Ten observations on Castles & Crusades compared to d20.

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

I bought the Castles & Crusades PHB a week ago. We have not played a game with it yet, but have made two characters (which took about a half hour each). Here are 10 things I now think I think about C&C.

1. C&C is not really easier to use than d20, but it does make preparation a lot more easy, for both players and GMs alike.

2. Some mechanics in C&C are actually more complex than in d20.

3. C&C is not “d20 lite”, although many of the rules are derived from d20.

4. C&C uses material from the 3.0 SRD instead of the 3.5 SRD.

5. I like the “free-wheeling” feel that C&C encourages.

6. Troll Lord Games should hire a really good editor.

7. Turning undead is better in C&C.

8. I really like the art in the PHB, although many of the monsters look pretty similar.

9. The “SIEGE engine” is a pretty cool mechanic, both logical and very easy to adjudicate.

10. But when I’m stumped for a rule in a game, I’ll be tempted to “plug in” a d20 rule instead of using the SIEGE engine to make one up on the fly, especially if character death might result.

 

[pogre]

Helpful observations - it does seem to have a 1st edition feel to it. Would you agree with that observation? I'm still debating this purchase...

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

Helpful observations - it does seem to have a 1st edition feel to it. Would you agree with that observation? I'm still debating this purchase...

Yes, although I only ever played Basic 1e. Plus, I think it's easier than 1e because it retains several major improvements to gaming since 1e. Two examples: AC is positive, no weird class/level restrictions for demihumans.

 

[Crothian]

What is the SIEGE Engine mechanic?

 

[MerricB]

One question I really want to know the answer to:

How much of C&C is Open Gaming Content?

Cheers!

 

[Turanil]

Well, all of this said from memory, not from the books:

What is the SIEGE Engine mechanic?

SIEGE Engine is the resolution system of saving throws and what replaces skill checks. Basically, if you want to make a saving throw or do something (like climbing a wall, pick-pocket someone, search something, etc.) you must roll a Strength, or Wisdom, or Dexterity, etc. check as appropriate. Normally the DC for any of such action is 18. Now, if the check is based on an ability score that is for your character a "prime ability", the DC is 12 instead of 18. Modifiers may be applied to the DC and to the ability check.

How much of C&C is Open Gaming Content?

A good deal of C&C is OGC but not the SIEGE engine.

 

[Glyfair]

Helpful observations - it does seem to have a 1st edition feel to it. Would you agree with that observation? I'm still debating this purchase...

I'm debating it myself. I was definitely not going to buy into the system (although I am planning on picking up Gygax's contributions and modifying them). However, the $20 price on a nice size hardcover book has me considering it.

 

[Crothian]

okay, so in number 10 the guy looks for other rules from d20 instead of assinging a DC to an attribute for on the fly stuff? Is that what he means? Not being at all familiar with the game made parts of that confusing.

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

What is the SIEGE Engine mechanic?

I don't know how detailed a description I can give here because I don't think it's open game content (but others have described it in some detail). Basically it is a method for resolving attribute checks that takes into account primary and secondary attributes, character/class level, the basic level of the challenge, as well as situational modifiers. What makes it great is that it takes all these things into account, but is still simple to adjudicate.

 

[Vigwyn the Unruly]

okay, so in number 10 the guy looks for other rules from d20 instead of assinging a DC to an attribute for on the fly stuff? Is that what he means? Not being at all familiar with the game made parts of that confusing.

Yeah, that's pretty much what I mean. The skills chapter of the D&D PHB has tons of DCs and modifiers to DCs. These are based on the d20 system, rather than the SIEGE engine and may not be balanced for C&C, but if a PC's life is on the line, I'll be tempted to use them instead of making up values. You know, so I can blame the book.