Dungeon Crawl Classics RPG from Goodman Games

[Filcher]

Played it in an early playtest. Runs faster, in my experience, than 3.x, and we were all new players.

 

[jaerdaph]

Since Joseph didn't linky it

Goodman Games • View topic - Designer's Blog #3: What Do You Mean, "Vancian"?

Thanks for the heads up.

So, yeah - I'm still liking what I see here. The magic system really does capture a lot of the same feel of classic Fantasy and Sword & Sorcery fiction.

I'm wondering though how "optional" some of these components are - say you didn't want to do the Spellburn or Patron magic or Mercurial magic - are they "hardwired" into the magic system or can you pick and chose or simply ignore these? I do like having the option, especially the Patron magic.

What I'd really like to see now though is a spell effect table for something that isn't combat-oriented, like comprehend languages or some such.

 

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

I'm wondering though how "optional" some of these components are - say you didn't want to do the Spellburn or Patron magic or Mercurial magic - are they "hardwired" into the magic system or can you pick and chose or simply ignore these? I do like having the option, especially the Patron magic.

I'm digging a lot of things about this game (no grid-based combat, no Attacks of Opportunity, Death of characters, Magic with random effects, etc). But, like you Jaerdaph, I have lingering concerns.

Do Elf characters have to be Class Elf? Or does playing Elf simply allow you to pick the Elf Class or the Warrior?

I have lots of system questions too:

• Can you multiclass?
• What are the saves like (Fort/Refl/Will or some other system)?
• What are character creation rules for stat generation (3d6 in order, etc)?
• Why use six different ability scores instead of the traditional six?
• No skill-points is fine by me, but is the game going to have skills?
• What classes are going to be offered?

I'm looking forward to the preview of this sytem.

 

[Falstaff]

I'm digging a lot of things about this game (no grid-based combat, no Attacks of Opportunity, Death of characters, Magic with random effects, etc). But, like you Jaerdaph, I have lingering concerns.

Do Elf characters have to be Class Elf? Or does playing Elf simply allow you to pick the Elf Class or the Warrior?

I have lots of system questions too:

• Can you multiclass?
• What are the saves like (Fort/Refl/Will or some other system)?
• What are character creation rules for stat generation (3d6 in order, etc)?
• Why use six different ability scores instead of the traditional six?
• No skill-points is fine by me, but is the game going to have skills?
• What classes are going to be offered?

I'm looking forward to the preview of this sytem.

In regards to your question about a skill system, I asked the same question in this thread and Mr. Goodman said:

Yes, a simple straightforward system. All characters have a 0-level occupation that precedes their adventuring career. For example, "farmer" or "squire" or "astrologer." This occupation is not necessarily related to the character's class. The character can attempt a check in any skill in which he can role-play a connection to his occupation. For example, if the PCs came across a castle flying unusual heraldry, the PC with the squire background (who could be a warrior, wizard, thief, etc.) could make a check to identify the heraldry. The system is d20 based. There are of course more standard rules for listening, spotting, and other broad-based skills.

 

[jaerdaph]

• Can you multiclass?

That's one I'd like to know about as well. For me, Fritz Leiber is my Appendix N litmus test. Fafhrd is a barbarian and a fighter, but he's also a thief. The Gray Mouser is a fighter and a thief, but also a magic user.

 

[mach1.9pants]

Well you don't have to multi-class ala DnD to be able to have a little bit of this and that. So multiclassing is NOT a necessity for S&S, but being able to dabble about may well be. Leiber is not the only source and MCing may be left for a supplement... There is a big thread over on the DDC boards on this, basically, we don't know!

These are all IIRC:
What are the saves like (Fort/Refl/Will or some other system)? like 3E
What are character creation rules for stat generation (3d6 in order, etc)? Yes but (if you start at 0 level/commoner you roll for 3 PCs) and with what is left you play and chose a class.
Why use six different ability scores instead of the traditional six? Dunno ask Joseph, but he does
No skill-points is fine by me, but is the game going to have skills? As the quote above, you can do anything that your pre-adventurer career would allow you, but there is also rules for spotting and sneaking and stuff.

Best to pop over to DCC to get the info, Harley and Joseph are active there.
What classes are going to be offered?

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

I see this spell system as putting a grinding halt to combat as the spellcaster's player frantically flips through the core book to find the correct table for the spell in question - followed by the GM doing the same as it becomes the npc sorceror and his pet demon's turns to act.....

I'll wait and see. It does look like something I'd enjoy, but I'm worried...

 

[3catcircus]

I see this spell system as putting a grinding halt to combat as the spellcaster's player frantically flips through the core book to find the correct table for the spell in question - followed by the GM doing the same as it becomes the npc sorceror and his pet demon's turns to act.....

I'll wait and see. It does look like something I'd enjoy, but I'm worried...

Not really - we are probably talking about a few small tables that can be printed on the back of a character sheet.

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Not really - we are probably talking about a few small tables that can be printed on the back of a character sheet.

Assuming the caster only has a few spells to select from. Right.
And that doesn't help the GM at all.

 

[airwalkrr]

Meh. While I like the DCC modules a lot, building your own game system to go along with them is just mimicry of Paizo's success with Pathfinder and an attempt to grab up the already divided RPG fanbase loyalty.

RPGs are currently suffering from a problem similar to that which created the video game crash that lasted from 1982-1984. A popular trend is seized upon by people just trying to cash in on a fad with low-quality products that increasingly reduce demand and split the loyalty of customers. I know its not a perfect analogy, so don't focus on that. The point is there are WAY too many RPGs on the market right now. It is difficult for the consumer to tell which ones are good and which ones are utter garbage. But most of them are garbage. There are several excellent RPGs and a number of other good ones. But for a newcomer to the hobby, it is getting to be difficult to tell which is which.

Aside from that, this is just someone releasing a set of house rules for D&D and charging money for them. People do that online all the time for free. Again, meh.