Teflon Billy
Explorer
Zappo said:
Amen to that. Even Con 4 sounds a little generous to me
[Somewhat OT] Elric of Melnibone in D20 stats
- Thread starter Neowolf
- Start date
Amen to that. Even Con 4 sounds a little generous to me
Grazzt
Demon Lord
Darkness said:d20 reviews says it's average... *shrug* Myself, I've never seen it, so I can't really comment on it.
I own it and it is less than average. Basically if you own the original ELRIC! book, you dont need this. It is like they took all that, rehashed it (most of it word for word) and attempted to cram it into d20 (and it didnt work). The mechanics for allegiance for example couldve been a lot more "d20ish" and easier, but they pretty much ported it over- straight up. And it is clunky, to say the least.
Plus the book is rife with other mechanical errors as well.....like they use the Allegiance system to stat the NPCs, but D&D's alignment system in places too.....
CRG
First Post
DLoM is bad. I'll tell anyone who's listening.
However, they did get some stuff right. The fact that they didn't do anything with the magic system (really) to suit the flavor of the game is criminal.
First, he's obviously capable of summoning / controlling outsiders.
Second, he's obviously more
Third, the magic he wields isn't constrained by armor - either make him very high sorc using quickened spells or priestly (special priestly).
Fourth, his 'other' spells should be things that are not-castable but are usable in making items (potions, etc. to give him strength/con and wonderous items).
Fifth, let me curse the magic system again for its wonky, wierd and poorly done - espescially in the area dealing with binding outsiders into objects.
However, they did get some stuff right. The fact that they didn't do anything with the magic system (really) to suit the flavor of the game is criminal.
First, he's obviously capable of summoning / controlling outsiders.
Second, he's obviously more
Third, the magic he wields isn't constrained by armor - either make him very high sorc using quickened spells or priestly (special priestly).
Fourth, his 'other' spells should be things that are not-castable but are usable in making items (potions, etc. to give him strength/con and wonderous items).
Fifth, let me curse the magic system again for its wonky, wierd and poorly done - espescially in the area dealing with binding outsiders into objects.
ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
Teflon Billy said:
That's true, but...we know he had all kinds of pacts and the like he could draw on as Emperor. Maybe such minor spells would be used in an almost second-nature way, minor pacts fulfilled by very minor demons. That is, use D&D spells, just describe how they're used in a way that's different than is given in the PHB, with demons or other entities helping provide the effects. While some spells may not have been used in an obvious way in the books, many of them seem very appropriate to Elric and his world. Especially Elric, who seemed to always have some pact or another to call upon when he needed to.
DLoM isn't all that bad; it could be much better, and should have been. Chaosium did it less-than-halfheartedly, and it shows. Still, it's useful. But, did anyone notice the news Morrus posted about the upcoming adventure being cancelled? Chaosium should've either not done the book at all, or done it as well as they could have. Doing things in half-measures hurt the chances they had of making it a success, so it's little wonder they decided to cancel that adventure.
Grazzt
Demon Lord
ColonelHardisson said:
Totally agree with ya Colonel.
Agreed again. As disappointed as I was with the book, I have still culled some ideas from it since my campaign world is dark fantasy and spins more around the Law vs Chaos than Good vs Evil axis.
Saw that. And there was another proposed sourcebook that has sinced been killed. Can't recall the name of it, but I got the news across the Chaosium mailing list.
CRG
First Post
Ok I'll back down.
Dragon Lords of Melnibone wasn't that bad.
But the D20 portions of that book were very poor. The only good things in that book I already own in my multiple copies of various Storbringer versions.
Maybe I just a bit tweaked because I ran out and bought it as soon as it was out. It *was* my first non-WoTC D20 product and it just didn't look like it a serious amount of time was spent in its development. Then again, Chaosium is going to continue to push its own system, so I have to believe it was more of an effort to sway players.
Dragon Lords of Melnibone wasn't that bad.
But the D20 portions of that book were very poor. The only good things in that book I already own in my multiple copies of various Storbringer versions.
Maybe I just a bit tweaked because I ran out and bought it as soon as it was out. It *was* my first non-WoTC D20 product and it just didn't look like it a serious amount of time was spent in its development. Then again, Chaosium is going to continue to push its own system, so I have to believe it was more of an effort to sway players.
ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
It's very frustrating. As much as people complain about d20 trying to take over the RPG world, it's also evident that some game companies are equally dictatorial. Chaosium's grudging acceptance of d20 versions of DLoM and even CoC is indicative of this. Basically, it seems, the attitude is: "we're gonna get and keep the licenses to these settings, and you have to play our way or no way." It would be one thing if these were settings created by Chaosium, but they're based on the writings of two of the most popular fantasy/scifi/horror writers ever. There are countless d20 fans - or even fans that use other systems, like GURPS - that would love to see versions of these settings for their favorite system. Chaosium would make money off of such projects; it's not like I'm saying give the license over to anyone else. Just work it out so that real support material can be made for the initial rulebook - but most importantly, make sure that the initial sourcebook is top-notch (like CoC).
Some would say: "well, they let d20 versions of these settings be made!" Sure, but they have only gotten behind them, as I said, half-heartedly and begrudgingly. CoC had Monte and WotC backing it up, so it came out great. But will Chaosium really throw any real support behind it now? We saw how limp their offerings were for DLoM. Why haven't we seen any other books for d20 CoC yet? The book was delayed in release, from the news we got, for, what, a year? Why no modules concurrent with the release, or at least within the first few months after release? Why no books of Cthulhu magic? Why no support material whatsoever? EDIT: Remember - Chaosium reserved the right to do any other CoC books for itself, so WotC - or anyone else - cannot.
That's what I mean by half-hearted.
DLoM got a bad rap almost immediately, which helped ruin its potential. CoC has yet to be truly supported. To put it another way (cleaned up a bit) - poop or get off the pot.
Some would say: "well, they let d20 versions of these settings be made!" Sure, but they have only gotten behind them, as I said, half-heartedly and begrudgingly. CoC had Monte and WotC backing it up, so it came out great. But will Chaosium really throw any real support behind it now? We saw how limp their offerings were for DLoM. Why haven't we seen any other books for d20 CoC yet? The book was delayed in release, from the news we got, for, what, a year? Why no modules concurrent with the release, or at least within the first few months after release? Why no books of Cthulhu magic? Why no support material whatsoever? EDIT: Remember - Chaosium reserved the right to do any other CoC books for itself, so WotC - or anyone else - cannot.
That's what I mean by half-hearted.
DLoM got a bad rap almost immediately, which helped ruin its potential. CoC has yet to be truly supported. To put it another way (cleaned up a bit) - poop or get off the pot.
Last edited:
Similar Threads
D&D 3E/3.5
Homebrew Content
