BECMI vs Rules Cyclopedia vs Castles & Crusades

[Goblinoid Games]

Hmm, sounds fascinating, and something I've been looking for for years!

Here's a little more info about it...

http://www.goblinoidgames.com/mutantfuture.htm

Also my message board where you can find discussion and a larger cover image...

http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/goblinoidgames.html

 

[S'mon]

Here's a little more info about it...

http://www.goblinoidgames.com/mutantfuture.htm

Also my message board where you can find discussion and a larger cover image...

http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/goblinoidgames.html

Looks great so far - I'm mostly interested in simple and D&D/C&C compatible rules to run stuff like the Taarna sequence of the Heavy Metal movie, rather than Gamma World per se. The possibility of crossover games is also very appealing.

 

[jdrakeh]

Here's a little more info about it...

http://www.goblinoidgames.com/mutantfuture.htm

Also my message board where you can find discussion and a larger cover image...

http://www.freeyabb.com/phpbb/goblinoidgames.html

I haver come so close to buying LL multiple times now. . . my only issue is that I can always seem to find copies of the RC cheaper, which makes purchasing LL totally unnecessary. Someday, though, I'm certain that my poor impulse control will win out

 

[Goblinoid Games]

I haver come so close to buying LL multiple times now. . . my only issue is that I can always seem to find copies of the RC cheaper, which makes purchasing LL totally unnecessary. Someday, though, I'm certain that my poor impulse control will win out

Hey man, the primary goal of Labyrinth Lord is as a platform for publishers. But it also serves as a game in its own right for those people who want a new book so they don't tear up their old collector copies, or for people new to the game.

So don't feel bad, you should go on enjoying that RC! The electronic LL book is provided free especially for people like you, who might use it as a reference for compatible products in your regular game.

 

[jdrakeh]

Hey man, the primary goal of Labyrinth Lord is as a platform for publishers.

Oi! I didn't think about that! That makes perfect sense, really. I was simply looking at it as an alternative to BFRPG (my other open-ish, Basic D&D-ish, fantasy system of choice).

 

[Treebore]

I would go with what you know and have.

Even though I think C&C is easier to teach to new players than any other. Still, it is easiest to teach what you do know.

 

[dunbruha]

The simplicity issue is, mainly, because it'll be a game which I'll have to teach without anybody elese reading anything, so I'd prefer if it were something I could teach in no more than 10 minutes.

Check out Microlite20 . It's free, is easy to play with any d20 material, and the rules are only 2 pages long.

 

[Goblinoid Games]

...rules to run stuff like the Taarna sequence of the Heavy Metal movie...

Oh yeah, you could totally do this with Mutant Future. I love this movie! I haven't seen it in a while, so your post actually got me to start it again tonight. My wife hasn't seen it, so I'm introducing her to it.

 

[DestroyYouAlot]

Got to say, in the case of that kind of cross-conversion, I'd recommend C&C over the classic D&D. Less problematic to convert 3E stuff to C&C, really.

Which is a "pro" in Classic's column - when you've got 25 years of TSR-quality material to draw from versus not-quite-10 years worth of d20 quality.

C&C gets a lot of good attention; I haven't given it a whirl myself, but a lot of folks love it. As far as the real deal goes, though, I'd have to go with BECMI over RC, for a couple of reasons.

First, your players will be able to find it. Mentzer Basic Sets can be had in good shape on eBay for 15 bucks or less (no "hunting" required, there are at least 4 copies up as we speak), where a RC in decent shape will go for anywhere between 30 and 60, depending on whether the collector market has had its fiber that day, and that's if you can find one without getting it sniped out from under you. (Now, of course, you want a copy, but you're the DM. )

Second, Mentzer spoon-feeds players the complexity, in a good way. As a new player, having a friendly little red book with just the stuff you need is a big plus. And the tutorial stuff in there is top-notch; the RPG industry really hasn't come up with anything this good for teaching the game since.

And lastly, RC doesn't have Bargle and Aleena. Total, crushing win for BECMI, hands down.

(FWIW, I actually run B/X with some tidbits stolen from BECMI, RC, AD&D, and even HackMaster. Mentzer Basic is the reigning champ when it comes to teaching the game, but I find Moldvay a better-organized book to refer to during play - and the less time I spend with my nose in the book during a session, the better.)

 

[Greylock]

Even though I think C&C is easier to teach to new players than any other. Still, it is easiest to teach what you do know.

My group has attracted and added two new players since the holidays began, neither of whom had ever played any sort of RPG in their lives. Both in their 30s or 40s. Both picked up C&C in a heartbeat. I don't think it would have been as easy for them in any other system. Most of the rest of my group were a mix of old schoolers and 3.fivers, and none of us had trouble adapting either.