Skull and Bones versus Salt and Sea Dogs

[johnsemlak]

I just read a review at EN World of Kenzer's Salt and Sea Dogs (a Pirate book for the Kalamar setting) and was impressed.

I know that Green Ronin's Skull and Bones has been very highly rated by several reviewers but I can't help thinking I would prefer Kenzer Book's approach to integrating piracy into a standard D&D fantasy campaign (which includes non-human races, standard PC classes, etc).

Those of you who have looked at one or both closely, which one do you prefer or why do you like either one of them?

Does S&B need to be played as a separate setting, or can bits of it be ported?

Of course, views on this topic may largely come down to personal taste (mine being a preference towards a pirate book based on standard D&D fantasy) but I'd like to read some other people's point of view.

 

[Psion]

Does S&B need to be played as a separate setting, or can bits of it be ported?

I would say bits of it can be ported, but it's not written with that in mind.

Myself, I am using Seafarer's Handbook and the IMO excellent Seas of Blood for the nautical campaign I am about to start.

 

[Kichwas]

Salt and Sea Dogs is a very nice book, and the bulk of the information is general in approach - how to use the classes and races in a sea game, weather effects, ships, pirate life, naval combat, building adventures, the usual prestige classes, feats, equipment, spells, magic items, familiars, and so on.

Only chapters 9 and 10 (out of 11 and an appendix) are Kalamar setting specific - detailing piracy in two of the 'hotspots' for it in the campaign world.

 

[Desdichado]

Not having a good deal of first hand experience with either product, I can definately say that Skull and Bones is meant to be played as a stand alone game. It's got all new classes, an all new magic system, and a number of other "house rules" (like the player's "lives" and the way hit point work) that adapt it as a seperate d20 game to the genre. The Kalamar product, on the other hand, is about using D&D for a pirate experience, which is quite different.

 

[Silveras]

I don't run a pirate-focused game per se, but I use The Seafarer's Handbook from Fantasy Flight (mentioned by Psion earlier) when I need some nautical elements for my "standard" D&D games.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

Salt and Sea Dogs is a very nice book, and the bulk of the information is general in approach - how to use the classes and races in a sea game, weather effects, ships, pirate life, naval combat, building adventures, the usual prestige classes, feats, equipment, spells, magic items, familiars, and so on.

Only chapters 9 and 10 (out of 11 and an appendix) are Kalamar setting specific - detailing piracy in two of the 'hotspots' for it in the campaign world.

Yep, that's what I would have said too - and I should know. Also, I did my best to make sure that it integrates well with D&D v3.5. Personally, I think it's a great expansion to the ship and weather info listed in the PHB and DMG, if not for everything else in S&SD.

 

[Kichwas]

Yep, that's what I would have said too - and I should know. Also, I did my best to make sure that it integrates well with D&D v3.5.

My only issue with the book is the missing DCs on the Fort saves for the beverages...

That's come up three times so far in my group since the book came out.

 

[Mark Plemmons]

My only issue with the book is the missing DCs on the Fort saves for the beverages...

That's come up three times so far in my group since the book came out.

Yep, you can blame me for that one, as I wrote that section at the very last second before press. Hope this helps!

Oh, keep in mind that the alcoholic strength of the drinks does not determine their price as noted on that table - rarity, taste and "bouquet" are also significant factors.

Drink - DC Type
Ale, Lamb's Wool - Ingested DC 10
Ale, Pekal Stout - Ingested DC 11
Celaar - Ingested DC 12
Furmore - Ingested DC 15
Joda - Ingested DC 13
Ousoo - Ingested DC 11
Roshova - Ingested DC 11
Rum - Ingested DC 13
Tozulka-Ran - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Bajdar - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Basiran Gold - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Dopromond Dry - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Faldhaad - Ingested DC 10
Wine, Gakite Scarlet - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Kalamaran Rosaleta - Ingested DC 10
Wine, Malvasia - Ingested DC 13
Wine, Morleen - Ingested DC 11
Wine, Noerataal - Ingested DC 12
Wine, Taohuu - Ingested DC 12
Wine, Tarisato Clear - Ingested DC 12
Wine, Thokka - Ingested DC 12
Wine, Urakil - Ingested DC 15