Player's Handbook II Preview [Archive] - Wizards Community

Player's Handbook II Preview [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
Puggle Halfwine
04-26-06, 09:45 PM Hey guys,

Today I was flicking around the web and found the preview for the Player's Handbook II.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060406a

Just scroll down a bit until it gets to the PHB II.

Personally, the new base classes are interesting (I play a knight-ish mounted character, so the Knight has appeal to me) but the Crossbow Sniper feat really grabbed my attention. For the longest time, I've wanted to make a Crossbow using warrior- and this might give me more incentive, if such things became legal in LG.

On that note, is there any provision for making the PHB II legal for LG in the near future?
Madfox11
04-27-06, 04:30 AM Chances are that parts of the book are going to be made available eventually. Right now though we cannot give you any guarantees if so, let alone when.

Pieter Sleijpen
Splintered Suns Metaregion Circle Member
TimRat
04-27-06, 04:59 PM also in regards to PHB 2 there will be no 'update' to the LGCS before its scheduled usual time just b/c this book came out.

its a very good book thats for sure with tons of good stuff in it and will need to be looked at carefully but i can tell you that there will be no 'update' to whats core/limited and the like before the LGCS comes out at its scheduled yearly update.
danhenneke
05-13-06, 11:41 PM also in regards to PHB 2 there will be no 'update' to the LGCS before its scheduled usual time just b/c this book came out.

its a very good book thats for sure with tons of good stuff in it and will need to be looked at carefully but i can tell you that there will be no 'update' to whats core/limited and the like before the LGCS comes out at its scheduled yearly update.

Didn't the LGCS used to get a 1/2 year update? That way we did not have to wait for more than a year to get access to the fun stuff that comes out from the Great people at WOTC. Because, if I cannot use it in the major campagin i play in, why buy it till I know if I will be able to use it?
Madfox11
05-15-06, 04:07 AM Remember that anything not explecitely core or restricted is limited. So the Triads and Circle members can quite easily make certain aspects accessible before the update through AR access. In any event, two times per year update has proofed to be too time consuming for the limited gains it provided.

Pieter Sleijpen
Living Greyhawk Circle Member
The Splintered Suns Metaregion
Howie23
05-15-06, 02:12 PM Remember that anything not explecitely core or restricted is limited.

But only for the sources listed in the LGCS, correct? So, we need a Dispel Confusion or LGCS update that would add the PHB II to the campaign at all (even as all limited), right?

David
TimRat
05-15-06, 11:14 PM thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR
GenghisBob
05-16-06, 12:20 AM thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR

or you could do an special mission?
Madfox11
05-16-06, 04:15 AM thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR

You know, the more I look at the sentence the more I am getting confused about the meaning ;) You are saying what I was saying, aren't you? After all, limited means you only get access to it through AR access.
JohnduBois
05-16-06, 08:41 AM Wouldn't the difference be that "any Limited item" AR favors would only apply to the sources in the LGCS?
thorinXXX
05-16-06, 09:12 AM As of right now the PHB 2 is not an official source for LG. Until there is an update in Dispel Confusion or the LGCS it is not even available for use by DM's/writers. Never mind getting access from it.
DuctShuiTengu
05-16-06, 10:54 AM As of right now the PHB 2 is not an official source for LG. Until there is an update in Dispel Confusion or the LGCS it is not even available for use by DM's/writers. Never mind getting access from it.
Given that I've been on the receiving end of an 8th level spell that (at least at the time, it may have been reprinted in the SC since then) was only found in a Forgotten Realms source book in a LG mod (at APL 6, no less. Yeah, just a little bitter)... well, writers probably shouldn't be putting stuff from the PHBII in mods until the book gets approved, but shouldn't isn't always the same thing as won't.
Necrochaos
05-16-06, 06:01 PM It seems that a lot of the classes available in the PHB II seem to be a bit more powerful than many of the other classes already available in the LG setting.

I have only glanced through most of them, but I would guess some of their abilities would have to be nerfed to be allowed in LG.

The Spellsword like class seems to be more powerful than the prestige class. Although their spell list is more limited, the ability to cast a spell as a swift action and get all of your attacks is pretty crazy. They have a fighter like BAB as well. Later on you get more spells to your disposal.

I could be way off on this, just at first glance, they seem to be more than LG can handle.
Lomiat
05-16-06, 06:24 PM A lot of the material, probably most of it, from PHB II is either on the high-end of power balance with the original PHB or is slightly more powerful; however, that's not much different than the Complete Books (Radiant Servant of Cheese, Exotic Weapon Master, Occult Slayer, Divine Oracle, etc.).

As to the matter of Duskblade vs. Spellsword, you should consider that in LG people who play to create powerful characters tend to take only a single level of Spellsword. In that case, the Duskblade doesn't really compete with the Ftr1/Wiz5/Spellsword1/Eldritch Knight. The Duskblade ends up with 3 better BAB and considerably better hit points, but it loses many caster levels. The ability to cast spells as a swift action only helps make up for the fact that the Duskblade's spell list offers few swift action spells that other arcane casters can use to good effect (blades of fire, bladeweave, quickened anything, etc.).

Nonetheless, it appears a significantly better class than the Hexblade, and several of the spells are likely to be banned with the first rules document to address the PHB II's inclusion into the campaign. The Celerity spells offer wizards and sorcerors nearly exactly the sort of abusive number of actions that the Circle took away by banning Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability. Nonetheless, if the Circle allows the Celerity spells into the game, I'll travel to get access. The 4th-level version (Celerity) combined with a Quickened spell effectively allows you to cast 3 spells before being dazed for a round. But as most players know who play at tables with many spellcasters, if your casters are tossing out 3 spells, there's generally (though not always) not much left to the combat.
Arvagor
05-16-06, 07:42 PM But as most players know who play at tables with many spellcasters, if your casters are tossing out 3 spells, there's generally (though not always) not much left to the combat.How do you figure 3 spells? The celerity spell is an immediate action, which uses up your swift/immediate actions until after your next turn -- "You cannot use another immediate action or a swift action until after your next turn if you have used an immediate action when it is not currently your turn (effectively, using an immediate action before your turn is equivalent to using your swift action for the coming turn)."
Lomiat
05-16-06, 11:54 PM How do you figure 3 spells? The celerity spell is an immediate action, which uses up your swift/immediate actions until after your next turn -- "You cannot use another immediate action or a swift action until after your next turn if you have used an immediate action when it is not currently your turn (effectively, using an immediate action before your turn is equivalent to using your swift action for the coming turn)."

Your round:
1) Quickened spell
2) Standard action spell
3) Do something with your move action to feel special
4) Your action for the round ends

Somebody else's turn begins:
1) Immediate action, jump in with Celerity
2) Standard action, cast another spell, as with any standard action
3) Wait for the applause because you're dazed
Arvagor
05-17-06, 09:31 AM Your round:
1) Quickened spell
2) Standard action spell
3) Do something with your move action to feel special
4) Your action for the round endsThat was round 1 ...

Somebody else's turn begins:
1) Immediate action, jump in with Celerity
2) Standard action, cast another spell, as with any standard action
3) Wait for the applause because you're dazed... and that was round 2.

You're still only casting 2 spells each round...
Lomiat
05-17-06, 12:16 PM You're still only casting 2 spells each round...

Yes, technically, you're quite correct, and I understand your point completely. Nonetheless, the idea is that you're casting 3 spells uninterrupted by other people's actions.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
Puggle Halfwine 04-26-06, 09:45 PM	Hey guys, Today I was flicking around the web and found the preview for the Player's Handbook II. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20060406a Just scroll down a bit until it gets to the PHB II. Personally, the new base classes are interesting (I play a knight-ish mounted character, so the Knight has appeal to me) but the Crossbow Sniper feat really grabbed my attention. For the longest time, I've wanted to make a Crossbow using warrior- and this might give me more incentive, if such things became legal in LG. On that note, is there any provision for making the PHB II legal for LG in the near future?
Madfox11 04-27-06, 04:30 AM	Chances are that parts of the book are going to be made available eventually. Right now though we cannot give you any guarantees if so, let alone when. Pieter Sleijpen Splintered Suns Metaregion Circle Member
TimRat 04-27-06, 04:59 PM	also in regards to PHB 2 there will be no 'update' to the LGCS before its scheduled usual time just b/c this book came out. its a very good book thats for sure with tons of good stuff in it and will need to be looked at carefully but i can tell you that there will be no 'update' to whats core/limited and the like before the LGCS comes out at its scheduled yearly update.
danhenneke 05-13-06, 11:41 PM	also in regards to PHB 2 there will be no 'update' to the LGCS before its scheduled usual time just b/c this book came out. its a very good book thats for sure with tons of good stuff in it and will need to be looked at carefully but i can tell you that there will be no 'update' to whats core/limited and the like before the LGCS comes out at its scheduled yearly update. Didn't the LGCS used to get a 1/2 year update? That way we did not have to wait for more than a year to get access to the fun stuff that comes out from the Great people at WOTC. Because, if I cannot use it in the major campagin i play in, why buy it till I know if I will be able to use it?
Madfox11 05-15-06, 04:07 AM	Remember that anything not explecitely core or restricted is limited. So the Triads and Circle members can quite easily make certain aspects accessible before the update through AR access. In any event, two times per year update has proofed to be too time consuming for the limited gains it provided. Pieter Sleijpen Living Greyhawk Circle Member The Splintered Suns Metaregion
Howie23 05-15-06, 02:12 PM	Remember that anything not explecitely core or restricted is limited. But only for the sources listed in the LGCS, correct? So, we need a Dispel Confusion or LGCS update that would add the PHB II to the campaign at all (even as all limited), right? David
TimRat 05-15-06, 11:14 PM	thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR
GenghisBob 05-16-06, 12:20 AM	thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR or you could do an special mission?
Madfox11 05-16-06, 04:15 AM	thats right. so just b/c the book comes out does not mean it can be used at all in teh campaign unless you see it on an AR You know, the more I look at the sentence the more I am getting confused about the meaning ;) You are saying what I was saying, aren't you? After all, limited means you only get access to it through AR access.
JohnduBois 05-16-06, 08:41 AM	Wouldn't the difference be that "any Limited item" AR favors would only apply to the sources in the LGCS?
thorinXXX 05-16-06, 09:12 AM	As of right now the PHB 2 is not an official source for LG. Until there is an update in Dispel Confusion or the LGCS it is not even available for use by DM's/writers. Never mind getting access from it.
DuctShuiTengu 05-16-06, 10:54 AM	As of right now the PHB 2 is not an official source for LG. Until there is an update in Dispel Confusion or the LGCS it is not even available for use by DM's/writers. Never mind getting access from it. Given that I've been on the receiving end of an 8th level spell that (at least at the time, it may have been reprinted in the SC since then) was only found in a Forgotten Realms source book in a LG mod (at APL 6, no less. Yeah, just a little bitter)... well, writers probably shouldn't be putting stuff from the PHBII in mods until the book gets approved, but shouldn't isn't always the same thing as won't.
Necrochaos 05-16-06, 06:01 PM	It seems that a lot of the classes available in the PHB II seem to be a bit more powerful than many of the other classes already available in the LG setting. I have only glanced through most of them, but I would guess some of their abilities would have to be nerfed to be allowed in LG. The Spellsword like class seems to be more powerful than the prestige class. Although their spell list is more limited, the ability to cast a spell as a swift action and get all of your attacks is pretty crazy. They have a fighter like BAB as well. Later on you get more spells to your disposal. I could be way off on this, just at first glance, they seem to be more than LG can handle.
Lomiat 05-16-06, 06:24 PM	A lot of the material, probably most of it, from PHB II is either on the high-end of power balance with the original PHB or is slightly more powerful; however, that's not much different than the Complete Books (Radiant Servant of Cheese, Exotic Weapon Master, Occult Slayer, Divine Oracle, etc.). As to the matter of Duskblade vs. Spellsword, you should consider that in LG people who play to create powerful characters tend to take only a single level of Spellsword. In that case, the Duskblade doesn't really compete with the Ftr1/Wiz5/Spellsword1/Eldritch Knight. The Duskblade ends up with 3 better BAB and considerably better hit points, but it loses many caster levels. The ability to cast spells as a swift action only helps make up for the fact that the Duskblade's spell list offers few swift action spells that other arcane casters can use to good effect (blades of fire, bladeweave, quickened anything, etc.). Nonetheless, it appears a significantly better class than the Hexblade, and several of the spells are likely to be banned with the first rules document to address the PHB II's inclusion into the campaign. The Celerity spells offer wizards and sorcerors nearly exactly the sort of abusive number of actions that the Circle took away by banning Imbue Familiar with Spell Ability. Nonetheless, if the Circle allows the Celerity spells into the game, I'll travel to get access. The 4th-level version (Celerity) combined with a Quickened spell effectively allows you to cast 3 spells before being dazed for a round. But as most players know who play at tables with many spellcasters, if your casters are tossing out 3 spells, there's generally (though not always) not much left to the combat.
Arvagor 05-16-06, 07:42 PM	But as most players know who play at tables with many spellcasters, if your casters are tossing out 3 spells, there's generally (though not always) not much left to the combat.How do you figure 3 spells? The celerity spell is an immediate action, which uses up your swift/immediate actions until after your next turn -- "You cannot use another immediate action or a swift action until after your next turn if you have used an immediate action when it is not currently your turn (effectively, using an immediate action before your turn is equivalent to using your swift action for the coming turn)."
Lomiat 05-16-06, 11:54 PM	How do you figure 3 spells? The celerity spell is an immediate action, which uses up your swift/immediate actions until after your next turn -- "You cannot use another immediate action or a swift action until after your next turn if you have used an immediate action when it is not currently your turn (effectively, using an immediate action before your turn is equivalent to using your swift action for the coming turn)." Your round: 1) Quickened spell 2) Standard action spell 3) Do something with your move action to feel special 4) Your action for the round ends Somebody else's turn begins: 1) Immediate action, jump in with Celerity 2) Standard action, cast another spell, as with any standard action 3) Wait for the applause because you're dazed
Arvagor 05-17-06, 09:31 AM	Your round: 1) Quickened spell 2) Standard action spell 3) Do something with your move action to feel special 4) Your action for the round endsThat was round 1 ... Somebody else's turn begins: 1) Immediate action, jump in with Celerity 2) Standard action, cast another spell, as with any standard action 3) Wait for the applause because you're dazed... and that was round 2. You're still only casting 2 spells each round...
Lomiat 05-17-06, 12:16 PM	You're still only casting 2 spells each round... Yes, technically, you're quite correct, and I understand your point completely. Nonetheless, the idea is that you're casting 3 spells uninterrupted by other people's actions.