How 'Dungeons And Dragons' Is Relying On Past Editions To Sell The Next

Phillip · May 10, 2013, 05:21:31 PM

Both in OD&D and in AD&D, Gary Gygax produced some top-grade obfuscation in examples. Of course, that's partly from making the examples themselves the closest thing to rules.

The Traveller · May 10, 2013, 05:28:31 PM

Quote from: Rincewind1;653598Pregen characters are often like that. It says a bit about the game if people who made it make characters that are often nigh completely mechanically inept.

Like Warhammer?

Rincewind1 · May 10, 2013, 05:35:08 PM

Quote from: The Traveller;653647Like Warhammer?

Touche

. Were the EW and Lichemaster premades that bad? I can't remember. Though truth be told, given how Warhammer's chargen was random, at least when played by the book...heh. Kinda like it's hard to discuss AD&D pregens, because there ain't much to really make a decision there, except equipment.

Daddy Warpig · May 10, 2013, 06:06:47 PM

Quote from: Arry;653545I would add an addendum to Daddy Warpig's list:

2. Rules which need examples, should have them. And the example should be correct!

I admit, I just kind of assumed that should be the case.

But I do agree.

Quote from: Rincewind1;653598Pregen characters are often like that. It says a bit about the game if people who made it make characters that are often nigh completely mechanically inept.

1e Shadowrun. I sat down and figured it out once, and every single one of the templates that shipped with the game were wrong, by the char create rules. Some benefited, some got shafted, but none were done correctly.

Kind of irritated me, back then.

Rincewind1 · May 10, 2013, 06:28:41 PM

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;6536561e Shadowrun. I sat down and figured it out once, and every single one of the templates that shipped with the game were wrong, by the char create rules. Some benefited, some got shafted, but none were done correctly.

Kind of irritated me, back then.

The true atrocity were the graphics in Archetypes chapter in 2e. Especially Hammerpants wearing corporate agent.

Panzerkraken · May 10, 2013, 06:54:13 PM

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;653656I admit, I just kind of assumed that should be the case. But I do agree.

1e Shadowrun. I sat down and figured it out once, and every single one of the templates that shipped with the game were wrong, by the char create rules. Some benefited, some got shafted, but none were done correctly.

Kind of irritated me, back then.

We always assumed that they were trying to convince people to play (and slightly customize) the archetypes instead of create their own. The Rigger with two 'B' categories always amused me.

taustin · May 10, 2013, 07:07:16 PM

Quote from: Daddy Warpig;653656I admit, I just kind of assumed that should be the case. But I do agree.

1e Shadowrun. I sat down and figured it out once, and every single one of the templates that shipped with the game were wrong, by the char create rules. Some benefited, some got shafted, but none were done correctly.

Kind of irritated me, back then.

You should avoid any supplementary material for Hero Games, then. Bestiary, spell books, pretty much all of it.

RPGPundit · May 17, 2013, 03:37:01 PM

Quote from: jeff37923;653541I have been using it since it came out and have not found a game system that it does not work in yet after 25 years. It is pretty generic and robust.

Its not tied into the whole "giant robots" thing? I mean, I played this game, like 20 years ago, so I remember the lifepath stuff you're talking about and thought it was very good, but I seem to think of it as having been tied to that genre, or at least modern/sci-fi stuff...

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