Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft turns a selection of Azeroth’s best-known characters into formidable opponents. Their stat blocks give them substantial durability, strong initiative bonuses and signature abilities designed to make them difficult challenges for adventuring parties.
The book features Alleria, Anduin, Jaina, Thrall, Illidan, Sylvanas and Arthas. Their challenge ratings range from 20 for Anduin to 25 for Arthas. Each has between 430 and 500 hit points, while their initiative bonuses run from +11 for Jaina to +21 for Sylvanas.
The characters also bring distinctive threats to a fight. Alleria’s Aura of Darkness can frighten nearby characters, while Arthas emits waves of cold that slow and exhaust those within 30 feet. Anduin can heal himself, Illidan has a second phase in which he transforms into a demon, and Thrall can unleash as many as six Lava Bursts in a round. Jaina’s Ice Prison can petrify up to three player characters per round.
The article contrasts these designs with Vecna in Vecna: Eve of Ruin. That version of the archlich has challenge rating 26 and 272 hit points, but no listed initiative bonus. While Vecna has powerful damage-dealing and self-healing abilities, the Warcraft characters’ higher hit-point totals and initiative bonuses may give them more staying power in combat.
The book is set around the period of World of Warcraft’s tenth expansion, The War Within, with some references to Midnight. Dungeons & Dragons: World of Warcraft is currently available in early access and is scheduled for release on Nov. 17.
Sources: Polygon.