CWF-2008-3-28 News, Server Move Complete, Getting Out of Axis & Allies Minis, and Musical Guest Black Crowes

Episode 36 with Jonathan as your host discussing News, Server Move Complete, Getting Out of Axis & Allies Minis, and musical guest Black Crowes.

Show Length: 43:26

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00:00 Theme, Zombie by Devin Anderson (Electronic)

02:16 News

02:21 Event Countdowns @ CWF

War @ Sea at Battleground Games on Wednesdays

‘Ard Boyz Tournaments for 40k

Havoc XXIV in 14 Days

Total Confusion XXII Presents All Day Boardgaming at Rising Phoenix Games in Leicester on April 19th

7:02 Battlegrounds Special Offers

D&D 4th Edition Offer – Pre-order & pre-pay all 3 core books and be entered to win a free case of D&D minis.

Battleground d20 20% Off Coupon

8:53 Music to Game By Check Out “Goodbye Daughters of the Revolution” by Black Crowes

14:06 Server Move Complete/New Changes

Server Move Complete

25:20 New England Podcasters Promo

26:09 Getting Out of Axis & Allies Minis

Getting Out of Axis & Allies Minis = Cheap Models

Axis & Allies Minis Articles

32:07 Inside No Quarter #17 March 08

Inside No Quarter #17

40:15 Please send us feedback. E-mail it to cwfgamecast [at] wargamingforums [dot] com. Use the Contact Us Page. Go to iTunes and leave a comment. Send an IM to cwforums on AIM.

41:29 Next cast will be Wednesday April 10, 2008

42:52 Exit Theme, Pop Science by Devin Anderson (Electronic)

An Unhappy Trend

The article below was written several months ago by Derek Lloyd, owner of Battleground Games, as the start of an article bemoaning the use of magic items in Dungeons & Dragons. Unfortunately, Derek was unable to finish the article due to other responsibilities.

With 4th edition fast approaching we have decided to share this unfinished piece for its relevance. Normally, we would never do this. We wish to only share finished pieces as it is unfair to you, the visitor, and the author to make incomplete thoughts available to the public. We apologize to you in advance. We also hope to have Derek come back and write on D&D for you in the near future. Until then we hope you will enjoy this article.

There is an unfortunate trend that has infiltrated the Dungeons & Dragons community over the past few years that I believe has had some serious ramifications on the game as a whole. It is the issue of player control into areas of the game that were formerly the providence of the Dungeon Master. I realize that as a game evolves certain things must change, but this one seems to have rather sneakily wormed its way beyond what was the original intention of the 3rd Edition designers. This shift is most apparent in the recent book, the Magic Item Compendium.

Compare these two passages from different versions of the game. The first is from the 1st Edition Dungeon Master’s Guide by Gary Gygax: “Just as it is important to use forethought and consideration in placing valuable metals and other substances with monsters or otherwise hiding them in dungeon or wilderness, the placement of magic items is a serious matter. Thoughtless placement of powerful magic items has been the ruination of many a campaign. Not only does this cheapen what should be rare and precious, it gives player characters undeserved advancement and empowers them to become virtual rulers of all they survey. This is in part the fault of this writer, who deeply regrets not taking the time and space in D&D to stress repeatedly the importance of moderation.”

The second passage is from the 3.5 Edition book, the Magic Item Compendium by Andy Collins, Eytan Bernstein, Frank Brunner, Owen Stephens and John Snead: “A player points to an item published in this book or the Dungeon Master’s Guide and asks, ‘Can I buy this?’ The answer should usually be, ‘Yes.'”

Twitter Updates for 2008-03-27

  • Upcoming Articles: Star Wars Minis – Battle of Hoth Update, GW’s Flavor of the Month, An Unhappy Trend, and Inside Black Gobbo 112. #

Inside No Quarter #17 March 2008

Wondering if the new No Quarter is worth purchasing? The table of contents below tells you what issue #17 covers. There’s great Monsterpocalypse and Legends coverage plus tons of modeling articles.

Over 90 pages of Privateer Press goodness all for just $5.99. For us it was a welcome change from discussing issue 15 last time.

  • Fire in the Hole p. 2 “Letter from the Editor-in-Chief.”
  • Bosun’s Call p. 4 “Letters to the Editor and general shenanigans.”
  • News From the Front p. 5 “Events and important news from around the world.”
  • New Releases p. 8 “The latest Privateer Press products for March and April.”
  • Legends on the Rise p. 12 “Warmachine: Legends Allies Unit Attachments and Solos.”
  • Battle Report: Mining is Risky Business p. 26 “Epic Nemo defends a critical mine from the Protectorate’s Reznik.”
  • Terrain: Working in a Coal Mine p. 44 “A coal mine – it’s dark, it’s dirty, and it’s a perfect place for a battle.”
  • Modeling & Painting: Epic Nemo p. 51 “Ron Kruzie shows how to paint Epic Nemo in quick and simple steps.”
  • Modeling & Painting: Painting Glow Effects p. 54 “Matt DiPeitro shows how to mimic source lighting on your minis.”
  • Painting Challenge: Blinded by the Light p. 56 “Can you capture the ‘mood lighting’ with just the right ambiance?”
  • The Gamers’ Journal: Studio Showdown p. 57 “Read as the Privateer Press Studio staff starts new armies from scratch.”
  • Monsterpocalypse: Factions and Agendas p. 62 “A look at the Agendas and some of the Factions in Monsterpocalypse.”
  • Guts & Gears: Cataphract p. 64 “Hold your ground against the Skorne Cataphract Acruarii and Cetrati.”
  • The Gavyn Kyle Files: Markus ‘Siege’ Brisbane p. 70 “Hide behind your walls and battlements, coward. > Siege is on the way.”
  • The Pendrake Encoutners: The Junker Hulk p. 74 “Sometimes the trash decides to takes you out to the curb..”
  • Hordes: Power Within p. 78 “It’s time to power up with these Hordes animi tactics.”
  • Call to Arms p. 82 “Prizes for the 2008 Call to Arms league and a recap of the first tours.”
  • Formula P3: All New Hobby Tools p. 84 “Rob Hawkins shows how to get the most out of new Formula P3 tools..”
  • The Gavyn Kyle Files: Sorscha Kratikoff p. 86 “Read the secret dossiers of the Iron Kingdom’s master spy.”
  • Parts Bin p. 91 “A look at individual parts available in the Privateer Press Store.”
  • Drawn & Quartered / Player Gallery p. 93 “IK inspired comic and some of the best fan-based paint jobs around.”