This faction is excellent for players who enjoy more dramatic games. Conceptually, the Cabal of Shadows seemed like an interesting idea to me. However, it features one improtant drawback: it has self-destructive tendencies. The adage "evil feeds upon itself" is most appropriate for this faction, and this can easily lead to player frustration. I would like it better if either the Obscura didn't exist or if they had more compatible short-term objectives. I'm surprised the faction manages so much in spite of the inner conflict. The Blackwheel Company is a special case. It's probably the best faction around for players that know little of Eberron or that want to involve themselves less with the intricacies and motives of their faction (although it has recently started to feature a manageable degree of intra-faction intrigue, much like the Crimson Codex and the Covenant of Light). You can manage quite well in this faction, even if you miss out on older modules. This faction is excellent for goal-oriented people.
Evanta 07-27-07, 09:56 PM	I've played in all but COS. Didn't bother with COS as I didn't like the backstabbing aspect. The COL modules are very well-written, though a little depressing. However it does lend a lot of flavour for PCs by making them play their characters a little less 1-dimensionally. Somewhat regret not playing a paladin in CoL. The CC modules in contrast, is fun for its out of combat sequences like puzzles and role-playing dilemmas. Also it seems to follow what appears to be the 'main' storyline most closely. BWC is swashbuckling, military-style action. By far the most action-packed of the lot. Who can say no to a MAD and pirates? 'nuff said. :D
Timlagor 07-28-07, 09:04 PM	You should know whether Cabal will suit you. Of the other two I'd pick Covenant over Codex (and not just because of the choices I made). I've enjoyed BWC a lot -the interesting combat encounters have been the highlight for me with the mechanics of the environments being key. The Rocking Ship stands out* but you have to love the MAAD Drops. * probably the best environment for a combat I've seen. Codex I went with something of a BDF on the grounds that most people probably wouldn't.. he's had his moments but that might have been a mistake. I think I'll stick with it a while longer though. I really didn't like the player-puzzle in CCD6. I don't like puzzles like that in general and I particularly don't like puzzles in D&D that are aimed at the players. (I also think I should have been able to cut a narrow passage through the rock around the force-wall in [based on 900hp/10'cube per DMG] about half a minute which is much faster than the puzzle was solved -not sure if the time needed was down to the GM or the Author but it should have been covered one way or the other in the module -you can do a lot with adamantine and power attack ...I've no objection to magic that prevents this working but I got the impression there wasn't any) My Cabal character seems to have terrified a lot of people.. and he's well short of the peak of his powers still (not sure whether the character's actual power is relevant). He's immense fun to play and the modules I've played (all the current batch) have been good ...if you like that sort of thing. My Covenant Artificer is my favourite character and is proving disturbingly adept at skill-based challenges. (Skill Enhancement Infusion is very very nice) I do worry about Brigette though .. she's suspiciously well-informed.