The Strange and Numenera: Experiences and Resources

[TarionzCousin]

I just purchased Bruce R. Cordell's The Strange core rulebook earlier today. I'm interested in hearing about other folks' experiences with playing it and Numenera.

For those of you unfamiliar with The Strange, I suggest you begin here.

The game uses Numenera's simple d20 "Cypher System," but the geography of the game is significantly different. In short, PC's are agents from Earth who try to prevent enemies from doing evil things, like consume the entire planet. There are multiple universes somewhat accessible to certain beings that exist within their own demiplanes: places like Oz, the world of Sherlock Holmes, and the two locations included in the game, Ardeyn (fantasy) and Ruk (mad scientist).

Have you played the game(s)? If so, what were your impressions?

If there are any online resources out there aside from montecookgames, please let me know.




P.S. The Strange core book is gorgeous, in the same style as Numenera and Ptolus.

 

[Crothian]

I played in a one shot Numenera game. The setting was great but the mechanics were not. We did character creation and that wasn't that good either. I did not buy it becasue I have enough games with great settings and lousy mechanics.

 

[Desh-Rae-Halra]

I've played both and I like the system and setting.

As a GM, it is easy to graph out a story and then proceed to tell it. You dont need stat blocks for opponents, and the collaborative aspect of minor and Major effects can really help players feel empowered in the story. And, with GM Intrusions, you can throw a little curveball at the heroes but they benefit from it.

As a player, I like the simplicity. if I want a better chance at doing something, I expend Effort. I dont get lost in all the rules options, and the system itself seems to speed up gameplay.

The settings are much more driven for a narrative collaborative experience.

If you favor tons of math, fumbling through lots of books to cross-reference rules, hack + slash murderhobo for xp style play, this system is probably not for you. (Thats not a dig at anyone, just a comparison of how I see Pathfinder/3.5 D&D).

They are both a great mix of fantasy + sci-fi

 

[Crothian]

If you favor tons of math, fumbling through lots of books to cross-reference rules, hack + slash murderhobo for xp style play, this system is probably not for you. (Thats not a dog at anyone, just a comparison of how I see Pathfinder/3.5 D&D).

Nice. Insult everyone who plays D&D and Pathfinder the two most popular RPGs in the world on a the most popular D&D fansite in the world.

 

[Desh-Rae-Halra]

Nice. Insult everyone who plays D&D and Pathfinder the two most popular RPGs in the world on a the most popular D&D fansite in the world.

Can I have some xp for that?
That wasnt my intention, but I guess I'll take credit/responsibility.

I'm not saying D&D/Pathfinder are bad games. I can enjoy them. What takes away from my own enjoyment is the list of the above, which I find absent in the Monte Cook Games (except maybe for Which Cypher table do we roll on).

I understand that I am in the minority of players that prefer story over crunch and algebra tactics.

I typically come to ENworld to read about Other game systems than D&D and Pathfinder (though D&D 5e seems promising).

 

[Crothian]

I understand that I am in the minority of players that prefer story over crunch and algebra tactics.

The probably is it is player issue more then a game issue. For some of us that have been playing games for over three decades we find that the system is less important then the players and the players decide how the game is run. The stories in many D&D games is of foremost importance.

 

[Jhaelen]

I understand that I am in the minority of players that prefer story over crunch and algebra tactics.

I'm not sure this minority of yours is such a minority at all.
D&D is the system I play the most but for me the stories are still the most important thing. I do however prefer to have a tactical combat system available, if combat is unavoidable. Combat is always a convenient fall-back solution if other approaches didn't work.