| Post/Author/DateTime | Post |
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| #1pukunuiMar 23, 2015 14:43:18 | Someone over at EN World has gotten their hands on a copy of the full Princes of the Apocalypse adventure early. He hasn't said too much about it as he doesn't want to get into trouble, but he has mentioned a few interesting things:
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| #2MechatarrasqueMar 23, 2015 17:08:27 |
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| #3pukunuiMar 23, 2015 17:14:02 |
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| #4Coredump00Mar 23, 2015 22:28:25 |
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| #5pukunuiMar 23, 2015 22:44:08 |
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| #6Sands666Mar 23, 2015 23:05:22 | So no extra material for classes then? |
| #7pukunuiMar 23, 2015 23:07:45 |
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| #8Sands666Mar 23, 2015 23:15:00 |
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| #9pukunuiMar 23, 2015 23:29:09 |
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| #10Sands666Mar 23, 2015 23:38:32 |
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| #11pukunuiMar 24, 2015 0:24:44 |
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| #12Sands666Mar 24, 2015 0:52:23 |
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| #13pukunuiMar 24, 2015 0:58:02 |
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| #14ssvegeta555Mar 24, 2015 6:58:04 | I'll have to read the review again and the thread, but I got the feeling players can choose to go to the elemental themed dungeons in any order. If so, htta's really cool. It feels more open and less rail roady. |
| #15Ralif_RedhammerMar 24, 2015 7:56:47 | Hoping for some new monsters in it as well. At least one of my players is DMing his own game and has the MM, so some new beasties would be nice.
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| #16MechatarrasqueMar 24, 2015 11:17:30 | +1 to the hope for new monsters. I am most interested in paraelementals and myrmidons. |
| #17abs1nthMar 24, 2015 11:24:38 |
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| #18EerongalMar 24, 2015 12:41:48 |
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| #19FFSAAMar 24, 2015 12:52:40 |
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| #20IxidorRSMar 24, 2015 12:56:33 |
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| #21FFSAAMar 24, 2015 13:13:32 |
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| #22pukunuiMar 24, 2015 14:37:32 | According to the AL preview version of the adventure, it is set in 1491 DR. While the ToD adventures didn't have a specific date attached to them, the D&D Expeditions adventures set in Phlan during the same time had a date of 1489 DR. LMoP didn't have an official date either, but was generally thought to take place around that time too, if not a little earlier.
Also, Fildrigar has expanded his review with some more info:
EDIT: Another EN World poster has gotten their hands on the book early. Here's his review. |
| #23NoonMar 24, 2015 16:12:03 |
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| #24OrethalionMar 24, 2015 16:14:59 |
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| #25pukunuiMar 24, 2015 16:21:52 |
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| #26OrethalionMar 24, 2015 16:41:03 |
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| #27pukunuiMar 24, 2015 17:35:15 |
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| (Reply to #24)AaronOfBarbaria |
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| #29pukunuiMar 25, 2015 18:31:06 | Another tidbit from Fildrigar: While you only fight one archomental at the end of the adventure, which one you fight depends on how you've progressed through the adventure (hence why all four get statted up in the adventure). He also says he wouldn't want to be in the party that has to fight Imix due to the presence of fire and lava. |
| (Reply to #29)FFSAA |
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| #31MonsterEnvyMar 26, 2015 2:24:03 |
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| #32LeugrenMar 26, 2015 8:42:28 | When is this adventure supposed to be available at WPN stores?
EDIT: Never mind! It's out on March 27, which is tomorrow. |
| #33OrethalionMar 26, 2015 9:04:17 |
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| #34MechatarrasqueMar 26, 2015 12:10:01 | I liked the 4e versions of the Princes, but they were clearly solo monsters. The 1e versions got a lot of mileage out of their summoned monsters. If the 5e Princes' legendary actions were more warlord-y, then I could see a CR 18-19 Prince working (something like all your allies make an attack, cost 2 actions). I don't think we have seen anything like out of the legendary monsters yet. I am not saying that would be my first choice for how to create them, but it seems like the best fit.
The underlying issue is that they don't seem to want to make adventures for groups higher than level 15. That is not a new phenomenon, but it makes it hard to use the CR 25+ archbad guys that we all want to see. Either the big bads have to come into the game nerfed (as it appears in Elemental Evil) or the group needs to have a way to nerf them before they fight them (like in Tiamat's recent appearance), especially if the party has to fight just to physically get to the big bad's location. |
| #35DMStevenHMar 27, 2015 2:36:12 | I'd rather have the princes as like CR 18 than CR 24. At CR 18 there's a lot more scope to add supporting allies, lair actions and dangerous terrain to make the PC's lives harder and the fight more interesting without making it overwhelming. Just fighting one super tough CR 24 guy isn't going to be a fun as a CR 24 fight against a CR 18 guy and his elite elemental bodyguards. |
| #36RamzourMar 27, 2015 4:10:24 | Thanks for the info and link, Pukunui! I think this answers the question I had a few days ago about linking LMoP and PoA.
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| #37pukunuiMar 27, 2015 4:16:05 |
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| (Reply to #33)AaronOfBarbaria |
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| #39OrethalionMar 27, 2015 6:52:48 |
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| #40OrethalionMar 27, 2015 7:04:39 |
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| #41RamzourMar 27, 2015 7:20:41 | It's almost as if the devs and the PoA adventure authors realize that there's more to a creature than how easily you can kill it.......
I mean, are people seriously arguing about whether a creature is CR 18 or 25 or 30 or whatever? Who cares! |
| (Reply to #40)AaronOfBarbaria |
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| #43TenaciousJMar 27, 2015 7:28:21 |
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| #44OrethalionMar 27, 2015 7:45:45 |
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| #45OrethalionMar 27, 2015 7:53:29 |
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| (Reply to #39)DMStevenH |
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| #47EerongalMar 27, 2015 8:32:43 |
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| #48OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:02:50 |
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| #49OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:05:33 |
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| #50UngeheuerLichMar 27, 2015 9:06:59 | Yes, CR 18 sounds not too high... but very well high enough to be dangerous...
Is it really the Primordial itself or just an avatar?
Maybe it is weaker due to being summoned just now? I definitely want to see it first in the adventure and yes, I do not care too much. CR 18 sounds fun enough. |
| #51EerongalMar 27, 2015 9:07:59 |
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| #52OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:20:36 |
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| #53RamzourMar 27, 2015 9:15:05 |
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| #54Ralif_RedhammerMar 27, 2015 9:20:52 | Just picked up a copy. At a quick glance, there are definitely a number of new monsters. Awesome! |
| #55KalaniMar 27, 2015 9:26:54 | Also FYI, Dragon Magazine articles are written by freelance authors and have a history of not being carefully balanced (especially during the 3.5 era). Many DMs in the 3.5 era banned dragon magazine at their tables for this very reason, as there was a large number of OP and UP options that it introduced.
I am not saying the elemental princes fall into that category, as it has been a very long time since I read the article in question - but it is still something to keep in mind. |
| #56OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:28:19 |
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| #57RamzourMar 27, 2015 9:31:40 |
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| #58OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:32:51 |
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| #59RamzourMar 27, 2015 9:40:01 |
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| #60KalaniMar 27, 2015 9:52:57 | The thing is, the Elemental Princes are the highest CR creatures in the elemental planes (AFAIK). Sure, their power may only be equal to (or slightly inferior) to the most powerful fiends, dragons, and celestials - but on the Elemental Planes, they are the meanest thing on the block.
Its not like the Elemental Princes will face Pit Fiends, Balors, Dragons, Solars and the like on a regular (or even infrequent) basis. Such creatures have little reason to travel to the Elemental Planes.
Are they comparably weak compared to the most powerful beings in the universe?
Does this matter?
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| #61OrethalionMar 27, 2015 9:51:00 |
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| #62RamzourMar 27, 2015 10:04:09 |
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| (Reply to #48)DMStevenH |
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| #64KalaniMar 27, 2015 10:17:36 |
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| #65FFSAAMar 27, 2015 10:17:16 |
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| #66OrethalionMar 27, 2015 10:19:43 |
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| #67KalaniMar 27, 2015 10:24:04 |
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| #68OrethalionMar 27, 2015 10:22:47 |
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| #69RamzourMar 27, 2015 10:28:48 |
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| #70OrethalionMar 27, 2015 10:37:06 |
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| #71KalaniMar 27, 2015 10:43:33 | Please show me where the Elemental Princes are not the strongest elementals on the plane?
Genasi PCs don't count - they are not elementals (only descended from such).
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| #72SynjinMar 27, 2015 10:58:16 | WOTC crew played the first session on Twitch. Spoilers abound oviously.
http://www.twitch.tv/wotc_dnd/v/3951773
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| #73OrethalionMar 27, 2015 11:10:31 |
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| #74KalaniMar 27, 2015 11:24:39 |
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| #75FFSAAMar 27, 2015 12:20:46 |
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| #76KalaniMar 27, 2015 12:27:44 | Fair enough - but as I said previously, the Elemental Planes are largely governed much like the Abyss. The strong carve out domains which they rule over (either by choice, or by default). The stronger the creature, the larger the domain. |
| #77pukunuiMar 27, 2015 13:20:44 | A thought just occurred to me. In 5e, we have the example of a demilich being a higher CR in its lair than out of it. The elemental princes might be the same - they won't be as challenging when summoned to the prime material plane as they would be if encountered on their native plane or in their lair. |
| #78KalaniMar 27, 2015 13:31:19 |
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| #79MechatarrasqueMar 27, 2015 14:02:25 |
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| #80FFSAAMar 27, 2015 14:05:49 |
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| #81RamzourMar 27, 2015 14:32:56 |
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| #82pukunuiMar 27, 2015 15:01:51 |
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| #83OrethalionMar 27, 2015 15:28:07 |
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| #84OrethalionMar 27, 2015 15:29:42 |
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| #85KalaniMar 27, 2015 16:02:01 |
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| #86pukunuiMar 27, 2015 15:43:04 |
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| #87MonsterEnvyMar 27, 2015 15:46:25 |
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| #88UchawiMar 27, 2015 15:58:17 |
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| #89pukunuiMar 27, 2015 16:03:12 | On a side note, how are you supposed to pronounce "Yan-C-Bin" anyway? |
| #90OrethalionMar 27, 2015 16:06:34 |
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| #91pukunuiMar 27, 2015 16:08:49 |
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| #92OrethalionMar 27, 2015 16:09:41 |
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| #93KalaniMar 27, 2015 16:16:09 | They "claim" rulership that is true.... Then again, their rulership is not really contested as most elementals lack the intelligence/desire to challenge them. The CR35 primal elementals (Epic level Handbook p 186-189) could easily challenge most archomentals for power (I believe many of them were in the CR20-30 range), but they are simply not interested in doing so.
They aren't unique either (unlike the archomentals). |
| #94OrethalionMar 27, 2015 16:11:37 |
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| #95OrethalionMar 27, 2015 16:14:09 |
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| #96KalaniMar 27, 2015 16:29:22 |
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| #97pukunuiMar 27, 2015 16:30:22 |
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| #98KalaniMar 27, 2015 16:35:01 | As I implied above - I consider their stats as being relevant only to the story. I consider Tiamat to be a CR35 creature on her home plane, complete with L20 Cleric and Wizard spells, and Lair Actions.
I see the archomentals with little difference. These are their stats as they apply to the adventure. Feel free to change them for a different adventure set in the evil regions of the Elemental Planes. |
| #99OrethalionMar 27, 2015 17:39:57 |
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| #100Sands666Mar 27, 2015 18:54:54 |
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| #101Sands666Mar 27, 2015 18:57:40 |
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| #102RhennyMar 27, 2015 19:16:52 | I got my copy of the campaign guide, and it is impressive.
I love how it begins at 3rd level, but there is a section that has small adventures that can be used for 1st and 2nd level if you want to begin a campaign from level 1.
In the same chapter, it also has a number of sidetreks that can be used as the DM sees fit to add variety and fill in so that the campaign has tangential developments and discoveries. I end up making my own sidetreks when I run my Ghosts of Dragonspear Castle campaign, so it is nice to see that this published campaign includes pre-made possibilities.
I haven't had time to read through the whole thing yet, but I'm glad I have it.
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| #103Sands666Mar 27, 2015 20:15:20 |
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| (Reply to #103)Rhenny |
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| #105RamzourMar 27, 2015 23:37:57 |
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| #106pukunuiMar 28, 2015 3:29:17 |
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| #107OrethalionMar 28, 2015 6:48:15 |
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| #108GwaithadorMar 28, 2015 8:20:48 | The Princes of Elemental Evil harken back to the old Fiend Folio with Qullans, Grells, Nilbogs and princes of elemental evil. I do mean old; we were still coloring in the pips of our dice with crayons and using thin card board DM screens, and negative AC was a good thing to have, you youngens never had it so good!
But I digress.
The princes of evil elemental creatures were described as a level X (ten) monster, with negative ACs, very high magic resistance, dangerous damage output, the ability to summon allies, dangerous powers that could kill quickly in the old Folio. Which put them on par with say, Yeenoghu, in the 1e Monster Manual. Yeenoghu was one of the weaker demon lords, in comparison to his fellow demon lords. Since we don't have challenge ratings for demon lords (as of yet), it's hard to know where exactly they fit in the scale. But, I generally agree with the position that the Elemental Princes should present a challenge to 18-20 level 5e characters. |
| #109KalaniMar 28, 2015 8:50:53 | BECMI and 1E were my first experiences with D&D. I only managed to play 2E and 2.5 (Players Option) for a short period before finishing highschool. I entered the game in 1996, when 2E was only 7yo but not many of my friends had access to it. Prior to that, I had been playing advanced fighting fantasy by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone. |
| #110CVBMar 28, 2015 11:35:01 | We're complaining about NPC power level? Really?
Still, if that's all we got, then the adventure must be an excellently well written one... |
| #111OrethalionMar 28, 2015 11:47:10 |
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| #112JenksMar 28, 2015 16:05:34 | If they were CR 25 then the players couldn't fight him at level 15 at the end of the adventure. That would pose an issue. |
| #113KalaniMar 28, 2015 16:36:57 |
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| #114OrethalionMar 28, 2015 17:06:36 |
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| #115OrethalionMar 28, 2015 17:07:24 |
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| #116KalaniMar 28, 2015 17:21:24 | The thing is - do we even know for a fact they aren't aspects? Has anyone in this thread purchased the adventure in the past 36hrs and read enough of the adventure (or at least the final arc) to know for certain that the CR 18 prince is not in fact an aspect of the whole? To me, a lot of this is based on assumption and conjecture when it is simply too early to know. I am not saying you are wrong in your assumptions, only that they are premature. |
| #117OrethalionMar 28, 2015 19:03:06 |
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| #118KalaniMar 28, 2015 19:28:02 | While CR doesn't translate directly from edition to edition, the aspects of the elemental princes (called Elemental Avatars*) were CR 15-18 in the MM4. It's possible that they used them as reference material when making the Elemental Princes for 5E (in addition to the few references elsewhere).
* Named black rock triskellion, cyclonic ravager, holocaust disciple, and waterveiled assassin respectively.
Another point that is relevant is the following entry from the MM4 regarding the elemental princes specifically.
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| #119JenksMar 28, 2015 22:39:03 | Fighting aspects isn't nearly as cool as fighting the real deal. Might even sell less copies, which we don't want. We want it to sell as many copies as it can so we can get more material, cr 18 ogremoch or not. |
| #120gregscMar 28, 2015 23:07:12 | *SPOILERS*
I just read the section on the Princes, and it looks to me that these are not meant to be avatars or aspects. The presence of an elemental node turns the area into the Princes lair, so they have full access to all of their features. |
| #121MonsterEnvyMar 28, 2015 23:47:30 |
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| #122NoonMar 29, 2015 1:19:36 |
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| (Reply to #121)gregsc |
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| #124gregscMar 29, 2015 6:32:41 | *SPOILERS*
To answer a couple other questions from the thread:
Yes, the nodes will take you to the elemental plane. They lead to the stronghold of the Prince the cult is trying to summon. The Princes cannot travel through the nodes until the summoning ritual is complete.
The Princes are resistant to damage from non-magical weapons, not immune. |
| #125gregscMar 29, 2015 6:57:06 | I haven't read much of the new adventure, but I've already decided to run this after Lost Mine, instead of Hoard. I've been tying myself in knots trying to come up with a good transition from Lost Mine to Hoard. Transitioning to Princes will be easy. There are a few suggestions written into the book, and the regional maps even overlap. |
| (Reply to #101)EthanSental |
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| #127KalaniMar 29, 2015 11:51:51 | Just picked up my copy. So far I have only read the stats for Imix and I have to say he is the strongest CR19 creature I am aware of. Upon first read, He makes liches look weak - and that is before you factor in his lair actions.
I suspect the only reason he is CR19 is because fire is the most commonly resisted element. We're it not for this fact I think his powers are equivalent to CR21-22
I feel sorry for any party which faces Imix in the final battle. The damage he deals could quickly lead to a TPK - despite any resistance to fire the party might have.
Ogremoch is CR20. The other two are CR18. |
| #128DMStevenHMar 30, 2015 2:08:32 | Yeah, I picked up my copy this weekend. They seem fine to me challenge wise. I'm really excited to speed my new group through the Phandelver so I can get started with PotA. Also in this edition they're not the rulers of the entire elemental plane. They're meerly very, very powerful elementals who influence and corrupt other elementals nearby.
Also if you think Imix is tough then make sure you look at the actual encounter with Imix. Imix + Vanithra + Young Red Dragon....
Bring fire resist potions guys. |
| #129MonsterEnvyMar 30, 2015 7:42:35 |
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| #130gregscMar 30, 2015 9:16:12 | Ogremoch doesn't get multiple ranged attacks, and his Legendary Actions seem kind of weak, but he does have 526 hp and AC20. |
| #131gregscMar 30, 2015 9:21:59 | Yan-C-Bin has the very nasty Suffocate legendary action. It's a save-or-drop effect with a constitution save of 21. He could potentially drop a character every round, and not even on his turn. |
| #132KalaniMar 30, 2015 9:40:01 |
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| #133gregscMar 30, 2015 11:14:59 | I forgot about the Advantage part of that. That's stronger than I was thinking.
Create Gargoyle seems situational to me. It's good if he needs a flying ally, but it costs 3 legendary actions and 50 hp to create a gargoyle that makes two 1d6 attacks per round. In most cases I think he would be best served to hold onto his hp to stay in the fight longer. He has lots of hp and massive melee attacks. Create Gargoyle seems to detract from his strengths instead of enhancing them. |
| #134MonsterEnvyMar 30, 2015 13:51:43 |
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| #135gregscMar 30, 2015 13:48:47 | Yeah, I was thinking the burrow ability might be one of his best features. |
| #136MonsterEnvyMar 30, 2015 17:28:35 | Also forgot to mention. Another buff I gave Ogremoch's gargoyles in order to make the ability worth it, is that they are now large. Increasing their damage die to 2d6 instead of 1d6 |
| #137DMStevenHMar 31, 2015 1:35:43 | Has anyone got an idea of what level the party are meant to be when they fight whichever Prince they fight?
I think it starts at level 3. Gain a level each time you clear a haunted keep. Gets you to seven. Gain a level for each elemental temple. Gets you to eleven. One for the fane of the eye. Three more for the elemental nodes. Like, level fifteen? That doesn't seem like enough levels. I guess you want to run a couple of side adventures to round out to level seventeen or so.... |
| #138pukunuiMar 31, 2015 2:07:10 | The adventure says it's for levels 3-15. |
| #139moonbeastMar 31, 2015 2:56:32 |
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| (Reply to #138)DMStevenH |
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| #141OrethalionMar 31, 2015 6:48:52 |
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| #142FinieousMar 31, 2015 10:02:48 |
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| #143OrethalionMar 31, 2015 10:23:57 | I took a look at the adventure yesterday. The princes are reasonably tough for a 15th level group. However, they were not where I would put them based on what I know of them. They were still a bit on the weak side. If I ever run that adventure, I will make them aspects and make a stronger version for later if the PCs want to go after the real princes. |
| #144BRJNMar 31, 2015 13:57:48 |
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| #145pukunuiMar 31, 2015 16:25:58 |
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| #146MonsterEnvyMar 31, 2015 22:55:08 | There is even new game called Sword Coast Legends.
Still I like the Coast and enjoy it as an area. |
| #147BRJNApr 02, 2015 13:39:36 |
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| #148paulstraitApr 02, 2015 15:10:13 |
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| #149NozareemApr 02, 2015 17:36:49 | So we get a decient campaign, screwed over Genasi in looks and primary modifiers being Con that no no class has that as a primary and o yeah We got new spells with no new classes that could have been elemental theme. It's great for DMs but that's all, players don't get Jack! Thanks WOTC for screwing players out of any new classes!! Dropped the ball again!! |
| #150pukunuiApr 02, 2015 18:46:09 |
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| #151moonbeastApr 07, 2015 19:26:51 |
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| (Reply to #150)Enevhar_Aldarion |
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| #153moonbeastApr 07, 2015 23:16:35 |
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