Conan d20: What have been your experiences?

[SpiderMonkey]

As Title. I just played it for the first time last night in an introductory solo deal. I really like what I've seen and how the rules reflect the flavor. We didn't really do any combat, however. So far, though, me likey.

Have any of you played it? Whaddya think?


SM

 

[ptolemy18]

I haven't played it, so my opinion is probably irrelevant, but... doesn't it have "opposed Attack and Defense rolls" instead of just Attack Rolls? I always hated that rule because, of course, it effectively doubles the amount of die-rolling in combat. I'd be interested in hearing from anyone who's actually played with it for more than a single sample combat.

Irrelevantly yours,

Jason

 

[tetsujin28]

I think it's almost as good as Iron Heroes, and the magic system's really groovy. IME, it didn't play as quickly. Some people hate it, because they feel tactical crunchy combat is antithetical to their idea of what a Conan rpg should be. I am not one of those people.

If you don't want to pay for the full colour version, there's a cheap 'pocket' one for c. $20.

 

[argo]

I've DM'ed it, love it, its become my new default rule-set for fantasy RP.

I think that the system really does an excellent job of capturing the sword 'n sorcery flavor in general and Howard's Conan in particular. The combat is fast and bloody but the players are still encouraged to be heroic and bold. Magic is dark, dangerous and costly but not rare or particularly hard to find. Character power is not raised by all that much compared to DnD, but characters are more self-sufficent and versatile with the addition of rules like combat manuvers and letting them spend bonus skill points from a high Int on any skill list.

If you haven't really gottent into the combat yet then you have much to look foward to. Lightweight finesse fighters are as viable as heavyweights. Mooks are dispatched easily but dangerous in numbers. Big monsters are scarry. Lots different from DnD.

I hope your group enjoys playing. Its a great game.

Later.

 

[ColonelHardisson]

If you don't want to pay for the full colour version, there's a cheap 'pocket' one for c. $20.

I have the pocket version, and I think it's worth mentioning that it is missing some material from the hardback version (though the text is, indeed, from the Atlantean edition). The material missing is (I've been told) gazetteer material (but I have Road of Kings, so that's no big deal for me) and monsters (which kinda sucks, but I plan on getting the hardback eventually - and I'd love to see them do a monster book).

 

[argo]

I haven't played it, so my opinion is probably irrelevant, but... doesn't it have "opposed Attack and Defense rolls" instead of just Attack Rolls? I always hated that rule

Defense rolls were in the playtest version but dropped from the final. Its a popular variant though just as many people use it as a variant in DnD.

I agree it slows down combat too much.

 

[MonsterMash]

I've played it a few times and like it. It really helps if you like Howard's fiction and a lot of adventures to be against a few tough opponents rather than hordes of mooks that can appear in D&D. I've reviewed it on ENWorld so see that for more detailed opinions.

 

[Plane Sailing]

I think it rocks, capturing the feel of my favourite S&S stories perfectly. We use the defence roll in combat and enjoy the extra dynamic element it brings to our melee. it models the episodic model of the short story perfectly, and there are tons of neat little touches. One adventure I ran had 3 PCs - one with a barbaric code of honour, one with a civilised code of honour and one with no code of honour at all. It was interesting the interplay of these three things - which person could happily betray which other person at a moments notice

 

[S'mon]

I like it a lot. A few rules don't work - eg Defensive Blasts are OTT and un-Conanesque, while Bardiches are too cheap & too powerful compared to other weapons, but the style & feel of the game is great.

 

[Nikosandros]

How fast is combat, though? By reading the rules it felt somewhat slower than 3E... is that the case? Or does it actually play faster?

Thanks!