D&D 5E Iron Kingdoms 5e

[Ralif Redhammer]

I also thought the Essence mechanic was a cool idea. It's something that's easily understood and carries with it a degree of flavor.

(Disclosure: I'm a Warmachine player and Iron Kingdoms overall enthusiast. I've participated in both of the IKRPG Kickstarter campaigns so far, and will probably pledge in the upcoming one).

I still haven't played with it but, from what I've read, I like it. The Essence system (basically an alternative to Tasha's optional abilities' bonus system) is quite interesting. It allows you to choose an "essence" (Intelectual, Agile, Mighty, Gifted or Pious) that determines your ability bonus and bonus proficiencies instead of those provided by your race (as well as giving access to a set of restricted feats), thus avoiding that your pick of race doesn't match you choice of class.
There are other interesting mechanical bits, like commanding warjacks and using steam-powered armor. Also new classes (the warcaster class seems quite powerful), subclasses and backgrounds. And, of course, lots of setting information to advance the lore to the current in-game timeline.

The books are well laid out (they did a round of backer-reviewed feedback that catched quite a few errors) and the art, while mostly re used from the miniature games, is awesome.

My book was one of the faulty ones from the Kickstarter. The binding was absolutely garbage, but they were really quick about sending a replacement.

If you like the setting, you can't go wrong with this one, at least the pdf. It is true that there were issues with some of the hardbacks' bindings. Privateer Press used a type of binding that allows for the books to stay opened flat on the table, and quite a few backers had to have their books replaced because of loose or detached pages. I was lucky enough to not being among those.

On the whole I like the book, though reading it I came to realize that so many setting books do the same thing - they start off with ancient history that happened thousands of years ago. I get that that's part of building the world and all, but it seems like there's got to be a better way to go about it to get to the hooks and meat of the setting faster than an info dump of questionable use in a game.

 

[humble minion]

The binding was absolutely garbage, but they were really quick about sending a replacement.

My copy was not one of the ones with a faulty binding, but they sent me out a replacement anyway. And another replacement after that, despite me never requesting one. Eventually, I asked them to stop, but most of my gaming group has a copy now…

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

My copy was not one of the ones with a faulty binding, but they sent me out a replacement anyway. And another replacement after that, despite me never requesting one. Eventually, I asked them to stop, but most of my gaming group has a copy now…

 

[RuinousPowers]

I also thought the Essence mechanic was a cool idea. It's something that's easily understood and carries with it a degree of flavor.



My book was one of the faulty ones from the Kickstarter. The binding was absolutely garbage, but they were really quick about sending a replacement.



On the whole I like the book, though reading it I came to realize that so many setting books do the same thing - they start off with ancient history that happened thousands of years ago. I get that that's part of building the world and all, but it seems like there's got to be a better way to go about it to get to the hooks and meat of the setting faster than an info dump of questionable use in a game.

That's every setting though, since they are written with the understanding that more people will read the pretty coffee table style book than actually need to use it as a gaming reference.

 

[Ralif Redhammer]

Yeah, as I said it's that way with just about every setting book. I just so happened to notice it more when reading this book. I don't know that I have an answer...maybe you just need a timeline before the immediate history, not pages of the stuff? A single line of something like "1066: William the Conqueror begins the Norman conquest of England with the Battle of Hastings?"

A gaming book should be based on being actionable, but you are right, frequently they can lose sight of that.

That's every setting though, since they are written with the understanding that more people will read the pretty coffee table style book than actually need to use it as a gaming reference.

 

[Weiley31]

I like it as a whole. And I've added its weapon list to the PHB's weapon list for my 5E Forgotten Realms games. And the Firearms (alongside the Gun Mage) are neat enough to add to the Mercer Gunslinger guns.

 

[humble minion]

The kickstarter for the Cryx supplement is live. One thing about PP kickstarters - they only go live once the book is finished and laid out bar some proofreading. While this means that they never offer stretch goals that involve actually adding additional material to the books, it also means that if you back them, you'll be getting a fully-illustrated, fully-laid-out near-final pdf copy of the books within a month or so of the campaign finishing.

Iron Kingdoms: The Nightmare Empire

Pirates, Sea Witches, and Iron Liches for 5e

www.kickstarter.com

 

[Weiley31]

Hella recommend backing this. The Iron Kingdom: Requiem books are pretty much bangers!

 

[LuisCarlos17f]

I am awaiting to be published the Spanish translation in the end of this year. But if I am sincere really I would rather to create a mash-version mixing things from different settings.

I bought it this week. I am interested into the sourcebook Borderlands and Beyond, with two new classes and five PC races/species. Where could I find more information about the shaman and the other class?

 

[humble minion]

I bought it this week. I am interested into the sourcebook Borderlands and Beyond, with two new classes and five PC races/species. Where could I find more information about the shaman and the other class?

I have the books. What do you want to know?