I haven’t updated this Tumblr in a while- but the game isn’t dead. I’ve been worki
I haven’t updated this Tumblr in a while- but the game isn’t dead. I’ve been working hard on the backend and trying not to get too distracted. I’ve finished a LOT of new things this year though, so hopefully I’ll be sharing them here and on the Facebook group and also on the new websiteWe released a new version of the game in May 2020 (We usually release new versions in May, because it’s my birthday) And it had MANY new features including an armor shop, 6 new cantrip spells, and 6 new magic items. It also bumped the card count from 54 to 72. If there is a 2021 update, it will probably be VERY minor, and only things like changes to shop prices in the armory and updating the title Logo on the box.So, if you’re hoping to play by winter break, you should order now, and your cards will arrive in a few weeks-https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/259143/Age-of-Exploration-Print-and-PlaySo let’s talk about some of the changes-New Cantrips- New Cantrips- In Age of Exploration, cantrips are designed to be your out of combat spells that players can use to express creativity, and solve puzzles in unusual ways without worrying that they’re expending a spell slot. Remember that storytelling is free-flowing and most importantly collaborative in AoE, and players are encouraged to ask things like “Can I concentrate to extend the duration of charm and have the guard lead us directly to the wizard’s sanctum?”Storyteller: Yes, you can, but as soon as you run into another guard they’re going to question where you’re going and why you’ve charmed their co-worker.Player 2: “Can the 3 of us combine the effects of waterspout, airstream and frostify to make a blizzard that kills all the guards?”Storyteller: No, you can’t use it to deal damage, but with all 3 of you working together it will be pretty powerful, and big enough to obscure vision around the entire tower. Player 3: “Can I cast telepathy, then concentrate to maintain that link while I sneak around the back?”Storyteller: Yes, but you can’t cast any other spells while you do, or you’ll break the link.As you can see from these examples- Cantrips are very versatile, but storytellers can always impose limits to keep the game interestingCantrips In Combat-In Combat there is a now a fixed set of potential effects that all cantrips can have. They are very minor and generally worse than making a basic weapon attack. The upside: they all have some amount of range and can be cast even when you’re Exhausted at 0 hit points. Here’s the list of what they can potentially do:Give advantage to a player’s next attack or dodge rollMove a player or enemy 1 spaceKnock an enemy downDeal 1 or 2 magical damage (flip a coin)Root a target (5 movement to break)Heal a player or yourself +1 HP (but not above 10)+3 Elemental damage to a player’s next weapon attackEnd ongoing effects on one targetBlock the next damage source this turn to a targetCreate, Summon, or charm, something that makes an attack which deals 3 damage on a hitPlayers should describe how they imagine the spell, and the storyteller will arbitrate the effect it has on the target. For example, if a player says “I cast ‘web’ at their feet, covering their boots in sticky spiderwebs, tethered to the ground.”That’s a great description! The storyteller has a choice about how it plays out- They could be rooted in place, tripped and knocked down, or give a player advantage on their next attack because they’re unable to dodge. Magic WeaponsWe’ve playtested many many magic weapons over the course of AoE history, and these are the 8 favorites. They are definitely powerful, and represent a step up from the basic weapons. Some are more powerful than others and that’s intended. One thing I love about these 8 is that each one represents one of the elements of Alterra. Our Artist, Aikurisu (nsfw) puts a stone of elemental amber into each of these weapons.You can probably Match the elements yourself- so just a reminder the 10 elements are:Earth Fire Air Water Ice Wood Lightning Metal Wood and Shadow(2 of them are not represented by magic weapons yet, but I’ll work on that.) This is getting really long, so I’ll talk about the Armory in its own post. -- source link