Leaving DDO because of setting

[Esserbe]

As a long-time D&D fan, even as a fan of the dreaded Forgotten Realms, I just can't understand the hate some people have for Eberron, especially if they are also players of DDO!

Have you never come across a sentient construct before in a pen and paper game? DMs dreamed up stuff like that all the time. A robot is a mechanical being, Warforged are made out of living wood and metal. They do not have gears, and given their original intended role by the Quori they'd make perfect sense in any setting with a similar premise!

FR has airships and Waterdeep is hardly low-magic. Halruaa itself is on the same level magically as Eberron, possibly even more high magic considering a full third of the population is supposed to be mages and they have magical house decorating battles (!). Before the 4E spellplague event Lantan had actual technology, not magic technology - clockworks, mechanical and hydraulic devices, printing technology and so on, including gunpowder. You know, the Wild West Cowbow and pirate cannon stuff you were talking about? By the way, there's been piracy for thousands of years on Earth, it didn't suddenly appear with the adoption of cannon-armed ships.

Of course, that pales in comparison to the mechanical creation of mythals of all things. With technology.

So why do people hate the "robots" (that are actually living chassis meant for spirits to inhabit) and the "trains" (that use bound elementals) so much and overlook all of this?

Eberron is a kick-ass setting. If anything, I wish DDO did more Eberron-centric things.

[Galeria]

I am so glad Turbine is bringing out the unique features of Eberron, because whether you like Eberron or not, this is DDO: Stormreach for better or worse.

I'd be more critical if they started integrating things that aren't in Eberron.

It seems kind of silly to be angry that Turbine is staying true to the setting that they have licensed. If that makes ya mad, see ya.

[Grace_ana]

There are some places I stopped going to over the last few years, just because I didn't like going to them anymore. I can't believe I never thought to make a delayed drama exit. Excuse me while I go rectify this egregious oversight. *flounces away*

[Dunsany1]

So, the OP has decided to stop playing the game (or, to be more accurate, has publicly announced that he's stopped playing the game) and given his reasons for doing so. The reasons seem a little contradictory/nonsensical to me, but fair enough all the same.

My re-introduction to D&D was via FR and I love the setting immensely. For a long time, I played either FR computer games or FR P&P games and I have a huge amount of respect for the very talented people who've contributed to the richness of that particular setting. I must admit that, when it first came out, if DDO had been FR, I'd have been tempted to invest in it. Eberron was an unknown quantity for me and what I'd seen of it I didn't particularly fancy it, BUT...

When the game went F2P, I took the plunge and, do you know what? I really like the setting. (Fancy that.) It's quirky, different (I quite like the fact that Eberron deities are considerably less interventionist than FR ones, for example) and fun - and still recognisably D&D. There certainly isn't the sheer weight of lore you often get in FR games (although that can be fun, too, to be fair) - choosing a brand new setting for a game like this seems, in hindsight, to be an inspired decision. My lack of knowledge of the Eberron setting together with the setting's relative newness means that sense of discovery you always want in a game of this kind is present in spades. Things like Warforged and the melding of magic and technology only add to that.

But, that's just my opinion, of course.

d1

[bandyman1]

Dammit, this is first time I wish there was no word filter here.

They have no plans to release anything else for ANY setting. That makes your argument pointless.

Research before you post. Thank you very much.

EDIT: To make it more clear - 4E rule is 1 year - 1 setting - 3 books for that setting. They broke that rule this year, they made Neverwinter Campaign Setting (because of the new Atari game) with only 1 book. And yes, Neverwinter Campaign Setting has nothing to do with FR books, apparently. Go figure.

But you see; I DID research.

When you show me the print from Wizards that says there are no longer planned releases for FR and DS, we'll go from there.

Because it was pretty damned easy to pull up on Eberron

[budalic]

But you see; I DID research.

When you show me the print from Wizards that says there are no longer planned releases for FR and DS, we'll go from there.

Because it was pretty damned easy to pull up on Eberron

Eberron novels get released all the time. It only said there will be no more Eberron in 4E. That's because of one year-one setting policy.
Since I really don't know where you pulled up your 'no more 4E in Eberron link'. So I'll try to trust in your ability of logical reasoning.

Forgotten Realms was first published 4E setting - year 2008 setting. Theese are all rules suplements (there is also one adventure) for FR.

Eberron was second - year 2009. Theese are all rules supplements for it. (Also, one adventure)

Dark sun was third - year 2010. Theese are all rules supplements for it. Somehow, adventure was also categorised as rules supplement.

(I got all theese by clicking Accessories-> Setting name at the top of it. Eberron adventure ended up in Adventures->Eberron. I'm still looking for FR one, but I could swear there was one).

Now WotC's publishing policy changed in late 2010. The rules got revamped (Essentials, also known as 4.5e. even bigger fail than 4E, imo) and this year, our new campaign setting is... Neverwinter. Which is also part of other setting. Because of Atari game, apparently. Keep in mind that Neverwinter Campaign Guide isn't part of 'Forgotten Realms' supplement line. And there, for some reason, isnt Accessories->Neverwinter category.

(Also, it marks end of 3 books per setting, because it seems neverwinter will get only 1 book, except if there is adventure in works I've never heard of. WotC currently publishes, like, half of amount of books they used to last year. Also, this is an edit added later.)

So, yeah, no setting was supposed to get more than 3 books. However, after Essentials anything can happen.

Unrelated to this, 4E official organised game is called 'Living Forgotten Realms'. But you can totally bring Warforged (from eberron) Animist Shaman (animist build for shaman is from Dark Sun) to it.

EDIT: It looks like Forgotten Realms adventure is missing from Product catalog (not really suprised - it's very ****** organised). It's called 'Scepter Tower of Spellgard'. Found it on wikipedia. Also, I do have some of books listed. FRPG, for example, while being Forgotten Realms book, has very cool (as far as 4E goes) Swordmage class and Genasi race.

EDIT2: I also apologize if I was snappy before. While I don't have high opinion on FR, I have no problem with other people loving it, as long as they don't name their characters 'Eldisnter' and 'Dromzitt'. I just wanted to point out that none of the settings in 4E had more books being planned at the time they got released - that wasn't really just a thing with Eberron.

[Xionanx]

Doesnt matter what world they use after this it will be 4E game and a lot of people including myself wont like that no matter what the world is as for myself and some others 4E isnt dnd

Yeah, I have to agree on this point; I hate the 4E ruleset. I can understand the reasons they made it the way they did, but IMO it was just one more step towards removing real customization from your characters. They are all so cookie cutter in 4E it makes me sick.

[Dolphious]

I like the setting overall, and I think it works well when the unique aspects of Ebberon add to rather than replace parts of the traditional D&D universe. OTOH when over done these uniquely Ebberon characteristics can be distracting and frustrating.

For example I like the Warforged race: it's got neat flavor, background, they look cool, etc. I also like many of the game mechanics relating to them: 2 hand fighting, high HP, hard to heal, etc. But I really can't stand the fact that they make the absolute best arcane casters but such a wide margin. With the pale master PrE you do now see at least a few fleshy casters, but the vast majority of (at least end game) casters are WF. Even as a pale master WF is a strong choice as you don't suffer their major downside and get extra HP and immunity.

So while I like WF to an extent, I would much rather have just done without them then have the traditional idea of a fantasy wizard replaced by robots lumbering around holding a knife and a club. The principle should be "first do no harm," but the whole WF wizard thing makes me extremely skeptical every time I see some new uniquely ebberon thing.

I'm worried that artificers are going to do the same thing to bards and archers. It's not that I have a problem with any of the concepts individually, but I don't want to see WF with repeating crossbows and "rune arms" replacing the traditional D&D fantasy archer.

[Esserbe]

If that happens it will merely be because archery just isn't very good except for a few highly skilled and geared players.

[mujadaddy]

Well, that's a ridiculous complaint, OP. For the record, I don't care for Eberron as a setting either, but first and foremost...

Heroic Durability? Gone. You were exploiting by having those HPs from 1st Level. (Obviously, monster HPs would have to be reduced as well.)

SPELL POINTS? No. No. No. Consumable, like Action Boosts. Slot the spell twice if you want to cast it more. (Can you hear the Sorcs/FvS's crying?)

Racial Maximums on Ability Scores (base 18), only overridden by Class Feats.

Enhancements? That's catering to the What-Do-I-Get-NOW crowd. GONE. Deal with it.

RESURRECTION SHRINE? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. Resurrection is performed in town by a Level 16 Cleric for 50,000 Gold pieces, or not at all. You wiped? Death penalty until you visit a Level 12 Cleric.

~

NOW you've got yourself something more like D&D and less like a video game. NOW if you don't like the campaign setting, you're justified in not playing the DM's game.

~

[fredericko]

When I began playing DDO, Eberron setting was something that I didn't find very appealing - and that's an understatement. But there were enough old-school sword-and-sorcery fiction quests, dungeons and chains (many -or most- of them outstanding) to keep me engaged -let alone the awesome job of capturing the DnD essence into a game that sometimes plays like Devil May Cry, as difficult as that may sound yet Turbine pulled it off.
If you don't like warforged you don't have to roll one. You will have a whole lot of awesome old-style dungeon crawlers at all level ranges. Turbine has made amazing stuff like shan-to-kor, korromar, Tear of Dhakaan, Delera's, Demon Sands, the new Lordsmarch chains, Gianthold, Reaver's Refuge, lots of goodness for old-schoolers at all level ranges. Not that the other, more Eberron-centric content isn't good; I'm mentioning great content that could be easily be translated into a FR setting.
I have to say that I am looking forward to play the new pack, the Lord of Blades one. I hope it ties the (to me) loose knot of the warforged into the setting, or lore. For what I've seen so far, Turbine really has done an outstanding job (again) with this chain. I might finally get to like the Eberron setting that initially set me back.

[somenewnoob]

The only thing I even remotely agree with OP about is that a Dragonlance setting would be DA BOMB!!

[Aztek]

To the op: fair enough for giving a reason for your exit. I wont even try to apologise for the rude replies. It happens on the net and I'm sure you know that.

Sorry - i'm not helping, but i couldn't resist.. But he wanted less Steampunk and more fantasy, like.. *cough* *wait for it*... TROLLS! :P

[Thrudh]

EDIT: Oh, I can't miss oportunity to link OotS: http://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots0344.html

Heh, do you know that Rich Burlew submitted a "world" to Wizards of the Coast in the same competition that Eberron won (Rich came in third I think).

That comment about "magic trains" was probably a subtle dig directly at Eberron...

[Cyr]

FR was always my favorite pnp setting for a couple of reasons...

• It's main thrust is swords and sorcery.
• It had some very strong NPCs that you could pretty much 100% ignore if the PCs were not in their neck of the world, but if you wanted usually in an introductory type campaign you could use in some fashion. Players knew these characters. That is a useful thing for new players.
• The BEST part of FR is that it's not entirely driven by one storyline or theme. This is the major weaknesses of Eberron, Dark Sun, Dragonlance, and Spell Jammer. Despite what some poor DM's think, Elminister and Drizzt don't even need to be mentioned in a campaign and heck they are not even in most of the FR novels. Instead you have a world with a classic european magic and fantasy section (dales, waterdeep...), a native american type fantasy setting (Maztaca), some tech stuff (Lantan and how much you want it to influence your particular campaign), a super high magic area (Halruaa), an arabian nights type setting (lots of these), prehistoric area (Chult), a asian fantasy setting (Kara Tur), lots of barbarian type conan areas, pirates and such (Sword Coast, Sea of Fallen stars....), merchant intrigues (Sembia...), old kingdoms of high magic (Netheril...), new kingdoms of evil/good...Basically the strength of the realms is it's huge generic diversity that the DM can shape as they see fit. The DM can mix and match these elements and even better the players can decide to change pace completely...
• There are not alot of speciality rules written for the setting. It's supposed to fit into the classic dnd cosmology and such.

Note all the above applies to 2-3.5 editions of FR since I consider 4th edition FR to be a lame excuse for a campaign setting.

[Calebro]

A bit off topic, but I feel the need.

I know how everyone hates 4e. I feel the same way.... for the most part. There is an exception though.
Dark Sun.
I absolutely LOVE the flavor and setting, and I always have, ever since 2nd ed AD&D. But it had a huge problem.
No divine magic.
That means no healers. And with the mechanics of AD&D at the time (and even more so in 3.x) that made it almost impossible to succeed. Not even win (because you can't), but simply succeed.
The implementation of 4e solved that problem.
So even though I dislike 4e in general, it has created a way to succeed in that particular setting that I love, which had no way to succeed previously.

So 4e may have ruined D&D, but it fixed Dark Sun.
Food for thought.

[Dolphious]

A bit off topic, but I feel the need.

I know how everyone hates 4e. I feel the same way.... for the most part. There is an exception though.
Dark Sun.
I absolutely LOVE the flavor and setting, and I always have, ever since 2nd ed AD&D. But it had a huge problem.
No divine magic.
That means no healers. And with the mechanics of AD&D at the time (and even more so in 3.x) that made it almost impossible to succeed. Not even win (because you can't), but simply succeed.
The implementation of 4e solved that problem.
So even though I dislike 4e in general, it has created a way to succeed in that particular setting that I love, which had no way to succeed previously.

So 4e may have ruined D&D, but it fixed Dark Sun.
Food for thought.

I must be reading this wrong because it's sounds like you're saying that 4e created some sort of healing easy button for Dark Sun, and that it is somehow a good thing.

[laurawilder]

It would please everyone. In Spelljammer you had much of the technology using arcane as in this game but as a DM you could transport your parties to settings like FR, DL or DS and give a different flavor or challenge them to what more a may not be affected. Would they have divine spells without their god? Would wildfire magic be there or none at all? Would you have the ability to carry weapons? The ideas were/are limitless. Fighting undead pirates in space powered by a lifejammer is truly awesome.

[Uska]

It would please everyone. In Spelljammer you had much of the technology using arcane as in this game but as a DM you could transport your parties to settings like FR, DL or DS and give a different flavor or challenge them to what more a may not be affected. Would they have divine spells without their god? Would wildfire magic be there or none at all? Would you have the ability to carry weapons? The ideas were/are limitless. Fighting undead pirates in space powered by a lifejammer is truly awesome.

I hated spell jammer almost as much as I did the realms

[wey4lust]

I like FR more than Eberron too, but there is no FR mmo with same combat mechanic so ill stay with DDO