Player’s Handbook Heroes
The Series 1 set of Player’s Handbook Heroes debuts later this month. Each of the six packs in the series features three visible, highly decorated miniatures suitable for use as player characters or NPCs. Each pack is devoted to characters of a particular power source, and each pack includes three new power cards associated with the classes that use the power source. For example, the goliath barbarian shown below (a new race and class from Player’s Handbook 2) comes with a new at-will power. I’m reproducing the new power card here so you can get a sense of what you get with each pack.
For example, will be the cleric be the one who gets the new power card for the divine set? Are they all At-Will powers?
Has any more information been released about these yet?
According to this article they come out at end of March but WOTC site/Amazon say April? Is it still March?
It can be pricy to buy all the decks for each class at once: about $80. Itd be nice to divide them up into separate decks, to get the class you happen to be playing at the moment.
Aye. But $10.00 for about 100 or so card is quite nice. Can't wait for the Swordmage deck later this year. We have a lot of Sword mages around here.
Amazon has the release date for those listed as 4/21/09, which seems to be in line with the 4/2009 release date listed on the Wizards product page.
I believe that the OP is referring to the new miniature sets coming out, which (as the Ampersand article notes) includes new power cards.
Amazon has the release date for those listed as 4/21/09, which seems to be in line with the 4/2009 release date listed on the Wizards product page.
Yes I mean the miniatures that come with the new powers on the small cards. Accoriding to the article I posted from the March Ambersand it said they would be out at end of this month.
Did they change the date on them?
Honestly, releasing new powers with miniatures is absolute BS. I want new powers. I don't want miniatures. We just use toys and other trinkets. Are they going to be sold separately? Or put online somewhere? This is insane.
You're absolutely right. Giving your customers more reasons to buy your products is completely insane.
You're absolutely right. Giving your customers more reasons to buy your products is completely insane.
No, that's not insane. That's smart.
The fact is, though, its not giving me more reasons to buy their products. Its making me annoyed. I will absolutely not buy those miniatures. If I ever bought miniatures, I'd rather have higher quality ones than D&D makes, anyway.
No, it's crossing product lines that bothers me.
It's like putting new Wizard Daily spells in packs of Magic cards.
Honestly, releasing new powers with miniatures is absolute BS. I want new powers. I don't want miniatures. We just use toys and other trinkets. Are they going to be sold separately? Or put online somewhere? This is insane.
The new powers in the mini packs will be added to the compendium, and presumably the Character Builder.
I know I won't be buying the hero packs to collect the powers, but if I see a good hero pack I like I might splurge now and then.
My D&DI account lets me get the powers already.
No, that's not insane. That's smart.
The fact is, though, its not giving me more reasons to buy their products. Its making me annoyed. I will absolutely not buy those miniatures. If I ever bought miniatures, I'd rather have higher quality ones than D&D makes, anyway.
No, it's crossing product lines that bothers me.
It's like putting new Wizard Daily spells in packs of Magic cards.
You're absolutely right. Giving RPG players more reasons to buy a support product for the RPG is completely insane.
You're absolutely right. Giving RPG players more reasons to buy a support product for the RPG is completely insane.
D&D minis are not a support product for the RPG. They are a separate game entirely, that just so happen to be the right size for D&D maps.
Here, a better example. Put D&D power cards in games of Yahtzee. The box has dice in it. Dice are used in D&D. Thus, Yahtzee is a support product of D&D.
Seriously, this is not going to get people who were not already buying miniatures to start. Its only going to give some cards to miniature buyers and annoy everyone else.
Its nice to know that they'll at least be on the insider. Though I still won't get to see them, I'm somewhat satisfied with that...
D&D minis are not a support product for the RPG. They are a separate game entirely, that just so happen to be the right size for D&D maps.
Actually, as I recall, they discontinued the minis game recently. The minis are now exclusively a D&D accesory.
D&D minis are not a support product for the RPG. They are a separate game entirely, that just so happen to be the right size for D&D maps.
Wizards of the Coast has chosen to concentrate its D&D miniatures-creation efforts on an accessory line optimized for D&D Roleplaying Game use. November’s release of Demonweb will be the last new set that includes skirmish statistics. We will continue to update all miniatures stats from previous sets to the current D&D Miniatures ruleset as promised, with the conclusion of that process scheduled for mid-2009.
Wizards of the Coast begs to differ, sir.
Clearly, I'm horribly wrong in every way. Oh well.
Wow. Why do people buy these for roleplaying? Can I have some money rich Uncle Pennybags? Don't you have junk lying around that works? I got a sack of plastic animals for a dollar once.
Clearly, I'm horribly wrong in every way. Oh well.
We buy them because we have money, and are willing to part with that money for a better visualization of the board. If you are not so willing, don't buy them, and don't enjoy the power cards. There are other means of getting the powers on the cards, and if you don't want to use any of them, well, you just won't have the powers to use, just as if you'd refused to purchase Martial Power.
I do have an Insider subscription but I am sure it will take up to a month for the new powers to show up in the builder. I really want the new cleric power as it seems like the cleric has gotten the least support out of all the original PHB classes.
I am just hoping it is a WIS based power and not a STR based power. They should have made all the cleric powers WIS based like the Avenger and Invoker.
Is there any promotion material that actually shows a couple of these cards from either the minis or the power decks? I'd want to know if they are as cluttered with duplicate/irrelevant information as the DDI power cards before I decide if I'll buy any of this product.
Quite the opposite here, I'm hoping both the cleric and paladin powers are STR-based and fill up some holes and/or levels with only one choice. WIS clerics have a better power selection as is.
Is there any promotion material that actually shows a couple of these cards from either the minis or the power decks? I'd want to know if they are as cluttered with duplicate/irrelevant information as the DDI power cards before I decide if I'll buy any of this product.
I think Clerics should have been strictly WIS like the Avenger and Invoker. STR should have been a secondary skill like CHR for secondary powers. Sames goes with the paladin - CHR as major stat and STR secondary.
The March Ambersand has a sample of the barbarian card that comes in the Primal mini set.
Is there any promotion material that actually shows a couple of these cards from either the minis or the power decks? I'd want to know if they are as cluttered with duplicate/irrelevant information as the DDI power cards before I decide if I'll buy any of this product.
Yes. They basically look the same as the cards you'd get from the Character Builder.
i wonder how long it will be before there are random "power booster" cards. That way they can make rare powers only available if you buy the cards...then put the special code into the character builder to use it for your character.
That's exactly my fear. I acutally made a thread about my disdain for them putting powers in with minis. I prefer my rules coming from books. The whole "they are gonna be on DDI" doesn't make it better, and yes I am a subscriber. I personally don't want to have to carry around a deck of cards just keep my game current.
It's crap.
I think Clerics should have been strictly WIS like the Avenger and Invoker. STR should have been a secondary skill like CHR for secondary powers. Sames goes with the paladin - CHR as major stat and STR secondary.
The March Ambersand has a sample of the barbarian card that comes in the Primal mini set.
I agree that having two attack stats is unfortunate for those classes, at least right now with the limited power selection. But that's how it is and with it comes the problem of having a small-to-nonexisting power choice at some levels. Given the situation I'd rather see that fixed asap (with the miniature set power cards) instead of waiting for Divine Power.
Unfortunately I cannot see the article with the preview card. Since I'm mostly interested in the layout, a card from the already released power card sets would do, too. The places I usually order from don't have pictures except for the box itself.
I agree that having two attack stats is unfortunate for those classes, at least right now with the limited power selection. But that's how it is and with it comes the problem of having a small-to-nonexisting power choice at some levels. Given the situation I'd rather see that fixed asap (with the miniature set power cards) instead of waiting for Divine Power.
I agree with you but I doubt we will see it...if anything they will just add a new build to the cleric and paladin.
D&D minis are not a support product for the RPG. They are a separate game entirely, that just so happen to be the right size for D&D maps.
Here, a better example. Put D&D power cards in games of Yahtzee. The box has dice in it. Dice are used in D&D. Thus, Yahtzee is a support product of D&D.
Seriously, this is not going to get people who were not already buying miniatures to start. Its only going to give some cards to miniature buyers and annoy everyone else.
Its nice to know that they'll at least be on the insider. Though I still won't get to see them, I'm somewhat satisfied with that...
Folks have already responded to your other foolishness about "D&D minis not being a part of the D&D game", but I want to respond to the part I've bolded above:
Upon what are you basing this assertion that these cards aren't going to attract new customers to D&D Minis products? Obviously it's not going to attract you, but that's not proof at all of how anyone else will react to it, especially considering that WotC has reformatted their packaging model for D&D Minis; now, instead of buying a random booster pack and hoping that you get a decent character mini, you can buy a pack of three visible character minis, each of which happens to come with a non-random power card which might be useful to a character playing as that mini.
My point is, there's no proof that power card collectors won't buy the minis for the cards, and then decide that they also like collecting the minis, nor is there proof that minis collectors won't buy the minis for the minis, and then decide that they also like collecting the cards. Just because you don't like WotC is no reason to assume that everyone else does.
That's exactly my fear. I acutally made a thread about my disdain for them putting powers in with minis. I prefer my rules coming from books. The whole "they are gonna be on DDI" doesn't make it better, and yes I am a subscriber. I personally don't want to have to carry around a deck of cards just keep my game current.
It's crap.
Is it any different from having to carry around a stack of books to "keep your game current"? Nope. Since it's not at all different from carrying around all those extra books, then it also grants us the benefit of D&DI, which gives us access to all the powers without carrying any books (or cards) around.
You just don't like the idea that these cards appear in a product that you aren't planning on buying. It's hardly any different from promotional material being provided to people who attend a certain convention, or subscribe to a magazine.
.
Is it any different from having to carry around a stack of books to "keep your game current"? Nope. Since it's not at all different from carrying around all those extra books, then it also grants us the benefit of D&DI, which gives us access to all the powers without carrying any books (or cards) around.
You just don't like the idea that these cards appear in a product that you aren't planning on buying. It's hardly any different from promotional material being provided to people who attend a certain convention, or subscribe to a magazine.
Actually it is a lot different. Books are a lot sturdier than cards. I am playing DND, not Magic the Gathering.
Actually it is a lot different. Books are a lot sturdier than cards. I am playing DND, not Magic the Gathering.
Speaking of which, I have six year old magic cards all still in near mint condition. I have decks of ordinary poker cards that are even older, which while well worn are quite still playable. However, many of my D&D books from the first half of 3.5 have covers peeling at the corners and a few have simply begun to fall apart. As such, I don't think I can concur that books are sturdier than cards.
Actually it is a lot different. Books are a lot sturdier than cards. I am playing DND, not Magic the Gathering.
If carrying things around is your issue, one would think that you'd prefer cards. They're a lot more portable, and a lot easier to protect than books are.
(PS: The "OMG!1! D&D iz MagIc Teh Gahtering!!1" shot was pretty weak.)
If carrying things around is your issue, one would think that you'd prefer cards. They're a lot more portable, and a lot easier to protect than books are.
(PS: The "OMG!1! D&D iz MagIc Teh Gahtering!!1" shot was pretty weak.)
Laptops are even easier.
I have almost 8 gigs of digital rpg books on my computer. Are they going to offer those power cards as .pdfs? I doubt it.
Laptops are even easier.
I have almost 8 gigs of digital rpg books on my computer. Are they going to offer those power cards as .pdfs? I doubt it.
Actually this is a good point. I wish the powers were set up in a power card format in the books themselves. This would make things simpler for those who purchase the e-books for printing. At first I just copy and pasted into another program and dealt with highly uneven cards. For those who have physical books you could photocopy and cut them out. That used to be common practice back in the day if you were too lazy to write out stuff yourself.
Laptops are even easier.
I have almost 8 gigs of digital rpg books on my computer. Are they going to offer those power cards as .pdfs? I doubt it.
Will the powers be in the character builder? I think so.
Wow. Why do people buy these for roleplaying?
because we have money and don't care about parting with it as it hold no real value except as a medium for exchange for things to which we assign value, i.e. funky lil miniatures that look like my char.
Can I have some money rich Uncle Pennybags?
doubt it, unless you're looking to be adopted into a new family. although, if you work smart you might be able to be mister pennybags some day
what we have found is that using cards greatly simplifies and speeds up gaming, which creates a much more enjoyable game all round
We haven't gotten the new cards yet, but will soon.
Seriously is the cost that much of a big deal? you spend more to see a movie or buy a lunch/dinner
certainly makes a monthly DDI tax more palatable, if the content is kept updated in the character builder. although there are more cards I will likely have to make myself, such as one to show the status of which weapons my ranger is currently holding -- bow on one side, twin longswords on the other.
BTW, it sucks that it requires spending 2 minor actions to sheath my swords to grab my bow, and vice-versa.
BTW, it sucks that it requires spending 2 minor actions to sheath my swords to grab my bow, and vice-versa.
[INDENT]Not to get off topic or anything, I can see that you all like arguing about how sucky/cool it is to have cards and minis (i.e. game pieces) to play your D&D with.[/INDENT]
Jsepeta, why not get the Quick Draw Feat?
On topic, I'm going to lay out and print my own power cards, and make my own resin tokens for representing characters. So I'm totally not worried about when the new powers come out. :D