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3 years ago ::
Jul 16, 2010 - 7:43PM
#271
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Date Joined:
May 23, 2005
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A) Heroes of Shadow is currently announced as a 6x9 paperback for ~$20(us). Though it's still far enough out that that could change, I wouldn't expect it to.
B) Clerics taking shadow powers isn't advertised as a major selling point. More like an afterthought in the description.
C) Necromancers, Hexblades, and Assassins are specifically mentioned, and we already know assassins are a class.
Most likely what we're seeing is a combination of what used to be PHB and Power Splat material. Fluff for the shadow power source similar to what we got for primal, two to five races associated with the shadow power source, three full base classes in the essentials mold (ie, class specific advancement tables, class features gained as they level), including at least two distinct builds each, paragon paths for each class and for the power source in general (more for each class then usual for a PHB, but less then usual for a Power Source), epic destinies related to the shadow source, feats (including multiclass feats, general feats with a shadow theme, and race and class specific feats for the new races and classes), and some new items.
Leastwise, that's my royal prediction for this book. For me it's an automatic purchase, I've been jonsing for a necromancer and a decent dark knight since 4e was released, and I liked the core of the ddi assassin (though the powers are a bit too controllery and not quite strikery enough for my taste). The shrouds mechanic, at least, works the way I would want it too.
I have looked at both Amazon and Borders and neither of them list a size for the book. Can you provide a link to the site you are quoting the size from. I also cant find the listing on the Wizards product page but thats not surprising.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 17, 2010 - 3:14AM
#272
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I would go to the randomhouse download of WotC's Spring 2011 calendar.
A great man once said "If WotC put out boxes full of free money there'd still be people complaining about how it's folded." – Boraxe
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3 years ago ::
Jul 17, 2010 - 6:22AM
#273
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Date Joined:
Feb 12, 2004
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All I'm saying is don't hang your hopes on a line that could easily be referring to standard multiclassing options, and then feel betrayed if Heroes of Shadow doesn't include anything for other classes beyond the standard multiclassing options.
The book is not huge. A 300ish page 6x9 book is only moderately more actual page space then one of the current power splats. We already know there's going to be three full classes and more then one new race, it's not likely theyd be able to fit alternate powers, paths, and other materials for every non-shadow race and class currently out there, at least not without significantly cutting into the material that is supposed to be the focus of the book - the actual new stuff.
Necromancy: Friendship is MagicSpoiler:
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3 years ago ::
Jul 20, 2010 - 8:42PM
#274
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Date Joined:
Sep 15, 2006
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Check out this article: critical-hits.com/2010/06/16/dd-4e-the-n...From the description, the book lists only three classes, Assassin, Hexblade, and Necromancer. It's still a long way from print, so they could add a fourth class if they wanted, but I don't think so. Possible ideas for content in this book (whether or not it relates to the Shadow source).
There will probably be three or four new classes, three of which we know about already.
Assassin (Shadow Striker)
Key Stats: Dexterity, Constitution, Charisma
Hexblade (Shadow Defender)
Possible Key Stats: Intelligence(or Charisma), Strength, Dexterity
Necromancer (Shadow Controller)
Possible Key Stats: Intelligence, Charisma, Constitution(or Strength)
A possible fourth class, with a secondary Controller focus:
Witch (Shadow Leader)
Key Stats: Charisma, Dexterity, Intelligence
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There may also be additional builds and/or themes based on making "dark" characters from other power sources. Some of these might include:
Blackguard Paladin
The "black knight" build which lets the paladin substitute radiant for necrotic damage, and grants necrotic vulnerability to his combat challenge targets.
Other dark divine classes
The Cleric and Avenger, at least, might recieve new dark builds.
My thoughts:
Assassin -- we already know what he does
Hexblade -- Shadow Defender
I think Charisma is the obvious choice for primary stat. The 3.5 hexblade's spells were based on charisma, as were some of the class features, such as Mettle. It just fits the idea or archetype the class is trying to portray.
Of the two builds, I would like to see a trickster build with Intelligence secondary, and a fighter-type build with Strength or Constitution secondary (I would prefer strength myself).
Judging from the cover art, hexblades will probably be wearing heavy armor.
Necromancer -- Shadow Controller
Intelligence as the primary stat makes the most sense.
For the two builds, I would make a summoner build with Charisma secondary and a life-stealer build with Constitution secondary.
Anyone agree or disagree?
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3 years ago ::
Jul 20, 2010 - 10:22PM
#275
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Date Joined:
Nov 30, 2009
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Personally, I would LOVE the shadow defender (which hopefully IS the Hexblade) to be a Con primary defender. The Battlemind just wasn't doing it for me. However, I think the idea of another Charisma based defender is pretty cool too. Truthfully, I hadn't thought about it. Battleminds had me thinking, "man, this is ALMOST what I want, but it's just not working". I then took a revenant and made a assassin/battlemind hybrid and came out with a what I felt would be a shadow defnder. So I'm really looking forward to the Hexblade.
If it turns out to be something that's not a defender, well Hexblade at least sounds cool! lol
Also, Necromancer just speaks for itself. lol
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3 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2010 - 2:44AM
#276
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I think the shadow source should not have a leader class as nothing even the witch does not really fit. Go with a second striker or controller. The feel a source gets is as important to me as the classes it has, this said I to am looking forward to the hexblade if done right it could be a very interesting class.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2010 - 3:13AM
#277
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Date Joined:
Jan 21, 2004
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They may add multiclass paragon paths for some of the non-shadow classes, so a blackguard paragon path might be possible. I'm hoping for a shadow pact for warlocks but as people have said, that would require space for powers that would eat into the book so maybe not likely in the book but possible as a Dragon article after the book comes out. A divine domain feat for shadow is possible I suppose. I would have thought the shadowcaster was likely as a controller but it may be that they are folding that into wizard or sorcerer as a shadowy build. A feat or some powers that allow an approximation of 1e shadow magic and demishadow magic would be ace.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2010 - 5:23AM
#278
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Date Joined:
Jul 25, 2007
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I still think the Necromancer should be the Leader and the Hexblade should be the Controller.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2010 - 2:57PM
#279
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Date Joined:
Nov 30, 2009
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I still think the Necromancer should be the Leader and the Hexblade should be the Controller.
You know, I'm not entriely against that. I just want a Shadow powered defender. Though I have been thinking, this could be introduced as some kind of theme or multiclass. I'd hate for it to just be a PP. Not that it wouldn't be awesome, but the PP is a little limited in scope (then again, a multiclass or theme could be too).
Still looking forward to this book. I'm one of the few that really enjoy the assassin class.
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3 years ago ::
Jul 21, 2010 - 8:30PM
#280
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Date Joined:
Feb 12, 2004
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The developers can do what they want with the classes, imo. I'd prefer if they went with the path of least resistance, which is definitely necro as controller and hexblade as defender, but as long as the classes are cool and work I'll deal.
Necromancy: Friendship is MagicSpoiler:
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