| Author |
 Topic  |
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
 Posted - 02 Apr 2011 : 22:43:52
|
Try joining some of their forum groups - you'd be surprised how much adventure-data you can glean from their resources (maps, lore, NPCs, etc).
I am a member of several groups, and there is not a piece of DDi info I can't 'dig up' if I need to. Its all there - just expect to do a LOT of reading to get to 'the good stuff'.
And I am not cheap - I just haven't read anything I'd be willing to pay $10 a month for. When that happens, I will start paying. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
 |
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 01:06:46
|
| I'd rather spend an extra US$72/year on actual D&D books (hardcopy preferred, ebooks when necessary). Though I have considered buying a month of DDI just to download the particular (otherwise accessible) items I need. I assume ye can actually download stuff and keep a (DRM-free, unencrypted, standard format) local copy forever? ... that ye don't need to maintain the subscription to access it only from the cloud? I want to buy books, not prepaid calling cards to dial Wizbro's mothership, not amazing Wizbro-crunch secret decryption rings which expire the moment you stop sinking money. lol, I don't want to sound like a crank, and I really don't care so much about a few bucks, but why spend money on intangible and ephemeral products? |
[/Ayrik] |
Edited by - Ayrik on 03 Apr 2011 01:24:16 |
|
|
|
Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4438 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 15:33:22
|
quote:
Originally posted by Arik
I'd rather spend an extra US$72/year on actual D&D books (hardcopy preferred, ebooks when necessary). Though I have considered buying a month of DDI just to download the particular (otherwise accessible) items I need. I assume ye can actually download stuff and keep a (DRM-free, unencrypted, standard format) local copy forever? ... that ye don't need to maintain the subscription to access it only from the cloud? I want to buy books, not prepaid calling cards to dial Wizbro's mothership, not amazing Wizbro-crunch secret decryption rings which expire the moment you stop sinking money. lol, I don't want to sound like a crank, and I really don't care so much about a few bucks, but why spend money on intangible and ephemeral products?
Well for starters, a one-month subscription allows all the back-logs of Dungeon and Dragon in the past two years. And up until this year (starting Jan 1st) all the articles are downloadable at once. Starting this year, they've made it so you can download an individual article (though not PAY for such articles). Plus, it's a downloaded PDF so it's always accessable on your Hard Drive and if you really felt inclinded you could go to any office-max place and print them out into an actual magazine.
There is also content that's only available through DDI, so with a one-month subscription you get all that content from 2 years ago to this month etc.... I'm not trying to sell DDI to you, frankly I could care less, but I feel I should mention the perks to having it and the information it provides if your using 4E.
If your not using 4E, then I'd assume it's not worth it. |
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 16:06:32
|
| Ah, I was hoping somebody would volunteer this sort of inside information, Diffan, thanx. So DDI is not a bad idea if the intent is just to pick up some dragons and bits of "secret" lore. I was afraid ye'd need to run a constantly-renewed client app or somesuch. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Markustay
Realms Explorer extraordinaire
USA
15724 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 18:57:26
|
Which is why they changed how the character generator works - you used to be able to download and use it directly from your HD.
I assume too many people were just 'dipping' into DDi for a month to grab the 'kewl lewts' and run. You can still do that with most of the stuff (the articles/mags), but for the software-side of things you need a subscription, and I understand they are more fully integrating the computer-end of things into 4e as we speak.
In that regard, I still opt a "wait and see" attitude. I have high hopes. |
"I have never in my life learned anything from any man who agreed with me" --- Dudley Field Malone
|
Edited by - Markustay on 03 Apr 2011 18:57:46 |
|
|
|
Ayrik
Great Reader
Canada
7989 Posts |
Posted - 03 Apr 2011 : 20:13:15
|
| The articles/mags are exactly what I'm after, and not even many of those. The software (chargens, mapmakers, etc) doesn't interest me at all; there's plenty of free and indy options to draw from, assuming I don't just code my own tools as needed. |
[/Ayrik] |
|
|
|
Matt James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2011 : 02:43:37
|
| MotA still requires a DDI sub. It is not a LFR adventure. The RPGA adapted our adventure for their own use, but they can't put it up (only their own changes--which are not canon). |
|
|
|
Thieran
Learned Scribe
Germany
293 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2011 : 17:00:58
|
Thanks for the info, Matt!
I am actually tempted to subscribe to DDI for a short term to get hold of MotA...
Could anyone recommend a number of other gems in DDI, which are not directly dependent on the 4th Edition ruleset (because I don't use it)? |
|
|
|
Diffan
Great Reader
USA
4438 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2011 : 17:18:16
|
quote:
Originally posted by Thieran
Thanks for the info, Matt!
I am actually tempted to subscribe to DDI for a short term to get hold of MotA...
Could anyone recommend a number of other gems in DDI, which are not directly dependent on the 4th Edition ruleset (because I don't use it)?
Well, all the adventures in Dungeon can easily be adapted into other editions of Dungeons and Dragons. There's Ecologies of monsters, Ed's articles with his Eye on the Realms pieces (which have been really great reads), short stories, etc.
DDI for a 1 year subscription is approx $72 bucks (or about $6 a month) and you get both Dungeon and Dragon magazines. Now, 4E is the mechanics the content is based off of but that shouldn't stop intelligent people from taking ideas and information therein and adjusting it for their own.
The tools of DDI (Character Builder, Monster/DM toolkit, and tools to be added later) run on a separate constantly-renewed client application called Silverlight. Though I used the term constantly-renewed loosley because it's not AUTO-renewed like some applications are.
I can understand why people are mad at the discontinuation of the off-line Character Builder (I was too at first) but the whole Cherry-picking thing was a silly idea to begin with and I'm glad they went to an On-line basis. For one, my character can be imported/exported anywhere there is a computer with internet service and the ability to download Silverlight. This means I don't ever have to really worry about a character sheet going missing (I know it's happened to others). Plus, I still have my old off-line CB so I can still use that as much as I'd like with no problems except the new Errata (big whoop there).
I've always found the DDI Compendium a great GREAT tool for quick references. It has everything except the Rules on there for player's to look up or refer to. It has everything from feats, spell, and class features to magic items, monsters, and build arch-types. It's really worth the $6 a month honestly. |
|
|
|
Thieran
Learned Scribe
Germany
293 Posts |
Posted - 24 Apr 2011 : 18:24:52
|
| Thanks a lot, that was very helpful! |
|
|
|
Matt James
Forgotten Realms Game Designer
USA
918 Posts |
Posted - 19 May 2011 : 02:50:44
|
| There is a ton of Realms articles when you actually dig deep. Gomez compiled a list somewhere. I have a couple, namely the Ikemmu one (Sphur Upra) and one of Akanul. |
|
|
|
Topic |
|
Monument of the Ancients adventure
