''Primal Power'' is a supplement to the 4th edition of the ''

Dungeons & Dragons ''Dungeons & Dragons'' (commonly abbreviated as ''D&D'' or ''DnD'') is a fantasy tabletop role-playing game (RPG) originally designed by Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson. The game was first published in 1974 by Tactical Studies Rules, Inc. (TS ...

'' role-playing game.

''Primal Power'' adds new options for

barbarians A barbarian (or savage) is someone who is perceived to be either uncivilized or primitive. The designation is usually applied as a generalization based on a popular stereotype; barbarians can be members of any nation judged by some to be les ...

druids A druid was a member of the high-ranking class in ancient Celtic cultures. Druids were religious leaders as well as legal authorities, adjudicators, lorekeepers, medical professionals and political advisors. Druids left no written accounts. Whi ...

shamans Shamanism is a religious practice that involves a practitioner (shaman) interacting with what they believe to be a spirit world through altered states of consciousness, such as trance. The goal of this is usually to direct spirits or spiritu ...

, and wardens. This book offers hundreds of new options for ''D&D'' characters, specifically focusing on heroes who draw power from the spirits that preserve and sustain the world. It provides new archetypal builds for barbarians, druids, shamans, and wardens, including new character powers, feats, paragon paths, and epic destinies.

Publication history

''Primal Power'' was written by Logan Bonner,

Rob Heinsoo Rob or ROB may refer to: Places * Rob, Velike Lašče, a settlement in Slovenia * Roberts International Airport (IATA code ROB), in Monrovia, Liberia People * Rob (given name), a given name or nickname, e.g., for Robert(o), Robin/Robyn * Rob ( ...

Mike Mearls Michael Mearls is a writer and designer of fantasy role-playing games (RPGs) and related fiction. He was the senior manager for the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' research and design team. He co-led design for the 5th edition of the game. He also worked ...

, and Robert J. Schwalb, and published in 2009. The book features art by

Steve Argyle Steve Argyle is an artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games, mainly ''Dungeons & Dragons''. Career Steve Argyle's ''Dungeons & Dragons'' work includes books such as ''Complete Champion'' (2007), the 4th edition ''Dungeon Master's G ...

, Ralph Beisner,

Eric Belisle The given name Eric, Erich, Erikk, Erik, Erick, or Eirik is derived from the Old Norse name ''Eiríkr'' (or ''Eríkr'' in Old East Norse due to monophthongization). The first element, ''ei-'' may be derived from the older Proto-Norse ''* ain ...

, Kerem Beyit,

Mitch Cotie Mitch is a short form of the masculine given name Mitchell. It is also sometimes a nickname, usually for a person with the surname Mitchell. It may refer to: People * Mitch Altman (born 1956), hacker and inventor * Mitch Apau (born 1990), Dut ...

, Brian "Chippy" Dugan,

Jesper Ejsing Jesper is a given name commonly believed to be of ancient Persian origin, meaning "Treasurer". Some notable people with the name Jesper include: Music * Jesper Koch (born 1967), Danish composer * Jesper Kyd (born 1972), Danish video game and fil ...

Jason Engle Jason A. Engle is an American artist, whose work has appeared in role-playing games and collectible card games. Early life Jason Engle was born in southern California in 1979. Career His ''Dungeons & Dragons'' work includes '' Shining South'' ...

Tomas Giorello Tomas may refer to: People * Tomás (given name), a Spanish, Portuguese, and Gaelic given name * Tomas (given name), a Swedish, Dutch, and Lithuanian given name * Tomáš, a Czech and Slovak given name * Tomas (surname), a French and Croatian su ...

Howard Lyon Howard Lyon is an American fantasy artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games and '' Magic: the Gathering''. Early life and education Howard Lyon was born in Mesa, Arizona and studied illustration at Brigham Young University (BYU) work ...

Warren Mahy Warren Mahy is an artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games and other fantasy works. Early life and education Warren was born in the small sea side town of Whakatane in New Zealand. He grew up surrounded by the wonders of the Pacific ...

Raven Mimura Raven Mimura is an artist whose work has appeared in role-playing games. Early life and education Raven received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Illustration from Rhode Island School of Design. He spent a year teaching art and building his portfolio ...

, James Nelson, William O'Connor, Héctor Ortiz,

Wayne Reynolds Wayne Reynolds is a British artist whose work has appeared in comics and role-playing games. Early life and education Wayne Reynolds was born in Leeds, UK. He attended art college in Dewsbury and Middlesbrough. Games Wayne Reynolds has continu ...

Chris Seaman Chris is a short form of various names including Christopher, Christian, Christina, Christine, and Christos. Chris is also used as a name in its own right, however it is not as common. People with the given name *Chris Abani (born 1966), Nige ...

Eva Widermann Eva Widermann (born June 6, 1978) is an illustrator and concept artist whose work appears in role-playing games. Education She went to the Scholastic of Graphic & Design, Munich. Career Widermann started her graphic design career in 1998 and wo ...

Sam Wood Samuel Grosvenor Wood (July 10, 1883 – September 22, 1949) was an American film director and producer who is best known for having directed such Hollywood hits as '' A Night at the Opera'', '' A Day at the Races'', '' Goodbye, Mr. Chips'', '' ...

, and Ben Wootten. Shannon Appelcline commented that the first product line for Fourth Edition ''Dungeons & Dragons'' was "a set of 'power' books, beginning with ''

Martial Power ''Martial Power'' is a supplement for the 4th edition of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' fantasy role-playing game. It contains additional options and rules for fighters, rangers, rogues, and warlords, including new builds for each class to further ...

'' (2008), which offered new options for players, organised by the new power sources of ''D&D''. ''Primal Power'' (2009) and ''

Psionic Power ''Psionic Power'' is a supplement to the Editions of Dungeons & Dragons#Dungeons & Dragons 4th edition, 4th edition of the ''Dungeons & Dragons'' role-playing game. Contents ''Psionic Power'' adds new options for ardents, battleminds, Monk (Dunge ...

'' (2010) would focus on new power sources, after each had been introduced in the '' Player’s Handbook'' published earlier the same year."

Reception

Viktor Coble listed the entire ''Power'' series - including ''

'', '' Martial Power 2'', ''

Divine Power Omnipotence is the quality of having unlimited power. Monotheistic religions generally attribute omnipotence only to the deity of their faith. In the monotheistic religious philosophy of Abrahamic religions, omnipotence is often listed as one of ...

'', '' Arcane Power'', ''

'', and ''Primal Power'' - as #2 on '' CBR'''s 2021 "D&D: 10 Best Supplemental Handbooks" list, stating that "What sets the power series apart – besides their updated rules – is how they translate really well to 5e. Whereas, the "Complete" series needs a little more work. The rules have both been pared down and expanded upon in this guide, which makes picking up a copy for whatever type of character is most in favor worth it."

References

{{D&D topics Dungeons & Dragons sourcebooks Role-playing game supplements introduced in 2009