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Everything you want to know about the Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures game produced by Wizards of the Coast!If you have any news about the game, please e-mail me at merricb@yahoo.co.uk. A good place to gain further information - especially from Rob Heinsoo and Mike Donais, two of the designers of the game - is the D&D Miniatures Forum on the WotC boards. Merric's Law of Miniatures: Non-Random Packaging, Cheap Prices, and a Large Range of Figures: Choose two. What are D&D Miniatures? | Recent News: |
News This week in D&D Miniatures Updates on the Strategy news page:
* This week in D&D Miniatures
* Warbands VI
* Analysis of the LG faction
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The Uniques - Who is Lareth the Beautiful? In 1979, Gary Gygax released Dungeon Module T1: The Village of Hommlet. This was meant to be the first of a two part series, the second part being T2: The Temple of Elemental Evil. T1 provided an introduction to the themes of the fall of Elemental Evil in the Battle of Emridy Meadows and its subsequent rebuilding.
Particularly unusual about T1 was what it contained: an entire village (hamlet, rather). The bulk of the module was taken up with the description of Hommlet: its residents, buildings and intrigues. There was plenty of adventure there for the inventive DM before even the actual dungeon was reached. That dungeon was the ruined Moathouse, home to bandits and other nasties, led by the "Master", a cleric of Lolth named Lareth the Beautiful.
Lareth fared badly in the original play of T1 in Gygax's campaign. The adventurers (including Burne, Rufus and Elmo) overwhelmed and slew him, bringing his plans to naught. Elemental Evil was set back once more.
Elemental Evil? Wasn't Lareth a (human) cleric of Lolth, the drow goddess? What was going on here?
There's a story there and it's not entirely certain what occurred. Lolth had been introduced in the recent Vault of the Drow module, and it didn't quite make sense for Lareth to worship her. Was Lareth instead meant to be a disciple of Iuz or Tsuggtmoy? (the latter being the Demoness of Fungi?) It seems far more likely.
Regardless, all would be revealed in the upcoming T2: The Temple of Elemental Evil. Unfortunately, that module was delayed, and then delayed again. Gary Gygax was rather busy with other matters. Eventually, the incomplete manuscript was pressed into the hands of Frank Mentzer (most famous for his editing of the Basic line of D&D products, including the classic "Red Box" edition), and using Gary's notes as basis, proceeded to expand the module into a publishable form.
Unfortunately, he missed some of Gygax's intentions. In its original form, the Evil Elemental God, which had been worshipped by the splinter faction of Drow behind the Giants series, was going to make a return in the Temple of Elemental Evil. Instead, that plot line was discarded entirely - and with it went the explanation to why a priest of Lolth was nosing about.
Thus, the Temple of Elemental Evil, which many, many gamers had been impatiently waiting for over six years, was somewhat incomplete. Still playable and very enjoyable, but not the masterpiece that it should have been.
For all the problems with the ToEE, it still was regarded as one of the classics of AD&D modules. So, in 2000, to celebrate the release of the 3e D&D game, Monte Cook wrote a new version of the module, the Return to the Temple of Elemental Evil.
RttToEE was a return, in truth. Set some 20 years after the original ToEE module, it touched on many elements that Gygax had introduced in his World of Greyhawk modules. In particular, it picked up on the imprisoned god Tharizdun and made a link between him and the mysterious Elder Elemental God of the Giant and Drow modules.
This was all very clever, and it fixed a bunch of canonical problems that had arisen from Gygax's modules - unfortunately, Monte Cook wasn't aware of the original intentions of Gygax in this matter, and thus for some fans, the RttToEE is a lost opportunity.
Monte Cook made Lareth a very interesting figure - indeed, one of the core figures of the entire RttToEE campaign. To solve the problem of his strange worship of Lolth, Monte made it so Lareth was actually serving Tharizdun, but posing as a cleric of Lolth or Zuggtmoy as necessary to further the freedom of his dread deity.
Lareth was important enough to Tharizdun that he had been raised from his death in the original play of T1, though he had been horribly scarred - no longer was he "the Beautiful". It is this version of Lareth that was made into the miniature you can find in Giants of Legend. Eventually, Lareth would assume a more daunting aspect during the finale to the Return, which is why he has that intriguing trait, "Avatar of Chaos". It's a nod to his service to Tharizdun.
(Unfortunately, this brings up one inconsistently: Tharizdun was originally described as the deity of Evil incarnate, not Chaotic or Lawful. However, as many of his worshippers are mad, it's not too much of a stretch from the original form to what Lareth represents.)
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Random Booster generator Apparently, Wakalimasu was bored today, and so created this Random Booster Generator for Aberrations: (). Obviously, we must make him bored more often! ;-)
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How to get a Guenhwyvar miniature Guenhwyvar is available as a promotional miniature to those attending the current R.A.Salvatore Book Tour. You can find the upcoming dates . (Unfortunately, there aren't that many dates left - I don't follow the book tours as a matter of course, being in Ballarat, Australia and all...)
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New Official Terrain Tile available for download Wizards have posted Assembly Tile 5 on their for downloading and printing. The tile is allowed in organised play.
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Wizards site update: The Art of Warbands Posted today, ; a 200 pt CE warband with strategy notes by Bill W. Baldwin
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A couple of posts from Mike Donais I've just added a couple of posts from Mike to my Collected Designer Posts page. In them, he reveals some details about Kiddoc's miniature and also gives suggestions for costing some miniatures designed by Kiirnodel. Along the way, there's a bit of information about Set 8!
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New spreadsheet uploaded I've just uploaded a spreadsheet by Scott Trautsch to the Resources page - it contains information for sets 1-5.
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Guenhwyvar promo Amurayi has posted a picture of Guenhwyvar on his site - .
Guenhwyvar
Promo; CG; 33 pts
LVL 9; Spd 8; AC 18; HP 80
Melee Attack: +16/+11 (10/5)
Type: Magical Beast
Special Abilities: Unique; Devoted (If this creature sets up adjacent to Drizzt at the start of a skirmish, it has Fearless for that skirmish.); Hide; Pounce (this creature can use all its melee attacks when charging).
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Strategy updates The latest list of Warbands is up on my Strategy page.
Also, you'll find on the Hordelings site a wonderful strategy article by Danno Ferrin entitled . It looks at the ramifications and strategies posed by the new Assault tournament format.
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Aberrations: First Impressions I've just uploaded Aberrations: First Impressions, an article by Gerry Smit
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Bifur's Warband Generator updated Bifur has updated his (zip file) to include Aberrations. It requires a copy of the Microsoft Access database engine to run.
Bifur says, "There are main improvements with the new version : You can choose the maximum number of miniatures in the warband (up to 24), and the minion capacity is now handled by the application."
More discussion of the Warband Generator can be found .
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Updates G'day all!
Aberrations should have been released last week - I think the official release date was Friday, 15th October. Unfortunately, I haven't seen any yet... hopefully I will by the end of the week.
The D&D Miniatures Strategy page has seen a few updates recently (including a bunch of warbands), but it could always do with more articles - as could the rest of the site. Although I source much of this site's content from various message boards, I'm normally too busy to read all of the interesting discussions.
If you see an interesting strategy article, warband, tournament report, scenario description or something else D&D Miniatures related, please e-mail me with the article or link!
Submit D&D Miniatures news
Cheers,
Merric Blackman
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Deathknell at the Office Wizards have received their Deathknell production samples, according to . Deathknell apparently contains beholders, ettins, gold dragons and a host of undead.
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October "In the Works" posted Mat Smith's latest column has some previews of Aberrations for those unlucky souls (like myself) who haven't actually seen the real miniatures yet. That's pretty much it for the miniature-obsessed gamer, but there's some nice previews of other D&D material.
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Cadfael's Excel list posted I've just uploaded Cadfael's tracking spreadsheet for sets 1-5 of D&D Miniatures.
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Aberrations set gallery The for Aberrations has been posted on the Wizards site.
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Warband Generator posted Wizards of the Coast have posted version 1.5 of their .
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Aberrations checklist posted Wizards of the Coast have posted the official .
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Errata for Exorcist of the Silver Flame The Exorcist of the Silver Flame has a misprinted special ability: Lay on Hands should state that it replaces attacks, according to R&D and Guy Fullerton. (Official errata will be published in the near future.)
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First warband post! The first group of warbands has been posted on my strategy page.
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Warbands! I've had a couple of requests to post current warbands used by people. If you have a warband that you'd like posted, please visit over on maxminis.com or e-mail me your warband. (Strategy notes appreciated!)
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Promotional Silver Dragon The wonderful Art Braune has sent me some pictures of the promotional Silver Dragon. Spurred on by that, I've created a new page listing the promotional figures. You'll find the pictures there.
If you see any errors or omissions on the promotional page, please contact me. I also need some pictures of the promotional minis - though they should each be under 100 Kb each in size. ()
PDF Spoilers uploaded I have access to the internet from home again! Hooray!
I've just uploaded an updated set of Aberrations spoilers and the PDF version of the spoilers. You'll find them on the Aberrations page. There are some errors in the stats at present, which I'm working to correct. In particular, many of the spell and special ability descriptions are incomplete.
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Full Aberrations Spoiler List I've just posted the full Aberrations spoiler list.
If you see any errors in the list (and there are still a few incomplete special ability/spell descriptions), please e-mail me with the corrections!
I'll be posting a PDF version of the spoilers when my home phone line is restored.
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More spoilers I've updated the spoiler page with as many spoilers as I can find at the moment. I apologise for the formatting and the broken picture links - I'm doing this update on a friend's computer, and don't have the time to fix the errors.
Hopefully my phone line will be fixed in the next couple of days and I'll be able to get all the spoilers up along with them looking pretty.
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Frenzied Berserker stats Thanks to Christian...
Frenzied Berserker
#17/60; Aberrations; CG; Rare; 52 pts
LVL 8; SPD 8; AC 10; HP 90
Melee Attack: +14/+9 (30 magic)
Type: Humanoid (human)
Special Abilities: Aura of Fear 2 (Enemies in squares threatened by this creature gain morale save -2); Burnout (This creature takes 5 damage whenever it activates); Death Strike (When its hp are reduced to 0 or lower, this creature may make one immediate melee attack); Fearless (Always succeeds on morale saves)
Elf Warrior
#16/60; Aberrations; CG; Common; 4 pts
LVL 1; SPD 6; AC 15; HP 5
Melee Attack: +2 (5)
Ranged Attack: +3 (5)
Type: Humanoid (Elf)
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A few more spoilers... Just before I head out into the non-'net wilderness, Christian has sent me a few more really interesting spoilers:
Myconid Guard
#41/60; Aberrations; LE; Common; 9 pts
LVL 4; SPD 4; AC 12; HP 25
Melee Attack: +5 (5 + Pacification Spores)
Type: Plant
Special Abilities: Pacification Spores (Living creatures can't make melee or ranged attacks until after its next turn ; DC 15)
Mind Flayer Telepath
#39/60; Aberrations; LE; Rare; 38 pts
LVL 8; SPD 6; AC 15; HP 45
Melee Attack +8/+8 (5)
Type: Aberration
Special Abilities: Mind Blast (Replaces attacks: cone; Stun; DC 17); Psychic Scream [] (Replaces attacks: enemy noncommander creatures are out of command until end of round); Rend +15 (If this creature hits one creature with both melee attacks on the same turn, damage +15 to second attack); Spell Resistance (May ignore spells unless the caster rolls 11+)
Valenar Commander
#21/60; Aberrations; CG; Rare; 38 pts
Commander 4
LVL 6; SPD 6; AC 18; HP 45
Type: Humanoid (Elf)
Melee Attack +10/+10 (10 magic)
Commander Effect: Followers making ranged attacks can target any noncommander enemy.
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Kobold Sorcerer spoiler Kobold Sorcerer
#38/60; Aberrations; LE; uncommon; 20 pts
Commander 1
LVL 5; SPD 6; AC 17; HP 25
Melee Attack: -2 (5)
Commander Effect: Kobold followers gain Conceal 6.
Special Abilities: Willing to Follow (This commander can benefit from the Commander Effects of other commanders in your warband as though it were a follower)
Spells: 1st-[] [] [] magic missile (sight; 5 damage), magic weapon (touch; attack +1, ignore DR)2nd-[] fireburst (each adjacent creature; 15 fire damage, can cast while adjacent to enemy; DC 14)
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Downloadable Maps and Terrain Tiles Wizards have posted PDFs of the terrain tiles and maps that are available through Organised Play (with the exception of the latest October tile).
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Kobold Champion (incomplete spoiler) Kobold Champion
#37/60; Aberrations; LE; Common; 11 pts
LVL ?, SPD 4, AC 24, HP 20
Melee Attack: +6 (5)
Type: Small Humanoid (Reptilian)
Special Abilities: Brittle Morale (Automatically fails morale saves when out of command)
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Aberrations Preview X The tenth and final Aberrations preview is up - . It looks at the Green Dragon and the Ice Troll.
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Guess what? More spoilers Unfortunately, my home phone line has gone dead, so I can't update the main spoiler page at the moment. :-( You'll have to content yourself with these updates to the main page.
Aasimar Favored Soul
#11/60; Aberrations; LG/CG; Uncommon; 20 pts
LVL 5; SPD 4; AC 16; HP 40
Melee Attack: +8 (5)
Type: Outsider
Special Abilities: Illuminator (Creatures within 6 squares do not benefit from Conceal, Hide,or Invisible); Resist 5 Acid, Cold, Electricity; Resist 10 Fire; Save +4
Spells: Sorcerer Spells: 1st - [] [] [] [] bless (your warband; attack +1), cure light wounds(touch; heal 5 hp), magic weapon (touch; +1 attack, ignore DR); 2nd - [] [] [] sound burst (range 6; radius 2; 5 sonic damage and Stun; DC14 negates).
Formian Warrior
#22/60; Aberrations; LG/LE; Uncommon; 16 pts
LVL 4; SPD 8; AC 19; HP 25
Melee Attack: +7/+5 (10 + Poison/5)
Type: Outsider
Special Abilities: Immune Cold, Poison; Poison (5 damage whenever poisoned creature activates; DC 14); Resist 10 Electricity, Fire, Sonic; Spell Resistance (May ignore spells unless the caster rolls 11+)
Ethereal Filcher
#23/60; Aberrations; CG/CE; Uncommon; 10 pts
LVL 5; SPD 8; AC 18; HP 20
Melee Attack: +2 (5)
Type: Aberration
Special Abilities:Filch (Replaces attacks: touch; Humanoid or Monstrous Humanoid only, attack -2, melee damage -5 [minimum 5], then Ethereal Filcher is eliminated)
Flesh Golem
#45/60; Aberrations; LE/CE; Rare; 51 pts
LVL 9; SPD 6; AC 18; HP 80
Melee Attack: +10 (15)
Type: Large Construct
Special Abilities: Requires Instruction (This creature acts as though confused if it activates when out of command); DR 5 (Takes 5 less damage from nonmagical melee and ranged attacks); Fearless (Always succeeds on morale saves); Melee Reach 2; Spell Resistance All (Ignores all spells)
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Musings... I've updated my musings - the first time in a while. :)
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Half-Elf Hexblade Half-Elf Hexblade
#33/60; Aberrations; Uncommon; LE; 33 pts
LVL 7; SPD 6; AC 17; HP 45
Type: Humanoid (Elf)
Melee Attack: +12/+7 (10 magic)
Special Abilities: Hexblade's Curse [] [] (Swift action; sight; attack -4, save -4, damage -5 [minimum 5]; DC 19)
Spells: 1st - phantom threat [] (range 6; whenever target is attacked in melee, the attacker is considered to be flanking it; DC 13)
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Corrected Yuan-Ti Halfblood stats Yuan-Ti Halfblood
#60/60; Aberrations; CE; uncommon; 28 pts
LVL 7; SPD 6; AC 19; HP 40
Melee Attack: +10/+4 (5/5 + 10 acid + Poison)
Ranged Attack: +9/+4 (5)
Special Abilities: Blind Fight, Hide, Poison (5 damage when poisoned creature activates; DC14), Spell Resistance.
Spells: 1st - cause fear [] (range 6, target creature of level 5 or below makes a morale save), 3rd - suggestion [] (range 6; confusion, save at the end of affected creature's turn; DC 16)
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Further Aberrations Spoilers I'll get around to adding these to the spoiler page tonight, but for now...
Orc Sergeant
#57/60; Aberrations; CE; uncommon; 24 pts
Commander 3
LVL 3; SPD 6; AC 15; HP 30
Melee Attack: +7 (15)
Type: Humanoid (Orc)
Commander Effect: Orc and Goblinoid followers gain attack +2. Warband Building: Orcs and Goblinoids of any faction are legal in your warband.
Longtooth Barbarian
#19/60; Aberrations; CG; uncommon; 27 pts
LVL 1; SPD 9; AC 10; HP 65
Melee Attack: ?
Cleric of St. Cuthbert
#04/60; Aberrations; LG; uncommon; 29 pts
Commander 3
LVL 3; SPD 4; AC 20; HP 25
Melee Attack: +5 (5 magic)
Special Abilities: Smite Evil +5 []; Turn Undead 4 []
Spells: 1st-cause fear [][] (range 6; target creature of level 5 or lower makes a morale save); 2nd-deific vengeance [][] (range 6; 10 damage, or 20 damage to Undead; DC 14)
Commander Effect: Vengeance (Followers gain melee damage +5 if opponents have destroyed at least two of your creatures)
(These spoilers sourced from )
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Aberrations - guess what? Ice Troll, Taer, Sahuagin Ranger, Hill Dwarf Warrior and Mountain Orc.
Also, Silent Wolf Goblin, Carrion Tribe Barbarian, Celestial Black Bear, Dekanter Goblin and Gnoll Skeleton. ()
More Aberrations Spoilers Thanks to DrFiendish and Christian, a variety of Aberrations spoilers should be revealed to you over the next few days. (The pair have acquired a box of Aberrations boosters... lucky them!)
The first of the spoilers are up on my Aberrations Spoiler Page, with more to come.
Also from DrFiendish:
Here's the new abilities that replace Difficult, fresh from the stats of the Mad Slasher (Incited) and the Ogre Zombie (Inhibited). Way to go WotC! These abilities are really going to spice up the game and add to the strategy of Warband building.
Incited: each round, this creature must activate before any nonincited creatures in its Warband.
Inhibited: each round, this creature cannot activate until after all noninhibited creatures in its Warband.
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A few Aberrations spoilers Bladebearer Hobgoblin
21 points, LE
Level 4, SPD 6, AC 17, HP 40
Melee: +8/+8 attack (10 magic)
Type: Goblinoid
Special Ability: Executioner's Blade
(thanks to Kiddoc)
Hook Horror - 39 points
Rhek - 22 points
(thanks to Freakin Canadian)
Also from Freakin Canadian: "Word of mouth, from a friend of a friend chain, is that Death Knell has many people at WotC very, very excited. I boldly predict it will be the best expansion yet in terms of quality of sculpt, paint and fodder/usage for a DM."
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D&D Basic Game has been released I'm getting reports from people who now have the D&D Basic Game. I've been updating my information page with these reports, if you'd like to read them.
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Recurring Villany - Thayan Knight I missed this yesterday - the latest in the Recurring Villainy series of articles has been posted on Wizards' site. This one deals with the .
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Dragon Samurai is rare Rob Heinsoo has confirmed that the Dragon Samurai is actually rare, not uncommon - the promotional poster was misprinted.
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