Exalted 3e Playtest Leaks - Discussion

[Ashren]

From what I've seen so far from the preview materials and kickstarter/blog posts not enough has changed to the actually setting that you can't just use material from 2E to come up with a campaign idea. As far as it looks like they are adding things more so than changing things and the only big revision was the whole Reclamation storyline being removed as even being possible.


What you're asking for however is a bit much, you're essentially stating you're upset because they aren't given you all the lore from the book before the book is out. Much of what you want probably won't even be in the core book to be honest, except for maybe bits and pieces in the antagonist chapter and the lore chapter, most of it will be focused on the Solars and their return just like every previous addition has been.


Edit: They are also releasing a Quickstart alongside the Core book that will most likely be a free download. This'll help a lot for both STs and Players getting started as it'll have all the really important info in it for getting started.

 

[Gonzo]

I too think the updates could be way better. My interest is gradually fading instead of increasing. They could give hints about changes to the setting that could feed old gamer's imagination. We know there's a place named the Caul and that Lunars are important there... but nothing more. Why not share more about these stuff?


It feels as if they won't release any info because they "fear" the fan reaction. I know this is most likely not the case, but the people involved in the book seem too much preoccupied by the corrosiveness of a certain part of their audience.


I'm starting to think that the devs may not even have figured out some aspects of the game... like Lunars...If they have a great new ideas (which I'm sure they have) it's time to hear some of them.


Remember when Shards, Compass Autochthonia, RotSE, Infernals or Alchemicals were about to come out? The writers gave hints and talked with the community. That was awesome. We didn't get full details, but we knew a bit of what was coming. Sure there were some detractors and extremists who took everything with hate, but many many other fans were grateful and became more invested in the line.


I really think the updates could be much better.

 

[Ashren]

I think people are just getting impatient and greedy. Impatience to some degree is understandable. EX3 was announced over a year ago and was supposed to have been released months and months ago based on their early projections, I think as early as like last October or something. Still, they have shown us a great deal of things, a preview of what the Abyssals, Infernals, Terrestrials, and Liminals will look like, they've dropped Charm spoilers, they've shown us a peek at some of the setting and lore like with the Wyld Hunt info and there was some info about that city of snakes.


If you follow the posts on the onyx path website they haven't even written the introductory chapter yet so it's not like they can show us anything from that, for the past couple months I think all they've been working on are charms so all they really have to show us would be a few more charms, and considering the leak you probably wouldn't see anything that isn't somewhere on the internet already.


The other problem is that you're expectations for what will actually be in the Core Book are probably a tad too high. If you expect to see all kinds of information about the Dragon-Blooded, Abyssals, or anything other than generic villainy you're probably going to be disappointed. They'll probably have some very generic write-ups for a few different types of enemies like they did in 2nd Edition, but I wouldn't hold my breath for any actual information about anything non-Solar related until their book comes out.


I would honestly much rather have the book come out as soon as possible then them waste time making more updates. I want the core book as a whole, not piece meal in tiny blog posts

 

[JayTee]

On the topic of the introductory chapter, that's probably the easiest part of the whole book, since they have two prior editions to draw upon with what to do/what not to do.


They seem like they're focusing on the hard stuff first, like writing an entire game engine up from scratch. I gotta say I approve of that approach.

 

[Gonzo]

But anyway... back to the topic: I think it's a shame the playtest documents leaked after taking so many precautions to avoid that.


The OPP forum has been asked not to discuss the topic... I wonder how all this mess will affect the reception of the final product.

 

[Ashren]

The OPP forum has been asked not to discuss the topic... I wonder how all this mess will affect the reception of the final product.

It probably won't have any real impact on the final product. I think they are too far along to consider making any revisions for the sake of trying to make things different from the leak, and I don't think they could honestly even if they wanted to. They have released enough info prior to the leak that people have already formed their opinions of the new edition and whether or not they want to support it. There's not enough info in the leak to keep people who want to play the game from buying the finished product, and if anything it has probably only served to make people who might have been on the fence more interested.
I think they have a very solid model to work with and I can't wait to see the finished product and future supplements. I think people who are looking forward to it as well will really love what is in store.

 

[MAXedOUT]

I agree. The leak will more than likely not have a single thing to do with the core book. If anything they may refine how some of the things are worded if a bunch of the leak recipients are getting combat wrong. I'm just hoping that the combat system is streamlined enough to get through a few combats a night, rather than just 1 or 2 if you are lucky. I don't have my players fight often in my games but when they do it tends to be a few small/medium fights and then a longer and more drawn out fight.

 

[Ashren]

I'm just hoping that the combat system is streamlined enough to get through a few combats a night, rather than just 1 or 2 if you are lucky.

I've run a few mockup fights with the current system and they tend to resolve fairly quickly when it's Solar vs. Solar or Mortal vs. Mortal, even more quickly when it's Solar vs Mortal. The new Mass Combat rules also make combat much quicker when a situation calls for your Solar(s) to fight up against 12 or so Mortals (or more) since it resolves much in the same way as Solar vs. Mortal just with a tougher opponent.

 

[MAXedOUT]

That is great to hear. I wonder, what are the benefits that mortals get when they fight in groups? I never got the play-test documents. Is it a static bonus to combat values or something?

 

[FeMChara]

But anyway... back to the topic: I think it's a shame the playtest documents leaked after taking so many precautions to avoid that.
The OPP forum has been asked not to discuss the topic... I wonder how all this mess will affect the reception of the final product.

Not by much, if you take Monday Meetings into account. They only have Evocations left to do, really and everything else seems to be either in polishing stage, wrapping up or done. Art notes being the least done but possibly a quick-enough turnaround there. Some people are just kind of like that, thus:

Incidentally, the whole reaction to the leaked documents have been a good example of "this is why they aren't having an open playtest".

 

[JayTee]

After the game releases I really hope I'll be able to get my hands on the playtest document. I'd love to compare and contrast how things were in the "beta" vs how they are now. I love behind the scenes stuff like that.

 

[MAXedOUT]

Yea, JayTee, that would be fun

 

[Gonzo]

Aaaand... there's a new "update". In which we learn almost nothing about Hearthstones, only that they may be no longer ranked by numbers but by categories.

 

[Lord of Chaos]

If other hearthstones follow the example listed in the update, it means a move away from small bonus powers to larger "manse lite" powers. I find hearthstones capable of influencing your environment in large but largely subtle ways MUCH more interesting than +1DV, and it helps distinguish them from artifacts further.

 

[El Phantasmo]

Indeed - I've been a fan of Exalted since 1st Ed and own literally everything - including the Dace T-shirt sent to stockists and the Abyssal mousemat etc. 2nd Ed kinda lost me though I still own it all - but the system was just such a behemoth of nastiness I actually never really did much with it and it was just nice to read the fluff.


But the changes I've seen are good. I stumbled across the playtest leak and once I knew what it was I couldn't resist taking a look despite wanting to resist. It's great, highly cinematic and it was always going to be a bit crunchy but combat is less weird than 2nd Ed.


Hearthstones though are something I always thought should be environment effect things rather than individual buffs/powers. Suits their origin and what I always wanted them to be.


Evocations should be fun too. I'm very much looking forward to 3E.

 

[MAXedOUT]

The update was interesting. I wonder if you are limited to 1 of each type of Hearthstone. Or maybe 3 lesser, 2 standard and a major?

 

[El Phantasmo]

I suspect, though based on nothing, that it'll be a merit choice thing. If you have the merit points and have the manse you have a hearthstone. Drop more points into the merit and the stronger the manse/hearthstone. Take the merit multiple times for multiple hearthstones.


Could be completely out of whack with that, but it feels similar to how things are going to be done ... maybe.

 

[MAXedOUT]

You are probably right. That seems very likely. I hope a good size manse gives you at least 3 stones. If I get a level 4 manse I get value., and even a level 3 should give at least a standard and a minor.

 

[Eric Minton]

Just popping in to see if anyone has any questions I can answer, with the caveat that as a writer and not a dev, the field of questions that I'm allowed to answer is rather slim.

 

[El Phantasmo]

Eric - From reading the playtest I'm loving the direction things are going! Is the leaked playtest a million miles away from more recent iterations or are things largely the same with sheer system/numeric value tweaks?


Also - Are there any new critters/beasts in the main book, or will it be Simhata etc as from previous versions alongside more normal creatures?

 

[Eric Minton]

[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Eric - From reading the playtest I'm loving the direction things are going! Is the leaked playtest a million miles away from more recent iterations or are things largely the same with sheer system/numeric value tweaks?

[/QUOTE]I can't discuss this in any detail, but the final book will bear a significant resemblance to the playtest. Many things have changed, but the leak didn't make us tear the whole thing out and start over from scratch.
[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Also - Are there any new critters/beasts in the main book, or will it be Simhata etc as from previous versions alongside more normal creatures?

[/QUOTE]While a lot of old favorites from 1e/2e will reappear in the core, they'll stand alongside a cavalcade of new beasties.

 

[Beron the Grey]

Hi Eric,


Are the details of the new combat system given near the start of this thread correct?

 

[El Phantasmo]

[QUOTE="Eric Minton]I can't discuss this in any detail, but the final book will bear a significant resemblance to the playtest. Many things have changed, but the leak didn't make us tear the whole thing out and start over from scratch.
While a lot of old favorites from 1e/2e will reappear in the core, they'll stand alongside a cavalcade of new beasties.

[/QUOTE]
Eric - Thanks for taking to time to answer.


On both counts - Awesome. I'm loving the direction of the new material even though I only happened across it and didn't intend to look for it - I was only aware of the leak after reading it (Originally thinking it was a hoax - but once I'd started I couldn't put it down...). Obviously I've not spread it any further!


Good news on the beasties - I'm hoping for the heroin pissing Guild dinosaurs to still be in existence personally. Never used 'em but thought they were a great idea!


Another query, if I may, are the various species of Creation (Human, Djala etc) being handled separately or will they all fall under the "human" banner?


Also ... (apologies, I keep thinking of things!).. with Exigents, are they always Exalted in response to some lofty need or, theoretically, could an Exigent be created by a one of the more "nasty" Gods? I can't recall their names off the top of my head, but the Gods of murder (Bloody hands??) etc?


Also ... has there been any discussion about just how Autocthon will react and view Exigents? Is it something all Gods have always been able to do or a more recent (Post Autochton buggering off!) thing?

 

[Eric Minton]

[QUOTE="Beron the Grey]Hi Eric,
Are the details of the new combat system given near the start of this thread correct?

[/QUOTE]Hi Beron,
When I said that there were a lot of questions that I'm not authorized to answer, this exact sort of question was pretty high up on the list. 


[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Eric - Thanks for taking to time to answer.

[/QUOTE]You're welcome!
[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Another query, if I may, are the various species of Creation (Human, Djala etc) being handled separately or will they all fall under the "human" banner?

[/QUOTE]The Djala are no more a different species than the Efé. If you're talking about beastfolk, they're also distinctive-looking humans. To the best of my knowledge, this has always been the same since the start of the line.
[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Also ... (apologies, I keep thinking of things!).. with Exigents, are they always Exalted in response to some lofty need or, theoretically, could an Exigent be created by a one of the more "nasty" Gods? I can't recall their names off the top of my head, but the Gods of murder (Bloody hands??) etc?

[/QUOTE]Lofty is a matter of perspective. I can think of nothing that would prevent a bloody hand from accessing the Exigence, so long as the spirit feels it's worth sacrificing some part of itself—or, indeed, its entire self—in order to do so.
(This doesn't even take black market Exaltations into consideration, which are a different kettle of fish.)

[QUOTE="El Phantasmo]Also ... has there been any discussion about just how Autocthon will react and view Exigents? Is it something all Gods have always been able to do or a more recent (Post Autochton buggering off!) thing?

[/QUOTE]No idea! It hasn't come up in any discussions I'm aware of.
That said, I doubt you'll see any discussion of Autochthon's motivations anytime soon. I know that's the sort of information that can be fun to read about, and we're well aware that many Exalted fans are readers first and players second (if at all). But we're prioritizing the play experience over the reading experience, and we've found that putting focus on elder beings like Autochthon and the Yozis pulls focus away from the intended ground-level, sword and sorcery play experience of the Time of Tumult.


(On the other hand, maybe it'll be spelled out clear as day in the Exigents book! I have no idea; the devs have not shared their will with me in this matter.)

 

[El Phantasmo]

[QUOTE="Eric Minton] Snipped!

[/QUOTE]
Excellent!


I suspected the Djala etc would be the same as humans, essentially they're just different aesthetics. I was hoping that there wouldn't be different starting attribute values or available points in creation dependant on base "species" - Avoiding the D&D style choices of "Do I play an Elf or a Dwarf ... which gets the best stats..."


Exigence sounds awesome. I think that'll be one of the more interesting aspects this time round (After all there wasn't vast gulfs in difference between 1st and 2nd ed regarding much of the setting material). Getimain (sp?) Exaltations are something that, beyond being black-market Exaltations, haven't had much information yet. Again I have high hopes for them, definite "Stealing fire from the Gods" vibe from them though.


I'm hoping there's a big move away from defining the big players, the UC, Luna, Yozis etc. Whilst fun to read up on them it made trying to include them a nightmare as players who knew the stats expected the same numbers and capabilities etc.


All sounds excellent - can't wait for the finished product!