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Post by scalydemon on Aug 2, 2013 21:38:36 GMT -6
What are some of the major mechanic differences say vs 1e Ad&d?
I have played once and noticed the 2d6 thief skills and 'feats' such as STR feats. What would you say are some other major ones?
Thanks
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Post by Ghul on Aug 3, 2013 4:58:52 GMT -6
Actually, thief skills in AS&SH are resolved on a d12. 2d6 would create a bell curve model.
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Post by blackadder23 on Aug 3, 2013 7:37:57 GMT -6
The STR feats aren't really a major departure from AD&D; they're similar to the "open doors" and "bend bars" functions from that game. One difference is that similar functions exist for DEX and CON in AS&SH.
Mechanically, combat in AS&SH doesn't use segments, weapon speed, or weapon vs. AC. In my experience, very few people actually use those things when running AD&D, so I'm not sure that this is really a major departure either. Weapons in AS&SH don't do different amounts of damage based on target size, but a lot of weapons can be wielded two-handed for additional damage instead. The saving throws don't vary quite as much by class as they do in AD&D. All types of armor from scale mail to full plate provide damage reduction. Certain things have been rationalized and put into (IMO) better order in places.
But honestly, most of the games "based on the original fantasy role-playing game" are quite similar mechanically. I see no reason you couldn't run a game of AS&SH using AD&D or B/X mechanics, or conversely a game of AD&D or B/X using AS&SH mechanics. Or any of those using OD&D mechanics. To my mind it is the "fluff" (classes, monsters, spells, and setting) that distinguish AS&SH more than the mechanics - though it is certainly a tight system with some interesting features of its own. If someone already plays AD&D I doubt they'll have much trouble with it.
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Post by scalydemon on Aug 3, 2013 8:58:47 GMT -6
The STR feats aren't really a major departure from AD&D; they're similar to the "open doors" and "bend bars" functions from that game. One difference is that similar functions exist for DEX and CON in AS&SH. Mechanically, combat in AS&SH doesn't use segments, weapon speed, or weapon vs. AC. In my experience, very few people actually use those things when running AD&D, so I'm not sure that this is really a major departure either. Weapons in AS&SH don't do different amounts of damage based on target size, but a lot of weapons can be wielded two-handed for additional damage instead. The saving throws don't vary quite as much by class as they do in AD&D. All types of armor from scale mail to full plate provide damage reduction. Certain things have been rationalized and put into (IMO) better order in places. But honestly, most of the games "based on the original fantasy role-playing game" are quite similar mechanically. I see no reason you couldn't run a game of AS&SH using AD&D or B/X mechanics, or conversely a game of AD&D or B/X using AS&SH mechanics. Or any of those using OD&D mechanics. To my mind it is the "fluff" (classes, monsters, spells, and setting) that distinguish AS&SH more than the mechanics - though it is certainly a tight system with some interesting features of its own. If someone already plays AD&D I doubt they'll have much trouble with it. Excellent, thank you |
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Post by Mjollnir on Aug 11, 2013 1:45:15 GMT -6
Mechanically, AS&SH is possibly the best refinement of D&D I've ever seen (based on my tastes).
It's streamlined, it's refined, it's designed rationally and with a sense of symmetry. WotC should give Ghul the rights to D&D. If you can't tell, I am a fan.
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Post by Ghul on Aug 11, 2013 12:52:52 GMT -6
Mechanically, AS&SH is possibly the best refinement of D&D I've ever seen (based on my tastes). It's streamlined, it's refined, it's designed rationally and with a sense of symmetry. WotC should give Ghul the rights to D&D. If you can't tell, I am a fan. A man of discerning tastes!  Thank you for the kind words, though I'm not sure anyone at WotC knows who I am.  |
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Post by Mjollnir on Aug 11, 2013 15:05:16 GMT -6
Mechanically, AS&SH is possibly the best refinement of D&D I've ever seen (based on my tastes). It's streamlined, it's refined, it's designed rationally and with a sense of symmetry. WotC should give Ghul the rights to D&D. If you can't tell, I am a fan. A man of discerning tastes! Thank you for the kind words, though I'm not sure anyone at WotC knows who I am. I hate to come off like a 12 year old girl gushing about Justin Bieber, but I've spent years houseruling and re-writing D&D to have the simplicity, rationality, and symmetry that I wanted. When I first heard of AS&SH I wasn't interested, the "astonishing" name reminded me a bit of Savage Worlds' overblown hype and the cover art with a profusion of lightning/power bolts coming off the axe of a guy wearing what looked like an Indian buffalo headdress didn't give the impression that this is a game I'd be interested in. Imagine my surprise when I finally got around to checking it out. |
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Post by mabon5127 on Aug 11, 2013 20:20:21 GMT -6
Welcome Mjollnir! Different strokes. I really got into he pulpy goodness of the cover and name of the game! The system mechanically had some cool things but I was completely taken in by the world, the writing, and the classes. Don't worry about gushing. Saying nice things is free, assuming you weren't comparing Jeff to Justin Bieber in some way.... Morgan |
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Post by scalydemon on Aug 11, 2013 21:05:03 GMT -6
Beiber and Ghul look nothing alike. Beiber has a lot more hair
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Post by Mjollnir on Aug 11, 2013 23:34:09 GMT -6
Welcome Mjollnir! Different strokes. I really got into he pulpy goodness of the cover and name of the game! The system mechanically had some cool things but I was completely taken in by the world, the writing, and the classes. Don't worry about gushing. Saying nice things is free, assuming you weren't comparing Jeff to Justin Bieber in some way.... Morgan I'd never compare anyone to Justin Bieber, except maybe Jar-Jar Binks. |
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Post by battlebrotherbob on Aug 12, 2013 5:17:42 GMT -6
Now I'm no fan of Jar-Jar man buts that's just not fair. Jar-Jar is much handsomer and smarter. Not to mention speaks much clearer than the "Beibs".
I too am a huge fan of AS&SH. When I get around to running a fantasy campaign, this would be a go to system. Right now Traveller is taking that spot. Still a hard choice between the two for me.
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