This books "is the definitive sourcebook for creating and playing characters with ties to the Elemental Chaos and the primordial beings that dwell there. It shows how the elements can influence heroes of the natural world and presents elemental-themed character options for players".[2]
The table of contents lists the follow sections:[3]
Chapter 1: Into the Maelstrom
Elemental Magic
Elemental Influence
The Elemental Chaos
Elemental-Touched Races
Gaining Elemental Power
The Primordials
Elemental Power in Your Game
Chapter 2: Character Themes
Chapter 3: Classes
Druid
Monk
Sorcerer
Warlock
Wizard
Chapter 4: Elemental Options
Paragon Paths
Epic Destinies
Feats
Elemental Companions
Elemental Rewards
Appendix: Character Advancement Table
Publication history
In February 2012, Heroes of the Elemental Chaos was published by Wizards of the Coast. This was the third book in the Player's Option line for the 4th edition and it was written by Richard Baker and Robert J. Schwalb. It was re-released as a PDF on May 12, 2015.[4]
Shannon Appelcline commented that with the eighth season of Encounters, The Elder Elemental Eye (2012, 11 weeks), "This Season continued its focus on the Player's Options books with tie-ins to Heroes of the Elemental Chaos (2012). Beyond that it's a cross-world saga that touches upon the Elder Elemental God, one of Gary Gygax's Greyhawk deities that he never quite got around to defining — despite mentions in the famous 'GDQ' series (1978–1980)."[5]: 195
Reception
DieHard GameFan said that the book "does add a lot of new options for players of Fourth Edition. It’s a nice but flawed collection of new Themes, Subclasses and Paths. [...] If you feel like your 4e game is in need of something new to spice it up, Elemental Chaos is definitely a book that will do just that. It’s not for everyone and your specific mileage from the book may vary, but at the end of the day Heroes of the Elemental Chaos is almost all pure content rather that fluff or flavor, and that’s always a nice thing to see".[6]
