Can't wait for DMG: alternatives

[VengerSatanis]

Frustrated with not having the 5e DMG (among other reasons), turning to Fantastic Heroes & Witchery was an easy decision.

Want a slightly more old school D&D than 5th edition? That's where my money is. Swords & Wizardry is too anemic. Dungeon Crawl Classics is awesome but too "out there" for some. The rest have their place but not my cup of tea. Yep, FH&W is the way to go. Not just my opinion, it's what my new group voted on.

Just spreading the word,

VS

 

[Morrus]

Just to clarify: you switched to another game system because the DMG didn't come out fast enough for you?

Fair enough, I guess. I'll slip this over to the OSR forum for you!

 

[Crothian]

What a lousy post. Even as an advertisement it doesn't work because it doesn't tell me who does the game and where one can get it. As a post for a discussion board it fails because it tells me nothing about the game. I'm going to assume it is another D&D heartbreaker. I'd edit it down and make a twitter post that seems to be where it belongs.

Now if you want to discuss the merits of the game that would be great.

 

[Boarstorm]

On the other hand, [MENTION=232]Crothian[/MENTION], it did get me to at least google the system since it isn't one that has crossed my radar yet.

 

[Morrus]

What a lousy post. Even as an advertisement it doesn't work because it doesn't tell me who does the game and where one can get it. As a post for a discussion board it fails because it tells me nothing about the game. I'm going to assume it is another D&D heartbreaker. I'd edit it down and make a twitter post that seems to be where it belongs.

Crothian, what the hell? If you don't think the post is worthwhile, ignore it. If it's problematic, report it. If it interests you, reply to it. Telling someone their post is lousy is not appropriate here.

 

[VengerSatanis]

Just to clarify: you switched to another game system because the DMG didn't come out fast enough for you?

Fair enough, I guess. I'll slip this over to the OSR forum for you!

I estimate the frustrating lack of a 5e DMG was about 40% of our reason to find an alternative.

This post was meant to potentially spark discussion, not be a review. If you want to read a full assessment of FH&W, then google around. Here's mine: http://www.draconicmagazine.com/articles/fantastic-heroes-witchery-retro-rpg-review

The reason I put it in the 5e board is because the game does a great job of emulating many aspects of 5e. Essentially doing what the new D&D wanted to do: create a compromise edition of all that came before with a few non-D&D innovations thrown in.

Unfortunately, (and this may be a wrong assumption on my part) the majority of 5e forum users stay in the 5e board. They don't go down to check out the OSR and earlier edition board. Which is a shame because I think a lot of 5e gamers would love the hell out of Fantastic Heroes & Witchery. So, not an accident.

VS

 

[MoonSong]

This looks interesting, but an OSR game needs to be more than just slightly interesting to truly spark my interest. Otherwise I find LL with AEC the to go game for my OSR needs. Which is the class stable? Are there any interesting classes? Which is the approach to magic? The review is surprisingly sparse in the matter.

Sorry for bugging you with questions, but there is so much I don't know about it and those pieces of information are crucial for me wanting to try a game or not.

 

[Primitive Screwhead]

I have to agree, for a post intended to generate discussion there is very little in the way of 'meat' to dig into in both the OP and the review. What I gathered was that this stylish alternative system is like 1e/2e but with loads of flavor added... and I know for sure its not 'anemic' or 'too out there'. I also know that in your opinion and that of your group, FH&W is the way to go.

Which tells me. .... squat.

There are aspects in the review that sounded like it could be good or bad... critical hits! and with 'by class' effects. This sounds like it could really improve the game but critical hits in a game tend to favor the monsters. Saving rolls for items? Going back to getting hit with a fireball and all your equipment is burnt to a crisp, unusable? Don't bother playing an archer!

I would be interested to hear more 'meat'. What makes it 'not anemic' {whatever that is}. How is it not too out there {with shades of Old ones and tech lurking at the fringes of your review}. How is the system better than playing 2e?
How much time is eaten at the table looking up tables for results, is it half as bad as Rolemaster?
What is the magic system like? Psionics? Ki powers? how distinct are the classes?

 

[VengerSatanis]

This looks interesting, but an OSR game needs to be more than just slightly interesting to truly spark my interest. Otherwise I find LL with AEC the to go game for my OSR needs. Which is the class stable? Are there any interesting classes? Which is the approach to magic? The review is surprisingly sparse in the matter.

Sorry for bugging you with questions, but there is so much I don't know about it and those pieces of information are crucial for me wanting to try a game or not.

Class stable? Yes, tons of interesting classes. Magic works like most OSR games, although many spells have been re-written from the ground up.

VS

 

[VengerSatanis]

I have to agree, for a post intended to generate discussion there is very little in the way of 'meat' to dig into in both the OP and the review. What I gathered was that this stylish alternative system is like 1e/2e but with loads of flavor added... and I know for sure its not 'anemic' or 'too out there'. I also know that in your opinion and that of your group, FH&W is the way to go.

Which tells me. .... squat.

There are aspects in the review that sounded like it could be good or bad... critical hits! and with 'by class' effects. This sounds like it could really improve the game but critical hits in a game tend to favor the monsters. Saving rolls for items? Going back to getting hit with a fireball and all your equipment is burnt to a crisp, unusable? Don't bother playing an archer!

I would be interested to hear more 'meat'. What makes it 'not anemic' {whatever that is}. How is it not too out there {with shades of Old ones and tech lurking at the fringes of your review}. How is the system better than playing 2e?
How much time is eaten at the table looking up tables for results, is it half as bad as Rolemaster?
What is the magic system like? Psionics? Ki powers? how distinct are the classes?

Rather than shy away from the inherently subjective nature of reviews, I embrace it. Sorry if that leaves you without enough information to make an informed purchasing decision. Luckily, my review style is in the minority. I'm sure there's a dozen of robust reviews with all kinds of specifics, detailed comparisons, and mechanic vs. mechanic breakdowns. That's just not my style.

Additionally, OSR is about taking the best of what you want and leaving everything else - even if that's half the book you're using to run the game. Most OSR GMs swap various rules, systems, tables, classes, etc. between rule books, supplements, and random blog posts found on the internet. Are you going to love everything about FH&W? Of course not. But if your piqued interest is enough to get you to buy yet another D&Desque RPG, then the decision should be easy.

VS

p.s. I'm not familiar with Rolemaster.