The main thing that struck me when i picked up the AV2 was that it sure seemed like it has a lot fewer items that the last book, now that many of the pages are dominated by big blocks of crunch-replacing flavor text. I almost had a flashback to 3.5 when i would pick up a book and have to flip past page after page of fluff in order to find some useful mechanics. Of course thats a little hyperbolic since there isnt literally page after page of fluff but it certainly made me wonder:
Is this the direction that WotC plans to take future releases? Less crunch and more fluff?
My only concern wasnt about the addition of fluff material, just that it was a little over 60 pages smaller than AV. I already know that I'm not going to care about many of the items in the gear books, just c'mon, keep the books at similar page counts especially if you're gonna keep the costs the same.
I haven't bought it yet, however I did get a good look at it. I do hope that we don't see less and les pages with more and more useless fluff...
I think that with AV1, we got so many items, that WotC just didn't have enough ideas to fill the book with exclusively crunch if they want to do an AV3. So what do RPGs do to fill out space when its light on crunch? They stuff if with fluff.
Yeah. Kind of disappointed at the lack of new mundane weapons, tbh.
Yeah. Kind of disappointed at the lack of new mundane weapons, tbh.
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
Tell me about it.
You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the day my AV2 shipped from Amazon, a player picked it up. Ugh. We do not need two AV2 copies...
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
Tell me about it.
You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the day my AV2 shipped from Amazon, a player picked it up. Ugh. We do not need two AV2 copies...
This sort of relates to a repurcussion cutting page counts and adding filler causes: not needing the book at the table at all. With AV1, its good to have it at the table since there are enough good items in it that every player has something from the books and we need it on hand for reference. With AV2, there are less items that people actually want and thus having it as a reference at the table becomes much less of a necessity. Why should i buy this book when i can look up the few "diamond in the rough" items in the book on the compendium and save myself some cash?
The usefulness seems to depend on your character I think. I just started in a campaign and the DM wanted a wish list of an item of each level 3-10. When AV2 came out I replaced all but one of the items on my wishlist for things that better fit my character (a warden). 4 of the items were an item set.
I'm not surprised that AV2 is smaller than AV since the new mechanics of magic items reduces some of the need for tons of magic items that are mostly redundant. I could have done with a bit less fluff on the 'story items' as that's more a DM area when the magic items in 4e seem more a player area (since they were included in the PHB).
Fluff is good. Fluff is our friend. Fluff should outweigh everything else in the book by an 8:2 ratio if ya ask me. I already get the crunch through DDI. For $6 a month. A book averages $20, and so I expect a lot more than the mechanics I already get. I expect to see descriptions with deep details. I would like to see a short story for every item, and a small novel for every race. I'd like to see more than half a page of info on a monster. In short, I already have the crunch, and so if I'm gonna pay more money, I want the fluff.
If you want Crunch and need it at your table as a reference, get a laptop/cellphone/any other portable internet browsing device.
I have to agree with Mr Individuality. The only reason to buy the books is for the fluff.
I've been asking for more fluf since I started playing 4e. Looks like I finally got my wish.
I admit I haven't had a chance to check out the new AV2 yet, but honestly, there's nothing wrong with good "fluff". I don't think of it as fluff, because that's not what it is t all; it's detail.
Ugh. I'm hoping this is not a sign of things to come. I was quite happy to have nearly-fluffless books, as it made it that much easier for me to supply my own.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
This.
I find many things in the AV2 to be useful, mostly the Item Sets and Magic Ammo. Especially the Ammo.
Ugh. I'm hoping this is not a sign of things to come. I was quite happy to have nearly-fluffless books, as it made it that much easier for me to supply my own.
Get a cell phone with internet access. Pay $6 a month for a DDI subscription. Taadaa!!! You now have access to every mechanic, no fluff included. On your phone. Everything you want, at the cost of your phone, and $6 a month. Then you can supply all the fluff you want, and save huge amounts of money.
Meanwhile, I'll be lookin' forward to the fluff in the books, because I've already got the mechanics on a device the size of my hand. If I'm gonna buy a book, I'd expect it to give me something that I don't already have in my back pocket. And that something, is fluff.
Get a cell phone with internet access. Pay $6 a month for a DDI subscription. Taadaa!!! You now have access to every mechanic, no fluff included. On your phone. Everything you want, at the cost of your phone, and $6 a month. Then you can supply all the fluff you want, and save huge amounts of money.
It will be a sad day when people are driven to read books' worth of text off of a phone because they don't like the books WotC is putting out.
As DDI subscriber i do sort of wish i had never picked up the book now that you've mentioned it, considering that less items tends to equate to less items that are actually good. If there are only a few good items in the book due to a lower page count and extra text blocks, then there isnt a big incentive to have a copy at the table instead of looking the handful of items up on the compendium.
Seems like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation here.
I love the fluff. It's generic enough to be reworked into any campaign with just a few name changes and it really spices up what can be otherwise dull magic items. It helps alleviate the "oh look a +1 sword" syndrome. No magic item should be mundane, unless you are playing in a extremely high magic level world.
Plus as a group working on fleshing out the POL default setting, these drop in story snippets and background organzations are rich for the plunder.
I like it when the fluff relates to the core setting's story. Of course, I don't use that fluff, but it's interesting to me, since I'm a lore-junkie.
I really liked the fluff from this months Bazaar of the Bizarre, since Soulfangs were just the coolest thing ever, and they wouldn't be interesting without the fluff they included to describe WHAT THEY WERE.
I usually find fluff a great starting point to build off of for when I go and refluff. It gives the general idea and theme that I might work with, and then I change things up. But the original fluff gives a dock to set sail from as I head out upon a sea of ideas.
There are a smaller amount of items in AVII but the items for the most part are alot more interesting than the ones from AVI.
There are a smaller amount of items in AVII but the items for the most part are alot more interesting than the ones from AVI.
Some being interesting in the unfortunate way 
I liked it for the most part, especially the item sets. I can see Skin of the Panther on my druid in the near future, especially when it's updated on the CB.
For AV3, I'd like to see more item sets, like something geared towards the Fighter class specifically. Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
The Katana is easily iconic enough do so. It would be nice to get some interesting mundane weapons with more interesting properties. Note, I didn't say stronger or better, just more interesting.
Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
I really hope they don't do special culturally specific versions of weapons that already exist. There simply isnt a need for that kind of mechanical granularity in a system where reflavoring is at the forefront anyway. We have a plenty of heavy blades that can represent swords from any culture. We have a one-handed flail a quarterstaff. We don't need the same weapons redone with different names.
I really hope they don't do special culturally specific versions of weapons that already exist. There simply isnt a need for that kind of mechanical granularity in a system where reflavoring is at the forefront anyway. We have a plenty of heavy blades that can represent swords from any culture. We have a one-handed flail a quarterstaff. We don't need the same weapons redone with different names.
I agree and disagree...if I saw a sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d10 verstile Katana I would be pissed...why reprint a sword with a new name..
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be cool
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be cool
You would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?
I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
You would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
I agree 100%. I wouldn't find a brutal longsword to be either exciting nor really an interesting representation of a Katana that adds anything to the game. In fact it just seems like a fanboyish representation of the katana as a "longsword but so much better brah!" that has only ever caused loads of grief and silliness in the past. Especially on forums like this one.
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be coolYou would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?
I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...
I all so have no ****ing interest in more mundane weapons.
I was really looking forward to more Alchemical Items in AV2 ... there were none, but I suppose that's alright! I'll only have to wait ... another ... year ......... dang, that sucks. My poor Explorer is just going to have to make do with his Alchemist's Frost for another year.
Sincerely,
Lord Dreadman
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...
What I noticed, with the story items is that they are the 4e version of legacy item.
Example: 3.5 adventure sentinal spire? Legacy item: Bonrhialorg(supernal or elven for Queens staff) AVII Item set: The Queens Gifts: Queens staff. AVII's version is much weaker, even with the other items.
Don't get me wrong the item sets and tattoos are the best things in AVII. It would have been better if WotC had included guide lines for item set creation, other than adding an item to an existing set.
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...lol: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Kata...
I am not saying "OMG teh katana rulz...it neeeds be teh best..." I was giving an example...in this case a brutal heavy blade..
I'm a fan of fluffy books. So this appeals to me. But that doesn't mean I want less meat and more bun. I'm a bit tapped out right now so I havn't gotten the AV2, but I look forward to it. What I really want is more magic item artwork. I'm big on visuals, I normally choose to use monsters if I can see a picture of the monster. I don't need pop up pictures for everything, but the AV was seriously lacking some art support. The artwork in the AV is really good, I like it. I just want MORE.
For AV3, I'd like to see more item sets, like something geared towards the Fighter class specifically. Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
But...but...but...
That's exactly what the Katana IS!
It's a 1.5 handed sword. Also known as a: Bastard Sword.
It just has a better Marketing Campaign. Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Kill Bill, etc.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
Some of us don't have time to add our own fluff.
Isnt the katana more like a 'versatile shortsword' with hi crit threat?
Technically a Bastard Sword is another name of a Longsword. So technically there's already a redundancy.
I mean even the Broad Sword is only slightly different from the Bastard Sword and the Longsword.
I would be quite happy if they made a Katana. I would figure it would be either brutal & versatile, possibly 1d8 instead of 1d10.
Heck, I have dropped the AV2 down a few rungs because of the lack of more mundane equipment and alchemical items.
As for fluff, I really don't care one way or another. If a book has what I want, I'll get it otherwise I won't. 
After getting the AV2, I don't see what there is to complain about. There are TONS of items and still not enough fluff. IMO.
I'm still not happy with the lack of artwork.
My only concern wasnt about the addition of fluff material, just that it was a little over 60 pages smaller than AV. I already know that I'm not going to care about many of the items in the gear books, just c'mon, keep the books at similar page counts especially if you're gonna keep the costs the same.
I haven't bought it yet, however I did get a good look at it. I do hope that we don't see less and les pages with more and more useless fluff...
I think that with AV1, we got so many items, that WotC just didn't have enough ideas to fill the book with exclusively crunch if they want to do an AV3. So what do RPGs do to fill out space when its light on crunch? They stuff if with fluff.
Yeah. Kind of disappointed at the lack of new mundane weapons, tbh.
Yeah. Kind of disappointed at the lack of new mundane weapons, tbh.
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
Tell me about it.
You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the day my AV2 shipped from Amazon, a player picked it up. Ugh. We do not need two AV2 copies...
That, and no new vehicles or mounts. The more i think about it, the more disappointed i am.
Tell me about it.
You can imagine my disappointment when I found out the day my AV2 shipped from Amazon, a player picked it up. Ugh. We do not need two AV2 copies...
This sort of relates to a repurcussion cutting page counts and adding filler causes: not needing the book at the table at all. With AV1, its good to have it at the table since there are enough good items in it that every player has something from the books and we need it on hand for reference. With AV2, there are less items that people actually want and thus having it as a reference at the table becomes much less of a necessity. Why should i buy this book when i can look up the few "diamond in the rough" items in the book on the compendium and save myself some cash?
The usefulness seems to depend on your character I think. I just started in a campaign and the DM wanted a wish list of an item of each level 3-10. When AV2 came out I replaced all but one of the items on my wishlist for things that better fit my character (a warden). 4 of the items were an item set.
I'm not surprised that AV2 is smaller than AV since the new mechanics of magic items reduces some of the need for tons of magic items that are mostly redundant. I could have done with a bit less fluff on the 'story items' as that's more a DM area when the magic items in 4e seem more a player area (since they were included in the PHB).
Fluff is good. Fluff is our friend. Fluff should outweigh everything else in the book by an 8:2 ratio if ya ask me. I already get the crunch through DDI. For $6 a month. A book averages $20, and so I expect a lot more than the mechanics I already get. I expect to see descriptions with deep details. I would like to see a short story for every item, and a small novel for every race. I'd like to see more than half a page of info on a monster. In short, I already have the crunch, and so if I'm gonna pay more money, I want the fluff.
If you want Crunch and need it at your table as a reference, get a laptop/cellphone/any other portable internet browsing device.
I have to agree with Mr Individuality. The only reason to buy the books is for the fluff.
I've been asking for more fluf since I started playing 4e. Looks like I finally got my wish.
I admit I haven't had a chance to check out the new AV2 yet, but honestly, there's nothing wrong with good "fluff". I don't think of it as fluff, because that's not what it is t all; it's detail.
Ugh. I'm hoping this is not a sign of things to come. I was quite happy to have nearly-fluffless books, as it made it that much easier for me to supply my own.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
This.
I find many things in the AV2 to be useful, mostly the Item Sets and Magic Ammo. Especially the Ammo.
Ugh. I'm hoping this is not a sign of things to come. I was quite happy to have nearly-fluffless books, as it made it that much easier for me to supply my own.
Get a cell phone with internet access. Pay $6 a month for a DDI subscription. Taadaa!!! You now have access to every mechanic, no fluff included. On your phone. Everything you want, at the cost of your phone, and $6 a month. Then you can supply all the fluff you want, and save huge amounts of money.
Meanwhile, I'll be lookin' forward to the fluff in the books, because I've already got the mechanics on a device the size of my hand. If I'm gonna buy a book, I'd expect it to give me something that I don't already have in my back pocket. And that something, is fluff.
Get a cell phone with internet access. Pay $6 a month for a DDI subscription. Taadaa!!! You now have access to every mechanic, no fluff included. On your phone. Everything you want, at the cost of your phone, and $6 a month. Then you can supply all the fluff you want, and save huge amounts of money.
It will be a sad day when people are driven to read books' worth of text off of a phone because they don't like the books WotC is putting out.
As DDI subscriber i do sort of wish i had never picked up the book now that you've mentioned it, considering that less items tends to equate to less items that are actually good. If there are only a few good items in the book due to a lower page count and extra text blocks, then there isnt a big incentive to have a copy at the table instead of looking the handful of items up on the compendium.
Seems like a "damned if you do, damned if you don't" situation here.
I love the fluff. It's generic enough to be reworked into any campaign with just a few name changes and it really spices up what can be otherwise dull magic items. It helps alleviate the "oh look a +1 sword" syndrome. No magic item should be mundane, unless you are playing in a extremely high magic level world.
Plus as a group working on fleshing out the POL default setting, these drop in story snippets and background organzations are rich for the plunder.
I like it when the fluff relates to the core setting's story. Of course, I don't use that fluff, but it's interesting to me, since I'm a lore-junkie.
I really liked the fluff from this months Bazaar of the Bizarre, since Soulfangs were just the coolest thing ever, and they wouldn't be interesting without the fluff they included to describe WHAT THEY WERE.
I usually find fluff a great starting point to build off of for when I go and refluff. It gives the general idea and theme that I might work with, and then I change things up. But the original fluff gives a dock to set sail from as I head out upon a sea of ideas.
There are a smaller amount of items in AVII but the items for the most part are alot more interesting than the ones from AVI.
There are a smaller amount of items in AVII but the items for the most part are alot more interesting than the ones from AVI.
Some being interesting in the unfortunate way
I liked it for the most part, especially the item sets. I can see Skin of the Panther on my druid in the near future, especially when it's updated on the CB.
For AV3, I'd like to see more item sets, like something geared towards the Fighter class specifically. Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
The Katana is easily iconic enough do so. It would be nice to get some interesting mundane weapons with more interesting properties. Note, I didn't say stronger or better, just more interesting.
Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
I really hope they don't do special culturally specific versions of weapons that already exist. There simply isnt a need for that kind of mechanical granularity in a system where reflavoring is at the forefront anyway. We have a plenty of heavy blades that can represent swords from any culture. We have a one-handed flail a quarterstaff. We don't need the same weapons redone with different names.
I really hope they don't do special culturally specific versions of weapons that already exist. There simply isnt a need for that kind of mechanical granularity in a system where reflavoring is at the forefront anyway. We have a plenty of heavy blades that can represent swords from any culture. We have a one-handed flail a quarterstaff. We don't need the same weapons redone with different names.
I agree and disagree...if I saw a sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d10 verstile Katana I would be pissed...why reprint a sword with a new name..
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be cool
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be cool
You would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?
I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
You would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
I agree 100%. I wouldn't find a brutal longsword to be either exciting nor really an interesting representation of a Katana that adds anything to the game. In fact it just seems like a fanboyish representation of the katana as a "longsword but so much better brah!" that has only ever caused loads of grief and silliness in the past. Especially on forums like this one.
BUT if they had something like sup weap +3 prof heavy blade 1d8 brutal 1 versitle Katana that would be coolYou would honestly get excited about them dedicating space to a +3, 1d8, brutal 1, heavy blade? A simply weaker version of the bastard sword (less max and average damage)?
I don't see the point of making anything further unless they can actually come up with some new and interesting properties since shuffling around a few points of damage output doesn't add anything substantial to the game.
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...
I all so have no ****ing interest in more mundane weapons.
I was really looking forward to more Alchemical Items in AV2 ... there were none, but I suppose that's alright! I'll only have to wait ... another ... year ......... dang, that sucks. My poor Explorer is just going to have to make do with his Alchemist's Frost for another year.
Sincerely,
Lord Dreadman
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...
What I noticed, with the story items is that they are the 4e version of legacy item.
Example: 3.5 adventure sentinal spire? Legacy item: Bonrhialorg(supernal or elven for Queens staff) AVII Item set: The Queens Gifts: Queens staff. AVII's version is much weaker, even with the other items.
Don't get me wrong the item sets and tattoos are the best things in AVII. It would have been better if WotC had included guide lines for item set creation, other than adding an item to an existing set.
It adds options...and I would call it a better longsword not a worse bastard sword...lol: tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/Kata...
I am not saying "OMG teh katana rulz...it neeeds be teh best..." I was giving an example...in this case a brutal heavy blade..
I'm a fan of fluffy books. So this appeals to me. But that doesn't mean I want less meat and more bun. I'm a bit tapped out right now so I havn't gotten the AV2, but I look forward to it. What I really want is more magic item artwork. I'm big on visuals, I normally choose to use monsters if I can see a picture of the monster. I don't need pop up pictures for everything, but the AV was seriously lacking some art support. The artwork in the AV is really good, I like it. I just want MORE.
For AV3, I'd like to see more item sets, like something geared towards the Fighter class specifically. Also more mundane weapons items, for example: The Katana, Nun-Chuku and Bo Staff. I'd also like to see some arabic inspired weapons such as the Tulwar as well. I understand that many of these weapons could be simulated with what's already provided. BUT, I just can't get my head around a Bastard Sword and a Katana being the same mechanically as was suggested in 3E & 3.5E, sorry. The two weapons were created by very different cultures. The Katana at least deserves it's own write-up and entry.
But...but...but...
That's exactly what the Katana IS!
It's a 1.5 handed sword. Also known as a: Bastard Sword.
It just has a better Marketing Campaign. Chrono Trigger, Final Fantasy, Kill Bill, etc.
Agreed. I can come up with my own fluff very well, thank you very much.
I just really hope this doesn't turn out to be a roundabout way of trying to do what they tried to do the first time.
When WotC first introduced 4E, one of the ideas they toyed around with was to make every mechanic in the game intricately tied to a fluff idea. Naturally, there was an appropriate negative response (considering how different we are from each other and how different, therefore, our tastes will be) decrying that design intent.
Thankfully, now we have game mechanics nearly severed from fluff to where a player can use whatever he wants to express whatever concept he wants without putting up with a bunch of useless baggage.
Some of us don't have time to add our own fluff.
Isnt the katana more like a 'versatile shortsword' with hi crit threat?
Technically a Bastard Sword is another name of a Longsword. So technically there's already a redundancy.
I mean even the Broad Sword is only slightly different from the Bastard Sword and the Longsword.
I would be quite happy if they made a Katana. I would figure it would be either brutal & versatile, possibly 1d8 instead of 1d10.
Heck, I have dropped the AV2 down a few rungs because of the lack of more mundane equipment and alchemical items.
As for fluff, I really don't care one way or another. If a book has what I want, I'll get it otherwise I won't.
After getting the AV2, I don't see what there is to complain about. There are TONS of items and still not enough fluff. IMO.
I'm still not happy with the lack of artwork.