Just discovered Castles and Crusades

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

Well, they also added levels 13-24 to the PHB.

Ooh, I didn't know about that. That's handy. And an interesting level range.

 

[deganawida]

New Kickstarter for the homegrown setting of Aihrde:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ckg/after-winter-dark-aihrde-a-fantasy-campaign-setting?fbclid=IwAR2pfXRH5dTMKtiZXgRBoUw9DclyY1OuTQ2qYtvh8k0oadltZkylroUjxDk&mibextid=Zxz2cZ

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I have no interest or need for Aihrde, but I do admire the set up, where you have a cosmic-level big bad who was defeated in the lifetime of the older human NPCs in the setting, meaning there's still likely lots of pockets of his lieutenants and subsequent warlord-held territories to adventure in, a hopeful aura of "whew, we're glad that's over" for heroic young kingdoms and really ancient, almost forgotten ruins from the time before, meaning almost anything could show up with the argument that records of it were lost or destroyed during the Winter Dark.

 

[deganawida]

I have no interest or need for Aihrde, but I do admire the set up, where you have a cosmic-level big bad who was defeated in the lifetime of the older human NPCs in the setting, meaning there's still likely lots of pockets of his lieutenants and subsequent warlord-held territories to adventure in, a hopeful aura of "whew, we're glad that's over" for heroic young kingdoms and really ancient, almost forgotten ruins from the time before, meaning almost anything could show up with the argument that records of it were lost or destroyed during the Winter Dark.

Yeah, the setup really is perfect for making a campaign your own. Have to say it’s better than Krynn after the end of the War of the Lance, where I personally am more like, “What am I doing? The world’s already been saved.”

 

[Retreater]

I don't know what would sway me towards C&C. Maybe a reworking of SEIGE?

 

[bulletmeat]

I don't know what would sway me towards C&C. Maybe a reworking of SEIGE?

How would you rework it?

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

How would you rework it?

I would reframe it with more standard D20 resolution mechanic language.

"Your target number is X, unless it's difficult, in which case, it's Y."

I'm still not sure the SIEGE engine is better than the standard d20 resolution system, especially if you add in advantage/disadvantage.

I think the biggest issue is just the Troll Lords' phrasing of it is opaque. If they could be forced to rewrite that section without using any of their existing jargon, the clarity and usability of it would go way up.

But, again, I'm not sure it's a system worth saving. Nothing will break if you just swap it out.

 

[deganawida]

I would reframe it with more standard D20 resolution mechanic language.

"Your target number is X, unless it's difficult, in which case, it's Y."

I'm still not sure the SIEGE engine is better than the standard d20 resolution system, especially if you add in advantage/disadvantage.

I think the biggest issue is just the Troll Lords' phrasing of it is opaque. If they could be forced to rewrite that section without using any of their existing jargon, the clarity and usability of it would go way up.

But, again, I'm not sure it's a system worth saving. Nothing will break if you just swap it out.

I've read of CKs instead setting difficulty to a default of 18. If the check involves your Prime, roll and add +6. If it's not prime, roll. Still gives a chance, but more successful with a Prime.

 

[Retreater]

How would you rework it?

By not having a "roll-under" system reminiscent of THAC0 with positive modifiers used to subtract from a DC - which is set based on what your favored ability checks are - and again modified by a Challenge Rating. (I guess that's how it works - I'm actually too confused by it now to adequately explain it.)

The rest of the game is so streamlined, but this (pretty major) aspect feels like it's from the early 1980s.

Literally, all you have to do is to use the d20 system that was already a thing when C&C was first written. You get a number from your ability score. You get a bonus if it's your preferred (aka "trained" or "proficient" ability score). You roll and compare that to a DC set by the DM/GM/Keeper. That's all it has to be. I explained in two sentences what would be a half page or more in C&C.

It's what killed the system for me.

 

[johndesmarais]

I've read of CKs instead setting difficulty to a default of 18. If the check involves your Prime, roll and add +6. If it's not prime, roll. Still gives a chance, but more successful with a Prime.

This is my preference. I think it not only makes more sense to the player, t makes life easier for the GM as they don't need to know if the Stat is Prime when coming up with the difficultly - the difficulty is always the same.