I'm wondering if their is supposed to be more than just the 4 sheets of card stock and the page with the Player tracking form that was included in the 'Delve Night Kit'. If there is, then either the store is holding back on me or it didn't get shipped.
I am not sure how popular it is across the board, but if it takes off maybe they will do maps/promos and stuff. I hope so. Maps makes it easier to get other GMs. And players always like freebies.
But overall, I like the product. I thought the encounters in Oct were well balanced. And, the players seemed to have a good time. They all ran in good time too, except for encounter 4. It ran 2:15. But, the players didn't seem to mind.
All in all, well done WOTC. I look forward to getting my November.
Are they what replaced the packs the stores could order for $10 a month that had an adventure of some type, some minis, some maps and other things?
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dci/wpn/main
However the information is general, and isn't up-to-date news. It is too late for November, I think you have until the 20th of the previous month to sign up for the next months activities. (Sign-ups start on the 6th of each month).
I do not know what their information dissemination method is. I never saw any announcement or reminder. I just knew to do it from doing the October one.
Stuart
Monad, I haven't gotten my Nov kit yet, so I do not know the level (ZephyrusMK?) However, they come with instructions including verbage for characters over 1st level. Over 1st get a magic item of level +1, level, and level-1 plus gold of level-1.
I'd prefer that, instead of maps or minis, they include pre-made character sheets, or a link to a useful character generator.
The DDI Character Builder is entering Closed Beta very soon, and will be Open Beta, then fully available in the coming couple months.
Open Beta will be open to anyone who wants to try it, and even when it's a full option for DDI subscribers, there will be a demo version open for anyone who wants to make a character of levels 1-3.
So, while there's no link currently, there may be one in the near future.
In a related question, what's the level requirement for November's Delve? If past level one, are there any character creation guidelines (for instance, regarding magic items)?
November's Delve is 3rd level. But frankly, it looks more like a lvl 4.
November's Delve is 3rd level. But frankly, it looks more like a lvl 4.
Yeah, 3rd levels may have it a bit tough, but I'm looking forward to running it.
Had a blast w/ the October Delve.
Is there supposed to be a map for the Delve? Where do I find a map(s) for the November Delve?
For those that got the Oct Delve and the Nov Delve, are they connected? Does one lead into the other?
Is there a way to find out the PC requirements before the kit arrives? I want/need to advertise this at my store so people know what level character to bring rather than make a character the day of game play.
I just got my Nov Delve kit but I never got the Oct kit. Now I have a few questions about them.
Is there supposed to be a map for the Delve? Where do I find a map(s) for the November Delve?
For those that got the Oct Delve and the Nov Delve, are they connected? Does one lead into the other?
Is there a way to find out the PC requirements before the kit arrives? I want/need to advertise this at my store so people know what level character to bring rather than make a character the day of game play.
1) There are no maps. D&DTiles are used as examples, but the maps are simple enough that any medium can be used (I'm incorporating Lego this month :D )
2) No connection intended. However *MONSTER SPOILER*
Show
both Delves include a Human Mage. In October, my group let the mage walk away from the Tower, so I'm going to introduce the November Human Mage as the same woman.
And the worse thing is that we had no pre-notification, so now it is too late to get the word out to everyone to level them up. so I will have to devote play time to character build/upgrade time.
But it is a new process, and there are kinks to work out.
After the buildup from DMs on this thread saying this looked more like a 4th level adventure, I'm hoping that next week'll be more challenging.
We'll see how tonight goes. Last month I nearly wiped the party on week 3, mostly due to bad party tactics, but decided to bump them up a level for week 4.
I just saved myself 2 1/2 hours! Now to waste it on the Internet!
1) Do you run this all at once or every week?
2) If it's once a week, why include a disease that needs to be tracked?
3) Do they count for RPGA points?
4) Do you play with the same people each week? I'm just DMing because my local Game store needed a DM. And apparently anyone can show up each week to play.
5) Dailies can be used each game and anyone can form the group seems like the games could be really unbalanced?
6) What's the point of handing out magic Items if next month it's going to be a whole different character or different level?
6) What else do I need to know if I'm running this 1 adventure a week?
Warlord riding a draft giant lizard
Did I miss something? How does a first level character get to be riding a giant lizard? I'm pretty new to 4th edition but I didn't think that it would be possible to equip a Warlord and then give him an exotic mount too.
It's cool image and idea, I'm just not sure what I'm missing to make stuff like that happen within the RPGA character creation framework.
Is there a DM out there that explain a few things about how this is going to run?
There's probably someone better suited than me to answer this but I'll tell you what I'm doing.
1) Do you run this all at once or every week?
I run mine on Saturdays. But as I didn't get my kit in time for the first week it was scheduled, I ran 2 sessions on one day to make up for it. Then I'm running one this week and one next week. For December, I plan on doubling up on one Saturday due to the holiday. I am not scheduling any events on Thanksgiving and Christmas week-ends.
2) If it's once a week, why include a disease that needs to be tracked?
Tthe 4 weekly encounters are connected so it is possible to get the disease in one session and have that character still have it in the following. You just need that character to come back each week to get sicker. ;)
3) Do they count for RPGA points?
I don't think so. But then I'm new to this RPGA thing as well so I'm not even sure how they work.
4) Do you play with the same people each week? I'm just DMing because my local Game store needed a DM. And apparently anyone can show up each week to play.
I had a slightly different mix in my second session than in the first session. I didn't get the Oct events so I'll have to see who shows up for the next session. I'm running it as open gaming. Anyone at anytime can join.
5) Dailies can be used each game and anyone can form the group seems like the games could be really unbalanced?
When I ran them on the same day, I didn't allow the dailies to be used more than once. As for the next session, I'm saying that the characters camped before moving on. So they'll get their dailies back.
6) What's the point of handing out magic Items if next month it's going to be a whole different character or different level?
No clue but if you don't give something out, then the players won't feel rewarded. As long as they keep the levels going up, I don't see a problem with letting returning players use magic items earned in earlier delves as long as they keep playing the same character.
6) What else do I need to know if I'm running this 1 adventure a week?
Shouldn't this be 7? ;) No clue there as I have only run it 1 week so far. Heck, I'm not even sure what/who to expect for my next week's game.
Did I miss something? How does a first level character get to be riding a giant lizard? I'm pretty new to 4th edition but I didn't think that it would be possible to equip a Warlord and then give him an exotic mount too.
It's cool image and idea, I'm just not sure what I'm missing to make stuff like that happen within the RPGA character creation framework.
Is there a DM out there that explain a few things about how this is going to run?
1) Do you run this all at once or every week?
I run it once piece a week.
2) If it's once a week, why include a disease that needs to be tracked?
Characters don't reset every week. I make my players remember all the stats including HP, action points, and healing surges. There is no long rest after every session.
3) Do they count for RPGA points?
They do. Though it looks like they are only 1 point. But they are quickies. But usually I get it run in about 2 hours a session. So I wish they were worth 2 points.
4) Do you play with the same people each week? I'm just DMing because my local Game store needed a DM. And apparently anyone can show up each week to play.
I have had most of the same people, but it is open to all. That is a requirement of the delve. we are trying to drum up more interest.
5) Dailies can be used each game and anyone can form the group seems like the games could be really unbalanced?
Again, like I previously said, I make the characters remember their own status. If they use their daily in session one and there is no long rest, they don't have it in session two.
6) What's the point of handing out magic Items if next month it's going to be a whole different character or different level?
That is a good question. I thought they would roll together. I guess it is so the people can take their characters and do something else with it. But that is one thing I don't really like about how the delves are going. I wish one flowed into the next so they could use the same characters and not have to make a new one each month.
6) What else do I need to know if I'm running this 1 adventure a week?
Just have fun. We are here for you if you have any questions.
Stuart
2) If it's once a week, why include a disease that needs to be tracked?
Characters don't reset every week. I make my players remember all the stats including HP, action points, and healing surges. There is no long rest after every session.4) Do you play with the same people each week? I'm just DMing because my local Game store needed a DM. And apparently anyone can show up each week to play.
I have had most of the same people, but it is open to all. That is a requirement of the delve. we are trying to drum up more interest.
So, I'm confused a bit more here because what do you do if you have new people? They have full health and full Surges and others who played the last 2 weeks are down to the last of everything they have. So for a whole night they have to stand in the back and fire their crossbow, because they played the 2 previous weeks.
This next bit is directed to the developers:
If there is no reward for characters and no consequences for characters, what's the point? Every week I can play a different race and class with what ever magic items I want lvl +1, lvl, lvl-1. And my HP and Surges would be full.
And finally, why include in the first encounter a disease that lasts multiple encounters if you can choose to play a whole different character the next week?
1) are these games attached to any of the Living Campaigns or is this just Normal 4th Ed?
2) will each month be increase in levels and if so should we expect that by the end of next year a reset will occur back to level 1?
3) can the characters that players use in delve day be used in any of the other RPGA campaigns? (many of my players would like to know....)
4) could a gm who just found out about this run all 4 games for a particular month on the same day say once a month due to time constraints?
2) No idea.
3) No, although they can be used in other delves, as long as they meet the level requirements. They can also be used in regular home games.
4) The delve encounters can be run one per week, two every other week, all four at once, or in any way the GM desires.
The delve encounters are designed to give GMs a base to work from in their own campaigns, for GMs who don't have time to make their own encounters/adventures, etc.
Thanks!
DT4: Ruins of the Wild
Encounter 2:
DT4: Ruins of the Wild
DT1: Dungeon Tiles (the inn - feel free to substitute if you don't have access to that tile set)
Encounter 3 & 4:
DT5: Lost Caverns of the Underdark
Encounter 1:
DT4: Ruins of the Wild
Encounter 2:
DT4: Ruins of the Wild
DT1: Dungeon Tiles (the inn - feel free to substitute if you don't have access to that tile set)
Encounter 3 & 4:
DT5: Lost Caverns of the Underdark
Thanks!
We did the encounters in two blocks, and each time, it was poor tactical decisions and being hesitant towards using Daily Powers (really, more of the first) that made combat difficult and long.
Regarding the encounters, what do you like and what can be improved?
(Not talking the overall system here, rather what can be improved as a writer and what did you enjoy/want retained).
Cheers,
Andrew M.
For those that completed it, would you want a future Delve Night to be less, more or around the same challenge?
Regarding the encounters, what do you like and what can be improved?
(Not talking the overall system here, rather what can be improved as a writer and what did you enjoy/want retained).
Cheers,
Andrew M.
VCL Note - while not an official WotC employee - Andrew, here, is the creator (if I'm not mistaken) of the Delve format seen at large RPGA shows. So any feedback you give him will be very useful, I'm certain.
For those that completed it, would you want a future Delve Night to be less, more or around the same challenge?
Regarding the encounters, what do you like and what can be improved?
(Not talking the overall system here, rather what can be improved as a writer and what did you enjoy/want retained).
Cheers,
Andrew M.
My group found it to be a bit easy, and there were only 3 - 4 of them (broken into 2 sessions).
The breezed through the 1st 2 w/ only 3 characters (but it was a combination of good tactics, party build and my dice quit on me).
Anyone know what level the next will be?
For those that completed it, would you want a future Delve Night to be less, more or around the same challenge?
Regarding the encounters, what do you like and what can be improved?
(Not talking the overall system here, rather what can be improved as a writer and what did you enjoy/want retained).
Cheers,
Andrew M.
I think the encounters were well-made. One big issue I had was sorting the text. Combat-relevant text is often intermingled with pre/post combat text, and it's hard to find a salient piece of information on the drop of a dime.
So:
Cover page, with character level, dungeon tile sets used, character level, and any other generic notes for the delve.
Back of cover page is start of first encounter, continued as the front of the next page, etc.
Final page, on the back cover, might include an overall delve map, showing how all the areas fit together, if continuous.
VCL Note - while not an official WotC employee - Andrew, here, is the creator (if I'm not mistaken) of the Delve format seen at large RPGA shows. So any feedback you give him will be very useful, I'm certain.
Credit where credit is due:
Just to clarify, SRM (now in R&D) created the Delve idea and the old Eberron factionmasters wrote the first delve.
I was in charge of overseeing it at it's first show and then took over: improving the format, writing and running the Delve program from then on.
With the continued success and growth of the delve at every show, the monthly retail Delve Night program was the brainchild of Chris Tulach of WotC - I'm just one of the writers.
So, I have no input on the formatting of the retail delve kits - I'm in charge of the larger delve run at selected conventions.
The reason for my query is that I wrote the Nov retail delve and am currently writing another and wanted some feedback on the encounters - I cannot change the format, that's Mr. Tulach's gig.
Cheers,
Andrew M.
Program Admin (Delve)
Credit where credit is due:
Just to clarify, SRM (now in R&D) created the Delve idea and the old Eberron factionmasters wrote the first delve.
I was in charge of overseeing it at it's first show and then took over: improving the format, writing and running the Delve program from then on.
With the continued success and growth of the delve at every show, the monthly retail Delve Night program was the brainchild of Chris Tulach of WotC - I'm just one of the writers.
So, I have no input on the formatting of the retail delve kits - I'm in charge of the larger delve run at selected conventions.
The reason for my query is that I wrote the Nov retail delve and am currently writing another and wanted some feedback on the encounters - I cannot change the format, that's Mr. Tulach's gig.
Cheers,
Andrew M.
Program Admin (Delve)
Thanks for the clarifications.
1) Use Delves to preview WotC books. I like the Dec. Delve with its Draconomicon monsters. Hopefully the January Delve will have some MotP monsters, and the February has Open Grave.
2) For months with no new monster books, write adventures with iconic monsters. I'd love to run an adventure with an Owlbear, Beholder, or a Mindflayer. My only experience with any of the above was the 3.5 one-round trouncing of my Flayer.
2) For months with no new monster books, write adventures with iconic monsters. I'd love to run an adventure with an Owlbear, Beholder, or a Mindflayer. My only experience with any of the above was the 3.5 one-round trouncing of my Flayer.
Nice idea! Ironically, I don't really get to fight iconic D&D monsters too much in my home games (aside from Kobolds, it seems). Apart from one terror-inducing Beholder encounter back around the beginning of 3.5.
Since these seem to basically be encounter-focused to the exclusion of roleplay, it would be neat to get some more varied, difficult, and interactive terrain (perhaps something where the terrain actually moves, though I know some DMs would throw up their hands and cry at the idea). Interesting tricks or gimmicks, at least for the last encounter, would be, at least as a player, pretty fun.
I think I just exhausted my allotted commas use for the day.
a) iconic monsters
b) Skipping around in level much more. We want to go from lvl15 to lvl9 to lvl 26, trying all kinds of new things every month.
c) locales that are very interesting, but by short description rather than box text.