Arcanis the Roleplaying Game Available for Preorder

[Nikosandros]

If you have any further questions, just let me know.,

I'll think of some, but in the meantime, let me tell you that you're really making a good job of selling the game...

I'm almost tempted to snatch a copy of the Quicklaunch, just to check it out while waiting for the "real deal"...

 

[PCIHenry]

Good morning,

Sorry for the delay, but (as some insight into PCI) I'm an attorney and the rest of the principals are all professionals as well. PCI is a hobby (that we love to death) but sometimes real life impinges.

Anyway, on to your questions -

Who do I have to kill to get a pdf of the game NOW!?

LOL- Unfortunately, the book is being laid out at the moment, so no PDF exists yet. ;-)

How is damage dealt with? Hit points? Wound levels? Cinematic? Gritty?

Attacks are a 2 roll process. Roll to hit (equal to or greater than the opponent's Avoidance) and then roll damage.

Every weapon has a damage die (for example a gladius is a d8). You roll that die with the corresponding Attribute die (in the case of a gladius, usually your Might). So let's say you put some points during CC in Might and you have a d10. You would roll a d8 + d10 and add the results. (Ex. total of roll is a 10)

Take that total, subtract the opponent's Armor Rating (let's say he's lightly armored, so his AR is a 2) and the remaining 8 pts are subtracted from the opponent's Stamina.

If its a Minion, they only have a Stamina of 1, so he'd be unconscious or "Vanquished".

In the case of Elite threats or Adversaries, they are vanquished when their Stamina reaches 0. At that point they are knocked out or so banged up, that all they can do is moan on the ground and curl up in a fetal position.

They can also take Wound damage which occurs on a Critical Hit or in a variety of other ways, usually by the judicious use of a Talent or Creature Ability. Wounds = 0, you're dead.

Most Heroes have at least 2 Wounds and normally 3. As you start to take these deadly blows, your effectiveness begins to diminish.

Whether that's Cinematic or Gritty depends on your definition, I suppose.

Best,

 

[PCIHenry]

Hello Nikosandros,

I'll think of some, but in the meantime, let me tell you that you're really making a good job of selling the game...

Well thank you very much! It helps when you love a product and believe in it 100%.

I'm almost tempted to snatch a copy of the Quicklaunch, just to check it out while waiting for the "real deal"...

Well, you could do that, but you might as well wait for the "real deal". A few of the rules have changed due to Player input, but the Core remained intact.

For example, the Hero's Defenses went down a bit from the original as everyone played with the numbers and were running around in God Mode, if you know what I mean.

Looking forward to your questions and hope to make you an Arcaniac as well! ;-)

Best,

 

[ggroy]

How does character advancement work?

Is it like traditional levels (like D&D, etc ...) or some other scheme (like skill improvement in Runequest)?

 

[PCIHenry]

Hello Ggray,

How does character advancement work?
Is it like traditional levels (like D&D, etc ...) or some other scheme (like skill improvement in Runequest)?

We developed something a bit different.

Instead of "Levels" we have a Tier and Rank system. The game supports 5 Tiers of play and there are 10 ranks per Tier.

Every Rank that you advance, you may choose one option from a list. Some of these options may be taken more than once while others may be taken once per Tier.

For example: You may only choose one "Path" per Tier, meaning that the most you can have are 5 different Paths. Think of Paths like PClasses - for example, a Knight of the Order of the Phoenix, a Holy Champion of a particular Temple or a Centurion of a certain legion.

There are , off the top of my head, 15 options to choose from. We did this so that players would have the ability to make their Hero unique and while we know that there are certain options that everybody will choose, like the Path option, there is so much variety in that one option, that you'd have to purposefully coordinate with someone else to make the exact same Hero.

Thank you for your question. If I missed something, let me know and I'll try and rectify that.

Best,

 

[ggroy]

Will there be an updated pdf (document) for the appendices of the "Codex Arcanis" book, with the new mechanics replacing the old d20 mechanics?

EDIT: I'm referring to the [ame="http://www.amazon.com/Codex-Arcanis-Campaign-Setting-d20/dp/193137404X"]2002 version[/ame].

 

[ggroy]

(Silly question).

What are the main differences between the 2002 and 2007 versions of the "Codex Arcanis" books?

(I've never seen the 2007 version before).

 

[PCIHenry]

Hello again, Ggray,

Will there be an updated pdf (document) for the appendices of the "Codex Arcanis" book, with the new mechanics replacing the old d20 mechanics?

Short answer: Nope.

Slightly longer Answer: We plan on releasing the Codex Arcanis next year, updated through the current Campaign Year (1071 I.C.) and start to bring in other parts of the world, such as the Khitani Empire, Dar Zhan Vor, and the nations of the Southern Regions.

What are the main differences between the 2002 and 2007 versions of the "Codex Arcanis" books?

Back in early 2005, we sold our last copy of the Codex Arcanis (softback 2002 version).

Then in the 2007, we released an updated version, where we rewrote the mechanics section in the back to conform to the changes of 3.5, re-edited some parts and added lots and lots of new art. Oh and made it a Hardback as requested by the Players.

If you have the 2002 version, the 2007 really isn't a need to buy.

It should be noted that the Free Codex Arcanis we're giving away is the 2007 version.

Best,

 

[ggroy]

Thank you for answering my questions so far.

OK a little bit of definitions: You have an Avoidance number. That is the number you need to roll to hit or be hit.

Is the "Avoidance number" similar to the +level/2 modifier in 4E D&D for the defenses and to-hit attack rolls?

 

[PCIHenry]

Hello,

Thank you for answering my questions so far.

Not a problem. That's what I'm here for and I do so gladly.

Is the "Avoidance number" similar to the +level/2 modifier in 4E D&D for the defenses and to-hit attack rolls?

No. Avoidance is the sum of two Attribute Scores +8.

This number can be raised using an option from that advancement list I mentioned earlier. Thus, it isn't a static number throughout your Heroic Life, unless choose it to be so.

We have a saying in the Arcanis Campaign: "Actions have Consequences". How you build your character and the choices made when doing so will certainly have an impact in the future of that Hero.

Best,