LotR RPG vs. 3e

[Desdichado]

I generally prefer bell curves to straight line probablility I think I will have to check LotR out.

Well, all you have to do is use 2d10 instead of d20 and run everything else the same. Or if you're really a statistics weirdo, roll 3d6, or 5d4 or something. You don't need to buy an entirely new book to get bellcurves into d20.

Me, I'm interested in LotR for the magic system!

 

[Darkness]

Saruman
The Nazgul
Moria Balrog
Barrow Wights
Worntongue (if I am remembering right)

Are all stated. Don't ever expect to see stats for Sauron. The book straight out says no matter who you are if you ever encounter him directly then you are dead.

Ah - so the big (but not godawfully big) bads are statted, but the heroes aren't. Works for me...

Thanks!

 

[KnowTheToe]

I bought the book last week and breezed through it while on vacation. I thought the base rules of the book looked very good, many similarities to d20, but the book was the worst organized thing I have ever read.

I believe that looking up rules while playing or just to learn details of specific rules would be a bear.

 

[Squire James]

Saruman
The Nazgul
Moria Balrog
Barrow Wights
Worntongue (if I am remembering right)

Are all stated. Don't ever expect to see stats for Sauron. The book straight out says no matter who you are if you ever encounter him directly then you are dead.

Unless, apparently, you manage to score a critical hit on his ring finger...

I'm curious: does the RPG really favor the "epic high fantasy" of LoTR, or is the PC's confined to Little Things, because nearly all the Big Things were done by Other People? Does the book ever really deal with such issues?

I know playing lesser heroes can be fun, but I can't help but to remember those "What's this guy's story?" Star Wars ads in Dragon magazine (the ones with the random stormtrooper or rebel solider in the background circled). My answer was usually something like, "Who freakin' cares?"

 

[Darkness]

Hmm... Anyone know what supplements they'll do in the next time, BTW?

 

[Apok]

I'm curious: does the RPG really favor the "epic high fantasy" of LoTR, or is the PC's confined to Little Things, because nearly all the Big Things were done by Other People? Does the book ever really deal with such issues?

The game does favor the epic feel of the LotR novels, which is no suprise since that is what the book focuses on. It seems to center on the events between the finding of the One Ring by Bilbo Baggins and the beginning of the War of the Ring as it's "primary" campaign timeline, though it offers suggestions and guidelines for running a game outside of that timeline. Creating your own world and/or modifying the history of Middle Earth is completely acceptable, just make sure you aren't dealing with a group of "Tolkein Purist" setting lawyers. Feel free to ignore the canon material and do what you think would make for a great campaign, just be sure to warn the players beforehand so they don't go into apoplexy when your Middle Earth doesn't quite jive with their knowledge of Tolkien's world. After all, it's your game and your vision and if your players have a problem with it then they shouldn't be playing, right?

As far as creating an epic feel, the game has that in spades. It gives one that cinematic feel where one can do anything, be a great hero and make an impact on history. I suppose you could go the route of each player being one of the fellowship but that to me just doesn't seem like much fun. If I were going to run LotR using Middle Earth, I would definitely run it during the Fourth Age of which precious little is written so there aren't any expectations. Of course, I have already decided to use the system for my homebrew so, for me, it's a moot point.

 

[Apok]

Hmm... Anyone know what supplements they'll do in the next time, BTW?

Decipher has posted their product release schedule here .

Up next is the Limited Edition core rules, followed by the Narrator's Screen and the Hero's Journal. The good stuff comes after that with the Fellowship of the Rings Sourcebook and Fell Beats and Wondrous Magic, though they aren't slated for release until early 2003 which sucks.

Edit; Bloody typos.

 

[Darkness]

Thanks, Apok!

 

[NeghVar]

Both are awesome.

Roughly, you coould convert the material by multiplying any LOTR number by 1.5 to get a D20 value. To convert from D20 to LOTR multiply by 2/3.

DnD is more tactical and scientific and LOTR is more elegant and artistic, IMO.

DnD core uses minatures (which I don't like and don't use) while LOTR is more cinematic.

My homebrew hopefully takes the best from both.

Razuur

Try the attached conversion instead (works out quite a bit better than the multiplication version):

Later!