Dungeons and Dragons 4th Edition Catch All

Ok, let's say your weapon does 2d4 damage. "1[W]" means the weapon does 2d4 damage. "2[W]" means you roll twice as many dice, so it does 4d4 damage.

Took me a while to figure that out too. Actually, that reminds me.... I have a list of questions about 4th ed that I need to post if I can find it

Ugh, Amazon just notified me that there is a delay on my order, looking like August before I get my set.

LockAndLoad wrote:

Ok, let's say your weapon does 2d4 damage. "1[W]" means the weapon does 2d4 damage. "2[W]" means you roll twice as many dice, so it does 4d4 damage.

Took me a while to figure that out too. Actually, that reminds me.... I have a list of questions about 4th ed that I need to post if I can find it

You are a brilliant man... Yes, let's start a typos and trifling questions thread. I'm in.

Nos, if you want to play just man up and buy the PHB. They've got them in spades. It's the collection at the ridiculous price that they don't have in stock.

Where in NOVA KingMob?

It took me deep into the DMG to realize what the [W] was. I consider myself reasonably intelligent, and that one was a doozy.

TheWanderer wrote:
LockAndLoad wrote:

Ok, let's say your weapon does 2d4 damage. "1[W]" means the weapon does 2d4 damage. "2[W]" means you roll twice as many dice, so it does 4d4 damage.

Took me a while to figure that out too. Actually, that reminds me.... I have a list of questions about 4th ed that I need to post if I can find it

You are a brilliant man... Yes, let's start a typos and trifling questions thread. I'm in.

Nos, if you want to play just man up and buy the PHB. They've got them in spades. It's the collection at the ridiculous price that they don't have in stock.

But then I'd have 2 PHBs again...

rabbit wrote:

It took me deep into the DMG to realize what the [W] was. I consider myself reasonably intelligent, and that one was a doozy.

It'd be nice if there was a reference to it at the beginning of the section or something. The actual tidbit describing that is buried somewhere else in the manual.

I personally gave up on the sleeve-covered set and ordered the books individually from Amazon. If you really want the boxed set, Pozy.com has it in their All Games section for $69 (easiest way to find it is to sort $$$-$) but their website is down today for maintenance. Of course you'd have to pay a few bucks more for shipping too if you don't fluff your order up to $100.

If you spot cool D&D threads on GWJ, please feel free to post the links here so that we can use this catch all thread to keep track of them. While I'm feeling my way through the rules fairly well, I have a few niggling questions that I'd love to see covered in a relevant thread.

By the way, as a response to a previous comment in this thread, for all you folks that are new to DM'ing, I highly recommend the Gnome Stew blog. I've been reading it whenever I get restless or stumped about how overwhelming DM'ing can be. Whether you've been filling the role for a while or are new to it, there are lots of really cool thoughts for the pensive DM.

Lastly, I want to recommend a really great auto-calculating Character Sheet for 4th edition (by someone who goes by the name Halivar). I have used this thing to get my head around how the rules work together (racial, class, feats, etc.). If nothing else, it's a good way to determine that you are doing your math correctly. For instance, starting hit points are determined by your class's notation added to your constitution score (not the modifier). Once I plugged in a few essential bits of info into the sheet, I saw this born out and got turned in the right direction.

Tiny note: The link to the character sheet thread on enworld does work, it's just that the board is going through maintenance as of the time of this posting.

Great point Doc. I'm not sure if its the same one that made it over to the GWJRPG wiki, but it really helped everything make sense.

BTW, I'm trying to get a party together in the northern IL area. Whoever is interested in a day of drinks and die-rolls give me a PM. Tentative date is Aug 2nd.

FYI: The new Dragon, in all it's landscaped PDF glory, actually rocks. They fleshout of the Wizard is awesome. The rest of the content's really excellent as well. Love the rework of the Artificer.

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...

rabbit wrote:

The rest of the content's really excellent as well. Love the rework of the Artificer.
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...

I think Dragon also had the "Warborn" fleshed out as a playable class, it would make for a really interesting party to have a Warborn Fighter with an Artificer going along. If the quality of both Dungeon magazine and Dragon magazine is as good as these free looks at what they are putting out, having those two magazines might just be worth the 15 bucks a month right there.

This is assuming my understanding of how they want to do Insider is correct... All of the content is free now, and will be locked down to only Insider subscribers later on, with maybe a few exceptions of an article here or there and some limited use of the computer tools.

Atras wrote:

All of the content is free now, and will be locked down to only Insider subscribers later on, with maybe a few exceptions of an article here or there and some limited use of the computer tools.

I heard that the basic character builder and dungeon builder will remain free but I haven't found any articles or statements to that effect. Has anyone found any information on what will be available free to customers who don't feel like shelling out 15-bucks a month?

Thank you all for your tips on DMing, keep them coming, they're getting put to good use by a salty group of old dorks.

Check www.dndinsider.com. Basically paying subscribers get the Game Table and full access to , Character Visualizer, D&D Compendium, and Dragon and Dungeon magazines.

Dungeon Creator and Charactor Creator are free, and limited access to the above resources other than the Game Table is free.

Oh, here is the info I just found in the FAQ:

What does a D&D Insider subscription include?
A D&D Insider subscription will provide access to a host of different tools and applications that will enhance your Dungeons & Dragons experience, including Dragon and Dungeon Magazines, a Character Creator, the D&D Game Table, and the D&D Compendium. D&D Insider also offers a way for players to connect with each other, play the game, or tap into 100% official Wizards of the Coast-sanctioned content that will enhance a group’s gameplay.

How much will the D&D Insider subscription cost?
$14.95/month, or you can buy a 3-month or 12-month subscription at a discount. A 12-month subscription works out to $9.95/month.

What portions of D&D Insider will remain free after the preview ends?
Certain elements of the D&D Insider tools will remain free in limited use for non-subscribers. For example, non-subscribers can use the Dungeon Builder to create encounter maps and use their .jpgs in offline games. Subscribers will be able to load these maps directly onto the D&D Game Table. As another example, non-subscribers can use the Character Builder to manually input character information or print out 4th Edition character sheets.

How much will the digital magazines cost?
Dragon and Dungeon Magazines are included as part of your subscription. Nonsubscribers will also be able to purchase individual PDF issues of the magazines (pricing TBD).

If I purchase a subscription for a year, what content will I be able to access after my subscription expires?
After your subscription ends, you will no longer be able to access the subscription portion of the D&D Insider website. However, you will retain access to any PDFs of Dragon and Dungeon Magazines downloaded during your subscription. You will also retain access to any digital books, minis, and tiles you’ve purchased.

Thanx Mantis

Subscribing to this thread so I can keep track of it later this Summer. Getting married next week, but hopefully in the Fall I'll be game for some Fantasy Grounds action using the (more accessible, in my opinion) 4th edition rule set.

Okay, I am a complete n00b at D&D, but looking at this thread and reading everyone talk about it, I am very interested in checking it out. So, I am finding it tough to know where to start to figure out how to play. I was looking and thought I should pick up the D&D Player's Handbook, and probably a set of dice. I don't think I will ever be running my own campaign, so I didn't think I would need the Monster Manual or the DM Manual. Is this true? Or should I get all 3?

Thanks in advance for helping along a n00b.

I'd say just get the Player's Handbook, read through it and see how your interest is. Maybe join us online too.

This is great stuff. I love that so much Dragon materials are going to be available for download even though the inevitable subscription is coming. I keep visiting D&D Insider hoping that suddenly it will go live, but I suppose patience is in order...

LiquidMantis wrote:

I'd say just get the Player's Handbook, read through it and see how your interest is. Maybe join us online too.

I plan on joining you guys once I get the players manual and get a basic understanding of the rules.

Is there anywhere that will walk you through rolling up your first character?

I'm also one of those who will be joining you guys eventually but am waiting for the kinks to get worked out of 4e. Perhaps this fall. Until then, I follow this thread with interest.

Is there anywhere that will walk you through rolling up your first character?

The Player's Handbook is actually REALLY well written for character creation. It's setup to be a step by step process. Also, everything you need for your character's class is in one place in the book so you don't have to hop around looking for tables & charts.

Just thought back to my AD&D days and the bookmarks & tabs throughout my books for finding spells and charts... yeah, I don't miss those days at all.

A couple of days ago, I just ran a very introductory 4th ed session with two friends and myself as DM. It was a riproaring good time as we hashed out the rules in two short combats with 2 PCs and 4-6 kobolds using the maps from KoS. Then we made a character for one of the guys for a real campaign starting next week if we can wrangle a few more to join us.

For those of you more versed in the rules here's a few questions:

1. Can you shift diagonally around a monster's square? We treated it as if it was an obstacle filled square so we didn't allow it. (At the same time can you move diagonally then?)

2. We rolled up a halfling rogue but our numbers weren't syncing up with the pre-genned one in Keep on the Shadowfells. I searched the WoTC site and my google struck out. Any ideas on errata?

2.b. Does a STR or DEX modifier for a basic weapon attack apply to to-hit or damage or both?

3. Any good links or suggestions for dungeon tiles, miniatures and gridded map thingys?

Fourth Editions really rocks.

3. Any good links or suggestions for dungeon tiles, miniatures and gridded map thingys?

Wizards of the Coast put out some fantastic sets of dungeon tiles that were expensive but very sturdy/useful. When I get around to running my local 4th Ed game, I'm going to use those along with some of the doors, furniture and figures from an old HeroQuest board game (not to be confused with the Heroscape board game that's out now) that I found for $2 at a recent garage sale. Also, I haven't looked into it yet but a friend of mine recommended the Lord of the Rings edition Risk game if you want hordes of goblins and other figures very cheaply.

LockAndLoad wrote:

Also, I haven't looked into it yet but a friend of mine recommended the Lord of the Rings edition Risk game if you want hordes of goblins and other figures very cheaply.

That's a good idea. I'm going to be doing the same thing with the War of the Ring boardgame, with the added bonus being that they have figures for the Fellowship in that game as well, so the PCs can use the Gandalf figurine for a wizard character, Aragorn for a ranger character, etc, etc.

scrub wrote:

A couple of days ago, I just ran a very introductory 4th ed session with two friends and myself as DM. It was a riproaring good time as we hashed out the rules in two short combats with 2 PCs and 4-6 kobolds using the maps from KoS. Then we made a character for one of the guys for a real campaign starting next week if we can wrangle a few more to join us.

For those of you more versed in the rules here's a few questions:

1. Can you shift diagonally around a monster's square? We treated it as if it was an obstacle filled square so we didn't allow it. (At the same time can you move diagonally then?)

2. We rolled up a halfling rogue but our numbers weren't syncing up with the pre-genned one in Keep on the Shadowfells. I searched the WoTC site and my google struck out. Any ideas on errata?

2.b. Does a STR or DEX modifier for a basic weapon attack apply to to-hit or damage or both?

3. Any good links or suggestions for dungeon tiles, miniatures and gridded map thingys?

Fourth Editions really rocks.

1) You can (pg 283 PHB)
2) what numbers were not syncing up?
2b) Str adds both to hit and damage. (pg 287 PHB)

I played D&D today, for about 10-15 minutes. I'm at a con, so it was just a short Kobold dungeon run. Still, it's not quite the D&D that I pictured in my head. The figurines did quite a lot to help us newbies out.

Fave moments for my character:
DM: You're going to need a light source in this dark cave. You've got some torches in your inventory...
Me: Or I can cast Light... Right?
DM: Yep! Where do you want to cast it on?
Me: I choose the fighter's blade. Can I cast this spell on your sword?
-fighter appears reluctant-
Me: I promise, it'll only be a little enchantment.
==
DM: Ok guys, my monsters are right here. They're picking on one of their own because he's got an extra bag of food he's holding onto. Do you guys wanna just rush in and fight them?

Everyone: YEAH!

Me: Uh, wait a minute. I cast Ghost Sound [I think that was it] on the corner opposite from where our party will enter the hall to distract them.
===
DM: You've discovered a pit of spikes in the middle of the hallway. It's a 30 foot drop. . .

Me: I've got 50 feet of hempen rope in my inventory. Lets toss it to the thief and have him tie it to something strong so we can use it to cross.
===
Damn. Makes me wish I could be at GenCon.

Wizards also had a really barebones demo of the online tabletop client. I was pretty impressed that there's an option to create globally sourced illumination (though, when I think about it, all the "You enter a room, there is a torch to your left" stuff makes it an obvious addition). I think I'd probably end up playing with the damned thing if it were available for free.

Damn damn damn was that entertaining.

So your friendly neighborhood idiot just tried the strictly miniature game. I ruled with a front line of Goblin Picador! They harpoon and immobilize costing very few points per unit (In a 300 point game) and the big dogs (Beholder/Dragon..etc) can meander about crushing all that sit before them.

3. Any good links or suggestions for dungeon tiles, miniatures and gridded map thingys?

Needed a chillout break at work today and did a quick Google search for stuff. There is some really cool stuff available for free from WoTC...

http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...
http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x...

This guy is working on a 4th ed chargen. I haven't used it, but I have used his 3.5 one a few times.