Is Iron Kingdoms worth it?

[Crothian]

But the books are very well written, great lay out and art....and I don't even like steampunk!!

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

The bonus hit dice and other rules issues have been clarified on the IK boards- the bonus hit die is a D8 and not a class hit dice.

As for the rules, the hardest part to grasp is the Mechanika, which, once you understand it, is almost exactly like building a car - you have different parts you put together. There are variants, such as the lack of high powered "raise dead" and similar spells and the permutations due to the lack of "planes" in the IK world. Healing also has modifications which make it difficult to heal those not of similar faith. Overall this makes the world grimmer and players have to be smarter.

As for a campaign, I had a similar dilemma - i had a homebrew which i had run for 10 years which , i decided to can for IK - i am enjoying it a lot! The world is very well realized with lots of excellent plot threads. It also demands the GM to be creative since one has to be able to work in the unique elements, especially mechanika and the related classes into a campaign. If one cannot, then i would not recommend running an IK campaign.

 

[Waylander the Slayer]

Humans getting skill points and optional abilities - it is OPTIONAL - the game is geared towards a more humanocentric? campaign. Go to the IK website and you will find a very simple breakdown of mechanika rules and clarification of the questions posed above on their message board and available for download. The Mechanika rules are not complicated at all.

 

[MoogleEmpMog]

The bonus hit dice and other rules issues have been clarified on the IK boards- the bonus hit die is a D8 and not a class hit dice.

"Clarified on the IK boards" does not improve the book itself. Does that d8 give skill points? Saves? If not, why not?

I loath Privateer's way of making everything an exception to the rules rather than playing nice with the system. The ogrun would be balanced with LA +0 and one Giant hit dice (or, for that matter, LA +1 and one Giant hit dice), and it would work within the system. The whole thing about Bonus Hit Die is just bad design, same as the Rifleman's ability.

The extreme quality of the setting and its presentation may make up for poor design - you'll find the pages of my IKCG well-thumbed - but they don't make the design better, nor do they excuse its weakness.

But the books are very well written, great lay out and art....and I don't even like steampunk!!

No doubt about it!

However, the OP had to pay above-normal prices for the books, though, and wanted to incorporate them into his homebrew. I just think he'd be better served with other products for that purpose.

On the other hand, there aren't many - if any - better-looking or -written d20 products on the market.

 

[TheAuldGrump]

"Clarified on the IK boards" does not improve the book itself. Does that d8 give skill points? Saves? If not, why not?

Consider it a variant of the Toughness feat, given as a bonus feat for the race. Problem solved! Heck, if it really bothers you then replacing it with the Toughness feat solves the problem too... no need to roll the D8.

I loath Privateer's way of making everything an exception to the rules rather than playing nice with the system. The ogrun would be balanced with LA +0 and one Giant hit dice (or, for that matter, LA +1 and one Giant hit dice), and it would work within the system. The whole thing about Bonus Hit Die is just bad design, same as the Rifleman's ability.

The extreme quality of the setting and its presentation may make up for poor design - you'll find the pages of my IKCG well-thumbed - but they don't make the design better, nor do they excuse its weakness.

Though as you can see the design is not as far off as you seem to think. If they had called it bonus hitpoints rather than a bonus hit die it would have created less argument I suspect. A change in terminology rather than in effect.

No doubt about it!

However, the OP had to pay above-normal prices for the books, though, and wanted to incorporate them into his homebrew. I just think he'd be better served with other products for that purpose.

On the other hand, there aren't many - if any - better-looking or -written d20 products on the market.

Now that I'll agree with.

The Auld Grump

 

[I'm A Banana]

Consider it a variant of the Toughness feat, given as a bonus feat for the race. Problem solved! Heck, if it really bothers you then replacing it with the Toughness feat solves the problem too... no need to roll the D8.

Right, but again, that doesn't improve the book.

For me, IK is like Rifts: I adore the setting, but I really don't like the ruleset. It's a lesser monster, to be sure, but the same kind.

So I get all my Pagan/Church goodness in my Concordance setting.

 

[GlassJaw]

For me, IK is like Rifts: I adore the setting, but I really don't like the ruleset.

So do what I would do - use Grim Tales instead.

 

[I'm A Banana]

Grim Tales? I don't like that setting OR that ruleset!

 

[TheAuldGrump]

For me, IK is like Rifts: I adore the setting, but I really don't like the ruleset. It's a lesser monster, to be sure, but the same kind.

[Bad lip synching]You have insulted my honor! Prepare to die![/bad lip synching]

Seriously, I have a lot less difficulty with the rules in IK than in Rifts. ('Cause Rifts sucks!) And I had no trouble at all realizing that in the case of the ogrun they were talking about bonus hit points, not a bonus level. *Shrug* Mostly it seems that peoples problems come from terminology in IK rather than actual rules problems. Do not forget that humans get beefed up a wee bit in the setting too, it seems like nearly every thread that I have read complaining about the ogrun and trollkin forget that rather important point.

The Auld Grump

 

[Bobitron]

The best fantasy setting on the market, and I love the rules, even if they are a bit wonky in some spots. Doug Seacat and the rest of the PP guys are just great.