Ten observations on Castles & Crusades compared to d20.

[TheAuldGrump]

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

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.

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

Yech! Thank you for telling us about that, it does not sound like my cup of tea, no, not at all... I like skill checks, not having skills is what made me switch from AD&D to Runequest way back when. I had been thinking about C&C, but not now.

The Auld Grump

 

[MonsterMash]

Vigwyn - thanks for the summary. I definitely want to try C&C - wonder if the low cost and editing problems are not related though.

 

[Aaron2]

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

I was surprised on how modern the art was. I was expecting something more old school like in the DCC series.


Aaron

 

[Jupp]

I was surprised on how modern the art was. I was expecting something more old school like in the DCC series.


Aaron

That could change though. IIRC there are rumours that the Trolls could let Goodman Games make DCC modules for the C&C ruleset.

 

[dcas]

One question I really want to know the answer to:

How much of C&C is Open Gaming Content?

As far as the PHB is concerned, everything except the SIEGE Engine mechanic (IIRC). M&T and the CKG will probably have less OGC. But this is just a guess and does not proceed from any inside knowledge that I wouldn't have.

 

[Rydac]

"7. Turning undead is better in C&C."

How so?

 

[dcas]

That could change though. IIRC there are rumours that the Trolls could let Goodman Games make DCC modules for the C&C ruleset.

If you received the first issue of Troll Lord Games' magazine The Crusader, there was an advertisement from Goodman Games for their Dungeon Crawl Classics soliciting C&C players for help with conversions. Of course that doesn't mean that there's any definite agreement in place, but I think it makes it more than just a rumor.

I think TLG has received inquiries from other companies, too. Details, however, are quite scarce.

 

[TerraDave]

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

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.

So it is basically a d20 check with a fixed DC. This does have an "old school" feel in the sense that saving throws, theif skill checks, ability checks and proficiency checks in past editions where generally not adjusted for difficulty--but it also has the improvement of a unfied mechanic.

Does C&C give suggestions on modifying for difficulty? Or what you can do with different abilities? If a very strong but heavily armored charecter needs to swim across a river, how much guidance does it have?

Also, how do attack roles work? is there BAB? And how does this turn undead work?

 

[Jupp]

Does C&C give suggestions on modifying for difficulty? Or what you can do with different abilities? If a very strong but heavily armored charecter needs to swim across a river, how much guidance does it have?

The DM adds a difficulty level to the DC and the player may add his level as a bonus if its a prime attribute IIRC. Swimming is specially covered in the rules with a malus to the DC depending on additional weight. There are also suggestions on situations and to what attibute they might apply. But I think most can be done with common sense by the DM.

 

[Akrasia]

A nice, fair summary. Some questions...

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.

Could you elaborate on this? I have run two 3E campaigns (each lasted about a year), and have played 4 sessions of C&C now, and I would say that C&C is much easier to use than 3E, both in terms of prep and play.

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

The saving throw mechanism is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. Do you have other things in mind?