Post by wum1ng on Sept 11, 2010 14:16:29 GMT 8
The rule changes for Essentials can now be found here:
www.wizards.com/dnd/files/DNDessentials.pdf
Technically, Essentials changes are to affect normal 4th edition stuff as well as part of published material that will come out later this month.
I will summarise some of the key changes here.
Racial bonuses:
Dwarves - +2 Con, +2 Wis OR +2 Str
Eladrin - +2 Int, +2 Dex OR +2 Cha
Elves - +2 Dex, +2 Wis OR +2 Int
Halfling - +2 Dex, +2 Con OR +2 Cha
Humans - New racial power that can replace the bonus at-will
I would like that to point out that this opens significant doors in terms of race / class flexibilities, especially for halflings and dwarves.
Other very important changes, since it applies to our players.
You can now deal Sneak Attack damage once per TURN rather than just once per round. This means rogues that get means of attacking out of their own turn, for example through warlords or bards granting attacks, are significantly more powerful.
Burning hands now does half damage on a miss.
Two-weapon fighting feat now gives bonus damage to both weapons instead of just main hand.
Weapon focus only applies to weapon attacks.
Melee training only gives half your stat bonus to damage on basic attacks.
The paragon feats that boost Non-AC Defences (NAD) are now heroic feats, starts at +2 and scales. This means you can actually make your NAD significant.
There is now an item rarity system.
Technically, you're only allowed to purchase a very limited selection of "common" magic items from shops, like for example basic +1 magic weapons. Almost everything else is "uncommon" and can only be given out by DMs =P This means wishlists are ever more important now! The list of "common" magic items is published in the errata.
I'm still waiting for more details on the item rarity system to judge how effective it is. From what I have read, there is also now a random loot table system that goes along with it.
For my game if players wish to use the latest race stats and feats, by all means go ahead as giving players more flexible options is always a good thing.
www.wizards.com/dnd/files/DNDessentials.pdf
Technically, Essentials changes are to affect normal 4th edition stuff as well as part of published material that will come out later this month.
I will summarise some of the key changes here.
Racial bonuses:
Dwarves - +2 Con, +2 Wis OR +2 Str
Eladrin - +2 Int, +2 Dex OR +2 Cha
Elves - +2 Dex, +2 Wis OR +2 Int
Halfling - +2 Dex, +2 Con OR +2 Cha
Humans - New racial power that can replace the bonus at-will
I would like that to point out that this opens significant doors in terms of race / class flexibilities, especially for halflings and dwarves.
Other very important changes, since it applies to our players.
You can now deal Sneak Attack damage once per TURN rather than just once per round. This means rogues that get means of attacking out of their own turn, for example through warlords or bards granting attacks, are significantly more powerful.
Burning hands now does half damage on a miss.
Two-weapon fighting feat now gives bonus damage to both weapons instead of just main hand.
Weapon focus only applies to weapon attacks.
Melee training only gives half your stat bonus to damage on basic attacks.
The paragon feats that boost Non-AC Defences (NAD) are now heroic feats, starts at +2 and scales. This means you can actually make your NAD significant.
There is now an item rarity system.
Technically, you're only allowed to purchase a very limited selection of "common" magic items from shops, like for example basic +1 magic weapons. Almost everything else is "uncommon" and can only be given out by DMs =P This means wishlists are ever more important now! The list of "common" magic items is published in the errata.
I'm still waiting for more details on the item rarity system to judge how effective it is. From what I have read, there is also now a random loot table system that goes along with it.
For my game if players wish to use the latest race stats and feats, by all means go ahead as giving players more flexible options is always a good thing.
