Although I believe I could be persuaded otherwise, I currently feel like this is a totally lame waste of resources. Lets spend time investing in useful stuff Wizards.
Even myself, who knows what 90% of my stuff does it is handy to keep track of what I have used and what options I currently have.
Is it the responsiblity of the player or the DM to provide the card?
Is it the responsibility of the player to provide his own manuals?
It is very tempting, but it can get kind of pricey buying cards for each class, not to mention the powers in the other supplements. I saw the individual class power cards from the first PH for $9.99 at Amazon, and the complete PH set for all 8 classes is $56.07! They release on March 17th. There's also going to be a release of Martial Power Cards in May, which I think may be from the Martial Power book. It's a waste if they're the same as in the PH card set, though.
I'm not sure if I would get these. I'd have to see a few and even then, I'm not so sure. I might stick with the fan-made cards. (maybe). Again, I'd have to see them.
I am a dedicated collector but I am still unconvinced.
Proof enough of my point. Just because we are dedicated to D&D doesn't mean we'll waste money on needless things like this.
EDIT: Plus on top of all this if you have even the non insider character creator beta you can print out your own power cards that are supposed to be identical to the cards they are putting out in march.
Okay, but doesn't your PHB and the Powers guide to your class cover it?
Is it the responsiblity of the player or the DM to provide the card?
Is it the responsibility of the player to provide his own manuals?
Yes, your PH has all the powers. And watching one of our players stop the game for 10min to open up his PH, flip through the pages and read his powers trying to figure out what to do on his turn makes me want to stab myself.
I think the players should provide their own cards, as it is little effort for them to improve the game for themselves and everyone else at the table.
The Character Builder already prints me out cards that are customized to my attack bonuses and damage. For free. No thanks.
Excellent point. I make mine for free too.
Please note: I endorse use of power cards for 4E, not neccisarily buying them from the packs coming out. I'm not sure how they will be worth the money.
The Character Builder already prints me out cards that are customized to my attack bonuses and damage. For free. No thanks.
I didn't know that. Thanks.
I personally supplied the one Martial Powers manual that we all share, since I collect anyway and thought my players would (and did) love it. I'll continue to supply the other expansions myself as well, no problems. Hell, even the PHB2 is fine with me, since the core of the PHB is all the combat rules. They're all extremely experienced players from back to AD&D 2nd, having played 3.0 and 3.5 together all the way up. I have been the DM throughout except for the occasional 3-4 session fun games when someone else created something they wanted to storytell.
With the release of 4.0, I made them all promise not to read the DMG or MM, except for the chapter regarding Skill Challenges which I force fed to the each twice, and not including a basic chapter on these encounters in the PHB (so they know whats going on!) is the one series oversight I find in the PHB.
So far, this has been great. The first time (in Kobold Hall) a PC dealt 10 to a kobold who didn't go down, they knew most of their OOG knowledge was done for. (at the same time when they beheaded a full strength kobold on a damage roll of 2, they **** themselves)
The stat cards just leave me both torn and soured. My PCs are not going to want them (I would argue don't NEED them) but we use so many things, tiles battlemaps, minis, etc, am I denying a facet of fun by not getting these cards? Maybe I should leave it up to them?
Guh! Damn you Wizards and your addictive addictive devilry.
RE: Character Builder
That's a good tip, but still leaves me torn. I'm still debating the FRCG and FRPG for five reasons: Genasi, Drow, Swordmage, Rituals and Rorn. I couldn't care less about a single page of text (that I'm aware of) beyond those and yet I still consider, every single day, walking down and dropping 80 bucks or whatever just for those few chapters.
Isn't this overkill to have your powers listed on three sources (book, card, sheet) ?
Shameless attempt at a money grab doomed to failure, or useful addtion?
Although I believe I could be persuaded otherwise, I currently feel like this is a totally lame waste of resources. Lets spend time investing in useful stuff Wizards.
People have been asking for them pretty much since day 1 of 4th edition. For those people they are certainly a useful addition. However that hardly means that they will ever be neccesary or useful for everyone. *shrugs*
Like... a new level 1 at-will power for each class, otherwise unpublished?
That'd be enough to convince me.
Is their something to sugar the marajuana?
Like... a new level 1 at-will power for each class, otherwise unpublished?
That'd be enough to convince me.
Umm no, they aren't going to include anything like that. Although I'm confused as to why it matters if you are convinced. Wizards is still going to make them. People are still going to buy them. And if think they'll be useful for you then you should buy them. If you don't then just use notecards and save yolurself some cash(or don't even both with the notecards and save even more cash). I mean if you are just looking for ways to dispose of your money then I am always willing to accept donations.:DBy the way, is there anywhwre that actually defines that their is nothing special about these like I mentioned, or are we just ~assuming~ they're only going to include the ones in the PHB? I guess the very name of the item, eh? Coupled with the Powers releases I guess that's concrete enough.
I suppose I'm just sour now, not torn at all. Damn you Wizard! Produce more stuff I can love.
Sure, you can make them on your own if you know where to find the up-to-date ones or if the flush out the rest of the character builder but, anything that gets people to use them is better for the game in my book. Besides, they do sort of own the rights to what goes on them.
I might sound a bit over concerned with speed of play but, D&D has alot more fun elements than wasting time watching the same player add up his bonuses on the same power multiple times an adventure.
I'm on the damn fence again.
Okay Ranadiel, what do you say to that!
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786952733/ref=s9_sims_c2_s3_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=0492KDJ3WJTD4RWNAKK8&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383411&pf_rd_i=507846
Martial Power Cards:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0786952830/ref=s9_sims_c2_s3_p14_t1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-4&pf_rd_r=1C73WHDSVAQ4JE2TDK77&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=463383411&pf_rd_i=507846
Player's Handbook 2 Power Cards:
http://www.amazon.com/Players-Handbook-Power-Card-Display/dp/0786952911/ref=pd_bxgy_b_text_c
It's too soon for Amazon, I guess.
Additionally, those do not have any write-ups about their contents specifically what-so-ever.
The power card displays have no write-ups on the 2009 D&D Products on Wizards site, but the PH set does. The individual power cards (Cleric, Fighter, etc.) have info about them on Amazon, however.
Also, isn't there a series of section for dissecting your power into managable formulas and statements already incorporated into the charcter sheet themselves?
Isn't this overkill to have your powers listed on three sources (book, card, sheet) ?
Some people can't remember if their Area Power targets "enemies" or "creatures", or if they used that one encounter power yet. Cards help with this.
Here is an example of what Amazon has to say about this product in detail:
Product Description
Speed up your game with official D&D® power cards.
Players using Player's Handbook(R) Power Cards don't need to crack open a rulebook every time they cast a spell--all the crucial information is right in front of their eyes.
Each and every class power appearing in the Player's Handbook has its own card. Simply select the cards for your character's powers and you're ready to play!
This deck of 100 cards includes all the powers from Player's Handbook for the cleric, plus a few blank cards for players to use for other powers.
Hmm.
Damn you MatteBlack!
I'm on the damn fence again.
Okay Ranadiel, what do you say to that!
*shrugs* Do whatever you want? The facts are as follows, make your decision based off of them:
-Power cards are not neccesary
-Power cards are convenient
-It is possible to make your own cards
-The power card decks should be nicer than hand made ones and likely made of better stock than character builder generated ones
-Character builder generated cards will be more customized(and updated with any errata)
-Hand made ones are extremely cheap to make
-The decks will be the most expensive option
-You have to have a subscription to D&Di to get the most out of the Character Builder
Each of the four options; not using power cards, hand made ones, character builder generated ones, and power card decks; has its own advantage and you just need to decide which one best suits you. Personally the Character Builder would be the best option for me because I'm subscribed to D&Di anyways and I pretty much exclusively play online so physical cards don't help much. However that doesn't mean it is the best solution for you. Only you can decide that.
Do we know if they're going to fit, what are they, 'Deck Protectors' ? Or are they going to be bigger you think? Would be nice if they could be protected, possibly written on with dry-erase while sleeved.
-The power card decks should be nicer than hand made ones and likely made of better stock than character builder generated ones
I use cardstock when I print my cards.
Is their something to sugar the marajuana?
Like... a new level 1 at-will power for each class, otherwise unpublished?
That'd be enough to convince me.
Yes. And they're overpoweringly superior to all otherwise published powers and can only be used if you own (and have present) the official Wizards of the Coast power card for the aforementioned power.
Card stock printer eh? I thought my 300dpi scanner for getting good map prints from Kinkos was overkill.
If they don't fit in normal card sleeves it will be a serious mark against them.
I use cardstock when I print my cards.
Note my use of the word likely. :P
The Character Builder already prints me out cards that are customized to my attack bonuses and damage. For free. No thanks.
And they're terrible. If the official power cards to be sold are the same ugly things created by the Character Builder I won't touch them with a 2-squares pole
By the way, is there anywhwre that actually defines that their is nothing special about these like I mentioned, or are we just ~assuming~
Well, at least it's safe to ~assume ~ that in case of the official packs containing so far unreleased extra-powers it will take anywere from a few hours to a single day until these will also be copied by about every existing fan-made power cards
And they're terrible. If the official power cards to be sold are the same ugly things created by the Character Builder I won't touch them with a 2-squares pole
How are they "terrible"? They list the power, and they are in card form.
By the way, is there anywhwre that actually defines that their is nothing special about these like I mentioned, or are we just ~assuming~
Well, at least it's safe to ~assume ~ that in case of the official packs containing so far unreleased extra-powers it will take anywere from a few hours to a single day until these will also be copied by about every existing fan-made power cards
True. The greater problem of exclusive powers is going to be the power cards that WotC intends to include in the Heroes line of D&D Minis. Not for those who go online for their power cards. Rather instead the problem will be for anyone who decides they want to use the OFFICIAL power cards, but for whatever reason don't want to buy the Hero minis.
Where did you see that?
What? Their are power cards in the Heros mini packs?
Where did you see that?
When they were announced, the person explaining them (and the death of D&D minis rules) said each mini would have it's own power card.
Each package contains 3 PC minis: 2 males and 1 female, and 3 unique power cards featuring brand new class powers. All three of the figures in the package will be visible so you’ll know exactly which pack to pick for your game.
Sorry, guess they aren't mini-specific. Ugh.
THIS is what I'm talking about Wizards. Make it just a little bit sweeter and you'll hook me every time. I had no intention of buying more 'Hero' minis, but now.... now I will.
Awesome! Ha! If you read this Ranadiel, does my question if their would be powers such as these in those are power packs doesn't seem so silly now eh!
THIS is what I'm talking about Wizards. Make it just a little bit sweeter and you'll hook me every time. I had no intention of buying more 'Hero' minis, but now.... now I will.
.....Considering that I was fully aware of thosethings a few months ago and they are being released through a different product, yes it is still just as silly.:P
How are they "terrible"? They list the power, and they are in card form.
They have a terrible layout, they take away too much table space, they have to be printed out anew at least every second level.
There are so many fan-made cards which are superior in all regards.
I might take a look at them, if they are well done, I might consider a set, but I use Dragon material for my characters, I have a Genasi Stormsoul using some of the Dragon feature, Class Act: Swordmage, material to stick to Lightning/Thunder powers.
The power cards won't help with that... though the CB will... I currently use MSe
OTOH, these decks will invariably save me the time of actually making my cards in the future. And they're about the same price as a starter deck for a typical CCG...
I would like to see a mockup of the card fronts and backs before I commit to buying them, but I think Wizards will do a god job of the aesthetics.
And let's be realistic; this product requires no additional time or work from the design team, only from the layout folks. And WotC knows plenty about producing cards, eh? So for a minimal back-end investment they can deliver a nice product.
The only problem I see is the big time lag between a book release and the corresponding cards release. According to Amazon.com, the PH cards release on 3/17, the Martial Power cards on 5/19, and the PH2 cards not until 8/18. That's an awfully long delay--months during which players will have to fill in CB printouts or fan-created power cards. And if you've gone to all the trouble to make your own cards or print them out, there's little motive to replace them later with WotC cards.