Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Cyber-Dave Aug 21, 2010 2:52:06	Both the FRCG and the ECG include sections under each geographic location and faction write up that describes what knowledge checks (and what DCs) might give up what sort of information. For example, a History DC 20 check lets someone know a little about the human tribes that live in the Demon Wastes of Eberron. I found those lists very helpful. Such lists are totally absent from the DSCG. Speaking of which, the DSCG really could have used a few more faction write ups as well. I mean, I don't see anything on the elf tribes anywhere (though I may have missed it). Write ups on factions, in general, are woefully missing from the book. Also, I kind of really wish that they had designed the book in the same format as all the other campaign settings. I wanted to wait to judge this new division until I could see what it turned out like for myself. Now that I have, while it is hardly the end of the world I am not a big fan of the new division. I really liked the way they had player guides and campaign guides. I don't like the fact that the campaign guide is a necessary player resource (due to all the character building options it includes), but it also gives away a lot of secret campaign information that I might not want my players to have. Finally, the DS coinage system really should have been kept in tact. I think one of the most common house rules out there is going to end up being that in dark sun 1 bead or bit equals a CP, 1 ceramic piece equals a SP, 1 copper piece equals a gold piece, 1 silver piece equals a PP, 1 gold piece equals 1 AD, PP and AD don't exist in Dark Sun.  Still, any designers reading this should not take this as a major complaint. All in all, the DSCG is an amazing read, and is a very good quality product! This has to be one of my favorite 4e books bought to date.
#2 Duke5150 Aug 21, 2010 3:29:41	I never bothered to bring up the lack of knowledge DCs since there are other things I'v been focused on, but you are correct. Not much at all. As for the organizations/factions, that's one of my major gripes. The currency system, well I'm still considering it. Initially, I didn't like it. I'm still not happy with it, but I'm getting used to it. I'll be using the revised 2e/3e currency system. Athasian Currency - PHB Equivalent (provided by athas.org ds3) Lead Bead - Copper piece Ceramic Bit - Silver piece Ceramic Piece - Gold piece Silver Piece - Platinum Piece Gold Piece - No equal.  I'm also not a fan of merging the cg and the pg into a single book and ending up with less material than that found in a dedicated CG. Really disappointed with that. While I do have some issues with the DSCS, I don't hate it. In fact, I'd marry it if it had thrikreen boobies. The mul and thrikreen are really cool. I don't dislike the PPs. The Themes are friggin awesome and should spread to infect every other setting including the PoL, since themes = pure awesome. The EDs are really cool even though I'm of mixed feelings with the pyreen. I love the wild talents and want more. I dig the new builds and I completely love the equipment section. I'v not read all the feats yet, but I'v always wanted "weapon powers" and now I have some! The Atlas of Athas is above and beyond awesome. I'm in nerd-love with the city-state maps, although Gulg seems unfinished. I can't stop looking at Urik. I just wish we had more actual art for the city-states like that of tyr and balic. Overall, I give the DSCS six and a half slaves out of ten.
#3 Cyber-Dave Aug 21, 2010 9:44:59	6.5 out of 10! Ouch, that is low. I would give it an 8 myself.
#4 Pennarin Aug 21, 2010 9:47:34	I give it...WIN; numbers are so retired.
#5 visanidethdm Aug 22, 2010 6:20:49	It's a flawless victory for me, once coupled with the CC; alone, the amount of info on core elements (the Dragon, the SKs, heck, even the simple wildlife) would be too thin.
#6 FlashbackJon Aug 23, 2010 2:15:02	Both the FRCG and the ECG include sections under each geographic location and faction write up that describes what knowledge checks (and what DCs) might give up what sort of information. For example, a History DC 20 check lets someone know a little about the human tribes that live in the Demon Wastes of Eberron. I found those lists very helpful. Such lists are totally absent from the DSCG. If I had to guess (and we'll pretend I do), I would assume it's so you can provide the information you prefer to provide, using level-appropriate DCs instead of hard-coded DCs.
#7 rothe Aug 23, 2010 4:46:38	For the content we got I give 8+. I would give a bit more if there were no skill challenge specific character build elements (some of the PP's have those). This is because skill challenges are one of the more houseruled elements of 4e and it would be easier to just have skill roll related abilities (which would then work with multiple skill challenge systems). For lack of content about the world, I am just left wishing for more. I suppose they could include some area specific information in dragon/dungeon. I would also love some kind of interactive online map (probably for DDI customers) where they could add links to articles and page numbers related to those areas (similar than at athas.org).