Sell Me On Rules Cyclopedia

Akrasia · August 09, 2013, 06:17:11 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;679276In my experience, M-Us were definitely not disadvantaged. On the contrary, I'd say that at higher levels, unless you are using weapon mastery, they would vastly outshine fighters.

Unless you're confident that your campaign will extend beyond level 10, the Elf class is clearly superior to the M-U. And if you're using the Alfheim supplement, then Elves are probably better than M-Us even beyond that.

But yeah, relative to all other classes, once you get to higher levels (10+) the M-U will start to dominate (just as it does in AD&D). And that's a good thing, IMO.

Panjumanju · August 09, 2013, 06:57:39 PM

Quote from: RPGPundit;679276In my experience, M-Us were definitely not disadvantaged.

Quote from: Akrasia;679549...the Elf class is clearly superior to the M-U. And if you're using the Alfheim supplement, then Elves are probably better than M-Us even beyond that.

I'm assuming "magic-user"?

Or are we talking about the Mystic (that is not a Monk...or is the Monk a Mystic in all but name?)

//Panjumanju

Akrasia · August 09, 2013, 07:21:43 PM

Quote from: Panjumanju;679565I'm assuming "magic-user"?

Or are we talking about the Mystic (that is not a Monk...or is the Monk a Mystic in all but name?)

//Panjumanju

Yeah, magic-user.

Votan · August 09, 2013, 07:55:48 PM

Quote from: Akrasia;679549Unless you're confident that your campaign will extend beyond level 10, the Elf class is clearly superior to the M-U. And if you're using the Alfheim supplement, then Elves are probably better than M-Us even beyond that.

But yeah, relative to all other classes, once you get to higher levels (10+) the M-U will start to dominate (just as it does in AD&D). And that's a good thing, IMO.

That is a major plus of the B/X approach: Elves end up being reasonably balanced relative to Magic Users by the end.

I also like the higher percentages on thief skills, which make them more effective at the levels typically seen in play.

RPGPundit · August 11, 2013, 05:44:30 AM

I'm always confident my campaigns will get to high level.

The Ent · August 11, 2013, 05:50:46 AM

Quote from: Akrasia;679549Unless you're confident that your campaign will extend beyond level 10, the Elf class is clearly superior to the M-U. And if you're using the Alfheim supplement, then Elves are probably better than M-Us even beyond that.

But yeah, relative to all other classes, once you get to higher levels (10+) the M-U will start to dominate (just as it does in AD&D). And that's a good thing, IMO.

Elves level up at a glacial rate, though, wich is a serious weakness of the class.

brettmb · August 28, 2013, 09:06:48 PM

If anyone is interested, here's a copy of the Cyclopedia on ebay:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dungeons-Dragons-Game-Rules-Cyclopedia-1071-Hard-Cover/141048369182

robiswrong · August 28, 2013, 09:54:30 PM

Quote from: The Ent;680077Elves level up at a glacial rate, though, wich is a serious weakness of the class.

Assuming everyone is gaining xp at the same rate, an elf can generally expect to be 2-3 levels behind everyone else, except for the magic users (who will probably only have a single level on them).

The Ent · August 30, 2013, 01:39:55 AM

Quote from: robiswrong;686749Assuming everyone is gaining xp at the same rate, an elf can generally expect to be 2-3 levels behind everyone else, except for the magic users (who will probably only have a single level on them).

Yeah. And thieves would be a bit ahead.

OTOH that's working as intended (what with elves being really powerful).

noisms · August 30, 2013, 04:11:19 AM

Quote from: Panjumanju;678618What are the differences between Basic and Expert?
(And am I right to assume "B/X" stands for "Basic and Expert"?)

//Panjumanju

You have to be a little bit careful: B/X refers to 'Moldvay Basic', which just had a Basic and an Expert set. It predates the Rules Cyclopedia.

The Rules Cyclopedia is basically a condensed version of the BECMI sets (Basic, Expert, Companion, Master, Immortal), of which the Basic iteration is the famous "red box".

Getting your hands on each of the separate sets from Basic through to Immortal is better than the RC in that they are better written and have much more tools for a DM (although the Immortal set is really a luxury - I've certainly never tried to run it). But the RC, I think, is the best D&D book you can buy as it has everything you need in one place.

The Ent · August 30, 2013, 04:37:45 AM

Quote from: noisms;686991Getting your hands on each of the separate sets from Basic through to Immortal is better than the RC in that they are better written and have much more tools for a DM

Also way nicer art

(Yeah I know mileages vary and it's not like the RC art is all bad of course. Love the RC thief and druid.)

BTW one could always get the RC/BECMI retroclone, Dark Dungeons, wich is very faithful (allthough that one includes Weapon Mastery in the monster descriptions wich might not be everyone's cuppa; it does include Immortal rules, wich RC doesn't).

noisms · August 30, 2013, 05:26:54 AM

Quote from: The Ent;686995Also way nicer art
(Yeah I know mileages vary and it's not like the RC art is all bad of course. Love the RC thief and druid.)

BTW one could always get the RC/BECMI retroclone, Dark Dungeons, wich is very faithful (allthough that one includes Weapon Mastery in the monster descriptions wich might not be everyone's cuppa; it does include Immortal rules, wich RC doesn't).

Oh yeah, I forgot the Immortal rules aren't in there.

RPGPundit · September 01, 2013, 01:17:52 AM

The Immortal rules as they stand are damn near unusable.

RPGPundit

Philotomy Jurament · September 01, 2013, 05:24:20 AM

Quote from: noisms;687003Oh yeah, I forgot the Immortal rules aren't in there.

No great loss.

noisms · September 01, 2013, 06:15:31 AM

Quote from: Philotomy Jurament;687401No great loss.

I've honestly never even bothered reading through them. Aren't they essentially a super hero game by the back door?