Wizards Presents: Classes and Races (Dungeons & Dragons)

[PnP News Bot]

<table><tr><td valign="top"></td><td>Wizards Presents: Classes and Races (Dungeons & Dragons) [Wizards of the Coast]
by Owen K.C. Stephens, Rodney Thompson
Release Date: 2007-12-18
Amazon Price: <strike>$19.95</strike> $10.82 as of 03/07/2008 09:45:57 AM PST

A behind-the-scenes exploration of the Dungeons & Dragons(R) game.

This lavishly illustrated book gives roleplaying game fans a unique, behind-the-curtain glimpse into the making of the Dungeons & Dragons roleplaying game. The book contains essays and asides from the game's premier designers, developers, and editors. Through words and illustrations, it explores some of the D&D game's most iconic races and classes, sharing insights never before revealed in any previous game product.

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<HR>Price is accurate as of the date/time indicated. Prices and product availability are subject to change. Any price displayed on the Amazon website at the time of purchase will govern the sale of this product. PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT SOME OF THE CONTENT THAT WE MAKE AVAILABLE TO YOU THROUGH THIS APPLICATION COMES FROM AMAZON WEB SERVICES. ALL SUCH CONTENT IS PROVIDED TO YOU "AS IS." THIS CONTENT AND YOUR USE OF IT ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AND/OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME.<HR>

[PnP News Bot]

Check out this new article Wizards of the Coast posted recently:

Spotlight Interview - Races and Classes

We speak with Michelle Carter, compiler and editor of Wizards Presents: Races and Classes, about what we can expect to learn from this 4th Edition preview!

[Farcaster]

[RANT ON]

I suddenly have the strong desire to retch. I suppose I haven't kept up with all the 4e news very well. I didn't realize that gnomes were being eliminated -- okay, not eliminated, but not included in the PHB. And half-orcs are being "discussed?" So, with a wave of a magic wand -- POOF! -- what? Half-orcs implode and no longer exist?

And this quote really got my blood boiling,

As for half-orcs, we’re still discussing them. Speaking only for myself: I’ve played a half-orc and enjoyed it in the “Hulk smash” sort of mode. But the race intrinsically makes me uncomfortable due to its implied origins, and until that’s solved, I’m just as happy to see them left out for now. At the same time, I have absolutely no doubt that we can find a story that will allow us to update the half-orc with the same kind of reimagining that turned the tiefling from an oddity into a full-fledged race.

Okay, so they wouldn't stop existing, but now their origins are going to completely change because we can't have their gritty beginnings even implied? For frak's sake! What about all of the established fiction featuring these races? It makes me afraid for what other "reimagining" they have done.

And secondly, why in the nine hells am I going to pay $20 for a company to market their product to me?

[/RANT OFF]

Boil that rant down to be, I'll take a pass on buying this one...

[Digital Arcanist]

Yeah....I can still taste a lit throw-up myself. I'm still scratching my head as to why WotC is putting this garbage out.

Gnomes will always be in my games regardless of the edition.

[Farcaster]

Hey, by all means, whet my appetite for 4e by giving me previews and developer insights. But to ask me to pay for it is beyond me.

[rabkala]

That was pretty much my exact reaction. Why would I buy this? They should be giving this away free on the website! The worst part is, they seem to have more of them planned like next months Worlds and Monsters. I might take a look at the bookstore, but I find it hard to believe that this is worth good money.

[Digital Arcanist]

Its something I'll sit and read while hanging out at the Borders.

[rabkala]

Its something I'll sit and read while hanging out at the Borders.

Again, I might read a book at Borders, but never buy from them. I refuse to buy from the bastards at Barnes&Noble as well! Evil crooks who care nothing for the game in my opinion! I would rather pay a couple bucks extra at my local game shop, where they are gamers who care. They host many games and really help promote the cause of gaming.

[Digital Arcanist]

You are fortunate to have a game shop who cares in your area. My local shop is nothing but sweat shop toys and over-priced Japanese Transformers. The owner is filthy, foul-mouthed, and rude to customers. He purchased the store only to get the privilege of buying from Hasbro and Matel. These companies have a strict bricks-and-mortar policy and the owner does nothing but sell stuff on eBay.

I usually buy stuff from Borders, but mostly I get PDF's from various sources and pick up a few books in I'm in the vicinity of a nice shop.

[Mulsiphix]

I just came across this thread. Are they seriously selling that book? This is exactly what I've been ranting about lately. Doing anything they can to make a buck. What disturbs me more is the masses of fans that will buy it without giving it a second though. All hail the "gotta have em all" mentality that made Pokemon a household name.

[Digital Arcanist]

Has anyone actually read this book?...I picked it up last night at Borders and read it cover to cover with my friends. There is some great stuff in the book and of course the artwork is beautiful. I would consider purchasing a book that covered the creation process of 4e from start to finish. Unfortunately the process is neither done nor comprehensive in this book. It does however leave me wanting to read the next book about world-building.

For those of you who don't know the new core races are Human, Elf, Dwarf, Halfling, Dragonborn, Plane-touched (Assimar and Tiefling), and Eladrins.

[Mulsiphix]

Thanks for the update on the new core races. Any idea when the world building book is coming out? I would actually be very interested in perusing that title.

[Farcaster]

Any idea when the world building book is coming out?

Next month. Here is a link to it: http://www.penandpapergames.com/foru...d.php?t=2164#1

[Anaesthesia]

Hey, by all means, whet my appetite for 4e by giving me previews and developer insights. But to ask me to pay for it is beyond me.

I picked it up at waldenbooks (but didn't buy), I do remember reading a section I call "WOTC deems these as useless creatures.." Warforges and Celestials being among those named..

Asking me to buy 4e (and maybe possibly ignoring most of what's in it-I love my gnomes), and this is a waste of trees. Can't I just live in 3.5 land in peace?

[Mulsiphix]

Can't I just live in 3.5 land in peace?

You can but if WOTC has anything to say about it, you won't be very comfortable there for long. They'll slowly deforest the area, milk its natural resources, and before you know it 3.X will be the "other side of the tracks" if you know what I mean