HackMaster is basically 1e AD&D with some of the best or most popular aspects of 2e, with a number of new systems integrated into it. Most notable among these new systems is the critical hit system, which uses a d10,000 (!), the Honor system, which could be used in other iterations of D&D, and the "kicker," which is an extra 20 hit points every creature gets (except for, as I recall, small creatures, which get 10).

I like the Fraim Brothers' artwork, a lot. To me, they define the look of HackMaster.

HackMaster is a parody and satire of D&D and its players circa the heyday of AD&D - the early to mid 1980s. This grew from the Knights of the Dinner Table comic, created by Jolly Blackburn. The KotDT comic can take a while to warm up to, given the crudity of the artwork. I know I hated it for a long time, but after the RPG was released, it gave me a new appreciation for the comic, and I love it now. It's often brilliantly written, and I find it spot-on in its depiction of how gamers can be (maybe exaggerated...a little bit).

The game is complex. Armor has hit points, characters will be perpetually scrambling to get the money to pay for training so they can go up in level, the splat books are considered official additions to the game, etc. If all the rules were used as written, the game would come close to collapsing under its own weight. But there seems to be a fanbase for the game which insists it plays the game as written, and I don't doubt that's true.

The HackMaster GameMaster Shield is, without a doubt, the largest, most comprehensive DM screen ever made for a RPG. It's very impressive, and has artwork that parodies that of the classic 1e DM screen. There is also a combat wheel for HM that can be used to speed up combat. I love HackMaster's accessories.

The modules are, except for 2, "hacked" versions of 1e classics. They've been injected with humor and wackiness, but I don't feel it's too overbearing. Some feel the opposite, though.

The Hacklopedias number eight or nine. I bought them back when they were released, one a month for $20/month, so it wasn't that expensive for me. There is a "Field Manual" which is a one-volume monster book that gathers many of the "staple" monsters together for those who don't want to buy the whole set. Some complained that many of the monsters in the Field Manual were modified per the Monster Matrix, which is something like a book of templates for HackMaster monsters. I don't feel it really hurts the book, but many complained. One could simply take the old Monster Manuals and add the "kicker" to each monster and use them as-is for HackMaster.

By the way, I love the writing style of the Players Handbook and GameMasters Guide, which retain much of Gygax's original writing, and expands upon it in his style. The books are genuinely fun to read.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonThe HackMaster GameMaster Shield is, without a doubt, the largest, most comprehensive DM screen ever made for a RPG. It's very impressive, and has artwork that parodies that of the classic 1e DM screen. There is also a combat wheel for HM that can be used to speed up combat. I love HackMaster's accessories.

They made a  version of the screen for D&D as well, and it is just amazing. You have to check it out to understand how cool it is. One of the only (if not the only) screens that was actually worth the $19.99 list price. http://www.kenzerco.com/Orpg/kalamar/dmstour/dmstour01.php

Any idea how hard the honor system would be to port to regular 3rd ed play offhand Colonel?

Quote from: cnath.rmThey made a  version of the screen for D&D as well, and it is just amazing. You have to check it out to understand how cool it is. One of the only (if not the only) screens that was actually worth the $19.99 list price. http://www.kenzerco.com/Orpg/kalamar/dmstour/dmstour01.php

Any idea how hard the honor system would be to port to regular 3rd ed play offhand Colonel?

I haven't looked at it lately, but I don't think it'd be all that tough at all to port to 3e.

The D&D version of that screen is nifty, true, but it's smaller, contains Kalamar-specific maps, and has some really crappy artwork.

Quote from: ColonelHardissonI haven't looked at it lately, but I don't think it'd be all that tough at all to port to 3e.

The D&D version of that screen is nifty, true, but it's smaller, contains Kalamar-specific maps, and has some really crappy artwork.

I'll agree with all of that, (particularly about the artwork) but still think it's a better value for the money then the ones that WotC put out. (aside from the one that came free with Dungeon or Dragon, can't remember which it was)