So Who's Buying Lone Wolf?

[Andrew D. Gable]

Doing the RPG of Lone Wolf is kind of a neat full circle thing, too, as Joe Dever originally created Magnamund as a DnD setting. I would've preferred out-and-out d20, as well, but I don't have any real problems with what Mongoose has done.

You don't have things like elves, halflings, or gnomes, true; you have ogrons, noodnics, kloon, and dwarves instead. So there's still nonhumans. And (at least IMHO) there are dragons, of a kind, in Agarash and his spawn (we can't really agree on what Agarash looked like, but a lot of folks seem to think he's a dragon). There's Nyxator's bunch, too, but they're good.

 

[Neo]

The vast majority of differences are in character creation, which is why it isnt a D&D product. Though combat works slightly different as does magic, you will see all the trademarks of a d20 game such as Hit points, Fort, Ref & Wil saves, Skills, Armour Class etc..

To all those of you who played the books as a kid you will be glad to know you will be able to play your favourite groups as a character. The Kai Lord, Brother of the Crystal Star, Dwarven Gunner of Bor, Magician of Dessi, Shadaki bucaneer, Sommerlund Knight of the Realm and the Telchos Warrior.

If anything it is very much like a D20 Lite, ideal for new or novice players. And holds in some ways quite a few ideal in common with say the old boxed D&D sets where your race and class were tied. You do of course have a much greater option to individualise your characters as you progress even multiclassing in some cases, though why anyone would want too im not sure as all the classes have interesting developments in themselves all the way to 20th.

Even those of you who dont want to play it and just want to get it for the reminiscence value will find this a great book, the Gazeteer in particular is great!

Oh and mongoose announced recently the Joe Dever had given his permission for them to release the original books converted to d20 as free PDF adventures! So you'll even be able to relive the fun of those books in a more roleplay oriented context.. how cool is that

 

[Maniac]

I am getting it as soon as it comes out.

Anyone know when that is? I thought it was due in May so hopefully its any day now.

Originally posted by Joshua Randall
But back to Mongoose's Lone Wolf RPG -- I am highly dubious about it. Some of the preview materials indicate that Mongoose has made some... questionable... design decisions. In my opinion, of course. Nostalgia compelled me to order this, but it doesn't compel me to like it.

Might I ask what you felt was questionable? I liked the material I've seen so far. While the Kai Lord class was not how I originally would have done it I think it captures the feels of the book without being too complicated and still leaves enough room for character customization.

M.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Might I ask what you felt was questionable?

I think the entire design process -- of making it a stand-alone game rather than a D&D ad-on -- is questionable. That doesn't mean it's wrong, just worthy of questioning. According to Mongoose, they did this because they believe that people are more interested in buying one book that has all the rules they need to play a Lone Wolf RPG, as opposed to needing the PH + DMG + Lone Wolf book. I think they are wrong; I think everyone who buys this book will already own the PH + DMG. Or to put it another way, I think the number of non-D&D'ers who will buy the Lone Wolf book will be miniscule.

Thus, having the d20 core rules (or some modification thereof) contained in the Lone Wolf RPG book is a waste of space. Space that could have been spent on more maps, more monsters, or more whatever. Or just make the book smaller and charge less -- $39.95 is a high price.

While the Kai Lord class was not how I originally would have done it I think it captures the feels of the book without being too complicated and still leaves enough room for character customization.

(emphasis added)

The Kai Lord class is much more complex than anything in the PH. I was hoping for a more elegant solution. Also, I had some extensive criticisms of the class, both at the micro- and macro-level, which are posted on the Lone Wolf d20 Yahoo Group in this message and this one.

I think the biggest problem I have with Mongoose's approach is their sloppy implementation of several d20 rules (such as save DCs for special abilities). There is a reason the D&D has specific mechanics for those functions! That Mongoose would choose an alternate implementation without any particular reason just makes me dubious of their overall approach.

Like I said -- I've already pre-ordered the Lone Wolf RPG, but instead of waiting for it like a kid at Christmas, I am waiting for it like someone expecting the results of a test for a terminal disease... hoping that I'm wrong.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

I'll get it if they include that wacky plane from the magnakai series where you were pretty much doomed from the get-go.

 

[Henry]

Oh and mongoose announced recently the Joe Dever had given his permission for them to release the original books converted to d20 as free PDF adventures! So you'll even be able to relive the fun of those books in a more roleplay oriented context.. how cool is that

*Henry screams like a little girl*

*clears throat*

Damn you, Neo... Damn you.

*fumbles for wallet*

 

[Ranger REG]

I think the entire design process -- of making it a stand-alone game rather than a D&D ad-on -- is questionable. That doesn't mean it's wrong, just worthy of questioning. According to Mongoose, they did this because they believe that people are more interested in buying one book that has all the rules they need to play a Lone Wolf RPG, as opposed to needing the PH + DMG + Lone Wolf book. I think they are wrong; I think everyone who buys this book will already own the PH + DMG. Or to put it another way, I think the number of non-D&D'ers who will buy the Lone Wolf book will be miniscule.

You may have a point. Then again. The only thing that might be useful for this particular game from the PHB is the character creation and advancement rules. If that's the case, lugging those extra books for just those few pages would be cumbersome.

I may be wrong since it's been a long time I've read the novel series, but I doubt the D&D classes would be suitable for this game AND setting.

Thus, having the d20 core rules (or some modification thereof) contained in the Lone Wolf RPG book is a waste of space. Space that could have been spent on more maps, more monsters, or more whatever. Or just make the book smaller and charge less -- $39.95 is a high price.

Actually, that price tag is pretty decent for a standalone core rulebook. After all, d20 Modern and Star Wars core rulebooks are also priced at $39.95 each and they both have included the core ruleset (including character creation and advancement rules).

 

[Krieg]

Thus, having the d20 core rules (or some modification thereof) contained in the Lone Wolf RPG book is a waste of space. Space that could have been spent on more maps, more monsters, or more whatever.

Hmm, you didn't post a review on RPGnet in the last couple of days did you?

 

[MrFilthyIke]

*Henry screams like a little girl*

*clears throat*

Damn you, Neo... Damn you.

*fumbles for wallet*

What Henry squealed...um, said...yeah.

 

[Joshua Randall]

As I don't have my copy yet, I have not posted a review -- but rest assured that I will once the time comes.