(HackMaster) The Hacklopedia of Beasts - the most awesome monster manual ever
- Thread starter KJSEvans
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Falstaff
First Post
Try throwing in a bear and see how they fareBears are NASTY!
Ahh, I like it. Next session they plan to explore an old abandoned copper mine in the Krond Heights. Maybe a black bear now considers the mine its home...
I'm smelling a TPK...
Actually, what I like about the monsters is that some are just plain nasty... some are tough but good luck or a few good roles and change the battle quickly... and that numbers MATTER! If you don't have good tactics then you're likely to lose. Lots of little guys can take you down quickly so you lose the "I'm 10th level so I don't have to even worry about kobolds" mentality.
Also, what's really cool about this product is that they seemed to have drawn more on historical sources rather that just D&D. Some monsters have traits/weaknesses/abilities more in line with mythology/literature which makes for some cool surprises. Also, they don't pull a lot of punches as far as culture and making "evil" monsters EVIL.
griffonwing
First Post
As far as I am concerned, 60 bucks for a 384-page, full color Monster Guide and free companion PDF, is a no-brainer.
Emrys is right. There is very little new-school D&D here.
Kobolds are not mini dragons.
Orcs are pig-snouted.
Brownies are foot and a half-high gnomes, just like fable and fairy tales.
Plus, I am certain that it will not be long until someone comes out with a very handy, easy to use conversion guide for practically any game setting.
Emrys is right. There is very little new-school D&D here.
Kobolds are not mini dragons.
Orcs are pig-snouted.
Brownies are foot and a half-high gnomes, just like fable and fairy tales.
Plus, I am certain that it will not be long until someone comes out with a very handy, easy to use conversion guide for practically any game setting.
Falstaff
First Post
HackMaster's orcs remind me of the orcs in this piece of art:
Merry and Pippin Captured by Orcs - The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring - The Home of Tolkien Online
Merry and Pippin Captured by Orcs - The Hobbit, The Lord of the Rings, and Tolkien - The One Ring - The Home of Tolkien Online
Treebore
First Post
Not only are bears nasty I killed PC's with a Boar, yes, a BOAR! Plus a 4th/5th level party was absolutely ripped (literally) apart by a single Troll. The only survivors were those who started to run first. Everyone else were blood smears. The Troll was fine, I don't think they even hit it a single time.
So considering how tough the Drakes are, I have no doubts that Dragons will be world shaking horrors.
So considering how tough the Drakes are, I have no doubts that Dragons will be world shaking horrors.
griffonwing
First Post
As they very well should be!
Agreed. Omitting dragons from the HoB is probably the most controversial choice they made, but I think people will be happy in the end, assuming it doesn't take too long to put out the dragon's volume. My understanding is that Kenzer & Co want to make dragons about the biggest, baddest thing you can face, and rather than simply traveling to a lair and fight, PCs must run a gauntlet of cultists and other dragons' agents just for the chance.
Some other folks have already answered in great detail, but Advanced HackMaster is totally compatible with HackMaster Basic. (They are basically the same game, but with a few elaborated-upon rules in Advanced.) You can play Basic with HoB monsters and have no problems.
Additionally, as Treebore discussed, the rules are detailed but modular, and probably the closest "other game" they resemble is Aces & Eights. It's a cool system with a ton of potential ... I'm very excited to see what the Player's Handbook looks like.
mach1.9pants
Hero
This, editing errors aside (but it is in BETA ) is the best monster book I have had the pleasure to read. I am so looking forward to having the real leathered hard cover in my hand. It is a joy to read.
As to HM itself it is a proper game, but still has a whole chapter devoted to dice rubbing etc LOL
As to HM itself it is a proper game, but still has a whole chapter devoted to dice rubbing etc LOL
Treebore
First Post
Which was a surprisingly good read once I forced myself to do so.
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