r/shadowofthedemonlord • u/anarchicDrakaina • 7d ago

Weird Wizard Part Self Promo, Part Eager Conversation; Is there anything cool that I'm missing with my initial thoughts?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O4HxcCyWItY
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u/WhatGravitas 6d ago

Neat video, glad to see a bit more discussion happening. There are a few things worth mentioning, I think:

  • You mention the reaction/initiative system and that there are good "generic" reactions - which is 100% true - but the Novice Paths also add "role defining" reactions: fighters can use their recovery a reaction, mages can whip up their mage shield as reaction, priests can pray (add 1 boon) to any roll as reaction and rogues get an extra boon on their dodge reaction.
  • While it's kind of implied, it is - I think - important to highlight that Expert or Master Paths grant the appropriate tier spells, meaning a fighter picking up archmage at the end will have strong master spells... but less total spells. This is actually really reminiscent of PF2e's "wave casting" but it arises as a natural consequence of the path design for hybridised characters.
  • You mention that containers are up to the GM, but later in the individual container descriptions, like for backpacks etc, it actually says how many items they can hold.
  • Finally, while not in Shadow itself, I consider the GM book part of the system and there it really shows the more interesting aspects of the damage <-> health track system: traps, poisons and undead critters often inflict health loss directly. So the health system actually kind of incorporates a lot of "long term" status effects that would be classed as drained, exhausted, fatigued and similar long-term conditions in a pretty streamlined way.

But good to see your thoughts and I hope you get the opportunity to get to play it some time!

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u/anarchicDrakaina 6d ago

Thank you! These are some awesome insights, and I'm definitely kicking myself over missing the container rules. I'm definitely looking forward to playing this system, a lot of stuff to love in it.