Wizards of the Coast | Through Gamer Goggles

Out of the Abyss Review

D&D, Featured, RPG Book Reviews Comments Off

Jan 262017

Out of the Abyss dungeons_n_dragons_logo_old_3_by_banesbox-d31uxsx

Adventure

255 pp.

Retail 49.95

Published by Wizards of the Coast

Being the fourth adventure book for Dungeons and Dragons 5th ed., it has a lot to live up to. Like Princes of Apocalypse, Out of the Abyss is also a full blown campaign for characters from levels 1 through 15. While it’s set in Forgotten Realms, it gives us a totally new look into this game world. It is the first look we get into the Underdark in 5th edition.

The first thing I noticed when reading this book was that it felt different or unique while still preserving a connection to Forgotten Realms. They did a good job of making the Underdark have a personality all its own. So many things they did make it a character that is dangerous, creepy, and weird. There are hints and reflections of psionics throughout the book, which brings a rising anticipation to the traditional Underdark motifs that we are used to, but with new interpretations and mechanics.

Dungeons & Dragons 5th: Storm King’s Thunder (Hardcover)

D&D, Wizards of the Coast Comments Off

Aug 212016

Dungeons & Dragons 5th: Storm King’s Thunder (Hardcover)

$49.95

Giants have emerged from their strongholds to threaten civilization as never before. Hill giants are stealing all the grain and livestock they can while stone giants have been scouring settlements that have been around forever. Fire giants are press-ganging the smallfolk into the desert, while frost giant longships have been pillaging along the Sword Coast. Even the elusive cloud giants have been witnessed, their wondrous floating cities appearing above Waterdeep and Baldur’s Gate. Where is the storm giant King Hekaton, who is tasked with keeping order among the giants?

The humans, dwarves, elves, and other small folk of the Sword Coast will be crushed underfoot from the onslaught of these giant foes. The only chance at survival is for the small folk to work together to investigate this invasion and harness the power of rune magic, the giants’ weapon against their ancient enemy the dragons. The only way the people of Faerun can restore order is to use the giants’ own power against them.

This 256-page adventure for characters level 1 – 11+ provides everything a Dungeon Master needs to create an exciting and memorable play experience for the Storm King’s Thunder story, including rune magic items, a new treasure option for characters.

<br />

Box Breaking 188 Tyrants of the Underdark

Box Breaking, Featured, Gale Force Nine, Wizards of the Coast Comments Off

Jul 272016

Tyrants of the Underdark is a deck construction area control game.
After reading the rules it sounds wicked! It’s produced by Gale Force 9 and Wizards of the Coast.

When I first heard about this game at the Alliance open house I thought oh sweet some cool minis for D&D – don’t think that. Think I’m Drow instead.

Please check out my Gofundme to help with Gen Con expenses. Thanks in advance!

NEVERWINTER PLAYSTATION® 4 NOW AVAILABLE

D&D, Wizards of the Coast Comments Off

Jul 192016

NEVERWINTER PLAYSTATION® 4 NOW AVAILABLE

Experience the Sword Coast in Free-to-Play Dungeons & Dragons-based MMORPG

REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – July 19, 2016 – Today, Perfect World Entertainment Inc., a leading publisher of free-to-play MMORPGs, and Cryptic Studios announced that Neverwinter – the Dungeons & Dragons-based, free-to-play MMORPG – is now available for PlayStation®4. Along the Sword Coast of the Forgotten Realms, Neverwinter players will experience a fully realized roleplaying-game based on Wizards of the Coast’s storied franchise with a living world and immersive fantasy storylines.

Gen Con and Paizo Three Years of Co-Sponsorship

Paizo Publishing Comments Off

May 042016

GEN CON PARTNERS WITH PAIZO ON THREE YEAR CO-SPONSORSHIP
INDIANAPOLIS (April 22, 2016) Gen Con, North America’s largest and longest-running gaming convention, has agreed to a new three-year contract with game company Paizo Inc, extending their Co-Sponsorship which began in 2013. This new agreement will extend through Gen Con 2018. At Gen Con 2016, Paizo will have a large Exhibit Hall presence, increased on-site branding and marketing, and will continue hosting hundreds of Pathfinder® Role Playing Game events in its dedicated space in the Indiana Convention Center’s Sagamore Ballroom.

“Our team is pleased to see Paizo return as a Co-Sponsor,” said Adrian Swartout, CEO/Owner of Gen Con. “It has been amazing to watch their explosive growth over the past several years, and their Pathfinder gaming events are among the most popular and most attended yearly. With more than 14,000 events to choose from at Gen Con, that is quite the accomplishment!”

Launched at Gen Con 2009, Paizo’s Pathfinder RPG has become a phenomenon, capturing the attention of passionate gamers from around the world. Now, having won more than 50 major awards, Paizo has become one of the most influential companies in the hobby game industry.

“Gen Con gets bigger and better each year, and has become an annual homecoming for more than 60,000 gamers,” says Erik Mona, Paizo Publisher and Chief Creative Officer. “This year, Paizo will host a slew of Gen Con-exclusive Pathfinder events and promotions, and we’re thrilled to return as Co-Sponsor of this must-attend event for game fans everywhere.”

Gen Con 2016 will take place Thursday, August 4 through Sunday, August 7 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis. Last year, Gen Con set an attendance record with more than 61,000 unique attendees. With attendees from all 50 states, every Canadian province, and more than 54 countries, Gen Con is an international destination for gaming. Badges currently are available at gencon.com.

About Gen Con
Gen Con, LLC produces the largest consumer hobby, fantasy, science fiction, and adventure game convention in North America, Gen Con, The Best Four Days In Gaming!™. Acquired in 2002 by former CEO and founder of Wizards of the Coast Peter Adkison, the company is headquartered in Seattle, Washington. Gen Con 2016 is co-sponsored by Mayfair Games and Rio Grande Games. For more information, visit www.gencon.com.

Flip Through Advance Bestiary from Green Ronin

Featured, Flip Through, Green Ronin, Pathfinder Comments Off

Oct 292015

In this Flip Through Matt looks at the Advanced Bestiary from Green Ronin Publishing. This is the first time I’ve ever looked a bestiary of templates. Take a look and see what I think.

What did you think? I’m already crafting some deadly villains.

D&D Icons of the Realms: Rage of Demons Figures Series Available Now in North America

Wizards of the Coast, WizKids Comments Off

Sep 112015

D&D Icons of the Realms: Rage of Demons Figures Series Available Now in North America

Hillside, NJ — September 9, 2015 – WizKids is pleased to announce the North American retail availability of their latest D&D pre-painted figures line – D&D Icons of the Realms: Rage of Demons. The Rage of Demons series includes well-known and beloved creatures such as the Beholder, Djinn, Nightmare, Rust Monster, Roper and more! Fantastic adventures await in the Underdark, and you’ll be front-and-center for them with this fantastic series of figures.

In the Rage of Demons storyline, Demon Lords are invading the Underdark, a deadly, subterranean realm inhabited by the most dangerous monsters of D&D lore. The demon lords have been summoned from the Abyss and have been wreaking havoc across the Underdark, causing madness and destruction on the drow, duergar and deep gnomes who already struggle to survive. Will you help thwart the rise of the demon lords before their madness bubbles to the surface of Faerun?

Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Races

Paizo Publishing Comments Off

Sep 102015

Pathfinder Campaign Setting: Inner Sea Races

$44.99

Learn all there is to know about the peoples of the Pathfinder campaign setting, from elves and dwarves to goblins and strix, in this massive 256-page hardcover companion to the Inner Sea World Guide!

Along with expansive details on Golarion’s most prominent races you’ll find whole chapters of exciting new character options, allowing you to make your favorite hero’s culture more vital and valuable than ever before! Dozens of racial details and heritages also make choosing the perfect race easier than ever, whether you want to be a Varisian human or an archon-blooded aasimar. Whether you need realistic cultural details for your game or want to make your character feel like a true native, Inner Sea Races brings the peoples of the Pathfinder world to life like never before!

Word with Jeremy Crawford @ Gen Con 2015 on D&D 5th ed

D&D, Featured, Gaming News, Gen Con 2015, Wizards of the Coast, Words With Comments Off

Aug 052015

In this round table of questions Jeremy Crawford chats with us about the following.

The history of Sword Coast

How Wizards of the Coast uses several tabletop genres to tell its story.

His favorite 5th ed mechanic.

The fundamentalism of skills.

How vast Forgotten Realms is.

The possibility of Eberron.

The presence of Wizards at Gen Con,

The biggest surprise in 5th ed both in play testing and post release.

Con Player

Play

Stop

It looks like D&D has a promising future.

Counting down to Gen Con T-4 Arena of the Planeswalker

Road to Gen Con 2015, Wizards of the Coast Comments Off

Jul 252015

Arena of the Planeswalker is one of those games that is kind a mystery. There isn’t a lot of information on it but it’s made by Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast. The fact that it’s mad by both companies kind of worries me, but I will give it a fair shot. They did good things in my opinion with Heroscape and it looks this game will be using a lot of those mechanics.

Where are my concerns?

My first concern is that Hasbro won’t play nice. That is if Hasbro asserts too much influence the Magic the Gathering Themed game might loos that magic feel and therefore it’s luster to gamers.

It may never have achieved that magic feel so it’s only a miniatures game made to look like Heroscape.

Magic the Gathering has a very large arsenal of mechanics, I hope they can break it down to a starter level.

I hope the mini’s look good.

It might just be the rebirth of Heroscape, which isn’t the direction I would like a Magic the Gathering Board game to go.

Why I want this.

Magic the Gathering has been a part of my life for years. I have always desired cool figures and I hope that The Planeswalker Arena gives Magic the feel of two mages dueling it out. At this point I believe the two companies probably have a solid foundation to build on.

1 2 3 … 6 7