Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 mellored Sep 04, 2010 9:11:11	Link Also from there... Forgotton Kingdoms: Druid (sentinel), leader Paladin (cavalier), defender Ranger (hunter), controller Ranger (scout), striker Warlock (hexblade), striker
#2 mellored Sep 04, 2010 9:21:41	Other big spoiler. Some Feat notes: Great Fortitude: +2 FORT (+3 at 11th, +4 at 21st) Implement Focus: +1/tier damage with proficient implement, can take more than once Improved Defenses: +1/tier to FORT, REF, WILL Iron Will: +2 WILL (+3 at 11th, +4 at 21st) Lightning ReflexesL +2 REF (+3 @ 11, +4 @ 21) Resilient Focus: +2 to Saves Skill Focus: +3 to a skill, can be taken more than once Superior Fortitude - req STR 15 or CON 15, gives same as Great Fortitude plus resist 3/tier ongoing damage Superior Reflexes - req DEX or INT 15, same as Lightning Reflexes, plus gain CA against all enemies during first round Superior Will - req WIS or CHA 15, gives Iron Will benefits plus save vs. dazed or stunned at the start of your turn (even if an affect wouldn't normally end on a save) Weapon Focus: +1/tier damage for a weapon group, can take more than once.
#3 GhostStepper Sep 04, 2010 13:15:58	So we have a fighter thats a striker, a druid thats a leader and a ranger thats a controller. The real question is if the "hexblade" means we are getting a Warlock that is a Shadow power source subclass.
#4 Cyber-Dave Sep 04, 2010 13:21:37	Wow. Reading over the thread linked, it sounds like essentials will really be a very "basic" version of the game. If you want more than a single choice of paragon path with any of the essentials builds, or a single choice of epic destiny, or access to rituals, or the ability to play a hybrid (maybe even multi?) class character, you will have to look to prior released D&D material. Based on what the person who owns the book is saying in the linked thread, essentials is not only compatible with older 4e books, but to play a "full" game it will require older 4e books.
#5 Haldrik Sep 04, 2010 14:36:22	'Ranger (hunter), controller'    Huh. That really does make sense. Hunters do care about the minimizing the movement of their prey.
#6 GMforPowergamers Sep 04, 2010 15:09:00	The real question is if the "hexblade" means we are getting a Warlock that is a Shadow power source subclass. I imagin if we could send back the writers to 3 or 4 years ago, we would see the warlock as a cross powersource class any way...      Fey lock Arcane      Infernal Divine (well sorta)      Star lock Psionic (well again sorta)      Dark Pact Shadow      Sorcerer King pact Arcane    that could then lead to elemental pacts...and maybe even a martial one...err ok maybe not martial...
#7 Haldrik Sep 04, 2010 20:13:02	The warlock as a cross powersource class any way...      Fey lock Arcane      Infernal Divine (well sorta)      Star lock Psionic (well again sorta)      Dark Pact Shadow      Sorcerer King pact Arcane Id probably say something like: • Fey Pact ≈ Psionic (psychic) • Infernal Pact ≈ Divine (devil) • Dark Pact ≈ Elemental (demon) • Sorcerer-King Pact ≈ Primal (desert) • Vestige Pact ≈ Shadow (ghost) Hence all the pacts use Arcane as the generalist power source.
#8 hunterian7 Sep 04, 2010 21:46:01	the eladrin has the secondary stat bonus of +1 CHA. that is odd but the flexibility might be worth it. the essentials appears to be a very basic form of 4e. no rituals? rituals are great for mostly rpging and in between combat so i guess they could be left out. single column pages? a bit elementary to me or simple. not a bad thing, just not something i am used to. the spartan magic item selection in the heroes of the fallen lands is amusing. vicious, defender and magic. not sure how i feel about that yet. i am anxious to get my copy of this book and see what all the hoopla is about. there appears to be new art. the red box had some great art in it too. i also like the new character sheets except for the check mark boxes next to powers are missing.
#9 Kaviyd3 Sep 04, 2010 22:43:06	the eladrin has the secondary stat bonus of +1 CHA. that is odd but the flexibility might be worth it. the essentials appears to be a very basic form of 4e. no rituals? rituals are great for mostly rpging and in between combat so i guess they could be left out. single column pages? a bit elementary to me or simple. not a bad thing, just not something i am used to. the spartan magic item selection in the heroes of the fallen lands is amusing. vicious, defender and magic. not sure how i feel about that yet. i am anxious to get my copy of this book and see what all the hoopla is about. there appears to be new art. the red box had some great art in it too. i also like the new character sheets except for the check mark boxes next to powers are missing. I am pretty sure that the +1 Cha is a typo -- elsewhere I saw +2 for all stat bonuses mentioned. We also have confirmation that this book has no rituals, but some class abilities duplicate existing rituals.  So it is pointless to ask about the Enchant Item ritual, but it would be nice if somebody who has the book can find any mention of how player characters might be able to make common magic items. I am definitely looking forward to getting my hands on this book.
#10 Aegeri Sep 04, 2010 23:12:11	Wow. Reading over the thread linked, it sounds like essentials will really be a very "basic" version of the game. If you want more than a single choice of paragon path with any of the essentials builds, or a single choice of epic destiny, or access to rituals, or the ability to play a hybrid (maybe even multi?) class character, you will have to look to prior released D&D material. Based on what the person who owns the book is saying in the linked thread, essentials is not only compatible with older 4e books, but to play a "full" game it will require older 4e books. I know, it's amazing that wizards weren't lying to everyone or trying to pull the wool over their eyes to sneak past "4.5" isn't it?
#11 Haldrik Sep 05, 2010 4:25:48	the eladrin has the secondary stat bonus of +1 CHA. that is odd but the flexibility might be worth it. the essentials appears to be a very basic form of 4e. no rituals? rituals are great for mostly rpging and in between combat so i guess they could be left out. single column pages? a bit elementary to me or simple. not a bad thing, just not something i am used to. the spartan magic item selection in the heroes of the fallen lands is amusing. vicious, defender and magic. not sure how i feel about that yet. i am anxious to get my copy of this book and see what all the hoopla is about. there appears to be new art. the red box had some great art in it too. i also like the new character sheets except for the check mark boxes next to powers are missing. This source, an extensive book review, clearly and explicitely says: 'eladrin have +2 Int; +2 Dex or +2 Cha'.
#12 mellored Sep 05, 2010 10:02:40	We also have confirmation that this book has no rituals, but some class abilities duplicate existing rituals. Just to avoid confusion.  The Rules Compendium DOES explain rituals.  It's just that the new classes don't get ritual casting for free.  So they havn't gone anywhere, and you can still get them for a feat.
#13 hunterian7 Sep 05, 2010 11:47:31	We also have confirmation that this book has no rituals, but some class abilities duplicate existing rituals. Just to avoid confusion.  The Rules Compendium DOES explain rituals.  It's just that the new classes don't get ritual casting for free.  So they havn't gone anywhere, and you can still get them for a feat. it seems that the wizard in the essentials has other abilities to offset the loss of rituals. i will take a closer look at the essentials preview in ddi. okay, the wizard gets 3 at-will powers and the apprentice mage ability to offset the rituals. since i don't use rituals that much the mage from the essentials is pretty appealing to me.