The Temple of Elemental Evil: A Classic Greyhawk Adventure

The Temple of Elemental Evil is a PC re-creation of an original Dungeons and Dragons adventure module set in the Greyhawk universe. It uses an updated version of Dungeons and Dragons 3.5e rules.

Ruleset and Gameplay

Troika's second release, The Temple of Elemental Evil (ToEE), is a party-based RPG that uses a modified DnD core 3.5 ruleset and allows characters to reach level 10. The game is notable for taking place in the original Greyhawk universe and not the Forgotten Realms, which was the backdrop for almost all DnD CRPGs of that era. Another key difference of ToEE from its peers is that the game features a true turn-based system in lieu of the real-time, pause-to-command combat popularized by BioWare's Infinity-Engine and the Aurora Engine. Essentially players can move about a mixed 2D/3D tileset in real-time during non-combat action and then seamlessly switch to an action-based / initiative system once they encounter foes. The turn-based combat allows heroes and monsters alike to move in order, based upon their initiative rolls and make attacks based on the standard action and move action system described by the D&D 3.5 edition ruleset. Each turn requires players to use a radial UI dial in order to choose from the dozens of attack and defend movements as well the character's large spell selection. The later battles require deep strategy with the player managing positioning, stances, counterspells, and attacks.

Modifications

Temple of Elemental Evil has a fairly persistent modification community. The most well known group is the Circle of 8, who, for years, have been balancing and adding to the core game with a set of downloadable patches.