Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 zombiegleemax Nov 24, 2003 22:32:02	I just picked up Dragon magazine #314 December today on the newsstand, and in it is the following promo for next month's issue: Dragon Magazine #315 January Campaign Classics This special issue returns D&D gamers to their roots. We're presenting an article from nearly every D&D game setting ever produced, from Al-Qadim to Taladas. Each article takes some part of these campaign settings and presents it updated for D&D 3.5. This issue also features a history of the D&D campaign setting by Stan! Dragonlance (snip) Greyhawk (snip) Al-Qadim (snip) Ravenloft, by David Noonan You fought Strahd in 1st edition and 2nd edition, now battle the most legendary vampire in D&D in revised 3rd edition. Plus, re-visit Castle Ravenloft with a brand-new map of Strahd's lair. Kara-tur (snip) Red Steel (snip) Plus Blackmoor, Dark Sun, Planescape, Hollow World, and more!
#2 platinumwarlock Nov 24, 2003 22:57:23	Sorry, mate, but you were scooped on this one a few pages ago. Still, being able to play 3.5e House of Strahd will be fantastic.
#3 zombiegleemax Nov 25, 2003 8:23:17	Didn't see it; most important part I read there was the map! Too bad they didn't come out with this issue sooner, seems like there were several people here that played I6 for Halloween. There is always a request for maps of these boards as well.
#4 zombiegleemax Nov 25, 2003 9:39:55	Sounds great, i don't subscribe to Dragon, because of the outrageous prices, but I'll be sure to buy this one.
#5 zombiegleemax Nov 28, 2003 18:42:11	Hope it's ok. It shouldn't be all that different from the one in Gaz #I. I somehow dread it'll be completely different (with hope better).
#6 zombiegleemax Nov 29, 2003 18:10:57	House of Strahd 3.5E? Sweet ^_^ I still have the original module, still in plastic. This will let me actually run the game for my group. LOL
#7 zombiegleemax Nov 30, 2003 8:30:49	Originally posted by Acolyte of Death Sounds great, i don't subscribe to Dragon, because of the outrageous prices, but I'll be sure to buy this one. Outrageous prices? Where I live, Dragon is actually a quite cheap magazine... Anyways, this will be real sweet. I wonder if mr. Noonan will be referencing RL 3E, or if he will be offering another take on our favorite vampire? And I for one wish that Birthright would also be featured...
#8 zombiegleemax Dec 11, 2003 21:19:08	I gave it a quick thumb-through at the game store (we were doing Christmas shopping and not trying to linger too much). There are multiple writeups of Strahd (at least 2) with slightly different emphases and CRs, as well as suggestions on combat strategies he might use. The castle map is a sort of exploded view, with somewhat more detail than the Black Box map. The whole thing totals maybe 4 or 5 pages! So for me, at least, it's a low priority acquisition; I'll probably try and look at it more closely when I've got a little more time and see if it's worth it. I also want to know why the magazine's cover artist slapped pointed ear-tips and a dye job on Lestat and tried to pass him off as Strahd...
#9 zombiegleemax Dec 11, 2003 21:25:14	Originally posted by Brandi I gave it a quick thumb-through at the game store (we were doing Christmas shopping and not trying to linger too much). There are multiple writeups of Strahd (at least 2) with slightly different emphases and CRs, as well as suggestions on combat strategies he might use. The castle map is a sort of exploded view, with somewhat more detail than the Black Box map. The whole thing totals maybe 4 or 5 pages! So for me, at least, it's a low priority acquisition; I'll probably try and look at it more closely when I've got a little more time and see if it's worth it. I also want to know why the magazine's cover artist slapped pointed ear-tips and a dye job on Lestat and tried to pass him off as Strahd... Did they looked like the one from Gaz I and SotDR? I don't know if you're a stat freak like me ;) PS: it's because Strahd's cooler than Lestat:D
#10 zombiegleemax Dec 12, 2003 10:19:49	I'd've had to look close to be sure. To be honest, I wondered if they even *could* be like the Arthaus writeups due to rights issues...
#11 b4real Dec 12, 2003 10:38:58	Originally posted by malken Outrageous prices? Where I live, Dragon is actually a quite cheap magazine... Anyways, this will be real sweet. I wonder if mr. Noonan will be referencing RL 3E, or if he will be offering another take on our favorite vampire? And I for one wish that Birthright would also be featured... Same here Dragon mag only costs about 7 bucks where I live. :D Usually I do not buy Dragon due to it being full of useless Prestige Classes(I mean seriously how many PrC's can you make before it gets old?). I will definitely be on the lookout for this one though. Is it just maps and stats or is there an actual adventure in this magazine ? Because if it is just maps and stats it can stay on the shelf. ~B4Real
#12 zombiegleemax Dec 12, 2003 14:06:22	I didn't see an adventure.
#13 zombiegleemax Dec 12, 2003 14:14:59	Well the original I6/ House of Strahd was just exploring the Castle anyway!
#14 gotten Dec 13, 2003 7:02:17	For those interested, I just posted a review of that issue on the FoS site (for RL and the MotRD section of the mag). Originally posted by malken And I for one wish that Birthright would also be featured... There is a 3 pages articles on updating bloodlines to 3.5, ,with feats. I know nothing on BR, so I have no idea if it’s good or not. Originally posted by Brandi I also want to know why the magazine's cover artist slapped pointed ear-tips and a dye job on Lestat and tried to pass him off as Strahd... *lol* Indeed – while the adventure said that Strahd was 40ish at least (IIRC), this one looks late 20ish, with current fashion long hairs ... There is also Soth emerging behind a grave :D Originally posted by Charney Did they looked like the one from Gaz I and SotDR? I don't know if you're a stat freak like me ;) Nope, they converted Strahd without looking at the RL 3e books. Jo
#15 b4real Dec 15, 2003 8:26:35	Originally posted by Brandi I didn't see an adventure. Then ten-to-one I will probably not be buying it unless the map is tight. I just saw the cover and Strahd actually looks better than he does in the actual RL books. He does like kind of young though they should have made him look older. ~B4Real
#16 zombiegleemax Dec 15, 2003 11:25:07	the joys of having a subscription. ok, look. this whole mag is doing bits of all those old gameworlds. they crammed more than a dozen. so some got no more than 1-2 pages. Ravenloft got one of the biggest chunks, and the map is pretty nice. buy it or not, it's not going to make you explode your pants with joy.
#17 zombiegleemax Dec 15, 2003 11:29:11	Originally posted by Gotten Nope, they converted Strahd without looking at the RL 3e books. Jo I'm not surprised and getting used to it since some writters at WW seem to not have even read a RL book before...
#18 zombiegleemax Dec 15, 2003 14:24:17	Originally posted by B4Real I just saw the cover and Strahd actually looks better than he does in the actual RL books. He does like kind of young though they should have made him look older. Nah, I think the old Stephen Fabian illos is the best (even if he ends up looking a little like David Copperfield).
#19 zombiegleemax Dec 16, 2003 14:34:39	Originally posted by Brandi Nah, I think the old Stephen Fabian illos is the best (even if he ends up looking a little like David Copperfield). DREAD POSSIBILITY: Strahd is David Copperfield! BTW, which were the Stephen Fabian illustrations? I remember liking the ones of Mordenheim, Adam and Strahd in Domains of Dread...
#20 zombiegleemax Dec 16, 2003 15:14:45	Fabian's art is in the Black Box primarily, as well as Darklords and the Van Richten Guides (well, Golems and Vistani for sure-- when I got the Compendia I sold those). Bits of it are also used in several other products (various modules, Monstrous Compendium III, Islands of Terror)-- but strangely, none of it seems to be in Domains of Dread if the art credits are to be believed... He also designed the original Tarokka deck. Oh, and the 1992 (1993?) TSR Trading Card set used his Black Box portraits as card art. If you haven't run across his art (and I'd be surprised if you hadn't unless you mostly have 3e stuff), it's got a lush and rather soft and romantic style that's lovely with some characters but not quite as well-suited to others (gnarly types like the Sisters Mindefisk or golems tend to look oddly squishy). He also did the rather striking full-face (as in he still *had* a face) Azalin portrait that Azalin mentioned in a memorable old Kargatane post...
#21 zombiegleemax Dec 17, 2003 12:47:58	Originally posted by B4Real Then ten-to-one I will probably not be buying it unless the map is tight. The map's not bad, but none of the encounters or descriptions are listed. If you don't mind making it up as you go along (or in advance), then go for it.
#22 zombiegleemax Dec 17, 2003 16:11:07	No Fighter levels for this Strahd, but he does have two prohibited schools, as per 3.5e rules for specialization. Then again, neither one is enchantment (Gaz I). The maps are miniscule (all on one page (or was it two?)) and from a 3D perspective. I'm not sure how useful they'll be when I run I6. Dragon disappoints me with nearly every issue, and my hopes were high for this one. There's really nothing worthwhile in the whole ish this time around, not for any of the campaign settings (except, perhaps, Mystara).
#23 zombiegleemax Dec 18, 2003 13:03:02	I don't know where the outrageous price comes from I get mine from DOorDICE or my local Barnes and Noble (which ever one I'm in when it's out) and they both charge $5.99, which is the cover price. Complain to your local FLGS that you're being ripped off or the better alternative purchase it elsewhere, where they charge the correct price!