How would you rate Iron Kingdoms?

[aurin777]

I'm very interested in the Steam Punk feel, and from what little I know about IK, it seems like the thing for me. What I want to know is how do the IK books rate? I'm looking to purchase them, but I want to know how they are before I do so. Anyone wanna help me out? thanks!
~~Brandon

 

[Bagpuss]

I might rate it if it had been published.

 

[Arthur Tealeaf]

Check out the reviews in the review section! IK is great!

 

[GMVictory]

The Witchfire Trilogy (adventure modules), The Monsternomicon, and Lock and Load: The IK Character Primer are all excellent books.

As soon as I can find/start a group locally, it will probably be the first thing I run.

The company site isn't too bad and have downloads of character sheets, maps, fiction, and other items that gives additional setting flavor.

They do miss targeted release dates, however, the quality of the product is certainly worth the wait.

Besides firearms, steamjacks, and mechanika, there are three additional character races and variations of standard races of the PHB (though halflings, half-orcs, and gnomes are omitted). The take on religion is nicely done. With the character primer human ethnicities come into play with varying advantages/disads.

No, I don't work for Privateer Press (but it would be nice ). But I have enjoyed the products they have produced so far and definitely recommend them.

 

[Morpheus]

I'm running an IK campaign right now and we are having a great time. You can check it out in the Story Hour...Shadows from the Past. I can't wait for the IKCG to come out, but like others have said, Privateer does take its time. It will be worth the wait, however...

 

[Ashrum the Black]

Well it looks like folks have already answered your question really but let me just chime in with my .02 cp worth as well. If you're looking for a setting that will allow your mage to be a gun toting, fireball throwing walking machine of destruction. As well as proving a tighter rain on the magic item creep that seems to plague far to many 3e games these days then this is the stting for you.

The system as a whole seems to have a slightly more Renaissance-meets-magic feel than your typical campaign. Which to my mind equals a good thing. I've always had a problem that the worlds of magic we all play in have rich histories that date back thousands of years, yet they have little to know advances in technology or magic. It just feels right that this might be a "natural" progression of magic and a culture within that context.

 

[Keia]

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of their products. I have yet to run them for my group, however, as I am waiting for more information on the world and various sourcebooks. I guess that would be my only complaint is the slow rate (very, very slow) that products come out.

Keia

 

[Sniktch]

Yeah, that'd be my complaint, too, Keia, but I'd prefer they take their time on the products and keep the quality high than rush them.

 

[Cedric]

I voted Yuck, but it has nothing to do with Iron Kingdoms and everything to do with my preferences.

I'm sure Iron Kingdoms is a good product, it seems to be have a good deal of support here.

However, I hate steampunk. I can't stand guns and technology in my fantasy worlds. I'm a fantasy purist, snob. If you want to set something in a different time period and make it historical (leaving out fantasy elements) then fine.

Or if you want to play a different game. Mage in the time of innovation and discovery is great.

But for fantasy gaming....I don't want guns, steam engines, flame throwers and the like....sorry.

Cedric

 

[kenjib]

Watch out for heavy railroading in the Witchfire Trilogy. There are many things that the PCs simply have to do because the modules revolve around a very specific pre-scripted plot. There's also an NPC who is more important to the modules than the PCs could ever possibly be -- Elminster syndrome. Good ideas and production values though. Monsternomicon is good if you like steam tech and gunpowder (which, apparently you do), but IMO not worth the money if you don't.

As has been pointed out, the product support has also been lacking. In four days the first Witchfire book will have been out for 2 years, and still we haven't gotten any kind of campaign setting book. It should be coming out in the near future, but I wouldn't count on getting any other supplement materials any time soon. Quality stuff so far, but very little of it. I think they missed their hype-window of opportunity about a year ago.