Just to clear the air, 4th edtion has been out for a few years now.

[Dirt]

I know it's not only a joke. It's something half-baked. A D&D with some KoDT jokes sprinkled on top. Like they took D&D, started from KoDT #1 and included everything pertaining to HackMaster. Then they took KoDT #2. Did the same. Rinse, repeat.

If it wasn't in KoDT, it's from D&D. Thats why most spells are like they were straight from D&D, but one spell that was a spoof in KoDT strip has an arcane formula for calculating it's range. I'm just asking .. why not make the whole game KoDTified and as exciting?

Actually, Hackmaster is AD&D 2nd edition, with additional game mechanics added on. My players used to refer to it as "Chartmaster" because EVERYTHING had a chart. While it added a lot of complexity, I found the combats to be more interesting (the addition of critical hit charts, penetration damage, fatigue, and the like added more danger to each combat).

We actually incorporated several elements of the game into a regular 3.5 game.

If the parody element didn't exist and it was just presented as building upon the AD&D 2nd edition license, it would probably receive a more favorable opinion...

 

[Numion]

If the parody element didn't exist and it was just presented as building upon the AD&D 2nd edition license, it would probably receive a more favorable opinion...

I guess you cant please anyone, since I would want more of the parady elements If I wanted straightfaced 2e, I'd play that. Or not, since I don't want to play 2e.

I am a huge fan of KoDT though, so I'd give HackMaster a try -- but there is no such game. Just 2e with some KoDT jokes tacked on.

Props to Kenzer for good adventure support though. I'd like if WotC did the same!

 

[Crothian]

If the parody element didn't exist and it was just presented as building upon the AD&D 2nd edition license, it would probably receive a more favorable opinion...

Yes, from the uninformed who don't know enough on it to know it is a serious game as well as funny. People who know the game rarely say that is great but they wish there was less funny. Plus, they couldn't do what they are doing if it was not part parody.

 

[ecliptic]

We`vealready edition 4.5 it`s wrongly numbered 3.5.
There was an D&D Edition in 1974 or 76.

True but if you want to get technical. This is only the 2.5 edition of non-Advanced labled D&D.

 

[Gutboy Barrelhouse]

I am a huge fan of KoDT though, so I'd give HackMaster a try -- but there is no such game. Just 2e with some KoDT jokes tacked on.

I've always suspected that the use of parody was a subterfuge to get some kind of AD&D back into print.

Regards,
GBBH

 

[shadow]

I always thought that 3.5e was really 4e. There are serious compatability issues between 3e and 3.5e. The changes that 3.5e made were drastic enough that it reall could have been called 4e.

 

[Sejs]

There are serious compatability issues between 3e and 3.5e. The changes that 3.5e made were drastic enough that it reall could have been called 4e.

Compared to the jumps between previous editions, suffice it to say that there are those that disagree with you, Mr. Shadow.

 

[Numion]

I always thought that 3.5e was really 4e. There are serious compatability issues between 3e and 3.5e. The changes that 3.5e made were drastic enough that it reall could have been called 4e.

You can pretty much take a 3.0E stat block and use it in 3.5E. The numbers might not be of correct value, but there are the same numbers and they mean the same thing. There is no more trouble using a 3.0E ranger in 3.5E than there is to use any variant class in 3.5E (thats zero).

How do I know? I've DMed 3.5E Dungeon adventures in my 3.0E game since 3.5E started

 

[Dirt]

Yes, from the uninformed who don't know enough on it to know it is a serious game as well as funny. People who know the game rarely say that is great but they wish there was less funny. Plus, they couldn't do what they are doing if it was not part parody.

Exactly. I believe that is was also part of the license agreement that Kenzer & Co had to incorporate parody elements into the game and their adventures.

If the parody is ignored, there are some fun game mechanics...and it's a great game for those gamers who liked 2nd edition better than 3rd.

For me personally, I like both 2nd edition and 3rd, so I wasn't stuck to any particular bias.

 

[MerricB]

Hackmaster character creation... urk. Give me the simplicity of 3e any time!

Cheers!