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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Old One" data-source="post: 1979809" data-attributes="member: 83">OK...I picked up the BCCS exactly 1 month ago as a Xmas present to myself and wanted to toss out a couple of thoughts on the tome (as well as elicit feedback from others).  Random thoughts, in no particular order:(1) Great "Data Mine" - There are so many individual pieces of the book that would fit wonderfully into a mainstream D&D campaign.  Items that I really like include:<ul> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> The magic system - I can't decide whether I like the BCCS or the Grim Tales magic approach the best <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />!  The imminent flexibility of the system very cool, although I can see it being a bit intimidating to a casual or inexperienced player.  One thing that immediately jumped out for my homebrew would be to have various magical orders, cities, religions or other entities that taught the various magic talents.  While initially weaker than a "standard" D&D mage, BCCS wizards can become incredibly powerful.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Backgrounds and Allegiances - The background and allegiance system works better than standard class background skills and alignments (which, after 24 years of gaming, I am ready to consign to the dustbin).  That said, I still prefer the Grim Tales background system for maximum flexibility.  I am still trying to figure out a way to marry the two.  All-in-all, one of the most innovative magic systems to come down the pike in many a moon.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Core Classes - A couple of the core classes could easily be dropped into a typical D&D campaign.  My favorites include the Academician, the Jack-of-all-Trades, the Noble and the Ranger.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Prestige Classes - Although specifically designed for the BCCS, the Artificer, Nightstalker, Sword Master, Topkick and Veteran are quite interesting.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Skills - The treatment of the Speak Language skill is far more interesting than in standard 3.x.  Also, the Research Skill is pretty cool (although I would probably add a synergy bonus for 5+ ranks in Knowledge: History (local, ancient, etc) when researching in that area.</li> <li data-xf-list-type="ul"> Mass Combat System - Fairly easy to learn and use.  I am reserving full judgement until I see what Slavelords of Cydonia's system looks like.</li> </ul>(2) Don't get too attached to your character!  This is especially true if you play a typical "kick-down-the-door" D&D style <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f61b.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":p" title="Stick out tongue    :p"  data-smilie="7"data-shortname=":p" />!  Stealth, ambush and overwhelming force are passwords of the day if playing a straight-up BCCS campaign.  If I either run a BCCS campaign or pull a bunch of elements from it, I would be very tempted to take a page or 2 from Grim Tales in using the GT Action Points system and the armor as damage conversion alternate for few dead heroes.  Adding the shield bonus to the MDT is also something I am looking at.(3) Campaign Styles/Integration - Pages 198 through 213 have excellent ideas on either integrating the BCCS into an existing campaign or porting standard D&D classes into the BCCS.  There are some good general campaign arcs for a military-themed campaign at the end of this section as well.I am interested to hear on how others plan to use the book...either to run a tight or loose BCCS game or integrate elements into their on-going campaigns.  I may end up running a couple of BCCS one-shots just to get a better feel for the system and test some alternatvies.  The Green Ronin Mythic Vista's Forum also has some good BCCS discussions <a href="http://www.greenronin.com/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=20&sid=737d8e43aa08e230d1143aeca6991c26" target="_blank">Here</a>.Now I just need to lock Wulf and the Green Ronin brainstrust in the same room until they come out with a Grim Tales/BCCS hybrid I can call my own <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" />!~ Old One</blockquote>

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