[Castles & Crusades] "Three Sisters" new printing Kickstarter

The Butcher · May 01, 2014, 08:32:46 AM

The Troll Lord crew is Kickstarting a new printing for all three core books – Player's Handbook, Monsters & Treasure and Castle Keeper's Guide.

I'd jump at the chance of finally picking up a hard copy of the game, but I'm leery of the international shipping fees, which they haven't really stated upfront. I can't blame them, as many other crowdfunding publishers have had trouble paying for overseas delivery of rewards, but as a consumer I also can't pledge $99 (the pledge level for getting all three books) without knowing how much more I'll have to dish out to get the reward.

In any case, I think it's a great opportunity to pick up all three books at once, if you're in the US or Canada.

Warthur · May 01, 2014, 08:55:31 AM

Wait, they finally put out the Castle Keeper's Guide?

Is... is it any good?

The Butcher · May 01, 2014, 09:03:23 AM

Quote from: Warthur;746148Wait, they finally put out the Castle Keeper's Guide?

Is... is it any good?

On yeah, they did. In 2011 or 2012 IIRC.

I only borrowed my buddy's copy for a few days. It struck me as a great GM's guide. It's got plenty of useful stuff. Nothing Earth-shattering, mind you, but a solid book. Everything from estimating urban populations to introducing firearms is covered.

It's no 1e DMG, but certainly looks better (to me) than any other DMG since.

Saladman · May 01, 2014, 10:14:04 AM

That reminds me of the question I had about the CKG at the time. Which is, if I already have the AD&D DMG, how badly do I want or need the CKG? Mainly if I run C&C specifically, or is anything in there I want (and don't have in the DMG) if I end up running another ruleset?

ArtemisAlpha · May 01, 2014, 10:16:51 AM

Quote from: The Butcher;746146The Troll Lord crew is Kickstarting a new printing for all three core books – Player's Handbook, Monsters & Treasure and Castle Keeper's Guide.

I'd jump at the chance of finally picking up a hard copy of the game, but I'm leery of the international shipping fees, which they haven't really stated upfront. I can't blame them, as many other crowdfunding publishers have had trouble paying for overseas delivery of rewards, but as a consumer I also can't pledge $99 (the pledge level for getting all three books) without knowing how much more I'll have to dish out to get the reward.

In any case, I think it's a great opportunity to pick up all three books at once, if you're in the US or Canada.

The trolls are a good bunch - I suggest kicking them an email and tell them where you are, and I'm pretty certain they'll be able to give you a pretty good estimate of what the shipping will run.

Warthur · May 01, 2014, 11:19:29 AM

If the new printing is intended to go to game stores, how difficult would it be to give overseas customers the option to just reserve copies at their FLGS? Then their copies can be sent with the regular shipments.

The Butcher · May 01, 2014, 11:35:13 AM

Quote from: ArtemisAlpha;746156The trolls are a good bunch - I suggest kicking them an email and tell them where you are, and I'm pretty certain they'll be able to give you a pretty good estimate of what the shipping will run.

Will do. Thanks for the tip!

Quote from: Warthur;746166If the new printing is intended to go to game stores, how difficult would it be to give overseas customers the option to just reserve copies at their FLGS? Then their copies can be sent with the regular shipments.

Reserve copies at my what again? Is this an online store like Amazon or Noble Knight?

Zachary The First · May 13, 2014, 06:21:13 AM

So has anyone here gone in on this yet? I keep trying to decide on the level I want to pledge. I really like C&C, but I'm on the fence about spending $99 for everything. I think I probably will, but I need to see what my financials look like a bit closer to the date.

With the $99 level, there are an awful lot of stretch goal items you can end up getting, which is pretty cool.

languagegeek · May 13, 2014, 09:42:24 AM

Quote from: The Butcher;746146In any case, I think it's a great opportunity to pick up all three books at once, if you're in the US or Canada.

I must have missed something on the KS page. Does it say anything about shipping to Canada?

Brad · May 13, 2014, 01:13:30 PM

Will they actually fix any of the errata that has existed since the first printing? TLG has a pretty piss-poor track record RE: editing, which is annoying since I like their products. I thought about pledging for $99 to get the CKG and MT in color, but doesn't even look like that'll happen unless they hit the stretch goals.

Also, this seems to kind of undermine the purpose of Kickstarter since it is definitely a pre-order.

Zachary The First · May 13, 2014, 07:51:43 PM

Quote from: Brad;749065Will they actually fix any of the errata that has existed since the first printing? TLG has a pretty piss-poor track record RE: editing, which is annoying since I like their products. I thought about pledging for $99 to get the CKG and MT in color, but doesn't even look like that'll happen unless they hit the stretch goals.

Also, this seems to kind of undermine the purpose of Kickstarter since it is definitely a pre-order.

It looks like MT is already in full color, since they hit the $25K goal. The CKG would hit at 45K, which might be a bit tougher (though not out of the realm of possibility...)

Akrasia · May 13, 2014, 08:22:49 PM

I haven't been following C&C for many years now, but I am mildly curious about two things:

1. Were the books ever properly edited?

(I was an early supporter of C&C, but once I started seeing OSR material being produced that was better edited and generally available for free, at least in PDF, I quickly shifted my focus and support.)

2. Was the SIEGE system ever fixed?

Brad · May 14, 2014, 09:38:50 AM

Quote from: Akrasia;749201I haven't been following C&C for many years now, but I am mildly curious about two things:

1. Were the books ever properly edited?

Nope. Seriously, there are spelling errors in my 1st edition PHB that still appear in the new 5th edition color copy.

A buddy of mine (not naming names, but he has been published quite frequently) knew a guy who did some editing for the trolls. Basically, most of his edits were refused and he asked not to be put in the credits.

Kravell · May 15, 2014, 06:33:36 PM

I've read online that the editing has gotten somewhat better but that isn't what I'm reading here. Does the editing interfere with the game rules? Or is it just annoying to read? Because the kickstarter looks pretty good for me, as I don't have any C&C stuff but really would like an updated AD&D 1E for world building and gaming.

Akrasia · May 15, 2014, 07:49:09 PM

Quote from: Kravell;749692I've read online that the editing has gotten somewhat better but that isn't what I'm reading here. Does the editing interfere with the game rules? Or is it just annoying to read? Because the kickstarter looks pretty good for me, as I don't have any C&C stuff but really would like an updated AD&D 1E for world building and gaming.

S&W Complete is a better option IMO if you want a 'streamlined' AD&D 1e-ish system. It includes an ascending AC (as an optional rule) and a single saving throw (which can be used for general task resolution, which is what the SIEGE system is supposed to be). It has all the core AD&D classes except for the illusionist. And the editing and art in S&W Complete is much better than C&C (at least the versions of C&C that I own and have seen).