Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 guest1624188404 Aug 29, 2010 6:55:01	Hi Our group has been playing Dark Sun on and off since the original boxed set was released, and I was wondering if the new Dark Sun books are worth buying if we don't use 4e rules? Do they contain any new information or lore about the setting that isn't totally contradictory to the old books? Anything is interesting really, just as long as it's not just repeated information or 4e mechanics. If anyone have read the new books and are also familiar with the old versions, I'd be very interesting in your opinion. Thanks in advance OE
#2 mouthymerc Aug 29, 2010 7:03:33	No, nothing really new lore-wise.
#3 Silverblade_The_Enchanter Aug 29, 2010 7:37:13	well I thinkthey way they used "themes" was briliant I alway shated the "gladiator" and "templar" class so making them 2nd ed "kits" would make more sense IMHO. 4th ed works better in so many ways for such, liek "defiling" is now a choice, when used, it damages allies, to boost spell power ;)
#4 claytoniantomb Aug 29, 2010 8:27:10	It's like they refined the setting, but they obscured the history so much that the DM has to decide everything or buy the 2e books to know what the heck is going on. I think for new players it will be fine though.
#5 Silverblade_The_Enchanter Aug 29, 2010 9:36:55	Athas should have no damned "offical" history! it was that metaplot/novel crap that ruined it for many of us :/ Athas should be about MYSTERY, leave the history to the DM/players, same with the SKs
#6 dulsi Aug 29, 2010 9:58:59	It's like they refined the setting, but they obscured the history so much that the DM has to decide everything or buy the 2e books to know what the heck is going on. 2e had several books that defined the history.  The 4E probably has similar amount of material as the original boxed set.
#7 visanidethdm Aug 30, 2010 3:48:57	Hi Our group has been playing Dark Sun on and off since the original boxed set was released, and I was wondering if the new Dark Sun books are worth buying if we don't use 4e rules? Do they contain any new information or lore about the setting that isn't totally contradictory to the old books? Anything is interesting really, just as long as it's not just repeated information or 4e mechanics. If anyone have read the new books and are also familiar with the old versions, I'd be very interesting in your opinion. Thanks in advance OE I think you may find the DSCS book interesting fundamentally for the very detailed information on city states (including maps for each one), which is something 2nd edition didn't really have. There's a few new lore elements and plot hooks (like new superpowerful villains like the Kraken God), but overall, if you don't plan to play 4e, I doubt it it's worth your money.
#8 Palladinae Aug 30, 2010 6:15:08	Also, there is whole lot of small details smuggled in, that present a new layer of the background information.
#9 Alacryss Aug 30, 2010 12:25:21	Maps, maps, maps.  Maps of all the city states, an awesome map of Tyr, and a clearer map of the Tablelands.  It's worth it for that alone.  The Languages list is also usable in 2e/3e, hmm...what else...the new weapon descriptions(and pictures!), new gear can be easily converted, and the great pics of old monsters in the Creature Catalog can all be used.  We also get illustrations of all the SKs, something we never had before, including write-ups on the mostly ignored ones like Tectuktitlay and Abalach-Re.
#10 terminus_vortexa Aug 30, 2010 12:49:43	The 4e Campaign Setting IMO is good as a primer for teaching new players the basics of Dark Sun, from the perspective of a solid 3.5 fan and DM. Remove the crunch, and it's like a slightly biased version of the Wanderer's Journal or something.
#11 guest1624188404 Sep 01, 2010 2:38:26	Thanks for the info, it's tempting to buy the books just for the maps really Glad they re-released the setting, maybe they will produce something new for it at a later stage.
#12 rollawaythestone Sep 01, 2010 12:29:31	I just got my Creature Catalogue yesterday. Man what an awesome book! I am really impressed with the creatures they decided to include, and really impressed with the write-ups, art, and stats, of the Sorceror Kings and the Dragon.