Shadowmoor 2012 Rules preview

[keith]

Hey everyone, we're hard at work boiling down the rules changes and updates and things coming up so you guys know how to play some Shadowmoor this year.

Please understand that we're not completely done, and things may change, so make sure you download and read the rules updates after we post the final versions!

For the most part, we're accepting all of the new SOLAR core rule updates. Here's a list of highlights that we know we're accepting:

* Knight classes have the option to forego extra damage for the ability to buy fatal shield parries once they have their "full knight" status
* Only scholars and templars may have a specialty column (Wachagga and gargoyles will be partially exempt from this)
* Dodge is a rogue-only ability. Non-rogues may purchase backstabs and assassinate, but never gain the ability of dodge
* Acids may no longer be blocked by shields
* Characters are now limited to 8 (sometimes less) magic items in use per game day.
* Creature control is much more tightly defined

Things we're still working out:
* Focuses being logged magic items
* Circle duration

We've got other changes coming up, too! Some sneak peaks:

Weapon/Armorsmithing 'formal': New ways to make your weapons, shields, and armor better!

Ogres! Amroth ogres will now be playable races:

Amroth Ogre
Advantages: +2 strength, +5 body (+10 body max).
Disadvantages: Pays double cost for read/write, may never learn Read Magic.
Makeup requirements: Tusks, yellow makeup over all exposed skin. MUST wear ancient Persian/Babylonian/Mesopotamian inspired costume.

Amroth Ogre Mage
Advantages: +1 strength, +2 body (+10 body max)
Disadvantages: May never learn Healing Arts. Must buy Read/Write and Read Magic at character creation.
Makeup requirements: Tusks, blue makeup over all exposed skin. MUST wear ancient Persian/Babylonian/Mesopotamian inspired costume.

New lightweight armor that you can make yourself for cheap! (And it's historically accurate!)

Playtest for new way of dealing with armor (may come a little later)

[Pheonixfyre]

So the only makeup differences between Half-Ogres and Amroth Ogres is the costume requirements?

[Casey]

Yep.  Much like the differences between some different types of elven races (Sampan, Wild Elves, etc.)...that's how you tell 'em apart.

[Chris Lynch]

I'm buying a pet monkey.  Also, I'm starting an Ogre character.  I'm making Dan play a shirtless Sea Elf.

Casey,  can I borrow Jade's magic carpet? 

[David McNeal]

I'm buying a pet monkey.  Also, I'm starting an Ogre character.  I'm making Dan play a shirtless Sea Elf.

Casey,  can I borrow Jade's magic carpet? 

As your local Asian stereotype, I cannot say too much.  Fail is fail no matter how you look at it.  And yes, I'd look at Dan in full blue and shirtless with a face palm.  However, what he did while shirtless and CLAIMING/GAINING racial benefits as a Sampan, may be looked upon with disdain.  Mainly because he's a round eye and not doing as a round eye should  

Seriously, look into the spirit of the rules and the mind set/life style of those that live with the garb as the stereotypical "one who was raised in that culture" and take it from there.

[caldsteven]

I hope that the Character Respends gets adopted (page 235, bottom half of page).

[Chris Lynch]

I'm buying a pet monkey.  Also, I'm starting an Ogre character.  I'm making Dan play a shirtless Sea Elf.

Casey,  can I borrow Jade's magic carpet? 

As your local Asian stereotype, I cannot say too much.  Fail is fail no matter how you look at it.  And yes, I'd look at Dan in full blue and shirtless with a face palm.  However, what he did while shirtless and CLAIMING/GAINING racial benefits as a Sampan, may be looked upon with disdain.  Mainly because he's a round eye and not doing as a round eye should  

Seriously, look into the spirit of the rules and the mind set/life style of those that live with the garb as the stereotypical "one who was raised in that culture" and take it from there.

You lost me at "Dan is a round eye".  LOL

[caldsteven]

Also interested if we'll adopt the new Master Potion Maker's skill description. That Master's Elixir looks like a nice boon.

[peachmarine87]

Weapon/Armorsmithing 'formal': New ways to make your weapons, shields, and armor better!

Is this going to be something to get on top of master armor/weapon smithing, or in place of it?

[Pheonixfyre]

3 weeks to the event.  How's the rules coming?

[keith]

Posted, actually. Check the website here: http://www.shadowmoor.org/articles/rules/2012-rules-package

Note: the supplement is still in review. It's 98% correct, but we may make slight alterations once more eyes have hit it. By slight alterations, I mean that the rules are done and solid, but we may tweak workings or make typo corrections that have been missed.

[StephenZuckerman]

Laminate armor, eh? Sounds like fun.

[keith]

Totally. We'll be posting some how-to's on the details soon. If you want to do your own research, google up "linothorax" and you'll get the point.

[peachmarine87]

Question about the rare spells.

Elementalist get elemental forge, which repairs 1 item shield sized or smaller. Does that item become indestructible after that?

Just wondering because if the item is just base repaired, then in my honest opinion it seems that elementalist get the short end of the stick when it comes down to it.  Healers, druids, necromancers and confinist get added damage to swings. And earth generalist get a spell that if used right makes them invincible for 3 minutes. Just seems that elementalist should have something a little more.

[StephenZuckerman]

Peach: Stone Web is in almost all ways exactly like an Imprison... Which is the cool spell Confinists get (and exactly the ONLY cool spell they get). Elementalists already HAVE a spell that adds damage to swings - Storm Blade, which is pretty awesome.

A third-level spell, that emulates a skill that otherwise takes most folks 10 build to get... That's not bad. It's the counter to the Destroy spell. It's a neat utility for a class that otherwise doesn't get utilities, and meshes well with the idea of a subset of elementalists (wachagga) being serious craftsmen.

Elementalists are the bomb. If anyone should get more cool stuff, it's the Confinist... But that's just power bloat.