|
2 years ago ::
Apr 17, 2011 - 11:53AM
#1
|
Date Joined:
Jan 17, 2009
|
I just found out last week that DALE2-2 has the Horreb Ritual Cube tossed in as a reward. I'm really going to get beat up over this, but I had to speak up. Story/Canonical SideThe Horreb Ritual Cube is an extremely rare and priceless artifact in the Realms. There is only one that is known to have been created (by the ancient Horreb culture) and it would be heavily guarded. Following the events of the adventure Monument of the Ancients (Dungeon #170), the item would have been consumed. Furthermore, it's use would have large consequences for all of Toril--but that's way too far out of scope to discuss here. Mechanical SideThe item is extremely powerful because it was designed to be extremely rare. Under the old item system, it was listed as priceless. This was done so that (1) it wouldn't be an option in living campaign and (2) to twart any incentive to want to sell it. Providing an untyped +2 bonus to all saving throws, and the ability to cast a full-blown ritual in a standard action, make it beyond unbalanced. Anyways, I'm not throwing blame right now. All items were converted to uncommon when the item system was implemented. I do, however, wish that continuity checks would be stepped up as it relates to the Forgotten Realms. I'm willing to help out if asked. I suspect, however, that this post is not going to garner any love for me 
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 17, 2011 - 12:32PM
#2
|
Date Joined:
Mar 17, 2005
|
Hey Matt, I think you missed that we errataed the Horreb Cube for LFR. We aren't giving out the version from your adventure. Thanks for your concern though.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 17, 2011 - 12:48PM
#3
|
Date Joined:
Jul 22, 2008
|
Hey Matt, I think you missed that we errataed the Horreb Cube for LFR. We aren't giving out the version from your adventure.
The Horreb Ritual Cube has been changed? If that's the case, he's not the only one that missed it.
Where is the errata? I just downloaded the LFR Archive package, and the Cube's description in DALE2-2 is still the same as in Dungeon #170.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 17, 2011 - 12:56PM
#4
|
Date Joined:
Mar 17, 2005
|
We announced on this site a few weeks back that it, along with the orb of light in ELTU3-1 was being errataed for LFR play. We recently updated ELTU3-1. Our errata to the cube should be posted in the near future be we are checking a few things before release it.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 3:32AM
#5
|
Date Joined:
Aug 31, 2007
|
Is the errata going to be "erase Horreb Ritual Cube from your character sheet, regain a found item slot?" That is the only real way to deal with an item that should never have been a bundle pick in the first place, and this is coming from someone who has 2 characters who own one.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 4:29AM
#6
|
Date Joined:
May 11, 2005
|
I understimated the impact of the bonus to saves - at least, for people who try to make broken combos, but seriously, if I had to keep up with that I wouldn't catch any sleep. The ritual-as-a-standard-action was actually why I gave the cube in the adventure: it is supposed to provide aid in the end encounter, and was intented to reward certain behavior that would otherwise have put PCs at a disadvantage. Since it appeared in the adventure, giving it out as a treasure seemed natural and not unbalanced as the ritual inside it was predetermined. I wouldn't say it is the same cube as the Dungeon adventure one though, but something resembling it (likely created based on the description of the original). It is likely fairly balanced when it is reclassified as rare and the bonus is changed to only apply to specific saves. So I guess it would then be more properly renamed to 'Horreb cube knockoff'. :P Gomez
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 6:00AM
#7
|
Date Joined:
Mar 17, 2005
|
Is the errata going to be "erase Horreb Ritual Cube from your character sheet, regain a found item slot?"
No, like the orb of light, we re-designed the item and then offer the player the choice of keeping the new version or getting their pick/slot back. Also note that ADAP2-1 (the adaption of Monument), doesn't give access to the cube.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 9:10AM
#8
|
Date Joined:
Mar 17, 2005
|
So while going over the items we are issuing updates on (the other being listing a cost to resurrect your pact dragon), we revisited the cube in light of Matt's complaint that it was allowed at all. It made us think again about it, and so I ask, would players rather see a much toned down version (which we originally thought to release as an "Expended Horreb Ritual Cube"), or should we just remove it from LFR entirely and give people that picked it their pick/slot back? Note that you would have that choice as well if you didn't like our errata, as well. I guess my question is better phrased, do people think having the choice is good, or should it just be removed entirely?
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 9:39AM
#9
|
Date Joined:
Jul 27, 2003
|
I guess my question is better phrased, do people think having the choice is good, or should it just be removed entirely?
I am not sure how to best answer that. I do recall playing that adventure and choosing not to take that bundle since it seemed awfully overpowered and not right back then and then when I ran it locally I did not give players the option of taking it.
|
|
|
|
2 years ago ::
Apr 18, 2011 - 10:01AM
#10
|
- Senior Volunteer Community Lead
Date Joined:
Aug 19, 2007
|
I suspect the choice will be more popular than no choice, but can live with whatever.
P.S. *winces at Zalarian's bundle exclusion*
Keith Richmond
Living Forgotten Realms Epic Writing Director
|
|
|
