C&C Collector's Box versus PHB

[jdrakeh]

I've been thinking about giving C&C another go, though there's honestly quite a bit I don't like about the PHB/M&T set. The Collector's Box appeals to me as a fan of OD&D (1974) based on what little I've read about it -- I gather that it sticks to basic classes, includes an introductory adventure module, and strips out most of the editing errors present in the 1st Printing PHB. Oh yes -- and includes monsters in the same package as the basic rules. Is there anything else that I'm missing? Is there any reason I should opt for the new PHB and M&T printings, rather than the Collector's Box?

 

[Emryys]

Are you refering to the upcoming C&C Basic Set?

 

[crazy_cat]

Are you refering to the upcoming C&C Basic Set?

That looks cool - is there any news on a potential release date? This could be a perfect Christmas gift for any kids interested in getting into RPGs.

 

[jdrakeh]

Are you refering to the upcoming C&C Basic Set?

No, I'm referring to the original release of the "Collector's Box" that preceded the release of the first printing PHB -- it was supposed to be limited to 300 copies, though it still seems to be in stock at several stores, so I suspect that there was either another print-run or it simply sold very poorly for whatever reason (the quality seems to actually be better than the first printing PHB according to what I've read, so I guess it may just be that people don't/didn't have an interest in a C&C box set).

Here's a Link

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

I think that the 300 copies were signed and numbered out of a thousand total.


The adventure is a free download from their website and the books inside are the same as the regular PHB and M&T.

I believe you are looking for the condensed version: http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/cnc/80102B.html

If I were just getting into the game I would pick up a second printing of the PHB myself. The third printing is just out and fancy, the second printings are available in a lot of places. I bought the set with the second printing of the PHB, M&T and Castle Zagyg and if I had it to do over again, I would have just bought the two core books. I use Castle Zagyg for quick references to places and for quick NPCs, but overall I find little use for it myself.

 

[jdrakeh]

I think that the 300 copies were signed and numbered out of a thousand total.

Ah, that makes sense!

The adventure is a free download from their website and the books inside are the same as the regular PHB and M&T.

This is not the case according to the two reviews that I've read (one written by a C&C play tester). Specifically, there are only four classes in the Collector's Box according to the reviews, much abbreviated spell explanations, and a condensed selection of monsters.

I believe you are looking for the condensed version: http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/cnc/80102B.html

No, most assuredly not. The reviews that I allude to were written before the 1st printing PHB was released.

If I were just getting into the game I would pick up a second printing of the PHB myself. The third printing is just out and fancy, the second printings are available in a lot of places. I bought the set with the second printing of the PHB, M&T and Castle Zagyg and if I had it to do over again, I would have just bought the two core books. I use Castle Zagyg for quick references to places and for quick NPCs, but overall I find little use for it myself.

Hmm. . . thanks for the insight. I'll keep this in mind when I write up my shopping list.

 

[Dragon-Slayer]

I am no expert in the other boxed sets, I was going by what I recalled from the forums, which is obviously a bit fuzzy (going on two hours of sleep thanks to my neighbors is not helping).

You will find a lot of help on the Troll Lord messageboard and on Dragonsfoot in regards to C&C and all of the variations available. One thing I can say is that you will have a lot of fun. Conversions are easy and there are a lot of neat monsters on the TLG messageboard (check for dangersaurus' posts). I run a game with a lot of 1E and Planescape influences and adding on tidbits here and there is a snap. Best of luck with your search and the game.

 

[jdrakeh]

One thing I can say is that you will have a lot of fun. Conversions are easy and there are a lot of neat monsters on the TLG messageboard (check for dangersaurus' posts).

As I said in the first post, I'm givign C&C another go I owned the PHB and M&T, ran a four month C&C campaign last Summer, etc. My players and I simply weren't happy with the lack of mechanical options in C&C and went back to D&D 3.5 instead. That said, in recent months I have received a promotion and my free time is effectviely nil, which makes prepping for a rule set like D&D 3.5 next to impossible.

Given the wholesale removal of mechanical options, C&C is much easier to prep for than D&D 3.5 or the other systems I typically play (JAGS, HERO, etc). I was simply looking at the box set because it gives me everything I need to run the game in one package (which the PHB doesn't) and because it drops all of the new/variant classes and gets back to the 'core four' from AD&D (I really don't need any of the others).

 

[Treebore]

The third printing of the PH and the second printing of M&T (available at GenCon, and via direct order after GenCon) are the most error free versions you will find (still not completely error free, they still use affect instead of effect, and other similiar typo/grammatical errors), but all rules issues seem to be properly done, now.

I don't get your statements about mechanics. Maybe we can talk via SKYPE.

 

[jdrakeh]

I don't get your statements about mechanics.

I just meant that compared to D&D 3.5 (or HERO, JAGS, etc) C&C has far fewer mechanical options. My players at the time really missed things like feats, codified skills, combat facing, etc. And, yes, I know that you can house rule these things into C&C but they aren't there by design. For me and my play group (at that time), a game without RAW codified skills, feats, and the wide range of table-top tactical options that such things make possible was simply not desireable. Suffice it to say, things have changed.

As for the PHB/M&T combo. . . as I said, I'm not really wanting to invest in them (though the leatherette copies have tempted me) as they contain a fair amount of information that I have absolutely no use for (e.g., all of the classes other than Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard) and because they split all of the rules necessary to run a game into two volumes. The box set gives me everything (i.e., character gen, combat, and monsters) in one package with the 'old school' feel of OD&D via the Cleric, Fighter, Rogue, and Wizard.

Price-wise and content-wise (provided the reviews that I've read are correct), the box seems to be a better value for me. I think I'm still sold on the box set at this point.