Has anyone had any experiences with this game?

RPGPundit

Quote from: RPGPunditHas anyone had any experiences with this game?

RPGPundit

I have.  A played a 2-3 session scenario using the first edition, and I'm currently reading through the second edition.  It suits itself well to one-shots and short scenarios.  It would be harder to sustain a longer ongoing campaign, as I suspect the mortality rate would be rather high.  My players are very skeptical about new games and mechanics, but I will say that they all enjoyed the game and said they wouldn't mind at all playing it again.

The basic idea is that a large release of demons has occurred, and people have been recruited to fight them.  Usually people with nothing left to lose, who were saved from a demonic attack by a stranger who becomes a mentor to them.

As a result of their training, characters will tend to excel (at beyond human levels) either at combat, intelligence or magic.  (Very strong niches, but very customizable even with that constraint.)

Depending on how you run it, the populace isn't really aware of the demons, just that "things are getting worse."  The demons are Dread's highpoint, with over 40 types described in detail.  Rarely are they anything obvious, they're usually subtle and drawn to bad, emotionally charged situations.  If you go after the demon, you are usually getting involved with bad people.  There's a demon that possesses coma patients, setting a trap for the unwary.  Demons that possess people on the edge...and then push them over.  When confronted there are ways of getting the demon to physically manifest, which is usually when the shooting (or exorcisms) begin.  Usually both.

It's often described as splatterpunk.  Think of Sin City, but with demons.  It's a game where you dive through a plate glass window with a gun in each hand, shooting, while another member of your team casts a spell that causes tentacles to erupt from his abdomen.

The mechanics are pretty simple, and support the style of play described above.  They make no real pretense at reality, and are fairly deadly to both sides.  For an introductory scenario, the book recommends the GM set it up to ensure no survivors...and to let the players know in advance that their characters will not survive it.

Any specific questions?

Quote from: Tom BI have.  A played a 2-3 session scenario using the first edition, and I'm currently reading through the second edition.  It suits itself well to one-shots and short scenarios.  It would be harder to sustain a longer ongoing campaign, as I suspect the mortality rate would be rather high.  My players are very skeptical about new games and mechanics, but I will say that they all enjoyed the game and said they wouldn't mind at all playing it again.

The basic idea is that a large release of demons has occurred, and people have been recruited to fight them.  Usually people with nothing left to lose, who were saved from a demonic attack by a stranger who becomes a mentor to them.

As a result of their training, characters will tend to excel (at beyond human levels) either at combat, intelligence or magic.  (Very strong niches, but very customizable even with that constraint.)

Depending on how you run it, the populace isn't really aware of the demons, just that "things are getting worse."  The demons are Dread's highpoint, with over 40 types described in detail.  Rarely are they anything obvious, they're usually subtle and drawn to bad, emotionally charged situations.  If you go after the demon, you are usually getting involved with bad people.  There's a demon that possesses coma patients, setting a trap for the unwary.  Demons that possess people on the edge...and then push them over.  When confronted there are ways of getting the demon to physically manifest, which is usually when the shooting (or exorcisms) begin.  Usually both.

It's often described as splatterpunk.  Think of Sin City, but with demons.  It's a game where you dive through a plate glass window with a gun in each hand, shooting, while another member of your team casts a spell that causes tentacles to erupt from his abdomen.

The mechanics are pretty simple, and support the style of play described above.  They make no real pretense at reality, and are fairly deadly to both sides.  For an introductory scenario, the book recommends the GM set it up to ensure no survivors...and to let the players know in advance that their characters will not survive it.

Any specific questions?

What Tom B said.  I ran a one-shot of the first edition years ago and we had a lot of fun.  I didn't run it as bleak as I could have (I think everyone survived), but there was a lot of violence and mayhem.  

One major high point that everyone liked was the spells (they're called something different, can't remember what).  They are just as freaky as the demons.  I'll try to dig up an actual play post I made a long time ago.  

The author is a nice guy, too.  We had talked about doing some crossover between Dread and Dreamwalker, but nothing ever came of it.  

Pete

I reviewed this game a while ago (playtest review over at RPG.net).

From the review:

Quote«Dread» might be the sanest RPG manual I've ever read. It doesn't seem to be a reaction to anything. The writer doesn't have a chip on his shoulder, something to prove, all those things that make for neurotic art. It's just a game that he's published once, played a lot, improved, revised and now published in a new edition.

I'm going to start with my favorite part: The rules text. After many, many frustrated hours reading indie RPG manuals that were hiding precious gems somewhere, hidden behind unedited, incomplete and sometimes even incoherent rules, it's a pleasure to read «Dread».

QuoteDread is one of the best traditional RPGs I've seen. It's rock solid entertainment with rules that are easy to grasp, cool to play with, and make play fun.

Hello, Pundit,

I hope this is okay.

These are three actual play reports from the Dread forums. I didn't participate in any of these games -- in fact, I've yet to meet any of the participants.

Hope that helps!

Paint Me A Picture

"The group is lead to the old school gymnasium, where they see most of the kidnap victims in cages, the demon working at a flesh canvas, with the remains of one of the victims surrounding his feet.  The Cabal moves in to action."

A Good First Session

"The last disciple provides a distraction by throwing a grenade into a water tower, creating enough chaos that everyone gets away without being shot too much.  It was a successful operation and not many people died."

Baptism Of Fire

"At that moment, Beef got to the door, and without thinking charged the demon, tackled her, and used his momentum to smash them both out through the window, and fall the three storeys onto the concrete below. Synapse grabbed the couple and flew down there with them."

Ugh! I had a chance to pick up D:TFBoP a while back, but I thought it was that damned Jenga game and said no thanks. I'll have to look for the new edition!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceUgh! I had a chance to pick up D:TFBoP a while back, but I thought it was that damned Jenga game and said no thanks. I'll have to look for the new edition!

-clash

Don't feel bad.  I thought the same thing.

Tom B -- thank you for the kind words!

Pete -- Long time no see! It looks like you've been busy.

Matthijs -- Thanks again for the review. I appreciate it very much.

Clash, Zachary, the game is still available at http://www.dread-rpg.com. The book is printed and sold through Lulu -- they accept credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. No Jenga blocks required, but you'll need some d12s.

Quote from: RChandlerTom B -- thank you for the kind words!

Pete -- Long time no see! It looks like you've been busy.

Matthijs -- Thanks again for the review. I appreciate it very much.

Clash, Zachary, the game is still available at http://www.dread-rpg.com. The book is printed and sold through Lulu -- they accept credit cards, debit cards, and PayPal. No Jenga blocks required, but you'll need some d12s.

Hi Rafael!

I bought it, but I won't need the d12s. I'll be stealing demons and spells for my own Blood Games II sessions. I think it'll slot in beautifully!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceHi Rafael!

I bought it, but I won't need the d12s. I'll be stealing demons and spells for my own Blood Games II sessions. I think it'll slot in beautifully!

-clash

Blood Games II? I think I just read a favorable review of it at Flames Rising -- guess I need to check it out! I love a good horror RPG. I'm re-reading Chill right now. Been kind of debating whether to pick up the new Beyond the Supernatural... Anyhow, I'm similarly inclined. I tend to mine other horror games for ideas that I inject into my Dread campaigns. So I reckon I'll pick up BG2 this fine morning. We'll have to exchange notes at some point.

-- Rafael

Quote from: RChandlerBlood Games II? I think I just read a favorable review of it at Flames Rising -- guess I need to check it out! I love a good horror RPG. I'm re-reading Chill right now. Been kind of debating whether to pick up the new Beyond the Supernatural... Anyhow, I'm similarly inclined. I tend to mine other horror games for ideas that I inject into my Dread campaigns. So I reckon I'll pick up BG2 this fine morning. We'll have to exchange notes at some point.

-- Rafael

Hi Rafael!

That was JeffK's - AKA GoOrange's - review that just went up. One of the Paths of Power in BGII is that of the Templar. From the book:

"The Personal Demon

Every time a Templar is created, a demon is freed from Hell. This makes it a Templar's quest to destroy that particular demon and send it back to Hell. The Templar knows that demon's name, and something of it's personality, and can never rest until that demon is removed from the world. Other demons and vampires, and any other evil creatures, are attacked with relish, but with that
particular demon, it is *personal*."

It's past time for one of my Tempars to face his personal demon, and Dread looks like a wonderful place for me to find him...

And I'd love to compare notes once I've read your game!

-clash

Quote from: flyingmiceEvery time a Templar is created, a demon is freed from Hell.

I love that idea. Can't wait to hear how it plays out!

-- Rafael

Quote from: RChandlerI love that idea. Can't wait to hear how it plays out!

-- Rafael

I'll let you know when it happens.

-clash