my UA surprise

[jester47]

I think using the Armor DR with damage conversion with the injury system and the con based massive damage varient makes for a nice grim and gritty combat system.

That was the single biggest surprise for me. I found that individualy I did not like those rules, but put together they make for a very interesting combat system.

Concievably you could eliminate the spells and use strictly the incantation system as your magic system to go for a low (but powerful) magic gritty campaign. In this I would give spellcasters Rogue skill points instead of spells. And bump the skill points for the other classes that can cast a little too.

Also, I really really liked the fantasy take on the sanity rules. Nice touch there.

Also like the way they did the Varient Specialist Wizards in the way they can still be used alongside normal classes.

Also like the alternate XP system. Much easier to use... will have to see.

really makes me want to relaunch my FR campaign in this ultra gritty mode...

 

[Hand of Evil]

I too was surprised by some of the rules set, magic points, Armor DR.

 

[Desdichado]

Is the book out yet? I may have to stop by the game store on the way home from work if it is...

 

[WayneLigon]

Is the book out yet? I may have to stop by the game store on the way home from work if it is...

Yep. B. Dalton's here has it. Should have my B&N web order in a day or so.

 

[Mystery Man]

Must stop reading these threads. Been trying to resist buying this book for awhile now...must resist!

 

[thalmin]

Is the book out yet? I may have to stop by the game store on the way home from work if it is...

Where ya been? UA came out on the 13th.

 

[diaglo]

Where ya been? UA came out on the 13th.

not around by me as of tuesday. but i'll check again on the way home from work today.

although, mine is in the mail.

 

[TracerBullet42]

Must stop reading these threads. Been trying to resist buying this book for awhile now...must resist!

Don't fight it...just give in. You'll be glad you did. Excellent book.

 

[francisca]

Don't fight it...just give in. You'll be glad you did. Excellent book.

Well, I'd qualify that adivce with the following:

Read all of the threads here and see how much use you might get out of it before deciding to buy. I did, then sat down in the store and read the particular parts that sounded interesting to me. Then I decided to buy it.

There is a lot of stuff in there, and the utility of each alternate system/rule will vary widely from game to game. I bought it, but I imagine I will use less than 40% of what is in there. Heck, they even state up front in the book that you probably won't be able to use all of the book.

FYI, I adopted:

-The variant XP system.

-Battle Sorceror, even though it's munchkin. I did tweak it though. I shifted all of the spell casting up one level (1 -> 2, 2 -> 3, etc..) and give the class 2 0-level spells at first level.

-Whirl-Wind frenzy option for Barbarians

-Totem Barbarians

Note that I have not digested most of the rest of the book, so I may be adding more, but those four are probably worth it to my group to warrant purchase of the book. But again, your mileage may vary. ENWorld is a great resource, take advantage of it, but spend the time reading passages of the book before you buy it.

 

[Desdichado]

Borders tells me they won't get it until the 3^rd of March. I'll be checking my FLGS on the way home from work.