I think it sounds neat. And WotC gets to actually use their "evil-looking" PHB cover. ;)
that.Hmm... a $35-40 book of 30 premade dungeons. Sounds like an expensive crutch for uncreative novice DMs. Its the first 4e book that WotC has announced that I honestly can say I have no desire to put my hands on.
I'm not sure that's a fair way to put it. For example, with a huge classload, it's hard to put together sessions every week, but missing even one or two weekends is fatal to a game. Having something that can be pulled out at whim is great. Plus, who actually pays full price for any of these books?
I'm not sure that's a fair way to put it. For example, with a huge classload, it's hard to put together sessions every week, but missing even one or two weekends is fatal to a game. Having something that can be pulled out at whim is great.
Know what ya mean ;). I sometimes struggle to put together a games worth of delving. Also, if I miss a game, that means the group goes an entire month with no game-- not good. Dungeon Delve is just the kinda supplement that sees a lot of use in our games. Indulging my creativity is a luxery, something I don't always have time for ;).
Plus, who actually pays full price for any of these books?
Aww, come on; don't tell me I'm the only one :P?
Seriously though, I gotta start buying from places like Amazon more often, less from the local Waldenbooks. My Border's Reward Card only takes off the sales tax-- at most.
Also, if you're interested, you should consider a Barnes and Noble membership. It's $25/year, but you get 10% off all purchases (textbooks included!).
Hmm... a $35-40 book of 30 premade dungeons. Sounds like an expensive crutch for uncreative novice DMs. Its the first 4e book that WotC has announced that I honestly can say I have no desire to put my hands on.
You're thinking inside the box. I'm not a big D&D player; gave it up in '82 or so when I discovered Champions. However, my old maps, a KotS, DLable Character Generator, bags and bags of chits (from Villains and Vigilantes and then on), and this scenario book sounds like wargame light with cool movie-like powers. (Don't panic, a couple of us bought PH and I bought a DMG so the company is making money.) We've already played several of the KotS scenarios as one-offs and will do more with the single dungeons. Never underestimate cross-sales to people like me who'd normally stay out of it.
Hmm... a $35-40 book of 30 premade dungeons. Sounds like an expensive crutch for uncreative novice DMs. Its the first 4e book that WotC has announced that I honestly can say I have no desire to put my hands on.
The more crutches there are for uncreative novice DMs, the better the chance of me shirking off my eternal DMing duties on one of my brothers.
Aww, come on; don't tell me I'm the only one :P?
Seriously though, I gotta start buying from places like Amazon more often, less from the local Waldenbooks. My Border's Reward Card only takes off the sales tax-- at most.
I pay basically full price at my local games store rather then order from amazon. Amazon doesn't laugh at my story about fighting the gelatinous cube in KotS. Of course supporting your local game shop should be done only when the local shop is worthy of your support.
The more crutches there are for uncreative novice DMs, the better the chance of me shirking off my eternal DMing duties on one of my brothers.
This is the only retort someone has made that makes the slightest iota of sense. However I play with a bunch of expiereinced guys who are all able to play and DM well, so still I see it as a useless book.
I am a story-driven DM. I couldn't care less what the dungeon or enviroment details are as long as the setting and the ~feel~ of the encounters are true to the stoyline.
I have 400MBs of Map-A-Weeks, Map Archives, and Art from Wizards, as well as most tile sets, Fantastic Location and Epic Creature battle maps. Combine a couple of good art pieces with any map my players havn't seen before, pick a battle map for the climatic encounter and preto-chango I now have hours to devote to storyline, determining acted roles for the cast of the adventure, etc.
We play a sort of sandbox style game, where the players essentially decide what to do based on their own goals, with minimal railroading only when they make decisive action.
The Dungeon Delve is going to free up even more options. The players decide they're going to investigate an interesting map feature you didn't consider preparing? No problem... pick 3 encounters (one below, one at level, one above) and BAM! Adventure.
Alot of DMs love making maps and encounters. I love writing story and archvillain plots, not the nity-grity. This is who the book is geared for, but anyone can probably find SOMETHING to take home from it.
PS: With regards to local stores vs. Online ordering, Local Stores win every time.
This is the only retort someone has made that makes the slightest iota of sense. However I play with a bunch of expiereinced guys who are all able to play and DM well, so still I see it as a useless book.
I wish I could be so lucky. I haven't had a good group since 2004. I won't expect to get another one until college in 2010.