Shadowdark Shadowdark Discussion Thread [+]

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

At least the extra classes will end up on Shadowdarklings, because I know my group will grow weary of the base 4 pretty quick.

My players were the same way, but from the GM's side, the subclasses don't tend to fully cover the niches that the main four do. I strongly encourage Shadowdark players to make sure the main four are covered before rolling up a roustabout or a pit fighter, etc.

 

[Argyle King]

I think I remember you asking, and that you were less than impressed witch Shadowdark. Honestly, I am kinda surprised you still read about it, from what I recall of that thread. Maybe I misremember, though.
Regarding the complexity, I reckon it would be quite fickle. Easy to do, but easy to go to far. That's very subjective to my preference, to be clear! I just want to point out the value of simplicity, as in no complexity for complexities’ sake.
Coming from 5e, lethality is the obvious one. It is often overstated, but obviously differs from table to table. For me, the main point is simple OSR stuff, like player skill over character skill. To me, pretty much, I run it much like 5e, but the characters are no superheroes. Probably, my 5e tables lean rather OSR, if that makes sense.

Honestly, you only need the free quick starter to get gong. The core book, in my opinion, could last you a lifetime. You do NOT need anything more ruleswise. That said, I think all the rest is amazing value. I do not know where else you can get a better deal.

Thanks for the responses.

Yeah, my initial impressions of SD were a little flat. Given the [+] nature of this thread, I don't feel I should rehash why here (but am open to discussing elsewhere).

+Titanbound seemed like a cool concept that I could adapt to other things without too much work.
+The group I know who has played it seems to be enjoying it a lot more than 5E.

I'm at least open to giving it another try and seeing how it goes. Regardless of how it turns out, I would prefer to approach it from a perspective of open-mindedness and understanding rather than remaining beholden to one meh-experience.

Maybe there's something beyond the basic starter rules that will better endear me to the system.

 

[Bill Zebub]

The designer Kelsey Dionne describes it as B/X with 5E inspired modern mechanics.

Yeah I think that's a lot more accurate than 'stripped down 5e'.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Thanks for the responses.

Yeah, my initial impressions of SD were a little flat. Given the [+] nature of this thread, I don't feel I should rehash why here (but am open to discussing elsewhere).

+Titanbound seemed like a cool concept that I could adapt to other things without too much work.
+The group I know who has played it seems to be enjoying it a lot more than 5E.

I'm at least open to giving it another try and seeing how it goes. Regardless of how it turns out, I would prefer to approach it from a perspective of open-mindedness and understanding rather than remaining beholden to one meh-experience.

Maybe there's something beyond the basic starter rules that will better endear me to the system.

I love Shadowdark, but people who love charops and designing "builds" and poring over multiclassing synergies and that sort of thing probably won't get their itch scratched by Shadowdark.

 

[Argyle King]

I love Shadowdark, but people who love charops and designing "builds" and poring over multiclassing synergies and that sort of thing probably won't get their itch scratched by Shadowdark.

Could be the case. That doesn't particularly apply to me, but I can see how that would be the case.

 

[Bill Zebub]

Could be the case. That doesn't particularly apply to me, but I can see how that would be the case.

Sorry...didn't mean to suggest anything one way or the other about you. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it does apply.

 

[Warpiglet-7]

I love Shadowdark, but people who love charops and designing "builds" and poring over multiclassing synergies and that sort of thing probably won't get their itch scratched by Shadowdark.

Strangely, for me, the thematic options simpler and fewer have more resonance.

The sea wolf is simply a better beserker that the barbarian ever was, as streamlined as it is.

But you are right…tinkering, multiclassing char op people won’t like how lean that all is…

 

[Bill Zebub]

Strangely, for me, the thematic options simpler and fewer have more resonance.

The sea wolf is simply a better beserker that the barbarian ever was, as streamlined as it is.

But you are right…tinkering, multiclassing char op people won’t like how lean that all is…

I mean, I used to love all that stuff....

 

[overgeeked]

Strangely, for me, the thematic options simpler and fewer have more resonance.

The sea wolf is simply a better beserker that the barbarian ever was, as streamlined as it is.

But you are right…tinkering, multiclassing char op people won’t like how lean that all is…

Honestly that’s one of the many reasons I prefer OSR games. They drive the optimizers nuts and that keeps them away from the table.

 

[Argyle King]

Sorry...didn't mean to suggest anything one way or the other about you. Just wanted to throw that out there in case it does apply.

No worries. I wasn't offended.
I didn't want to elaborate because I'm trying to keep my comments predominantly positive.

While I can enjoy putting together a build, I tend to better enjoy options that have tradeoffs. I also prefer complexity that allows for breadth of play (leading armies, building a castle, etc) rather than just stacking more numbers.

I think my first experience with Shadowdark was a little flat because there were areas of the game where I wanted to take a few more steps. A lot of the ideas seemed in the general ballpark of something I would like, but just a few steps shy. (I also tried it at a time when I wanted something that was more of a departure from 5E.)

Much like how I tweaked some aspects of DCC to fill in some of the blank spaces, I am open to the possibility of trying to do the same with Shadowdark. But I'm not currently knowledgeable enough or experienced enough with the game to know which Scrolls or options might better suit me.

I feel there is value in asking others what aspects bring them joy rather than tying myself to thinking about what I didn't.