Embrace Nature with D&D 4E’s Primal Power

In the revision of Dungeons and Dragons that is Wizards of the Coast’s 4th Edition, Power Sources have been created as the explanation for why the heroes of the game are so, well, heroic. As an example, the quintessential Wizards of the game can cast the spells that are their raison d’être because they can … Read more

Elemental Chaos awaits in D&D 4E’s The Plane Below

When I ran my 4E D&D playtest campaign, I decided to make it larger than life. That meant going planer. The churning unpredictability of the planes, the potential for exotic locations, the alienness of its inhabitants calls to my imagination. The Plane Below: Secrets of the Elemental Chaos, which details 4E’s churning elemental wastes, is … Read more

Live your own story with Dragon Age: Origins

A purple-tinged dragon unleashes its breath weapon on a warrior.

The highest compliment I can give Dragons Age: Origins is that everyone who plays it wants to tell me about their character. In a pen-and-paper RPG, that’s a major social faux paus, but with Dragon Age I think it’s a sign of just how into this game people are getting … and how well it’s … Read more

Return to print with the Dragon Magazine Annual

I’m one of those who loves the printed word. PDFs are handy, but when it comes right down serious reading, I want my books and magazines culled from dead trees.  As such, I was happy to see a review copy of Dragon Magazine Annual show up in my inbox. Although my D&D 4E playtest campaign … Read more

Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans

If you’re looking for roleplaying games this generation the Nintendo DS has, without doubt, the largest selection. The latest entry in this list is Dragon Ball Z: Attack of the Saiyans. Based on Akira Toriyama’s works of the same name, the game follows the adventures of the “Z Fighters” from the final chapter of Dragon Ball through the first chapter of Dragon Ball Z with a few additions just for this game.

First Impressions: Innsmouth Horror Expansion

The Innsmouth Horror expansion for Arkham Horror showed up under the Geek Tree this holiday season, and the day after Christmas some friends and I broke it out for a Saturday afternoon horrorfest. It’s an impressive expansion. Unlike our last expansion, The Black Goat of the Woods, this one is a full expansion with its own sideboard … Read more

D&D 4th Edition: A Player’s Perspective

In November I had the chance to do something I’ve never done before: play Dungeons & Dragons 4th Edition. Technically that’s not true – I’ve played D&D 4E plenty of times as a Dungeon Master, including my gaming group’s playtest campaign. But I’ve never sat at the table as a D&D 4E player. The last … Read more

Under the Geek Tree: Innsmouth Horror

The Innsmouth Horror expansion for Arkham Horror — my Birthday/Christmas present from my family — arrived today. It’s taken up its place of honor underneath the Greek Tree, where it will remain until Saturday, Dec. 26 when the Blackrazors convene to repel the Deep One invasion that threatens to rock New England. Naturally, we intend … Read more

The Tome Podcast #121: Revenge of the Giants reviewed

My gaming group recently returned to D&D 4th Edition with a megashot of the Revenge of the Giants supermodule. I talk about our experiences with Wizards of the Coast’s homage to the original 1st Edition Against the Giants tournament modules on Episode #121 of The Tome Podcast. I’m joined by Quinn Murphy of the excellent … Read more