| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 08 Jul 2005 : 05:47:03
There were a few preview spells and monsters from Stormwrack in the latest issue of Dungeon Magazine. While not on my must buy list, I have actually liked the "environment" books. Heck, it was nice to see how much of the Realms was alluded to in Frostburn.
Does anyone else look forward to Stormwrack? |
| 30 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Sanishiver |
Posted - 02 Dec 2006 : 23:47:56
I picked this book up very recently then ended up giving it to a fellow DM as we were about to set sail as part of an adventure.
Have to say that now it's like 4-5 weeks later and given the number of times our DM has cracked that book open and with all the crazy fun things we've had our characters do in the past several encounters that it was deffinately worth the purchase.
I juse hope I get to read it some day.
 |
| Trace_Coburn |
Posted - 02 Dec 2006 : 13:22:08
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
... The chapter on vessels was perhaps a fifth of the size I had hoped. Mayhaps I was looking for a good comparison against the old 2nd edition Of Ships and Sea tome.
The abundance of spells, PrCs etc. sadly did not appeal  More information on actual sea-faring and ships would have 
Is the information on ships truly so limited? I've been doing some nautical reading-up on Wikipedia for the last few days - would access to Stormwrack gain me much over and above what I can find there? 
|
| qstor |
Posted - 24 Dec 2005 : 18:23:10
quote:
Originally posted by Lady Kazandra
Just skimming over it Shadovar, where would you see this accessory working in the Realms?
I think it could fit in as a 3.5 update to the material in Sea of the Fallen Stars and as an update to the aquatic monsters in the 1e/2e monster books and compendiums. Some of the PrC in the book are generic enough to be added to the Realms.
As to the new aquatic races its up to you as a DM if you wanted to include them in your campaign in the Realsm.
Mike |
| qstor |
Posted - 24 Dec 2005 : 18:19:25
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
I will pick it up since I buy my books not only to game with, but have a complete collection - and since I bought Frostburn and Sandstorm, might as well pick up Stormwrack (whose orignal name, Maelstrom) was much better.
C-Fb
P.s. - any one else out there collector's for collecting sake?
I liked the other enviromental books a lot too and got Stormwrack on Amazon.com when it first came out.
I liked a lot of the monsters in Stormwrack.
I've gotten most of the official WOTC 3.x books both as a collector and some to use in my campaigns but others I have no use for and wont buy just to add to my collection like Weapons of Legacy and the 3.0 Hero's builder Guidebook which IMHO was horrible and just a collection of articles from Dragon.
Mike |
| warlockco |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 03:50:33
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
Frostburn was definitely the best - and didn't it seem like the movie Tremors? Like each one after that got a little more reaching and a little more worse? Still, I wonder if there are any terrain books left to come out.
C-Fb
Sandstorm just felt meh to me. The order I would rate the 3 would be 1) Frostburn, 2) Stormwrack, and 3) Sandstorm. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 02:28:56
Frostburn was definitely the best - and didn't it seem like the movie Tremors? Like each one after that got a little more reaching and a little more worse? Still, I wonder if there are any terrain books left to come out.
C-Fb |
| warlockco |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 02:09:09
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
Still, Frostburn was my favorite of all of the terrain books.
Definately have to agree with you there. |
| KnightErrantJR |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 01:34:43
Not sure about specifics, since I have only skimmed the book, but I must say that I have, in general, liked the terrain books (Frostburn, Sandstorm, Stormwrack) more than some of the other core books from the last year (for example, the Races of books). Still, Frostburn was my favorite of all of the terrain books. |
| Aquanova |
Posted - 06 Dec 2005 : 00:23:09
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
Well met
To be honest, I was quite disappointed in this particular tome. Whilst I enjoyed Frostburn and Sandstorm, I somehow expected more from Stormwrack. The chapter on vessels was perhaps a fifth of the size I had hoped. Mayhaps I was looking for a good comparison against the old 2nd edition Of Ships and Sea tome.
The abundance of spells, PrCs etc. sadly did not appeal More informatin on actual sea-faring and ships would have
In my opinion, the whole planar seas section felt out of place and unnecessary.
Well, you must remember that WotC isn't going to be pumping out 250+ page tomes, especially not for accessories. 
I personally am in love with Stormwrack. I give it a 5/5. It was brief, yes, but it used all of its pages well, and contains great crunch and (*gasp!*) fluff, especially for a generic accessory. The art was utterly fantastic, alone worth the price. This is my first encounter with some of the artists, and I've been very, very impressed by them (most notably Lee Moyers's nereid).
And I started a thread over in the WotC forums asking how some people implemented material from Stormwrack into campaigns (Mr. Grey Richardson included) in the Forgotten Realms. I'm really, really wanting to implement the aventi into the Realms. I'm wanting to have them be survivors of ancient Jhaamdath, but that's somewhat thwarted by the fact that the Nikerymath mages did that to the Jhaamdathans, and I desire the fall instead revolving around Umberlee, whom Aventernus is an adversary of. I dislike rewiring everything just to suit my needs- I like solidity and cohesiveness. Any ideas?  |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 17 Aug 2005 : 08:36:47
quote:
Originally posted by khorne
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
In my opinion, the whole planar seas section felt out of place and unnecessary.
Why?
Well met
I simply didn't deem it necessary to be part of a seafaring tome. I felt that the planes had been awkwardly worked into the book. Still, that's simply my humble opinion and personal dislike. I'm sure the planar section would appeal to many and mayhaps be the highlight of the tome |
| khorne |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 19:36:24
quote:
Originally posted by Alaundo
In my opinion, the whole planar seas section felt out of place and unnecessary.
Why? |
| Alaundo |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 17:25:43
Well met
To be honest, I was quite disappointed in this particular tome. Whilst I enjoyed Frostburn and Sandstorm, I somehow expected more from Stormwrack. The chapter on vessels was perhaps a fifth of the size I had hoped. Mayhaps I was looking for a good comparison against the old 2nd edition Of Ships and Sea tome.
The abundance of spells, PrCs etc. sadly did not appeal More informatin on actual sea-faring and ships would have
In my opinion, the whole planar seas section felt out of place and unnecessary. |
| Crennen FaerieBane |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 15:21:37
I really liked the book. It updated a few rules and brought up some new concepts that were neatly done. I'm not too sure about the art, and the sailing the planar seas part, but overall, I thought the book was cool. Plus, I would have bought it anyway since I have Frostburn and Sandstorm... I really wish they would have kept the name Maelstrom, though.
C-Fb |
| warlockco |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 08:16:45
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
The Hadozee should give Planet-of-the-Apes fans a thrill.
Hadozee? As in, the "deck apes" race from Spelljammer?
Don't like the new art for them though. |
| Lady Kazandra |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 05:45:05
Just skimming over it Shadovar, where would you see this accessory working in the Realms?
|
| Shadovar |
Posted - 16 Aug 2005 : 05:16:28
I recently picked up Stormwrack, well it does live up to my expectation of water-combat and the art images in the book were very well drawn. A good purchase I say. |
| Kajehase |
Posted - 14 Aug 2005 : 15:08:23
An art gallery for this product is now available. |
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 06:26:06
quote:
Originally posted by The Sage
Gray, what position do the echinoloths hold in the main yugoloth hierarchy?
They make up the rear echelons of yugoloth armies. A CR 8, so I would say pretty low on the totem pole.  |
| warlockco |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 05:54:45
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
The Hadozee should give Planet-of-the-Apes fans a thrill.
Hadozee? As in, the "deck apes" race from Spelljammer?
Can't wait to stop by my FLGS on Saturday. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 05:52:12
quote:
Originally posted by Wooly Rupert
quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
Excerpts from Stormwrack are up.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050805a
Looks like it might have more potential than Sandstorm did.
Also more stuff in previews.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050805a
According to an email I got yesterday from my FLGS, the book is now out.
Yep my store confirmed both Stormwrack and Explorer's Handbook both being out today. |
| The Sage |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 01:46:05
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
I grinned from ear to ear when I saw pages 9& 10: Planar Seas! 
This indeed makes the tome sound even more of interest to me  .
Gray, what position do the echinoloths hold in the main yugoloth hierarchy?
|
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 00:51:02
quote:
Originally posted by Gray Richardson
The Hadozee should give Planet-of-the-Apes fans a thrill.
Hadozee? As in, the "deck apes" race from Spelljammer? |
| Gray Richardson |
Posted - 06 Aug 2005 : 00:18:22
I got my Stormwrack today.
I grinned from ear to ear when I saw pages 9& 10: Planar Seas!
There are several new planar monsters of interest as well, including a new breed of yugoloth: the echinoloth.
A couple of the new races look cool. The Darfellans are like killer whale people, they are air-breathers but they can hold their breath for a long, long time. Cool picture. The Hadozee should give Planet-of-the-Apes fans a thrill.
Some of the prestige classes look cool. I like how they now give sample NPC's for each prestige class, which makes them handy for adapting as NPC's in my own game. The Sea Witch picture is cool. I believe he has a pet octopus on his arm. Either that or he seems awfully nonchalant about the tiny cephalopod that is trying its best to eat him.
The rules for aquatic terrain, naval combat and weapons all seem really awesome. Something which 3E has needed for years.The floor plans of various ship types seem like they would be a great boon in a lot of situations. They could probably be enlarged to make serviceable battle mats for use in play.
I haven't read all the spells yet, but the 9th level spell Planar Navigation caught my eye. It moves an entire ship to another plane! There was a nod to new Epic spells and new psionic powers as well.
As for magic items, the living figureheads looked cool. Animated constructs that bring to mind the movie Golden Voyage of Sinbad.
You can even have a dragonhead on the prow of your ship, a construct that looks like a real dragon head and even has a breath weapon!
Also the new magic item Planar Helm looks like it might make ships the preferred way to travel the planes, even over portals! This magic item is so cool that I already have adventures in mind that could use just such a thing!
The selection of creatures is quite nice, as well as an ambhibious creature template you can slap on critters to make them into underwater beasties. Want to use a medusa in an underwater maze? Slap the template on the old bitty and bingo! Amphibious Medusa! An easy way to increase the available number of aquatic encounters.
The nereid, sea wolf and hippocampus stand out as other favorites.
Page 49 has a list of sea deities, including both new ones and old ones from Greyhawk, Forgotten Realms and Eberron.
There is a ton of cool encounter tables in the back of the book, that should be really useful to a DM running an aquatic adventure.
And there are several adventure locales in the last chapter of the book that should give any DM a leg up on begining an aquatic adventure or campaign.
I am right pleased with Stormwrack! I have wanted a book like this for gosh, it seems like forever, and now that I have it I think it was worth the wait! Many congrats to the designers of a very nice book! |
| Wooly Rupert |
Posted - 05 Aug 2005 : 11:27:45
quote:
Originally posted by warlockco
Excerpts from Stormwrack are up.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050805a
Looks like it might have more potential than Sandstorm did.
Also more stuff in previews.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050805a
According to an email I got yesterday from my FLGS, the book is now out. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 05 Aug 2005 : 07:37:50
Excerpts from Stormwrack are up.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ex/20050805a
Looks like it might have more potential than Sandstorm did.
Also more stuff in previews.
http://wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/iw/20050805a |
| The Sage |
Posted - 05 Aug 2005 : 06:02:37
I'm moving this here -
quote:
Originally posted by Kajehase
A designer interview is now available for this product. http://www.wizards.com/default.asp?x=dnd/ps/20050805b
|
| Xysma |
Posted - 19 Jul 2005 : 19:44:50
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
I will pick it up since I buy my books not only to game with, but have a complete collection - and since I bought Frostburn and Sandstorm, might as well pick up Stormwrack (whose orignal name, Maelstrom) was much better.
C-Fb
P.s. - any one else out there collector's for collecting sake?
I am a completist, I will certainly buy every book that comes out. This one however, I am very interested in. I thought Frostburn was excellent, and Sandstorm was even better. I do agree that Maelstrom was a much better name, just as Codex Anathema was a far better title than Lords of Madness for the aberrations book. Not to mention the naming structure fit perfectly with Draconomicon and Libris Mortis, and Lords of Madness does not even atempt to fit. |
| Reefy |
Posted - 12 Jul 2005 : 01:41:15
I wasn't really interested in purchasing it but now that I suddenly find myself with a brand new campaign on my hands, and one of my players is not only playing a pirate but desperate for some water-based action, I may have to think about it now. Although perhaps as he's the one so keen on it, maybe he should be the one buying it. |
| warlockco |
Posted - 10 Jul 2005 : 02:44:03
quote:
Originally posted by SiriusBlack
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
That would be the Codex Anethema complex . . . the really cool name might be too difficult for the purchasing agents of the various book stores to understand, so they rename them as best they can . . .
Seriously, if people working in book stores don't understand the word Maelstrom, we are in a sad state of our union!
C-Fb
I'd get ready to grab some tissues then based on some of my experiences with book store employees.
Shoot employees at any store for that matter. They should know the very basics of what they are selling.
Was at Media Play yakking with the girl in books, and the guy in music came over asking a question about the soundtrack for American Wedding, she had to show him how to look up the track selection on the computer. |
| SiriusBlack |
Posted - 09 Jul 2005 : 12:05:42
quote:
Originally posted by CrennenFaerieBane
quote:
Originally posted by KnightErrantJR
That would be the Codex Anethema complex . . . the really cool name might be too difficult for the purchasing agents of the various book stores to understand, so they rename them as best they can . . .
Seriously, if people working in book stores don't understand the word Maelstrom, we are in a sad state of our union!
C-Fb
I'd get ready to grab some tissues then based on some of my experiences with book store employees. |
