New third party book dropped but this one is a bit of a surprise. It’s written by Chaosium, creators of Call of Cthulhu, but appears to be a totally original product written just for D&D Beyond. Twelve new subclasses and judging by the blurb a 1-20 campaign. Anyone interested?
EDIT: watching coverage looks like the “levels 1-20” in the format they usually use for campaign details just refers to the fact the classes go from 1-20. Feels a bit misleading
I purchased it. I have only given a cursory look at the player-facing options and I am not overly impressed. Like many third party content creators, there is a decided feel that only cursory levels of attention was paid to balance against existing content. I am seeing a number of subclass abilities that are very strong, even when compared to some of the more powerful 5.24 subclasses. Additionally, I am concerned by the proliferation of auto-hit spells (like magic missile), particularly since many of them have additional battlefield control effects.
All told, I am once again disappointed in the lack of quality control over third party content on Beyond.
Starting my read through, it doesn't seem like it was proofed. E.g., the description for Feline Chaos says that each target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw, but never tells you how many targets or in what area are subject to this save - every hostile within the 120 ft range? Only those you can see? Only one foe?
I purchased it. I have only given a cursory look at the player-facing options and I am not overly impressed. Like many third party content creators, there is a decided feel that only cursory levels of attention was paid to balance against existing content. I am seeing a number of subclass abilities that are very strong, even when compared to some of the more powerful 5.24 subclasses. Additionally, I am concerned by the proliferation of auto-hit spells (like magic missile), particularly since many of them have additional battlefield control effects.
All told, I am once again disappointed in the lack of quality control over third party content on Beyond.
There's a 4th-level spell that does 8d6 necrotic damage with other effects on a failed save... and the full 8d6 (without the effects) on a successful save
What
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Looking a little more, there is a lot of stuff in the book that seems absolutely great -- the barbarian, warlock and wizard subclasses might be enough to get me to buy it... and some stuff that definitely needed another set of eyeballs on it before it got released
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Despite my username, this is actually Mike Mearls, project lead on Cthulhu by Torchlight. This is what I get when I pick a username in haste without thinking how I'll use an account...
Setting that aside, please feel free to drop a note on any errors you spot here. As part of the work process on this project, I've been tracking bugs to figure out when and where in our process bugs creep in.
My understanding is that we'll have the chance to submit a list of bugs to the D&D Beyond team, so I am compiling errors as they see them.
Starting my read through, it doesn't seem like it was proofed. E.g., the description for Feline Chaos says that each target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw, but never tells you how many targets or in what area are subject to this save - every hostile within the 120 ft range? Only those you can see? Only one foe?
Looks like this should be targets of your choice in a 20-foot sphere. Sorry about that!
Despite my username, this is actually Mike Mearls, project lead on Cthulhu by Torchlight. This is what I get when I pick a username in haste without thinking how I'll use an account...
Setting that aside, please feel free to drop a note on any errors you spot here. As part of the work process on this project, I've been tracking bugs to figure out when and where in our process bugs creep in.
My understanding is that we'll have the chance to submit a list of bugs to the D&D Beyond team, so I am compiling errors as they see them.
One that caught my eye on the first skim was in Dust of Suleiman -- it says "A creature also takes this damage when the Sphere moves into its space and when it enters the Sphere or ends its turn there", but the spell offers no way to move the Sphere
(Also there's a typo in the Shadow Stalker level 17 feature -- "Your Shadowy Reflection gains the ability to become a deadly close of you", instead of presumably clone -- but that's probably not the kind of bug you're looking for...)
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Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock) Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric) Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue) Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
There's a 4th-level spell that does 8d6 necrotic damage with other effects on a failed save... and the full 8d6 (without the effects) on a successful save
What
So that idea is that many of these spells offer a lot more reliability than other spells, but at the cost of a potential dreadful insight.
In the case of this spell, the damage felt balanced because it is equal to the area of effect damage for a spell that is one level lower. YMMV.
Despite my username, this is actually Mike Mearls, project lead on Cthulhu by Torchlight. This is what I get when I pick a username in haste without thinking how I'll use an account...
Setting that aside, please feel free to drop a note on any errors you spot here. As part of the work process on this project, I've been tracking bugs to figure out when and where in our process bugs creep in.
My understanding is that we'll have the chance to submit a list of bugs to the D&D Beyond team, so I am compiling errors as they see them.
Confirming that this is indeed the man himself. Welcome to D&D Beyond, Mr. Mearls, and congrats on Cthulhu by Torchlight!
(and if you'd like us to change your username, just let me know :P)
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Your Friendly Neighborhood Community Manager (she/her) You can call me LT. :)
CM Hat On| CM Hat Off Generally active from 9am - 6pm CDT [GMT-5]. Thank you for your patience if you message me outside of those hours!
I would be interested if i could get it in print. But since it is online only and exclusive to this site, then i can't put it on my shelf to look at without some light breaking and entering or renting a home in the Beyond server rooms....
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He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player. The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call To rise up in triumph should we all unite The spark for change is yours to ignite." Kalandra - The State of the World
One that caught my eye on the first skim was in Dust of Suleiman -- it says "A creature also takes this damage when the Sphere moves into its space and when it enters the Sphere or ends its turn there", but the spell offers no way to move the Sphere
(Also there's a typo in the Shadow Stalker level 17 feature -- "Your Shadowy Reflection gains the ability to become a deadly close of you", instead of presumably clone -- but that's probably not the kind of bug you're looking for...)
Thank you for that! I'll add it to the list. While I don't want anyone to feel they need to mention typos, they are useful to catch. Typos are also useful for figuring out where things are breaking down in our production process.
I haven't even tired to make a Character yet, but have any of you looked at the spell descriptions? Some of them have some serious polish/balance issues... Breath of the Deep and Feline Chaos in particular caught my eye...
Breath of the Deep is a 2nd level 120ft, No Saving Throw single target Silence that lasts for 1 minute or until concentration is broken... Arch Mage? Lich? get wrecked... LOL
Feline Chaos (5th level spell) on the other hand doesn't actually specify how many targets or an area of effect... it just says "Each target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be affected by this spell for the duration." ... Ok? But how many a targets? its a 120ft range... but doesn't have an area of effect? is it all creatures within 120ft??? I guess they really meant the Chaos part of this spell.... LOL
I'm going to keep looking... but it might be a good thing people can't actually access this content yet... Needs some revision and Fixes ASAP!
Public Mod Note
(spamandtuna):
Not a DDB issue - please speak with Chaosium
Came here to raise Renwick_Larkin’s issue for Feline Chaos!
Another one that seems OP is Dread Curse of Azathoth. The target dies if you go 3 rounds without losing concentration. So just get within 120ft of the Tarrasque at level 13, cast the spell then teleport or plane shift out and you’ve defeated it or anything else! Even better if you have Spell Sniper or Distant Spell. I think I'd have less of an issue if you had to stay in range for the duration, though that in turn gives the target an incentive to flee, so I'm not sure the best solution.
For me, I think some creature types should be immune to Curse of the Putrid Husk, especially undead, and potentially some elementals and aberrations. I can't see a lich being distressed to learn it is slowly decaying! Also, it says if the spellcaster takes the second option, the target takes the Dash action, and makes an Unarmed Strike against any enemy in 5ft of it. Does it need an Action or Reaction to make this attack? Does it Dash even if it doesn’t need to do so to reach an enemy? When and how often does it make this attack?
Fist of Yog-Sothoth - not a major issue, but the fact that the tendril can only make a target move 40ft within the spell’s range is a weird stipulation. The spell has a range of 120ft, so if I make a tendril 110ft away can it only move someone another 10ft away, but 40ft toward me?
Call Deity - I assume this works on any Mythos deity you choose? (The wording in Contact Deity is like Contact Other Plane, and I always thought that was to an entity you choose.) So can I just summon Cthulhu for an hour (without concentration) with this level 8 spell then run away? If so it’s not even worth comparing to the level 7 Conjure Celestial or level 6 Summon Fiend… I hope cultists don’t know this one!
In the Passions overview, the "you" here should be "it". (Already reported to DDB devs) "Acting with your Passion grants you a benefit, even if you puts you into danger."
In the Mythos Investigator background, the "on" here should be "one" or "an". (Already fixed by DDB devs) "Increase on ability score by 2."
In the monk's Anchoring Strike, the last comma here should be removed. (Already reported to DDB devs) "Until the end of your next turn, the target can’t teleport or use planar travel, including, entering an extradimensional space or demiplane.
And rules-wise:
For the paladin's Marking Strike, should it explicitly state that this is only possible when the paladin actually has mastery with the weapon they're using?
Don't know if this is is intended, but Wave of Oblivion only affecting Bloodied creatures only seems weaker than other 9th level spells like Weird or Meteor Swarm. Shouldn't it at least deal some damage to non-Bloodied creatures?
Hello, I made a post in another section about typos and feed back.
A couple of errors and surprising wordings that I have seen in the Cthulu by Torchight new book: 1- In chapter 3, cleric subclass, Lvl 17 feature; "Life Beyond Death" it read: When you or an ally within 120 feet of you is about to make a Death Saving Throw, you can expand a spell slot Should be "expend"
2- In chapter 4, Summon Shadow Level 5 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) has a material component with a *. There is no precision about what the component is in the spell description. Needs to be added unless I missed it somewhere?
3- In chapter 4, Feline Chaos Level 5 Conjuration (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) is lacking an area of effect. I don't believe it is supposed to be a 120ft radius effect :D
4- Chapter 6 - Book of Dzyan. In the benefits section, it reads: "Simply touching a wall or object unless you to detect secret doors or similar hidden compartments built into that object within 5 feet of you." Probably should be "allows"?
Surprising wordings: - In chapter 4, The spell Create Mist of R’lyeh Level 1 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) does not specify if the caster would be affected in the area while the Red Sign Level 6 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) explicitily says so. Why specify it in one but not in the other? By the general rules of spellcasting the caster could be affected by their own AOEs. Following this, the level 6 specification that the damage does not break concentration should stay but the précision that the caster suffer the damage is unecessary.
The Spell Fist of Yog-Sothoth Level 4 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) is an auto deal 8d6 damage. The save is only meant for the prone condition which is a very minor type of condition. Half damage would be expected.
New third party book dropped but this one is a bit of a surprise. It’s written by Chaosium, creators of Call of Cthulhu, but appears to be a totally original product written just for D&D Beyond. Twelve new subclasses and judging by the blurb a 1-20 campaign. Anyone interested?
EDIT: watching coverage looks like the “levels 1-20” in the format they usually use for campaign details just refers to the fact the classes go from 1-20. Feels a bit misleading
I am (even though I don't really care about Ctulhu) because of the people behind it. Here's Treantmonk and Mike Mearls talking about the book
I purchased it. I have only given a cursory look at the player-facing options and I am not overly impressed. Like many third party content creators, there is a decided feel that only cursory levels of attention was paid to balance against existing content. I am seeing a number of subclass abilities that are very strong, even when compared to some of the more powerful 5.24 subclasses. Additionally, I am concerned by the proliferation of auto-hit spells (like magic missile), particularly since many of them have additional battlefield control effects.
All told, I am once again disappointed in the lack of quality control over third party content on Beyond.
Starting my read through, it doesn't seem like it was proofed. E.g., the description for Feline Chaos says that each target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw, but never tells you how many targets or in what area are subject to this save - every hostile within the 120 ft range? Only those you can see? Only one foe?
There's a 4th-level spell that does 8d6 necrotic damage with other effects on a failed save... and the full 8d6 (without the effects) on a successful save
What
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Looking a little more, there is a lot of stuff in the book that seems absolutely great -- the barbarian, warlock and wizard subclasses might be enough to get me to buy it... and some stuff that definitely needed another set of eyeballs on it before it got released
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
Hey folks!
Despite my username, this is actually Mike Mearls, project lead on Cthulhu by Torchlight. This is what I get when I pick a username in haste without thinking how I'll use an account...
Setting that aside, please feel free to drop a note on any errors you spot here. As part of the work process on this project, I've been tracking bugs to figure out when and where in our process bugs creep in.
My understanding is that we'll have the chance to submit a list of bugs to the D&D Beyond team, so I am compiling errors as they see them.
Looks like this should be targets of your choice in a 20-foot sphere. Sorry about that!
One that caught my eye on the first skim was in Dust of Suleiman -- it says "A creature also takes this damage when the Sphere moves into its space and when it enters the Sphere or ends its turn there", but the spell offers no way to move the Sphere
(Also there's a typo in the Shadow Stalker level 17 feature -- "Your Shadowy Reflection gains the ability to become a deadly close of you", instead of presumably clone -- but that's probably not the kind of bug you're looking for...)
Active characters:
Carric Aquissar, elven wannabe artist in his deconstructionist period (Archfey warlock)
Lan Kidogo, mapach archaeologist and treasure hunter (Knowledge cleric)
Mardan Ferres, elven private investigator obsessed with that one unsolved murder (Assassin rogue)
Xhekhetiel, halfling survivor of a Betrayer Gods cult (Runechild sorcerer/fighter)
So that idea is that many of these spells offer a lot more reliability than other spells, but at the cost of a potential dreadful insight.
In the case of this spell, the damage felt balanced because it is equal to the area of effect damage for a spell that is one level lower. YMMV.
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D&D StaffConfirming that this is indeed the man himself. Welcome to D&D Beyond, Mr. Mearls, and congrats on Cthulhu by Torchlight!
(and if you'd like us to change your username, just let me know :P)
Your Friendly Neighborhood Community Manager (she/her)
You can call me LT. :)
CM Hat On | CM Hat Off
Generally active from 9am - 6pm CDT [GMT-5].
Thank you for your patience if you message me outside of those hours!
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I would be interested if i could get it in print. But since it is online only and exclusive to this site, then i can't put it on my shelf to look at without some light breaking and entering or renting a home in the Beyond server rooms....
He/Him. Loooooooooong time Player.
The Dark days of the THAC0 system are behind us.
"Hope is a fire that burns in us all If only an ember, awaiting your call
To rise up in triumph should we all unite
The spark for change is yours to ignite."
Kalandra - The State of the World
Thank you for that! I'll add it to the list. While I don't want anyone to feel they need to mention typos, they are useful to catch. Typos are also useful for figuring out where things are breaking down in our production process.
I haven't even tired to make a Character yet, but have any of you looked at the spell descriptions? Some of them have some serious polish/balance issues... Breath of the Deep and Feline Chaos in particular caught my eye...
Breath of the Deep is a 2nd level 120ft, No Saving Throw single target Silence that lasts for 1 minute or until concentration is broken... Arch Mage? Lich? get wrecked... LOL
Feline Chaos (5th level spell) on the other hand doesn't actually specify how many targets or an area of effect... it just says "Each target must succeed on a Dexterity saving throw or be affected by this spell for the duration." ... Ok? But how many a targets? its a 120ft range... but doesn't have an area of effect? is it all creatures within 120ft??? I guess they really meant the Chaos part of this spell.... LOL
I'm going to keep looking... but it might be a good thing people can't actually access this content yet... Needs some revision and Fixes ASAP!
Came here to raise Renwick_Larkin’s issue for Feline Chaos!
Another one that seems OP is Dread Curse of Azathoth. The target dies if you go 3 rounds without losing concentration. So just get within 120ft of the Tarrasque at level 13, cast the spell then teleport or plane shift out and you’ve defeated it or anything else! Even better if you have Spell Sniper or Distant Spell. I think I'd have less of an issue if you had to stay in range for the duration, though that in turn gives the target an incentive to flee, so I'm not sure the best solution.
For me, I think some creature types should be immune to Curse of the Putrid Husk, especially undead, and potentially some elementals and aberrations. I can't see a lich being distressed to learn it is slowly decaying! Also, it says if the spellcaster takes the second option, the target takes the Dash action, and makes an Unarmed Strike against any enemy in 5ft of it. Does it need an Action or Reaction to make this attack? Does it Dash even if it doesn’t need to do so to reach an enemy? When and how often does it make this attack?
Fist of Yog-Sothoth - not a major issue, but the fact that the tendril can only make a target move 40ft within the spell’s range is a weird stipulation. The spell has a range of 120ft, so if I make a tendril 110ft away can it only move someone another 10ft away, but 40ft toward me?
Call Deity - I assume this works on any Mythos deity you choose? (The wording in Contact Deity is like Contact Other Plane, and I always thought that was to an entity you choose.) So can I just summon Cthulhu for an hour (without concentration) with this level 8 spell then run away? If so it’s not even worth comparing to the level 7 Conjure Celestial or level 6 Summon Fiend… I hope cultists don’t know this one!
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ModeratorSince you asked, a few typos I noticed:
"Acting with your Passion grants you a benefit, even if you puts you into danger."
"Increase on ability score by 2."
"Until the end of your next turn, the target can’t teleport or use planar travel, including, entering an extradimensional space or demiplane.
And rules-wise:
Need help with D&D Beyond? Come ask in the official D&D server on Discord: https://discord.gg/qWzGhwBjYr
I purchased the book but every subclass is unavailable in character creation.
Are you using the right base class? I believe they're only available for 2024 classes
Find my D&D Beyond articles here
Don't know if this is is intended, but Wave of Oblivion only affecting Bloodied creatures only seems weaker than other 9th level spells like Weird or Meteor Swarm. Shouldn't it at least deal some damage to non-Bloodied creatures?
Hello,
I made a post in another section about typos and feed back.
A couple of errors and surprising wordings that I have seen in the Cthulu by Torchight new book:
1- In chapter 3, cleric subclass, Lvl 17 feature; "Life Beyond Death" it read: When you or an ally within 120 feet of you is about to make a Death Saving Throw, you can expand a spell slot
Should be "expend"
2- In chapter 4, Summon Shadow Level 5 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) has a material component with a *. There is no precision about what the component is in the spell description. Needs to be added unless I missed it somewhere?
3- In chapter 4, Feline Chaos Level 5 Conjuration (Bard, Druid, Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) is lacking an area of effect. I don't believe it is supposed to be a 120ft radius effect :D
4- Chapter 6 - Book of Dzyan. In the benefits section, it reads:
"Simply touching a wall or object unless you to detect secret doors or similar hidden compartments built into that object within 5 feet of you." Probably should be "allows"?
Surprising wordings:
- In chapter 4,
The spell Create Mist of R’lyeh Level 1 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) does not specify if the caster would be affected in the area while the Red Sign Level 6 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) explicitily says so. Why specify it in one but not in the other? By the general rules of spellcasting the caster could be affected by their own AOEs. Following this, the level 6 specification that the damage does not break concentration should stay but the précision that the caster suffer the damage is unecessary.
The Spell Fist of Yog-Sothoth Level 4 Conjuration (Sorcerer, Warlock, Wizard) is an auto deal 8d6 damage. The save is only meant for the prone condition which is a very minor type of condition. Half damage would be expected.
the orignial messages are here: https://www.dndbeyond.com/forums/d-d-beyond-general/release-issues-support/227085-cthulhu-by-torchlight-issues-and-support-thread?page=2#c40