HACKMASTER Basic - for free!

[Zelkon]

I take it you didn't read about Quirks and Flaws? Because unlike 4E this is a mechanical system that encourages you to take such personality aspects and role play. So it strongly encourages you to role play. So does the Honor system. So you may want to read the PDF again.

Actually, that's my whole beef: the Honor system. It's incredibly restrictive. A thief must "look out for number one" or lose honor. Yes, you are dishonorable if you help your allies. Plus, you must strictly follow every bit of your incredibly vague alignment, which each person interprets differently. Quirks are basically adjectives you can add to your character that force you to play a certain way, and often godmods your character. I like flaws, though.

 

[lejanius]

Actually, that's my whole beef: the Honor system. It's incredibly restrictive. A thief must "look out for number one" or lose honor. Yes, you are dishonorable if you help your allies. Plus, you must strictly follow every bit of your incredibly vague alignment, which each person interprets differently. Quirks are basically adjectives you can add to your character that force you to play a certain way, and often godmods your character. I like flaws, though.

Just like any game mechanic, you could ignore the honor system with relative ease if you dislike it that much.

Or, you could build an argument for why your PC acts a certain way. I assume your GM would be on board as long as you were consistent (at least I would as a GM).

In my game we use the Honor mechanic but I think there's plenty of room for being a bit loose in how you interpret alignment or class restrictions if you were into that sort of thing.

 

[ArmoredSaint]

HackMaster DOES include plate armor. It is simply not in the Basic book (which covers everything needed up to level 5) because it is advanced/expensive armor.

Just like how there is no higher level spells in HMBasic, like Teleport. The game has them, just not the basic book.

Plate mail is in the Player's Handbook. Generally, the way treasure works in the game, a 5th level PC wouldn't be able to afford it anyway.

This changes everything!

 

[Treebore]

Actually, that's my whole beef: the Honor system. It's incredibly restrictive. A thief must "look out for number one" or lose honor. Yes, you are dishonorable if you help your allies. Plus, you must strictly follow every bit of your incredibly vague alignment, which each person interprets differently. Quirks are basically adjectives you can add to your character that force you to play a certain way, and often godmods your character. I like flaws, though.

No, your not dishonorable in helping your allies. Your dishonorable if your not helping them to keep "number one" alive and with a positive cash flow.
Its all in the WHY you do something, not just what you do.

 

[griffonwing]

No, your not dishonorable in helping your allies. Your dishonorable if your not helping them to keep "number one" alive and with a positive cash flow.
Its all in the WHY you do something, not just what you do.

Also, the game is designed to be tailored to the gaming group with most rules optional. Simply talk to the GM and come to an agreement on what constitutes an honor hit. This way, you arent surprised by low scores in an honor category.

Sometimes, sacrificing honor for the benefit of the group can equal those points returned at the end of the session or campaign.

 

[Zelkon]

No, your not dishonorable in helping your allies. Your dishonorable if your not helping them to keep "number one" alive and with a positive cash flow.
Its all in the WHY you do something, not just what you do.

No, my point is it kills any hope of a good thief. Each class is expected to act one way, and if they don't, they are penalized.

 

[KJSEvans]

No, my point is it kills any hope of a good thief. Each class is expected to act one way, and if they don't, they are penalized.

Can you perhaps give an example of something you'd like to do as a thief which you feel the game restricts?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

No, my point is it kills any hope of a good thief. Each class is expected to act one way, and if they don't, they are penalized.

And that is how the game gets seen as a parody of d&d

 

[KJSEvans]

And that is how the game gets seen as a parody of d&d

Based on a misconception of the game? Is it possible that some folks make judgments without fair shakes?

 

[GMforPowergamers]

Based on a misconception of the game? Is it possible that some folks make judgments without fair shakes?

1st yes... 100x yes. In this world way more people jump to a conclusion then make an informed desision.

2nd what is the parody of the 1e theif... Only looking out for #1 and stealing money (even from his own party)... And makeing a rule that not only supports but encourages that parody is the problem.

Knights of the dinner table is funny and all to real, but when those moments ccome up where my players act that way I want it to be inspite of the system not inspired from it