I see all this talk here about 4E, Old School, and Pathfinder, but how about Hackmaster? Anyone? Bueller?

I never played Hackmaster.
I don't know how it runs, and I'd be curious to know more about it.

I just got the new basic edition today. That's why I asked. I find the latest editions of D&D to be too much work and similar games like Castles & Crusaders too bland. I just started reading it, but it seems to take the best from OD&D along with the added skills, and lots of little random trivial bits. It's also percentage-based even though the attributes work like D&D. There's also some funny stuff in there, like illustrations and descriptions for proper dice rolling techniques.

The character sheet makes the game look a little daunting, but I'm sure it's not bad once you fill everything out. If I had to say one bad thing about it so far, it would be that the cover does not inspire me to buy it. I only picked it up because I already knew about Hackmaster previously.

I probably won't get a chance to play it, but it looks like old school fun.

Sounds great to me. I'd try the game, if given the occasion.

I just happened upon the quick start rules on Kenzer's web site. This is the same from the beginning of the book:
http://www.kenzerco.com/free_files/HMb/HMb_quickstart_rules.pdf

Cool! Thanks for the link!

Sounds nice!

How is the distribution on this?  I mean, last time, the local FLGS got the Hackmaster, all the books and so on but now...

And yes, I know the economy blows, rpgs in the decline etc. etc. but it'd be neato for the Kenzer group to swoop in and snatch a chunk of territory from WOTC et al.

I don't know about distribution. What's nice is that it's only $19.99 MSRP. How many $20 games are there anymore?

Quote from: brettmb;332380I don't know about distribution. What's nice is that it's only $19.99 MSRP. How many $20 games are there anymore?

That's only the price for the Basic ruleset, though.  Is the Advanced ruleset out yet?

I don't think it's out yet. You only need the Basic set to play, but it only has 4 classes and 4 races.

Quote from: Danger;332376Sounds nice!

How is the distribution on this?  I mean, last time, the local FLGS got the Hackmaster, all the books and so on but now...

And yes, I know the economy blows, rpgs in the decline etc. etc. but it'd be neato for the Kenzer group to swoop in and snatch a chunk of territory from WOTC et al.

I bought mine at the LGS.

The first printing supposedly is going to sell out in a week or two, and it won't be reprinted till December. So it sounds as though it is doing well (probably a print run of a 1000 or 1500 copies, likely the lower number.)

But damn, good luck finding a group that's playing it, or who doesn't prefer something more vanilla, as Brett put it.

I went to buy it last week, but the clerk said, "It's a serious game. It's not meant to be played." It was one of those game store experiences where the cerk tries to make you feel like an asshole for asking for a product.

Quote from: Christian;332418I went to buy it last week, but the clerk said, "It's a serious game. It's not meant to be played." It was one of those game store experiences where the cerk tries to make you feel like an asshole for asking for a product.

Are you serious? It's more playable than 4E.

Quote from: Christian;332418I went to buy it last week, but the clerk said, "It's a serious game. It's not meant to be played." It was one of those game store experiences where the cerk tries to make you feel like an asshole for asking for a product.

What a fucking idiot.

Quote from: Christian;332418I went to buy it last week, but the clerk said, "It's a serious game. It's not meant to be played." It was one of those game store experiences where the cerk tries to make you feel like an asshole for asking for a product.

Shit like this is why I always figure that if I were to open a comic/game shop, I could make it work.  Since I understand retail and customer service enough to offer advice when asked and to leave judgement out of it.