Conan 2nd Edition

[ivocaliban]

Finally got my copy of Conan 2nd edition. The binding in my book seems fine, but I can see why the problems might arise. This is not a book that opens flat. Because of the ornate border the writing near the spine of the book is somewhat difficult to read. It's not impossible, but it would make the book somewhat frustrating to use during a game session. If someone decided they want to force the book into a flat position it might very well cause the pages to start coming out. Not ideal, but it shouldn't present a problem if one is careful.

As for the content, I haven't had a chance to do much except browse the book. I love the way the races and classes are handled and the fact that it's a self-contained book (no need for the core D&D books) is quite handy, too.

 

[Malcadon]

I recently got my copy to. I got my 1st ed. book back in 03. When I first saw this game, I was like "Oh WOW! After I got this game, I use the rules in my D&D games and I found it works way better! The funny thing about the new book is that, because its now in B&W with a lot of black. When I open it up at the game table, the overhead lights make it glow with a purple haze (like witch's fire)! It looks so vary cool!

If you have never seen any of the Conan books, then your in for a treat. With a dedicated and talented staff of fans, this game is vary true the the classic Robert E. Howard yarns (stories). This game uses the 3.5 system, but is retooled for low-magic, pulp-action, sword & sorcery adventures. The games has dozens of human races (based largely on real world cultures from ancient times), some vary cool and flavourful classes not found in D&D (nobles, nomads, pirates, temptresses and so on), a combat system different from D&D (dodge/parry defense, armor DR combat maneuvers, initiative is a Ref throw), and the biggest change is the way magic works. You do not use spells like in D&D. Spells are grouped in to styles (nature, necromancy, summoning and so forth) that you learn and includes a basic spell. You also gain advanced spells like feats, in that they have requirements (the basic spell, other spells, skills (usually knowledge), and some times feats). Other sorcererus rules includes animal/human sacrifice, corruption, obsessions, war of the souls, and other rules to add flavour to the game (its like Book of Vile Darkness but better). The Scholar class is a catch-all for any type of cleric or spell-user (the funny thing is that a Scholar can go to level 20 without ever learning a single spell). You will not find any alignment in this game, instead you will find Allegiance, Codes of Honor, and Reputation. The game has good tips that a GM would find useful even for D&D.

The setting itself, is vary rich! If you like the setting, then the Road of Kings (1st ed.) and the up and coming Return to the Road of Kings (2nd ed.) are both worth the buy! (Im still waiting for RttRoK). The quality & details of RoK is the richest I have ever seen in any campaign source book. The Scrolls of Seklos (and the up and coming Secrets of Seklos) adds lots the the sorcery of the game.

This is a game is vary violent and sexual, but it never seem gratuitous. Its just mature that way. If you want a color version that is easier to read, then I recommend you find a copy of the old Atlantean edition (revised 1st ed.) rulebook. It not as big as 2nd ed., but it looks better and its in color, but cost $50!!! (making the 2nd ed in B&W was to cut down on cost or it might have been $60 - $70!!!!!)

 

[Donovan Morningfire]

Question on the 2nd edition Conan RPG?

How good of a job did they do proofreading? Because the 1st edition version was a trainwreck in that regard.

I'm moderately interested in the Conan RPG, but with 4e coming around the bend along with more SWSE stuff, not sure I want to invest money in a corebook that will never see use.

 

[ivocaliban]

Question on the 2nd edition Conan RPG?

How good of a job did they do proofreading? Because the 1st edition version was a trainwreck in that regard..

I never owned the 1st edition, but I've heard the horror stories. From what I've read so far I think the folks at Mongoose have learned from their mistakes. I haven't seen any errors that stand out so far, but I've really only read through about a third of the book. If there's anything to be disappointed in with this book for those who owned the 1st edition, it's probably the lack of color. It's completely in black & white (save for the maps on the inside cover).

Apparently in early copies (the first 60 or so printed) of the 2nd editon there were a handful of errors. Mongoose released this errata for those books and fixed the errors for all the copies that followed. These few errors in the early copies seem to indicate that mistakes in this book have been kept to a minimum. After all, there's less than a half page of errata listed for those first 60 books. I'd say that's less than you might find in your average WotC release.

I'm moderately interested in the Conan RPG, but with 4e coming around the bend along with more SWSE stuff, not sure I want to invest money in a corebook that will never see use.

Poor Mongoose launching the Conan 2nd edition line within days of the 4e announcement. This sort of thing always depresses me, but I understand your point of view. I'd say pick up the book anyway. It's d20, sure, but it's self-contained (you don't need any of the D&D core books) and I've heard more than one person say that Conan: The Roleplaying Game had a significant influence on 4e.

 

[Tetsubo]

Well, this thread has convinced me I need a copy... maybe next month...

 

[Nifft]

Is there an SRD anywhere? I've heard good things, but I'd like to check it out before I buy it.

Thanks, -- N

 

[GlassJaw]

The Conan RPG is great. I have the Atlantean Edtion of the 1st edition, which is essentially the 2nd printing. Overall, it's one of my favorite d20 books. The new rules are cool and very gritty and do a great job of capturing the Howard/Conan feel.

As far as the 2nd edition goes, I was very disappointed. I didn't buy it because after reading a lot about it (and leafing through it), it didn't feel like a 2nd edition at all.

There's a thread on the Mongoose Conan forum that lists all the changes in the 2ed book and they definitely weren't enough to justify a new edition IMO. Plus, it's in B&W - blech.

 

[ivocaliban]

The Conan RPG is great. I have the Atlantean Edtion of the 1st edition, which is essentially the 2nd printing. Overall, it's one of my favorite d20 books. The new rules are cool and very gritty and do a great job of capturing the Howard/Conan feel.

As far as the 2nd edition goes, I was very disappointed. I didn't buy it because after reading a lot about it (and leafing through it), it didn't feel like a 2nd edition at all.

There's a thread on the Mongoose Conan forum that lists all the changes in the 2ed book and they definitely weren't enough to justify a new edition IMO. Plus, it's in B&W - blech.

I like B&W for Conan, honestly. All of the DelRey/Ballantine Books collections of Conan stories feature B&W interior art and that never bothered me. Heck, I tend to see Hyborea in shades of grey/sepia tones anyway. Conan just never screamed "color" to me. Especially as making 2nd edition color would have upped the cost another $15-20 easy.

Of course, I don't own the 1st edition. If I'd bought a color edition first and then there was a new B&W edition with what I perceived to be few changes...I'd probably be disappointed, too.

 

[Malcadon]

I never owned the 1st edition, but I've heard the horror stories. From what I've read so far I think the folks at Mongoose have learned from their mistakes. I haven't seen any errors that stand out so far, but I've really only read through about a third of the book. If there's anything to be disappointed in with this book for those who owned the 1st edition, it's probably the lack of color. It's completely in black & white (save for the maps on the inside cover).

Apparently in early copies (the first 60 or so printed) of the 2nd editon there were a handful of errors. Mongoose released this errata for those books and fixed the errors for all the copies that followed. These few errors in the early copies seem to indicate that mistakes in this book have been kept to a minimum. After all, there's less than a half page of errata listed for those first 60 books. I'd say that's less than you might find in your average WotC release.

If you what to know about the errors. In 03, they released the 1st ed. and it had lots of errors, it was unclear about the new rules and lacked some of the important rules from D&D. At the time, this was not a big issue as the game is playable for anyone experienced with D&D (is best to have the PHB & DMG at the gametable). Then in 04 or 05 they released the a revised 1st ed. called the Atlantean edition. This book cleared up the problems of the older book and expanded & clarified on the new rules (a good example was how you need room to dodge and how you needed a weapon or shield to parry or at least an improvised weapon or you would be strongly penalized). This game updated the rules to 3.5 and made it so you dont need the PHB at the table, but you still need the DMG for the other rules (condition summery, terrain rules and so forth). Otherwise, Conan AE is still a dame good book.

Ivocaliban was right about the early copies, but Mongoose had a mini-recall, so you should have no fear about getting a bad copy. The only ones who got the bad copies are folks who per-ordered them in August or got them at a Gaming Convention last September (the one that announced the coming of 4th ed D&D).

The new 2nd ed. has made made lots of improvements to 1st/AE ed. Some of the biggest changes was to include more SRD (namely condition summery & terrain rules) so the game is now self sufficient, and the Tenptress class (originally from the Hyboria's Fallen book - look in side the book for the original rules) was altered and placed in the rulebook. To learn more about the changes, check this out.

If you have never seen this game before, go hear to find a preview, a world map, & PC sheet. And click hear to see how Conan is different from D&D.

One of of the most influential people who have worked on the game is a guy named Vincent Darlage. Well before the Conan game came out, he made a really good Conan d20 site. He sighed up as a playtester for the Conan game and he was so knowledgeable, they asked him to write the Road of Kings book. This proved to be one of finest source books they ever made. So good was it, they asked him to write more books. He holds much weight in the Conan community.

 

[Teflon Billy]

...One of of the most influential people who have worked on the game is a guy named Vincent Darlage. Well before the Conan game came out, he made a really good Conan d20 site. He sighed up as a playtester for the Conan game and he was so knowledgeable, they asked him to write the Road of Kings book. This proved to be one of finest source books they ever made. So good was it, they asked him to write more books. He holds much weight in the Conan community.

But strangely Darlage doesn't seem like he is all that involved with the new edition.

Which is crazy-wierd, as he pretty much was the quality in the earlier edition.