August and Beyond
Bart Carroll
This month, Bart reveals a bunch of fluff for the Monk from Psionic Power, as well as the Basilik's Fury Adept PPath for the class; a discussion of Psionics from the Dark Sun Campaign Guide and the Theme PPath for Wilder Themed Characters, Resurgent Wilder; Salt Golems and Monster Options from the Dark Sun Creature Catalog; an early discussion of the content of Marauders of the Dune Sea; various novels, a glimpse at September's Magazine content, with the appearnce of characters from Bruce Cordell's Abolethic Sovereignty trilogy, in addition to the stats for the vile artefact, the Dreamheart.
We also look at an image of a number of miniatures from the Lords of Madness set.
Talk about this In the Works preview here.
In all seriousness though, at least I like these previewed paragon paths. I like the Monk one in general (I do like supernatural monks), and I like the Wilder one a lot. That just seems... really potent. Really really potent.
I like the supernatural Monk idea, too. And really, this one seems to want to try helping justify them as Psionic... is this the first time a player's option offers a chance at petrification in this edition? 
As for the Wilder one... I don't think I like that they insist on showing us paragon paths for stuff we haven't seen yet. It's annoying. 
. I don't think I like that they insist on showing us paragon paths for stuff we haven't seen yet. It's annoying.
I agree...most of the Power previews end up being Paragon Paths which I don't like. I would rather have builds, powers or feats in previews.
. I don't think I like that they insist on showing us paragon paths for stuff we haven't seen yet. It's annoying.
I agree...most of the Power previews end up being Paragon Paths which I don't like. I would rather have builds, powers or feats in previews.
You misunderstand. We've seen Goliaths. We've seen Ardents. We know what those look like, what they can do, so I can get over only seeing the options, like we get with the Power books. We have not, insofar as I know, seen the Wilder theme, so it's annoying that it's previewed with a paragon path, rather than a look at powers or the like.
. I don't think I like that they insist on showing us paragon paths for stuff we haven't seen yet. It's annoying.
I agree...most of the Power previews end up being Paragon Paths which I don't like. I would rather have builds, powers or feats in previews.
You misunderstand. We've seen Goliaths. We've seen Ardents. We know what those look like, what they can do, so I can get over only seeing the options, like we get with the Power books. We have not, insofar as I know, seen the Wilder theme, so it's annoying that it's previewed with a paragon path, rather than a look at powers or the like.
2 of the Wilder Theme powers have been shown on the Preg-gen characters already.
It's just a nice neat paragon path where you slow and and immobilize monsters. And turning yourself to stone rather than fall unconscious or get stunned is neat as well.
I don't even plan on playing a monk any time soon (too many things on my list to play first, and I mostly DM, so it'll take a long time to clear it), but if I did, I'd think about making the character more of a supernatural monk.
Bonus to saving throws against certain conditions, but not to defenses, so the conditions last a shorter period? petrifying you when stunned or unconscious?
Hell... giving up an extra action to slow your enemies?
It's thematic for a Defender or Controller, but for a Striker, your giving up lots of damage to game some limited control. I guess you can see it as enhancing the Monks uber defense and Melee control shtick, but it's at the cost of damage and movement.
You might multiclass into it, I suppose.
I got to disagree. I like the Basilik Fury thematically... but making all your critical attacks need to beat Resist 20? (petrify your enemys with critical seems to take effect when you make the critical hit, not after damage is dealt.
Maybe that's supposed to work like in video games (I'm thinking Castlevania: Circle of the Moon cockatrice whip), where you turn enemies to stone instead of killing them so you can use them as platforms ;)