So, Hackmaster Basic?

[Matrix Sorcica]

Thanks.

So it is primarily because of one spell, that the mage doesn't run of of SP?

Also, I thought HMB only went to lvl 5?

It takes days to heal in HM without a heal bot. Not very fun for dungeon crawls - or?

 

[KJSEvans]

Thanks.

So it is primarily because of one spell, that the mage doesn't run of of SP?

Also, I thought HMB only went to lvl 5?

I think it's because he uses appropriate spell management that he doesn't run out. He posts here too, so I assume he can offer his critique of the magic system better than myself.

HMb goes to Level 10 due to expansion information that was made available in KODT #156 and #157. Additionally, there's class information for Knights, Paladins, Rangers, Rogues, Fighter/Mages and Fighter/Thieves in the HackJournals that go to Level 10 as well. (Not to mention there have been an impressive number of additional spells made available in those two resources).

It takes days to heal in HM without a heal bot. Not very fun for dungeon crawls - or?

Strike days - it can take weeks or months. I have a PC who, without clerical healing, would have needed something like 120 days to heal back from one nasty wound he received! If we were playing with the advanced rules, he likely would've found himself crippled with permanent negatives to his STR and CON for the kind of blow he received...

I'd just say that "heal bot" doesn't really exist in the traditional sense in HMb. In my opinion, that makes a dungeon crawl more exciting. However, PCs with first aid can help alleviate wounds; healing potions (which are suggested to be only modestly dispersed) help as well.

I guess that's a fairly significant difference in HMb when compared to some of the other RPGs. After a while, you have to start weighing the risks. Is it worth exploring the next room in the dungeon when you've lost half your HPs, your mage is sucking on fumes and the cleric has used his only heal spell of the day? Or do you want to go back to the village and spend a couple of days healing up? (With clerical aid, heal time should be reduced drastically.)

While you're gone, what's happening in the dungeon? Odds are, things aren't static. Maybe they decide to raid the village the same night that you leave to seek retribution for their fallen dead. Maybe they leave the dungeon all together, but not before taking all the kewl stuff you didn't find before you gave up. Maybe they send for reinforcements. In any case, they don't simply occupy rooms, and you won't have easy choices...

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

HMb goes to Level 10 due to expansion information that was made available in KODT #156 and #157. Additionally, there's class information for Knights, Paladins, Rangers, Rogues, Fighter/Mages and Fighter/Thieves in the HackJournals that go to Level 10 as well. (Not to mention there have been an impressive number of additional spells made available in those two resources).

Since those resources are not free, all the more reason for waiting on the full game.

You mention the advanced rules, so I presume you're a playtester or developer. Any news on a release date?

I guess that's a fairly significant difference in HMb when compared to some of the other RPGs.

Indeed.

 

[KJSEvans]

Since those resources are not free, all the more reason for waiting on the full game.

You mention the advanced rules, so I presume you're a playtester or developer. Any news on a release date?



Indeed.

I can't really hold it against anybody who wants to "wait on the full game," although HMb is a full game with many, many campaign options. I think that, for any good game, there will almost always be incredible products still to come that might make the game even cooler, but I'll always prefer to play the game as soon as it's available to me.

I mentioned that there are going to be advanced "critical wound" tables, but this stems from an educated guess more than anything else. David Kenzer has said that Aces & Eights is basically HackMaster .5 - ie, many of the mechanics could probably be called cousins. If you ever have a chance to flip through that book, check out the critical wounds tables - they're awesome.

That said, the HoB is due at the end of May. Jolly is reportedly working on formatting the PHB right now, and as far as I know the target date for that book is "before the end of the year." Fingers crossed that there are no major delays... (in the meantime, I'm going to try like hell to get my group up to Level 10 with the rules and supplements that are available... there are more than enough to keep us going, and with a creative GM, there are plenty of interesting adventures to run through)

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

and as far as I know the target date for that book is "before the end of the year." Fingers crossed that there are no major delays...

I think that was what they said in early 2010..... *sign* I just know my attention will drift to something else whenever a rpg company has a glacial release schedule.

On a positive note, I will maybe get the chance to check out other systems while waiting on either the core books of HM or the Mayan Apocalypse - whichever comes first.

 

[KJSEvans]

One thing I forgot to mention...

Jolly says that there are three HM products on the press right now. We know the HoB is one of them. Presumably the other two are adventures. I'm also pretty sure that there are going to be at least a few new pdf adventures coming out in the near future, not to mention an adventure in KODT in the coming months ...

 

[scourger]

Early playtests are negative for our group. I think the DM still wants to give it a go, though. I haven't read the whole book yet so I am unsure, but what I have seen doesn't excite me. I plan to hold off until the other players do some more playtesting to see if it is going to make it. The game really presents some changes and complications that take it far way from D&D. So, I find much of my mastery inapplicable (even Basic & 2e concepts) while I struggle to see what the new complexities add to the game.

HMB may be awesome and probably is under the right circumstances. I just don't think I need it to capture the "old school" feel that my friend wants.

 

[KJSEvans]

Certainly no game is for everybody!

However, having played HMb quite a bit, I'm not sure what you're finding complicated about it. The system seems quite simple to me...

With that in mind, my invitation to run folks through a Learn to Hack Demo remains open. Heck - if you join in and play a game or two with me, I may even be able to persuade the folks at KenzerCo to send you a care package...