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Post by jamesmishler on Dec 5, 2022 1:42:14 GMT -6
A great up and coming game that touches on all the classics but uses newer developments to great effect is the Shadowdark RPG by The Arcane Library. Some examples of Old School Goodness: 3d6 in order Humans, Dwarves, Elves, and Halfling (plus Half-Orc and Goblin) races. Clerics, Fighters, Thieves, and Wizards. Core book is levels 0 to 10. Level titles. Special Abilities/skills are limited by class and race. Tight, simple monster stats blocks. Magic items are unique and special.
New School Bennies: Ascending AC. Simple Advantage/Disadvantage system. Saving throws, like skills/abilities, are simply Ability Checks. Roll to cast spells, if successful, may cast again; if fumble, bad things happen. Luck tokens. This really is the best game to come out of a mix of Old School and New School. It feels very OD&D in how it plays. Free Quick start PDF here, complete with an adventure: www.thearcanelibrary.com/pages/shadowdark
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Post by Bastet1002 on Dec 15, 2022 1:42:57 GMT -6
This has been up here, but nobody commented! Well, I gave the game a quick look, and like the nice layout and black and white pictures. It has a nice clear presentation and looks like a quick to play rules-light rendering of an OD&D type of game. I like the simple roll a background table, and the simple presentation of races. No level caps I think is doing away with a really dead dinosaur that should have never been in OD&D. Your spell casters have more spells that OD&D which could be good for more deadly types of games where character fatality is more possible. I was not sure how many talents players get to roll based on their class. Maybe I missed a rule. Overall, this looks like an excellent set of rules and I look forward to seeing more.
I would like to add also that something really nice is done with the Friar (aka Cleric) class. I like how a deity must be chosen at character creation. The various D&Ds are vague about character religion, yet it is such a central point to the identity of a Cleric like character.
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Post by jamesmishler on Dec 15, 2022 10:48:19 GMT -6
Characters get a talent every odd level, including 1st. Humans get an extra talent at 1st level as their racial ability.
The added number of spells is balanced out by spells being less powerful.Fireball, for example, does only 3d6 damage, but there is no saving throw (ability check) against damage.
The system is nicely balanced to really let every character class thrive in its niche.
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Post by dukeofchutney on Dec 17, 2022 20:26:05 GMT -6
Downloaded the free pack to take a look. Seems to be very 5E or modern reimagined as OD&D Greyhawk.
I like the art, and the clean presentation. If i was looking for a modern game with a more 70s feel and DCC was not great I may look at this. It would require less looking up spell descriptions than DCC.
It has 3 point alignment
It has some good tables for random monster behaviour
Is geared towards theatres of the mind and away from a grid using concepts like close or far range rather than grid squares.
Things that are ok; The starter dungeon included seems competent but doesn't really draw me in. GM advice is solid, uses difficulty / task checks
Things i don't like; uses -4 to +4 on stats with bonuses kicking in closer to the mean. Uses the word 'scene'
Characters regain all HP after sleeping 8 hours and eating a ration
Does have resource mechanics for light etc, but they seem a little wooly
Spells seem more tightly defined.
I think this is a decent product, perhaps not for me. Be interesting to see if it gains any traction. It could appeal to 5E intake but it is a crowded market.
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