Post/Author/DateTime	Post
WizO_Autumn 10-10-06, 10:37 PM	Hi folks! I'm fairly new to this board, so bear with me, but I would like to run a Houserule Contest here for UnCon but I need suggestions! It can't just be "Make a Houserule"-- this whole board is that! So how can we narrow it down? Should it have a theme? Should it be a specific part of the game- altering feats, spellcasting, classes...? I'd love any suggestions, and if anyone is interested in helping run it, send me an email (autumn@wizo.wizards.com), I'd love any support you're willing to give!
SageBahamut 10-10-06, 11:01 PM	1 - A theme: (Off of Autumn's suggestion, "spellcasting") In as few mechanical changes as possible, suggest a way to make Spellcasters balanced against... well... everyone else. (Remember the key here is brevity, clarity, and implementation. Simple things like "Exclude the following list of spells" are just plain cheap and obviously don't count, but I'm not looking for a new splatbook either.) 2 - On Feats: A feat or series of feats to increase the power of two-weapon fighters to be on-par with everyone else. 3 - On world-spanning mechanics: Suggest a way, other than the already published rules for running your own business, to make D&D Economics more... economical. (I.e. players not getting hosed on the selling of things they've made just by virtue of being PCs, and thus paying double what they can make for the same item.) Not looking for brevity at all on this one, feel free to go nuts.
Omnirahk, half-Rahkshi 10-11-06, 05:58 PM	1) Design a class variant/racial substitution 2) Design a class variant/racial substitution for a prestige class 3) Rework polymorph
Chrono Nexus 10-11-06, 09:07 PM	1) Filling in the gaps- have members post their own fixes to holes and missing mechanics in the game. 2)A specific rules set- posts about one of these: multiclassing, varient item creation, advancement changes, new classes, new prestige classes, new spells, new feats, new skills/uses for them, varient reward systems, varient spellcasting, new/varient combat systems... etc. 3) Create and post a fair way to review submissions. Breaking down the possible merits and flaws of a potential post will make choosing a winner easier and will also save some peoples feelings. All posts start at a base score. The score is increased or decreased based by ratings (1-5) of each of the factors that you are judging. 1. Legibility- spellings, punctuation, grammar, word choice, clarity, and structure - all posts' scores are lowered by bad format. Perfect format leaves the score unchanged. 2. Ideas- a. Opinion- how much you like the post. A high score in this will raise the overall score of a post. b. Usefullness- submissions that wouldn't see much use in play (overly focussed prestige classes, or an overly specific spell) get a lower score. Ideas that would get a large amount of attention would raise the submissions score. 3. Balance- Houserules that make a large portion of the rules irrelevent, or overpower other aspects of the game get a lower score. There ya go!:D
SageBahamut 10-12-06, 01:56 PM	As for judging, do remember (it shouldn't bear saying this, but you never know) to quote the post you are reviewing. Don't assume people will know, or that you will be the first post after the one you're reviewing (especially if you're already not). Perhaps it would be a good idea to post a format for a proper submission, by category. (Feats, Rules/Mechanics, Classes, Races) I'm mostly directing this one to Autumn, but I imagine anyone who is a veteran of such things could take it up. Here's my two bits on this: For feats, they should obviously follow the PHB standard format. Classes the same way, especially if people can use embedded boxes to lay out their progression charts. Races should be laid out as per the PHB with a paragraph or two of explanatory text. Rules are probably the hardest thing to negotiate a format for. Ideally I would like to see the RAW you are houseruling over posted first (as it should be something from the SRD or splatbooks and not violating CoC to /explain/ the rule even if you can't quote it word for word), followed by the patch, followed by (if necessary) an explanation of what your patch patches, or an example of it in use as compared to the original. If you are implementing an entirely new mechanic, please make sure it's something you have playtested and can explain concisely, and that it is properly balanced, at least internally. While original thought is encouraged, this is not the forum for first drafts. As it happens, we still haven't had Autumn's judgement on what our overarching theme for houserule submission is going to be, so for now the only topic at hand is... what the heck are we talking about? :D Love & Peace --
Marcotic 10-13-06, 05:15 PM	Well, it would be good to make a contest for the best A. Houserule that balances magic/melee B. the age old balancing of the races (elf dwarf vs. half-elf half-orc) these should, dare I say, Must be in there somwhere (please post the winners)
Seerow 10-13-06, 11:47 PM	To comment on the magic/melee balance idea, as cool as it is, it is very impossible to do without a complete overhaul of D&D, which is probably a lot more than what they're looking for for this contest. However, things like improving two weapon fighting, making feats more viable in general, class fixes, I like.
SageBahamut 10-14-06, 04:20 AM	So then why don't we agree to make the house rules all have to do, somehow, with combat? While a /complete/ balance might be beyond the scope of this contest, maybe a few patches to help the situation aren't. So we don't undertake the impossibility that is a complete overhaul, but just... bring the Fighter up a notch? Not sure if I'm really expressing this as well as I ought, but it's 4:30am so I take a pass.
Balthanon 10-14-06, 05:05 PM	1) Design a class variant/racial substitution 2) Design a class variant/racial substitution for a prestige class 3) Rework polymorph #2 (or #1) here sounds like it could be a lot of fun and fit well into the limited time constraints that a contest provides. It also doesn't have a lot of baggage (i.e. no preconceived notions about what is and isn't balanced; the comments on polymorph and two-weapon fighting, for instance) which could get in the way of some posters who don't see a problem with a given rule/ruleset. I like #2 because it isn't something that I've seen done, however, it is a logical progression from an existing mechanic that WotC uses. Alternatively, it could be open to both options, class or prestige class. I would be inclined to restrict it to substitution levels rather than a class/class feature variant, just to ensure that apples are being compared to apples though. It could be a race, environment, or order substitution (preferably a published order). That way everyone could post in the standard format that WotC uses for the rule-- i.e. three levels out of a 20 level class (probably keep it the same if we went with prestige classes or at most drop it down to 2 levels)--while retaining an enormous amount of potential variety. (This would also be easiest to fit in with the Optimization Challenge forum contest, since each house rule would conceivably have the same scope as another. That would provide a balanced starting point for the builds and should make judging both contests easier.)
WizO_Autumn 10-16-06, 01:57 AM	I like #2 as well-- so what details have to be worked out? What would you like to do? Anyone want to help run/ judge it?
Seerow 10-16-06, 12:33 PM	Does it look like people are working out details? It seems like everyone is waiting on a word from you =P
Balthanon 10-16-06, 01:16 PM	I like #2 as well-- so what details have to be worked out? What would you like to do? Anyone want to help run/ judge it? I would say that posting format (just the creation of a template based on the standard WotC format) should be established, as well as the rules that each will be judged by. The number of judges should likely be identified as well. While I'm not a regular on the house rules board, I would be willing to help run or judge it if you're looking for help. If we are going strictly with substitution levels for prestige classes, that narrows things down and should make it a little easier to compare. If you would like, I can put together an initial rules document based on some of the comments so far and run it by either you (via email) or the board as a whole for further input.
WizO_Autumn 10-16-06, 06:54 PM	That would be great! Send me something (email or here, doesn't matter) with some basic rules and I can work on filling in the details. Seerow-- :P Har Har. What I meant was let's go with #2 as suggested, but what sort of rules would you all like to see? What sort of restrictions? Posting formats? (i.e. how much of the entry should be numbers and how much should be flavor?) Let me know what sort of contest you'd like and we can make it happen!
SageBahamut 10-16-06, 10:31 PM	I would like to propose that all entries be far more numbers than flavor, for one simple reason: transparency. I really don't like reading things that are so interwoven with their own setting that they can't be easily adapted, and I think it would, for example, do our non-Faerunian friends a disservice to make rules with a Faerunian flavor. Same thing if we do a Grayhawk flavor, or an Eberron one. So let's try to keep them ... well ... not exactly bland and mechanical, but at the very least setting non-specific.
Seerow 10-16-06, 11:22 PM	Seerow-- Har Har. What I meant was let's go with #2 as suggested, but what sort of rules would you all like to see? What sort of restrictions? Posting formats? (i.e. how much of the entry should be numbers and how much should be flavor?) Let me know what sort of contest you'd like and we can make it happen! Yes, I see that now. I was tired and misread that as "so what details have you worked out?" instead of "so what details have to be worked out?" But sadly right now I'm brain fried, so I'll leave anything more serious to others to figure out. Instead, I think I'm going to try to get myself some sleep.
WizO_Autumn 10-17-06, 10:03 AM	Ok, I looked through my books to remind myself about racial substitutions. The basics of the contest will be: Adapt a Pry from the given list for a specific race (your choice). Swap out 3 of the levels as written for variant levels with different features, abilities and powers. For example, racial class variants include "The Warforged Fighter" and includes 3 substitution levels the fighter may take instead of the normal Fighter Level 1, 4, or 9 (iirc). I will choose between 5-10 PrC's to create the substitution levels for, from very recent publications to old classics. The contest will then be to write out the 3 levels in the standard chart format, describe the new abilities (should we say at least 2 brand new abilities you create? And then you can add others to a new class- like giving a Shifter Ranger the Wild Empathy class ability) and then a short paragraph about the Pry, its changes, and the new flavor. How does that sound? Feel free to offer new suggestions to any numbers I list above or suggest books I should choose the PrC's from. For judging, I'd like to have a small panel of judges as well as a poll- the poll will serve as Judge #5 and then all the votes will be added and a winner will be announced! This contest will open on Monday October 23 (with the rules going up before that) and will close on Wednesday at 12:00 Noon in order to give time to the next phase of the contest-- creating an overpowerful, broken character using the winners of this contest. This contest however will NOT be meant to be unbalanced- in fact, balance and practicality will be a judging criteria. That being said, some masters at breakage will need to find loopholes and exploit abilities to make a character hopefully the designer hadn't planned on in the first place. Sounds fun!
Balthanon 10-17-06, 11:16 PM	A potential posting format modeled off of the standard racial substitution format. Words in brackets are meant to be replaced. The rules preceding the format are the guidelines posted by Autumn and judging criteria suggested by those who have posted thus far along with a few of my own additions. For the books that should be targeted, I would say at least one prestige class should come out of each of the Complete Books, and I would also target the DMG (possibly for a couple of the choices), and one book from Faerun and Eberron. Some matched pairs could also be interesting (Tome of Battle/Tome of Magic or Book of Exalted Deeds/Vile Darkness), but it might be difficult to pull a generic enough class out of those, particularly the first two, for our purpose here. One other question that came to me as I was writing this up--do we want to allow the posters to justify their changes in meta-statements about the class, or should it be required to stand on its own? ------------------------------- ><><><><><<>><><><><><>< ------------------------------- House Rule Racial Substitution Contest Adapt a prestige class from the list below for a specific race of your own choice. Prestige Class 1 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 2 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 3 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 4 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 5 (Book of Origin) Three levels from one of these classes should be replaced with variant levels containing different features, abilities, and powers as shown in books such as Races of Destiny and Races of the Wild. As an example, the Loremaster out of the Dungeon Master's Guide could be selected and new abilities could be chosen for 1st, 4th, and 8th levels in the class. Entries should be posted using the format below. Quoting this message will give you the appropriate text formatting and will allow you to fill in your own information. At least two of the new abilities granted to the class should be original and the class should retain most of the flavor of the original, adapted to suit the race. Judging will be handled by a panel of 4 judges with a poll posted on the House Rules board serving as a 5th vote. The criteria by which each entry will be judged are listed below: Racial Flavor vs. Original Class Flavor (does it have a distinct racial feel without completely changing the original class?) Balance (would most DMs allow the level substitutions?) Practicality (would most players be willing to use the levels?) Formatting/Grammar (is the post readable?) Appeal (does the whole work well? Does it elicit a gut reaction of approval?) ><><><><><<>><><><><><>< <RACE PRESTIGE CLASS> <Post a short paragraph here describing a typical prestige class member of the given race and why they would vary from a standard member of the class. Keep the paragraph to under 100 words.> Hit Die: d<number>. Requirements To take a <race prestige class> level, a character must be a <race> about to take his <1st class level>, <2nd class level>, or <3rd class level>. Class Skills <race prestige class> levels grant the same skills as the standard <prestige class>, plus <additional class skills, if any>. Skill Points at Each Level: <number> + Int modifier. Table: <RACE PRESTIGE CLASS> Racial Substitution Levels Base Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day ======================================== ======================================== ====================== <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <--> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <or> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <As standard> ======================================== ======================================== ====================== Class Abilities All the following are features of the <race> <prestige class>'s racial substitution levels. <New Class Feature> (Su): <A concise description of one of the new abilities that the racial substitution level grants should be added here, each class feature should be described in full, though it can reference the original if it is a variation on the original class feature.> <A second paragraph should describe which class feature the new ability replaces, if any. This paragraph should also explain how the class ability affects future class levels if it is replacing a recurring ability.> <New Class Feature> (Sp): <New Class Feature> (Ex):
WizO_Autumn 10-18-06, 01:22 AM	That's awesome, thanks! I have chosen the PrC's that will be used-- there are 10 choices from the books listed below. Obviously, there may be more then 1 PrC from each source, but I don't want to give too much away yet. Any suggestions on this format/ rules? ------------------------------- ><><><><><<>><><><><><>< ------------------------------- House Rule Racial Substitution Contest Create your own alternative levels for one of the Prestige Classes listed below based on Class Substitution levels. Entries will be judged on Creativity, Balance, and Practicality. Winners will get cool prizes and of course the admiration of his/her fellow board members! Choices Adapt one of the following Prestige Classes: Prestige Class 1 (Dungeon Master’s Guide) Prestige Class 2 (Complete Arcane) Prestige Class 3 (Complete Adventurer) Prestige Class 4 (Complete Divine) Prestige Class 5 (Complete Warrior) Prestige Class 6 (Complete Mage) Prestige Class 7 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 8 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 9 (Book of Origin) Prestige Class 10 (Book of Origin) Three levels from one of these classes should be replaced with variant levels containing different features, abilities, and powers as shown in the Races books such as Races of Destiny, Races of the Wild, or Races of Eberron. Rules Entries must include 3 Racial Substitution levels, 2 of which need to be at levels 1-5 of the PrC. These levels can add, subtract, change, or borrow from other classes abilities which fit the race you’ve chosen taking this PrC. At least 2 new abilities granted to the class should be original and the class should retain most of the flavor of the original, adapted to suit the race. Example: The following is a Class Substitution Option found in Races of Eberron. CHANGELING WIZARD Base Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day ======================================== ======================================== ========================== 1 +0 +0 +0 +2 Dual Specialization*, Summon Familiar, Scribe Scroll As Wizard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 +2 +1 +1 +4 Limited Spell Knowledge*, Morphic Familiar* As Wizard ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 +5 +3 +3 +7 Limited Spell Knowledge, Override Transmutation* As Wizard ======================================== ======================================== ========================== *notes the new features created for this class. Though one feature (Limited Spell Knowledge) was repeated, this class would have 4, not 5 unique, new class features. A Prestige Class Substitution Option would be something like: Example CHANGELING ARCANE TRICKSTER Base Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day ======================================== ======================================== ========================== 1 +0 +0 +2 +2 New feature #1 replacing Ranged legerdemain 1x/day +1 to existing class ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 5 +2 +1 +4 +4 New feature #1 2x/day, 2nd New Feature +1 to existing class ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 9 +4 +3 +6 +6 New feature #1 3x/day, Improved Ally as Thaumaturgist PrC +1 to existing class ======================================== ======================================== ========================== Judging Judging will be handled by a panel judges with a poll posted on the House Rules board serving as one full vote. When voting, posters should consider the same criteria that the judges will assess: onThe criteria by which each entry will be judged are listed below: Flavor (is the flavor of the original Prestige Class maintained while showing a unique racial perspective?) DM Perspective (would most DMs allow the level substitutions?) Player Perspective (would most players want to use the levels?) Judges will rate each entry using the above rubric to award 1-10 points on each criteria. I will then compile points and award extra points to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners of the poll. NOTE: If there are 7-12 entries, a First and Second place contest winner will be declared. If there are 13 or more entries, awards will go to the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners. Timeline October 21: Full contest posted for pre-planning opportunities October 23: UnCon begins! You may begin posting entries beginning 12:00 a.m. PST 10/23 October 25: 12:00 p.m. PST- Contest closes and poll goes up to vote for a winner. Judges begin judging entries October 26: 12:00 p.m. PST- Poll closes and winners are announced! October 26: Optimization Challenge Contest begins, closing at 11:59 p.m. PST 10/29 when UnCon ends. Entries Entries should be posted using the format below. Quoting this message will give you the appropriate text formatting and will allow you to fill in your own information. ><><><><><<>><><><><><>< <RACE PRESTIGE CLASS> <Post a short paragraph here describing a typical prestige class member of the given race and why they would vary from a standard member of the class. Keep the paragraph to under 100 words.> Hit Die: d<number>. Requirements To take a <race prestige class> level, a character must be a <race> about to take his <1st PrC level>, <2nd PrC level>, or <3rd PrC level>. Class Skills <race prestige class> levels grant the same skills as the standard <prestige class>, plus <additional class skills, if any>. Skill Points at Each Level: <number> + Int modifier. Table: <RACE PRESTIGE CLASS> Racial Substitution Levels Base Attack Fort Ref Will Level Bonus Save Save Save Special Spells per Day ======================================== ======================================== ====================== <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <--> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <or> ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ <num> +<num> +<n> +<n> +<n> <all special abilities for level> <As standard> ======================================== ======================================== ====================== Class Abilities All the following are features of the <race> <prestige class>'s racial substitution levels. <New Class Feature> (Su): <A concise description of one of the new abilities that the racial substitution level grants should be added here, each class feature should be described in full, though it can reference the original if it is a variation on the original class feature.> <A second paragraph should describe which class feature the new ability replaces, if any. This paragraph should also explain how the class ability affects future class levels if it is replacing a recurring ability.> <New Class Feature> (Sp): <New Class Feature> (Ex):
Szatany 10-19-06, 08:31 PM	To comment on the magic/melee balance idea, as cool as it is, it is very impossible to do without a complete overhaul of D&D, which is probably a lot more than what they're looking for for this contest. It's not only possible, it's quite easy, and I can do it with one line of text (followed by few lines of smoothing game elements that have to change and the like, of course). It would completly change the game, but not the rules.
Bill Bisco: Average Adventurer 10-19-06, 09:54 PM	Yeah, I think a houserule to fix casting would be great.
Seerow 10-19-06, 10:53 PM	It's not only possible, it's quite easy, and I can do it with one line of text (followed by few lines of smoothing game elements that have to change and the like, of course). It would completly change the game, but not the rules. Would that line be "Wizards, Druids, and Clerics are banned"?
Szatany 10-19-06, 11:06 PM	Would that line be "Wizards, Druids, and Clerics are banned"? Nope, and it's also not "use my classes only" :D :D
Seerow 10-20-06, 12:02 AM	But that would be a total overhaul of the system, it's just something you've already done. Also, your classes aren't necessarily more balanced. Spellcasters are still a lot stronger. Other classes just have more variety and versatility, and are generally more interesting. Not necessarily powerful enough to compete with full casters. I could be wrong though, it's been a long time since I've read your classes and you may have changed things some. But the fundamental problem with casters is the system they're based on, which to my knowledge you haven't changed.
Szatany 10-20-06, 12:14 AM	But that would be a total overhaul of the system, it's just something you've already done. Also, your classes aren't necessarily more balanced. Spellcasters are still a lot stronger. Other classes just have more variety and versatility, and are generally more interesting. Not necessarily powerful enough to compete with full casters. I could be wrong though, it's been a long time since I've read your classes and you may have changed things some. But the fundamental problem with casters is the system they're based on, which to my knowledge you haven't changed. That's why I said that my solution is not "use my classes" ;) Ok, I'll just say it, the house rule is: Using spell-completion items does not require ability to cast spells.
Seerow 10-20-06, 01:14 AM	Ooh, I totally skipped over the "not". I suppose that could work. But that begs the question, do you consider a UMD rogue to be perfectly balanced with a full caster? I guess it lets fighters fly/DD more easily, but I don't see it fixing everything perfectly. ...maybe we should take this to a new topic.
WizO_Autumn 10-22-06, 08:12 PM	The contest is up and complete and you can start posting entries at 12:00 AM PST!
Szatany 10-22-06, 10:48 PM	Ooh, I totally skipped over the "not". I suppose that could work. But that begs the question, do you consider a UMD rogue to be perfectly balanced with a full caster? I guess it lets fighters fly/DD more easily, but I don't see it fixing everything perfectly. ...maybe we should take this to a new topic. I just did. Offtopic end.
PhoenixInferno 10-23-06, 02:33 AM	Question about the racial substitution level contest - when you say "new abilities", do you really mean different from print, or do they actually have to be new as in "never been printed for public consumption"? EDIT: Also, am I allowed to change prerequisites?
WizO_Autumn 10-23-06, 08:38 AM	New, unique abilities you create. They can be adapted from things you've created and posted on the board before, but need to be specific to this PrC and Race.
PhoenixInferno 10-23-06, 12:59 PM	And the prerequisites? Can they change?
WizO_Autumn 10-23-06, 02:49 PM	No, the prerequisites need to stay the same. It's only the 3 levels that change. Well- obviously you need to add the prerequisite "Must be X Race" but that's a given.
Vanigo 10-23-06, 05:27 PM	... Divine Oracle (Complete Divine) Dervish (Complete Warrior) Tattooed Monk (Complete Warrior) Prestige Class 6 (Complete Mage) I'm assuming this is a mistake?
WizO_Autumn 10-23-06, 05:35 PM	Uh... I see a PrC listed there... don't know where you got that... ;) Seriously though, good catch. Thought I had written it in. I couldn't remember the name of the PrC off the top of my head so I went and found out and then apparently didn't actually write it down. I think that's the right name- the Master Specialist? I'm away from books right now, so someone let me know if it's called something else.
Andorxor 10-24-06, 01:58 AM	What counts as race for this contest,phb only,every source or everything with LA?
PhoenixInferno 10-24-06, 02:08 AM	What counts as race for this contest,phb only,every source or everything with LA?Oh, that's an important question for me as well.
WizO_Autumn 10-24-06, 09:49 AM	Every available source- left intentionally open. Remember though, you want this to be a playable option, so pick something folks play.
PhoenixInferno 10-27-06, 12:35 AM	Taeldrin Laesrash, I read your entry over and was wondering how you can trade a 3rd level Assassin spell for a 4th level Enchantment/Illusion spell when Assassins don't have 3rd level spells yet. Are you just modifying the spell list?
WizO_Autumn 10-27-06, 10:19 AM	The poll closes tonight! Remember, the poll counts as 1 judge. I will then add the scores of the 4 judges + the poll + bonus points given by the contestants themselves to declare a winner!
Taeldrin Laesrash 10-29-06, 01:04 PM	Taeldrin Laesrash, I read your entry over and was wondering how you can trade a 3rd level Assassin spell for a 4th level Enchantment/Illusion spell when Assassins don't have 3rd level spells yet. Are you just modifying the spell list? The 4th-level spell part was a typo. As for the other part, yes, Assassins have 3rd-level spells at 5th level, they just need a high enough Intellegence for a bonus spell slot.
PhoenixInferno 10-30-06, 08:03 PM	The 4th-level spell part was a typo. As for the other part, yes, Assassins have 3rd-level spells at 5th level, they just need a high enough Intellegence for a bonus spell slot.Ah yes, they do.
Taeldrin Laesrash 11-02-06, 09:52 AM	Now that the contest is over, I've got a few questions: 1. When can the prize winners expect their prizes to reach them? 2. Do we get the titles that say 'UnCon Prizewinner'?
WizO_Autumn 11-02-06, 09:56 AM	1. I have no idea- I've done my part for prizes, and now it goes off to WotC headquarters. I'd expect 4-6 weeks. 2. I'm not sure yet. I'd assume so. Email me in a couple of weeks if you don't have it yet to remind me.