What I'm Backing on Kickstarter:

What I'm Backing on Kickstarter:
After Winter Dark Campaign Setting

Sunday, August 31, 2014

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 18-24)

And my quest continues... at least I got more than half done before the last day...  Here's a few more rest of it:

18. Favorite game system
19. Favorite published adventure
20. Will still play in 20 years
21. Favorite Licensed RPG
22. Best secondhand RPG purchase
23. Coolest looking RPG product/book
24. Most complicated RPG owned

My favorite game system is some sort of flavor of D&D and, for the past 8 years or so, it's been Castles & Crusades.  Why C&C?  Frankly because it retains that 'old school' feel but does away with how certain things were done in favor for the newer d20-inspired unified mechanic.  It's just more streamlined when it comes to the rules but retains its compatibility if I choose to run a classic AD&D module with a very minimum of fuss.  I like that and I will tap into my 1st, 2nd, and classic D&D sources for my C&C games as a result.  Of course, the new D&D has gotten my attention.  ;)

My favorite published adventure, for nostalgic reasons, has to be the Mines of Bloodstone for AD&D.  It was a very high level adventure which could, if things go badly, result in the party going toe to toe with Orcus, Demonprince of the Undead.  It was awesome and bordering on the ridiculous because of the epic level nature of the adventure.  However, the valley of Bloodstone became the focus of the first campaign I ran (in Forgotten Realms) for about five years.

As to what I will still play in 20 years... it will be some sort of D&D based game.  If Troll Lord Games continues to do well, it may still be C&C or maybe Wizards of the Coast will ultimately win me over with a future edition of D&D.  However, I like my dungeons, my dragons, and me level-based archetypal fantasy game play.

On the other hand, my favorite licensed RPG has got to be the ORIGINAL d6 version of Star Wars.  The d6 system (as I have mentioned before) was always a favorite of mine and was also were I sought refuge when I needed to take a break from AD&D.  The d6 Star Wars RPG (2nd Edition) will always be the pinnacle of that system.

My favorite (or best) secondhand purchase is a bit of a tricky one.  I have bought much over the years and really, it comes down to a couple of choices, not just one.  The first that came to mind was the Rune Quest 3rd Edition Deluxe boxed set published by Avalon Hill.  I got it for relatively cheap compared to what I have normally seen it go for and the contents were in very nice shape.  However, the moment I thought about that, I thought back to my Tekumel: Empire of Petal Throne book.  This one item isn't nearly as collectible as other versions (it is the one-volume 'pink' book published in the late 80's) but seeing that there doesn't seem to be much Tekumel out there, I think it's awesome that I was able to find a near mint copy of it.

As for the Coolest looking product / book.  Hands done I have to give it up to pretty to Lamentations of the Flame Princess and the Rules & Magic book they put out.  Frankly all of the LoFP hardcover books are beautiful -- I love Carcossa and the Isle of the Unknown but as good as those were, I really think James Raggi raised the bar on quality with this book.  I can't way to see the second volume (which I will have to order because I missed the Indigogo campaign) when it becomes available.

The most complicated RPG owned... well I've mentioned Palladium before so Rifts immediately comes to mine as far as character generation is concerned.  However, I will nominate 'Fantasy Wargaming' instead.  It isn't necessarily complicated but it isn't really complete either.  You need to put in work to figure out how exactly to run a game with it.  It remains fascinating to look through though.

And with that, I say till tomorrow where I will COMPLETE this blogging exercise.  ;)

M

Saturday, August 30, 2014

Condensed Comparision: D&D5 and C&C


Many similarities exist in the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons and Castles & Crusades.  A more detailed review can be found HERE.  However, if you looking for some quick answers, go no further.  Bear in mind that these are some larger differences aside from a bunch of the bells and whistles you might see in either game when looking at some specifics and is there to give an idea for the purposes of comparison.

Ability Score Generation: An array of stats number between 3-18 for both.  Ability modifiers from -4 to +3 (18-19 Strength) in C&C.  Ability modifiers from -5 to -4 (18-19 Strength) in D&D.  Modifiers during character creation will allow some of these initial numbers to change.

Races: Seven in C&C compared to nine in D&D (the extra ones being the Dragonborn and the Tiefling). 

Classes: Thirteen in C&C compared to twelve in D&D but some of the classes in D&D have subclasses or paths that you select to further differentiate a character.  For instance, the Rogue in D&D will become either a Thief, an Assassin, or an Arcane Trickster.

Skills: No specific skills in C&C aside from specific skill-like abilities found within certain classes.  There are 18 skills in D&D which are broad and generic where-in classes are allowed to pick a limited number of them (typically 2-4 skills).

Task Resolution / Save Mechanic: C&C breaks down as a d20 + Ability Mod + Level (if applicable) + Prime (a +6 bonus if applicable).  D&D breaks down as a d20 + Ability Mod + Proficiency bonus (if applicable).  The Proficiency bonus in D&D starts at +2 but will increase as the characters go up in level (they reach +6 at level 17). The attributes that these proficiency bonuses correspond to are determine by the class.  The Prime bonus in C&C works out as a +6 applied to two to three attributes but only one of which is determined by class -- the remainder are chosen upon character creation.

Attacking: Mechanics are largely the same but there is no 'To Hit Bonus' in D&D ... this is also covered by the Proficiency bonus when wielding weapons the character is proficient in.

Advantage/Disadvantage: Uniquely to D&D in this case, this mechanic largely replaces the need of multiple bonuses and penalties applied due to a variety of circumstances.  Cuts down on 'the numbers game' significantly and speeds up play.

Level Advancement: Much quicker in D&D in order to make the lower levels 'less painful' and get to a gaming 'sweet spot' (defined as level 5 and up) quicker.  Unified Experience Point Progress in D&D unlike C&C which is staggered from class to class.  It also takes a lot longer to progress in level with C&C.

Personality/Background: In D&D, an emphasis is made to define Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws which can be used to allow for 'Inspiration' granted from the GM which functions like an Advantage in a given situation.  All games encourage this sort of things but don't necessarily actively work it it as a mechanic.

Feats/Advantages: In D&D, Feats are now optional and function a bit differently from some of the ones seen in older editions.  Advantages were introduced in C&C in the Castle Keeps Guide and are also completely optional.

Death: In D&D, if brought down below zero hit points, a series of saves vs Death need to be made to stabilize.  In C&C, it is possible to go below zero hit points but death occurs at -10.

Magic: In the new D&D, spells have been streamlined and bumped up a bit and spellcasters are generally more versatile compared to the more traditional spell list found in C&C and classic D&D games.

Mutliclassing: Both systems offer multiclassing but D&D's version tends to be cleaner because the experience tables are unified where-as C&C's are not (see Level Advancement).

Ability Score Increases: D&D has frequent ability score increases.  From when you create a character to when you start leveling up, a character's stats will change frequently during their adventuring career.  Generally speaking, there is no 'automatic ability increase' mechanic found in C&C.

M

Weekend R&R: D&D 5th Edition and C&C

Well, it's safe to say that Wizards of the Coast has a solid success on its hands with the release the new Player's Handbook for the 5th Edition of Dungeons & Dragons.  Many people seem to really like the new ruleset and, I know of people were were not at all impressed with the Basic Set were won over by the contents of the PHB.  Simply put, D&D5 is a great system and had it come along when I was ready to toss in the towel with 3.x Edition back in 2006, I would probably be still playing D&D to this day.

Before going further... if you are just looking for a quick comparison, you can find that HERE.  Otherwise, read on.

Back in 2006, when I just about had it with the endless Feats, rules discussions, necessity of miniatures and combats that seemed to take forever, I started looking across the internet for a rules-hack or house rules for D&D that stripped things like Feats and made miniatures optional.  For some reason, on of the searches led me to discover a game called Castles & Crusades.  Intrigued and encouraged by some of the things I saw, I took a chance and ordered a copy of the C&C books through Amazon (the PHB and M&T).  My package was delivered a few days later and I haven't really looked back.  C&C allowed me to continue playing the type of D&D that I've known before 3rd Edition but also embraced some of the modern conveniences brought about such as a unified task resolution system (the d20) and other things like ascending Armor Class.  There were no Feats... no endless list of skills... and best of all, Miniatures were hardly mentioned at all.  It was a streamlined and fast paced style of D&D.

Here we are 8 years later and Wizards of the Coast has finally given me what I had originally searched for.  The new edition of D&D clearly embraces much of what has been found in the various retroclones and simulacrum style games.  Quite a lot of work has gone into the new game and a very open playtesting was done to help create this edition.  It is no coincidence that the build up to this new edition also saw the reprints of 1st, 2nd, and 3rd Edition material as well as a premium boxed reprint of the OD&D rules.  Even if these reprints has nothing to do with the idea of fostering good-will among the old D&D fans, it was certainly a way to keep things rolling given the disaster the 4th Edition ended up being.

The Fifth Edition is much more streamlined and gives the feel of a rules light game which puts it in a similar playing field that Castles & Crusades occupied for the better part of a decade.  There are certainly commonalities between the two as well as enough differences to set themselves apart from each other.

Character Generation & Classes

Character generation in both games are very similar.  An array of stats are generated (Str, Dex, Con, Int, Wis, Cha) by rolling 3d6.  Ability modifiers are a bit scaled up in D&D5 compared to C&C but this is a very minor difference.  An 18 stat in C&C would yield a +3 bonus while D&D5 would yield a +4 for the same score.  As a character advances, D&D5 presents opportunities for ability scores to increase.

EDIT - 5th Edition actually does 4d6 and drop the lowest unless you are using the given array of stats or the point buy system.  I've personally been using 4d6 and drop the lowest for just over 20 years now as a house rule and I'm sure I'm not the only one.  Guess it looks like D&D has finally caught up.  ;)

Both games are reliant on a level based system that centers on various archetypes available for play.  In other words, it's a class based system as opposed to a skill based one.  The classes themselves also retain a strong familiarity to those ever popular archetypes so you will immediately recognize the rogue, wizard, fighter, and cleric in either game.

However, looking at a particular class side by side, a neutral observer would immediately notice that a D&D5 character class seems to offer 'more'.  The truth here is yes and no.  While leveling up in the new edition almost guarantees you a change and/or class feature of some kind, most are in line with the sort of things you would expect to find for these archetypes.  There is more which is 'the same' that what is 'different' if you look at the broad picture.  These aren't overpowered when you start making a critical comparison though attempts were made to make classes more interesting as well as address some decades old issues.  The Fighter for instance has a lot more given to it in order to stay relevant and interesting.

A couple of classes have also had a Hit Die bump ... notably the Rogue and the Wizard (and Sorcerer and Warlock).  The Rogue class now sports a handy d8 and the everyone's favorite Arcane spellcaster, a d6.  This, in addition to the ability score bumps and higher than classic D&D modifiers, have many an old school player want to cry foul and make claims that these are the first stages of power imbalance.  I've read that these things make characters harder to kill because they have more hitpoints at the outset.  More difficult to kill?  Hardly.  The first encounter in a recent D&D5 campaign that started almost killed the Druid.  The poor Druid got in the way of a boar.  There may have been a critical involved -- I don't remember.  But what I do remember is that the first encounter had the group (most haven't tried 5th Edition yet) have a taste of the Death Saving Throws.  Given the circumstances, help wasn't immediately available which meant the player had to roll all the required die rolls in order to self-stabilize.  He was lucky.  Combined with the Instant Kill rolls, Death could visit the adventuring party often.  As for the higher stats and hit points argument, well, everybody and everything has that edge so that edge is effectively neutralized.

If anything, this little boost will give starting characters a small marginal chance to see second level.

One of the nice things is the attempt to diversify the basic classes allowing them to specialize or choose a particular path.  Citing the Rogue again, at 3rd level, they can become a 'Thief', and 'Assassin', and an 'Arcane Trickster'.  Each class offers some sort of specialization in a similar manner.  While this is interesting and some fans have been raving about this, it isn't all that revolutionary.  Castles & Crusades has a base of 13 archetypes to choose from and its Rogue and Assassin are just set up as different classes.  The recent 'Black Box' set introduced a 'Thief' class and many other supplements have come out with different classes to choose from.  However, when you look at something like the Cleric in D&D5, you will find that a Cleric will choose a Domain (in line with their god or religion).  Once again, nothing new here but it does show a very deliberate and elegant way or organizing the class options.  In the end, an Assassin or a Thief is a Rogue and a Cleric who worships Life and another that celebrates War are still just Clerics.


Advancement is another interesting aspect in the new edition of Dungeons & Dragons.  We've already mentioned the ability score increases and covered that there is typically a 'gain' of sorts on most level-ups.  One of the NICEST things in the new edition are the experience point advancement tables.  For years, I have encountered many who decry and lament about the slow progression and lack of survivability of 1st and 2nd level play.  People who like D&D (or C&C) seem to enjoy 4th level and higher as it gives them more hitpoints and the characters are simply more competent.  I mean, who hasn't played a Wizard with the major character goal to reach level 5 to be able to cast a Fireball spell.  In the new D&D, you will still need to get to 5th level to case it but only 6,500 experience will be required to attain this.  Compare this to the 20,800 required in C&C.  Advancement is much swifter in D&D than older editions and other games like C&C.  The first few levels are faster still compared to earning later levels and the reason for this is to reflect what is described as 'four tiers' of advancement.  The first tier, for example, covers levels 1 though 4 and really represents the time spent as a 'novice'.  This is much shorter than the time spent in other tiers and this is a good thing.  I know that there will be those that don't like this method at all and prefer the tried method of a slow and gradual advancement but I believe that, the rapid initial advancement coupled with the frequent 'rewards' for leveling up just reinforces why a class-based leveling mechanic is still as successful as it is after four decades of play.

Game Mechanics

Once again, many similarities between the new Dungeons & Dragons and Castles & Crusades and more than one might have expected.

Like in Castles & Crusades, saves are directly tied in to Abilities.  Gone are the Fortitude, Reflex, and Will saves.  You save with a relevant ability score as dictated by the DM.  Dragon breathes fire in your general direction?  A Dexterity save will do nicely.  A contest of the minds?  How about an Intelligence save.  As simple as that.  For fans of C&C that keep on insisting that the Siege Mechanic is a great way to emulate and attempt various stunts and maneuvers, well the good news is there is nothing to prevent you from doing the same in the new D&D.  Things are just a little different though but work equally well.

In C&C, your primary abilities essentially grant a +6 modifier to saves, skill, and ability checks to the associated ability stores.  In D&D, there is something called a proficiency bonus.  The proficiency bonus works a bit different and starts at +2.  This will increase as the character advances to levels to a +6 at 17th level.  This proficiency check applies to skill associated with the stat, saving throws, and your ability to fight with weapons you are proficient in.  This last bit is very interesting since they've essentially eliminated a 'Base to Hit' bonus which previous editions of the game relied on and C&C still does.  As first, some might take issue with the fact that a Wizard could be as proficient as hitting someone with a staff as a Fighter would but a Fighter has other abilities to draw on with a Wizard would not.  More importantly, a character trying to use a weapon they are NOT proficient in will never get better no matter how high level a character they become.  In other editions, a penalty would have been -4 applied to the attack roll but, in time, a character effectively nullifies this anyway.  It seems a much simpler solution.  The other thing about this proficiency bonus is that it applies SPECIFICALLY to skills one is proficient with and not an ability.  If you have an Athletics skill, then a proficiency bonus could be applied when trying to climb a wall or swim against a strong current.  If you don't have Athletics, then you don't get the proficiency bonus even if you have Strength as one of your key attributes.  C&C differentiates this a bit by added level to skills or competencies associated with an archetype.  Theoretically, you would roll your d20, add your prime bonus (if applicable), add your level (if applicable), and your ability mod.  In D&D you roll d20, add your proficiency bonus, and then your ability mod.  The result is D&D in this case proves to be LESS of a numbers game than C&C is.  Given how D&D shaped up with the advent of 3rd Edition, this is a really good thing to see.

It should also be pointed out that while neither system is really a skill based one, there are skills to be fond in both games.  C&C largely eliminates the need for them in virtue of the Siege system where that +6 associated bonus plus level modifier is a substitute for these unnamed skills.  There is no skill list though some classes have skill-like abilities tied to them.  Dungeons & Dragons *was* a game that had a much more pronounced focus on an itemized skill list but it has been seriously curtailed in this new addition.  They seem more broad than they had been previously and fewer in number.  This should take away the number of skill checks in a given game and, once again, there is less playing with numbers since you don't actually ever put points in a skill.

In a further attempt to simplify matters, one of the best new features of D&D is the Advantage/Disadvantage mechanic.  Like the previous editions of D&D, C&C has a bunch of numbers for situational modifiers.  Castles & Crusades is a simple enough game but there are some for elevation in combat, concealment, and the like.  Being a rules like game, a person running a C&C game will reference these numbers from behind their GM Screen, quickly consult the book, or simply pull out the numbers from memory or pull it out of their asses as needed to keep the game flowing.  Easy enough but there are situations were multiple bonuses and penalties start flying around the table in the heat of combat.  Thankfully C&C has kept these numbers to a minimum, but D&D5 has managed to mostly eliminate the need altogether.  Party finds themselves in an advantageous situation?  They roll an extra d20 and take the best roll.  If they find themselves in a disadvantageous situation?  The roll an extra d20 and take the worst roll.  If advantages and disadvantages appear for a given situation, they all cancel each other out no matter how many there are.  Period.

As for combat itself -- they run much the same way they always did.  Armor Class, Hit Points, Attack rolls are still all the same.  Combat seems a bit more simplified in the new edition of D&D and both games run reasonably smooth and fast now.

The Rest of It

The rest of the new edition is just a lot of little refinements.  The spellcasters got a couple of tweaks so that their magic is still decidedly Vancian but with a bit more flexibility thrown in.  There is an emphasis on creating background in the new edition of D&D which is something I always supported in my C&C and older D&D games.  In this case, playing to a character's background (Personality Traits, Ideals, Bonds, and Flaws) can grant you 'Inspiration' which can give you an Advantage for a particular roll.  Multiclassing works well enough since all classes advance at the same rate (unlike C&C) and Feats are COMPLETELY optional to the point that even if they are used in a game, it is possible to have a character never take them.  Spells have also been streamlined while retaining their roots but increasing the versatility of some of them which adds to a spell casters versatility.

Frankly there is a whole lot of stuff to like in this new edition of D&D if you are familiar with various older incarnations of the game, or if you happen to play a game like Castles & Crusades, Labyrinth Lord, or even Swords & Wizardry.  Hardcore Pathfinder fans may be a bit disappointed as will the FEW 4th Edition fans since, upon initial examination, some of the hardcore min/maxing will have been nerfed in this version of the game.

But what if, like me, you are already playing something like C&C?  Well as I started off by saying, had this game come out in 2006, things would be a different story.  I'm very happy with C&C and will continue with it as my main game.  However, I would happily join in and play a 5th Edition D&D game and continue to support the game as well.  The differences between the two as far as my enjoyment goes are too little for me to be even concerned about it.  Some things that the new edition of D&D brings are certainly worthwhile.  My top three picks would be experience point advancement, the advantage/disadvantage mechanic, and the proficiency system.  The two things I didn't care for are very minor in comparison: I like the reduced skill list but I think it would have needed to be reduced further (if not eliminated) or balanced out a bit more.  In this latter example, there are 4 physical skills (none associated with Constitution) compared to 14 mental skills.  The other thing I didn't care for were how they presented the sample backgrounds with tables for traits, ideals, bonds, and flaws.  I like the suggestions but when categorized in the manner they are, a new player may not know where to start.  On the other hand, making them tables you can roll on was kind of neat and a great way to get some NPCs fleshed out in a hurry.

If anything, I would likely be tempted to borrow things for my C&C game.  The Advantage/Disadvantage mechanic would be extremely easy to port in and taking a crack at modifying the Experience Point Progression tables for the classes would be a great way to port in two of my three favorite features.


Friday, August 29, 2014

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 14-17)

The proper 4 days these took place was during GenCon with this year being my first time attending.  I had a blast.

14. Best convention purchase.
15. Favorite convention game.
16. Game you wished you owned.
17. Funniest game you've played.

Best convention purchase... well I think each one is just about one of the best at the point of purchase.  At the recent Gen Con, I was very happy to get my copies of the Achtung Cthulhu books as well as the limited hardback print of the Masks of Nyarlathotep for Call of Cthulhu.  I was very pleased to have picked up the 10th anniversary C&C 'Black Box' -- signed and numbered.  Then there was the fez.  Now that I think about it, I have to give it up to the fez.

Favorite convention game?  Well, here's a confession: I really haven't had a chance to go to many gaming conventions.  The only ones I have been exposed to were TINY and, even then, I spent my time running a game or demo as opposed to playing and enjoying my time at the show.  That isn't to say that I didn't have fun but I don't have much to draw from either.  That said, my recent trip to Indianapolis did give me a chance to play in the 'Meat Grinder' which was formerly better known as the Tower of Gygax.  I had a blast trying to survive.

Game I wished I owned?  Well, most stuff that comes out that I want, I will buy.  In past years, I have also tracked down other things I've wanted in the past so it isn't really an issue. BUT... Milton Bradley's "Hero Quest" with all the add-ons would make me a VERY happy camper.

Funniest game I've played... there have been many (both ran and played in).  Sometimes they end up funny because of sheer exhaustion and silliness of it all.  Recently, my less than 1 round survival in the aforementioned Meat Grinder had me laugh.  Quickest death ever.  ;)

M

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 10-13)

Wow.  Near the end of the month and my attempts to catch up have failed thus far.  I need to step it up a notch.  ;)

10. Favorite tie-in novel / Game Fiction
11. Weirdest RPG owned
12. Old RPG you still play / read
13. Most memorable character death

You know... the first RPG tie-ins I read were the Dragonlance Chronicles and Legends trilogies.  I devoured those books and I read them as I got started in the hobby.  They were a lot of fun and, like many other Dragonlance fans, I retain a soft spot for them.  That said, Dragonlance was not a setting that I ever spent a lot of time gaming in.

As for the weirdest RPG owned -- that's a tough one.  In many ways, most RPGs are at least a little weird.  If I had to choose one, I think it would be the TMNT RPG by Palladium.  The concept is a bit off the wall albeit fun.

Old RPG that I still play and read ... various classic iterations of D&D though mostly the B/X (Moldvay) era D&D.

Most memorable character death... while I didn't spend a lot of time gaming in the Dragonlance setting, the few times I did (and one campaign in particular) stands out for more.  I had an elven thief who developed a nemesis-type relationship with a particular villain.  It came down to a showdown where I decided to sacrifice my character in order to END the life of the villain.  The DM's look on his face was priceless -- he just couldn't believe that I would be willing to kill off a character I really enjoyed and adored in order to finish off the villain.  But it was done, and that particular story arc came to an abrupt halt by dying a heroic death.

M

Sunday, August 24, 2014

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 7-9)

Well, Gen Con was a blast and the weeks and days leading up to it were very busy for me.  The days immediately following it were also busy and I was mostly out of sorts due to all the traveling done and general sleep deprivation.  But I'm back and it's time to get back to the business of blogging, writing, and finally publishing a few things before the year is over.

In the meantime, let's see if we can get this #RPGaDAY thing wrapped up by the end of the month and, as always, I'm playing catch up here:

7. Most 'intellectual' RPG owned.
8. Favourite character.
9. Favorite Die / Dice Set.

I find an intellectual game to be an interesting concept.  Most RPGs have the capacity to be intellectual by virtue of imagination.  It doesn't have to be something that's complicated but I suppose the devil is in the details.  Looking and thinking back what I own or have owned, I guess I would have to go with something like Palladium Fantasy.  Not because it is overly intellectual but because it had me thinking about game design more than once when I compared it to Dungeons & Dragons.  That said, most will fine that character generation in games from Palladium are long and needlessly complicated.  ;)

My favorite character is a toss up between two actually.  One was my first character of course, a Fighter that grew to prominence in the campaigns I played.  The other was a Halfling Thief that was in the middle of a pivotal and campaign altering war which he helped bring about.  Fun times!

As to my favorite Die or Dice Set -- I don't really have one.  For a few people, I've seen them select their very first dice set and I really suppose that's as good as an answer as any.  I don't have my original dice set anymore.  However they were special to me for a couple of reasons.  The first is because they were given to me.  When I became involved in the game (AD&D), I was living on a Canadian military base in Germany.  Dice were EXTREMELY hard to come by.  You couldn't just go to a local game store to pick them up.  The place we got our books from (a small bookstore on the base) did not stock dice.  So, when I started, a friend who had a couple of sets of dice he was regularly using gave me some old dice that was included in the Basic D&D set (BECMI series).  Those were my dice.  Within a couple of years with traveling and such, it was a big deal to find a game store in a foreign city and country and, sure enough, when the opportunity arose -- we bought dice.  I had acquired a couple of other sets and, when I introduced another new player to D&D, I gave him the dice that were given to me.  When I think back to that set, part of me hopes that they continue to exchange hands as necessary.  I have my second set of dice still -- they are a multicolor set of solid dice which I have retired in their own tiny pouch amongst the hundreds of dice I have since acquired.

M

Friday, August 8, 2014

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 4-6)

Continuing the trend of playing catch up...

4. Most recent RPG purchased
5. Most Old School RPG owned
6. Favorite RPG Never Get to Play


Hmm... number 4 is a bit of an odd one since I already owned the PDF and various game books that basically that predate it.  But in that case, it would be 'Mini Six'.  While I have played and ran different games and systems, one of my favorites was the good old d6 system developed by West End Games.  Their biggest contribution was arguably the Star Wars RPG before the license went to someone else.  The game runs fast and loose and great for a 'cinematic feel'.  It's a dice pool system and is skill based as opposed to archetype and level based.  It easy and fun and you can pretty much run anything with the system.  While West End Games developed other properties, towards the end, the went with 'generic' d6 genre books...  Notably 'Adventure', 'Fantasy', and 'Space'.  There were more but in some ways, between these and a new Space Opera type game called 'Septimus', West End Games never enjoyed the type of success it had back when they were putting out tons of material for the d6 Star Wars RPG.  While West End Games had a turbulent time of things near the end (including change of ownership), one of the last great things they did was create 'Open d6' to keep the system alive and allow anyone to freely develop for it.  Mini Six was one of the best results of this and while I had some of the d6 Star Wars book as well as a generic d6 System book, I only finally got a print copy (from Lulu and sold pretty much at cost).  The PDF of it is free and available HERE.

Most Old School RPG owned?  Well that's a good question.  I figure that most people would answer something like OD&D or an early D&D variation.  If I went that route, I'd probably would say something like the older B/X sets.  However, in many ways my 5th Edition 'Deluxe Black Box' of Tunnels & Trolls.  I actually talk about it a bit HERE.

Finally, my favorite RPG that I never get to play.  Hand down, it's got to be Call of Cthulhu.  I was introduced to the game when their fifth edition was released and was fortunate enough to play some of the Horror on the Orient Express campaign.  That was over 20 years ago now and I haven't been able to play since.  My lack of playing didn't stop me from holding on to my near mint, 20 year old copy.  Nor did it prevent me from picking a couple other Chaosium titles over the years or backing both the new CoC 7th Edition *and* their new Horror on the Orient Express Kickstarters.  Since I can never play, I guess I'm going to have to just run it instead.  But it's just not the same.  ;)

M

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

#RPGaDAY -- Catch Up (Days 1-3)

GenCon is fast approaching and I have been a bit neglectful of the Under Siege blog for a few weeks now.  I've been busy cleaning up, sorting through, and in many cases, reducing the gaming collection.  I noticed this whole '#RPGaDAY' series of tweets and blog posts and I thought it would be a GREAT time to jump in and run my attention back to my blog.  I will do the entire month but I expect it will come in spurts.  ;)

1. First RPG Played
2. First RPG Gamemastered
3. First RPG Purchased

All three come down to the same thing: Advanced Dungeons & Dragons

My first experience with AD&D came with my introduction to the game with a couple of new friends inviting me to play.  Circumstances of my introduction were probably a horrible way to introduce someone new to the game... they have me a high level pre-gen and we embarked in, H2: The Mines of Bloodstone.

For those of you unacquainted with the adventure, the odds stacked against the characters are insane and after a series of challenges, one of which involved a Tarrasque, you possibly end up in a show down against Orcus, Demon Prince of the Undead.  At best, you just fight a ridiculous encounter with undead forces and some high level cultists.

However, going through the adventure was a blast and within the start of the adventure, I was hooked.  I was hooked to the point that a couple of hours into our second session, the person running the game (it really looked like he was narrating more than anything else) started having problems with his voice.  Eager to continue, I volunteered to step in and read for him.  In some ways it presented an interesting way to learn the game.  Every so often I would stop, and ask what a particular thing meant as I was trying to decipher my first stat blocks.  After getting a taste of 'running a game', borrowing some books to get a better grasp of some of the rules, I bought my first gaming book.

Being confident enough to continue and run some games, my first book was the Dungeon Master's Guide.  Alas, 2nd Edition had just come out so it would be years before I got my hands on a 1st Edition copy of the book.  However, I came appreciate the 2nd Edition of the DMG and the PHB which ended up being my second gaming book purchase.  Some people would split 1st edition and 2nd edition into different categories but, truth be told it was all D&D to us ... 1st, 2nd, and even the Mentzer sets were what we rolled with.

Ah... good times.

M