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D&D Player's Handbook 3 Early Review

tabletop
by Matt Miller on March 05, 2010 at 07:10 PM
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It’s been nearly two years since the launch of the 4th edition of Dungeons & Dragons, and the game continues to grow. We’ve got the details on the biggest expansion to the game this year.

Wizards of the Coast has done a stellar job steadily advancing and growing its latest edition of D&D. Two major campaign settings, dramatic expansions to the existing character options, and strong new rule systems have all strengthened the lean, streamlined system that exists at the game’s core, even while offering a wealth of new options for both players and DMs. The new Player’s Handbook 3, releasing on March 16th, continues the trend, with a host of great new options, dramatically expanding the existing roster of classes and races, and adding some intriguing new alternatives to the rest of the game. I’ve read through the final book, and am stoked about the possibilities.

If the core of the new PHB3 is the section detailing six new classes, then the featured stars of that chapter are the long-awaited psionic characters. Wizards has done a fine job carrying over some familiar elements of earlier editions with the psionic classes, including everything from individual power names (far hand, mind thrust, intellect fortress) to the inclusion of power points and augmentation.

The psionic power source’s titular class, the psion, is a solid and well-balanced controller that can specialize in either telekinetic or telepathic abilities. Psions have no encounter powers, but instead can augment any of their at-will disciplines with power points to beef up the effects. It’s a neat variation on the established character formula, and it should offer players a chance to flex their approach to varied scenarios and enemies.

The ardent is a sort of psionic counterpoint to the clinical might of the psion. A leader unit that uses the same augmentation formula as the psion, the ardent’s powers flow from an emotional core – inflicting pain and anger on enemies, and bolstering allies with encouragement and euphoric feelings.

The battleminds are front-line defenders, wreathed in heavy armor and powerful weaponry, but with potent mental abilities that let them stand up to heavy assault and quickly navigate the field.

Of the three, the psion is certainly my personal favorite upon first glance, both because of its iconic place in the game and the breadth of its battlefield abilities. I’ll be interested to see if the battlemind and the ardent can carve out an identity of their own – after my initial reading, it’s hard for me to nail down exactly how they distinguish themselves.

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  • by Friday, March 05, 2010 at 07:09 PM

    Too much women not wearing enough clothes

  • by Friday, March 05, 2010 at 07:13 PM

    I'm a fan of 3.5 myself. I just wish they would still offer copies of it, or possibly do downloadable versions from their website.

  •
    by Friday, March 05, 2010 at 07:16 PM

    Maybe it's because I never really got into D&D, but I can't believe people still play this.  Not when there's video games to be played.

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    by Friday, March 05, 2010 at 07:24 PM

    Only 6 classes, two of which are rehashes of power sources that are already complete? Monks as Psionic rather than Ki? not gonna lie, Wizards, sounds like you're just grabbing for my money now....Oh well, I'm still going to buy it anyway. =]

  •
    by Friday, March 05, 2010 at 08:12 PM

    Ugh. . .I don't know if I'm going to pick this up. I have so many handbooks it's not even funny.

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 03:26 AM

    Who cares, where's granturismo 5 yo?

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 07:08 AM

    i play 3.75

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 07:08 AM

    i play 3.75

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 09:32 AM

    HOTT...yeah

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 11:54 AM

    @IG-88. Really? I guess you must have a problem with video games, movies, TV shows, magazines, and, well, pretty much any form of American visual media.

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 03:27 PM

    I was waiting for this to fill out my World I hope the last few classes I needed released are good from this.. I am now out to go get this...

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 05:14 PM

    Neeeeeeeeeeeerrrrrrds!!!!

    I'm just messin'. I do that to all my friends whenever they start their D&D talk. Meanwhile, back at my desk littered with Shadowrun books...

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 05:55 PM

    I've never actually tried d&d.Maybe I should look into it.

  • by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 09:17 PM

    The production values are top notch, but I can't help but think this is become a general MMO on a table top.  New options are great, but when each option seems to be the same thing with a different "flavor" I can't help but think these are not really anything new.

    My friends and I play 4th now, but I'd like to play Pathfinder.  I really dislike some of things Wizards has done to the game.

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 09:17 PM

    The production values are top notch, but I can't help but think this is become a general MMO on a table top.  New options are great, but when each option seems to be the same thing with a different "flavor" I can't help but think these are not really anything new.

    My friends and I play 4th now, but I'd like to play Pathfinder.  I really dislike some of things Wizards has done to the game.

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 09:44 PM

    Man this is nerdtastic. All jokin aside I got into it back in the day just dont have the time or dedication for it anymore, plus I know no one who plays it anymore. Though I am happy to hear its a great addition.

  •
    by Saturday, March 06, 2010 at 11:14 PM

    I've been aching to try out D&D, but unfortunately I don't know anyone to play with. :(

  •
    by Sunday, March 07, 2010 at 03:57 AM

    My last Facebook update about an old-school pen-and-paper D&D game brought a frankly surprising number of friends who wanted to join in.  Don't underestimate how many this system still holds in it's sway.  

  •
    by Sunday, March 07, 2010 at 10:48 AM

    lol im probably going to get this, because my Dm has like a version 1.5 or something like that

  •
    by Sunday, March 07, 2010 at 12:14 PM

    I love D&D 4.0 (more than 3.5? probably), and personally i like the new monk class, sounds badass

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