Quote from: DocJones on November 15, 2023, 01:45:21 PM
We have played it several times. 
I absolutely loathe close, near, far distance rules. 
Other than that the game is fine.

We replaced "close/Near/Far" with the standard "Base2Base", "30-119' away" "120'-200' away"

Close/Near/Far works for theater of the mind but not in practice for wargaming with minatures.

I simply used the distance measurements provided, though there's some on the games discord that for some reason try to argue the game doesn't list specific measurements. Close = 5ft, Near = Up to 30ft, Far = Within sight.  Kind of like that the highest distance goes so far, since capping longbows at a mere 60ft is ridiculous.

To the talk of people playing Shadowdark instead of another game because there's people to play it with. That is very true, but I also came to realize it can be difficult to get your current friend group to actually give something a try.

One person bounced off of the way spellcasting works, despite it being exceptionally forgiving and I can only imagine he would despise being able to cast a spell once a day. Another was confusing, and seemed to think that they couldn't actually learn a new system and style of play. Which is ridiculous, one of the games selling points is how little the players need to worry about mechanically.

I believe there's no way any of them would try OSE, let alone ACKS after that.

Quote from: Gooberguh on November 16, 2023, 07:48:42 AM
To the talk of people playing Shadowdark instead of another game because there's people to play it with. That is very true, but I also came to realize it can be difficult to get your current friend group to actually give something a try.

One person bounced off of the way spellcasting works, despite it being exceptionally forgiving and I can only imagine he would despise being able to cast a spell once a day. Another was confusing, and seemed to think that they couldn't actually learn a new system and style of play. Which is ridiculous, one of the games selling points is how little the players need to worry about mechanically.

I believe there's no way any of them would try OSE, let alone ACKS after that.

That's not a new issue.  I've dealt with that my whole life because I only play off brand RPGs that are not D&D.

In fact it can surprise some casuals to learn that other genres even exist.

I have some sci-fi RPG's that will most likely only get played solo.  Warbirds (dieselpunk air pirates on flying islands and aircraft carriers), or Mecha vs Monsters (Pacific Rim analog), or super heroes are all collecting dust.  I have more complex games like Shadowrun, Heavy Gear, Jovian Chronicles that I don't even try to suggest. 

D&D is half the market.  It just is.  Even copycat rules that are similar can be a big hurdle to some.  But, to say that the reason why you won't switch is that you can't learn a new set of rules is lame.  Understandable, but still lame.

It's one reason why I switched to rules lite stuff.  Rules that are about 30-50 pages long, sometimes less.  It shouldn't be that hard to learn.  But, some people are stubborn.

Is anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

I've played a few sessions using the free basic pdf that came out, haven't had a game that was regular using it. Haven't even looked at the full rules.

Quote from: GhostNinja on November 10, 2023, 12:05:30 PM

Quote from: weirdguy564 on November 09, 2023, 09:07:08 AMSo, in review, this is what most people think of Shadowdark?

1.  Shadowdark is OSR, but nothing special.  It's only real standout feature is real time tracking of torches. 

2.  The author is a legit gamer and nice person. 

3.  The author is exceptionally good at marketing and knows a lot of YouTubers who help hock her new game.

Actually real time tracking of torches she didnt come up with.  Old School Essentials used it long before Shadowdark and it was used in earlier games.    I agree  with two and 3 but yes, ShadowDark doesn't do anything OSE (My choice of OSR games) doesn't already do.   Dont need another game that just sits on the shelf and doesn't get played.

Where the heck is real time torch tracking in OSE?

Quote from: BadApple on August 18, 2023, 12:56:15 PM

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 12:51:22 PM

Quote from: Slambo on August 18, 2023, 11:37:59 AM

Quote from: Persimmon on August 18, 2023, 08:42:14 AM

Quote from: TheGlen on August 18, 2023, 07:59:55 AMIt wasn't provided recently, I'm just that backed up.  Musings take a while to write while I play the game and kick the tires.  Meanwhile people keep sending me games to review.  I moved this one up because of demand.  I've pushed back Powers and Perils and Mutant Chronicles back several times to give precedence to donated titles.  I've heard Questing Beast's video was a paid promotion and not a review.

I think most of QB's reviews are paid promotions.  He should change his channel name to Questing Shill or maybe Questing for Shillings.

He's been on this board before and said that most of his videos arent paid reviews.

And yet he's still a sniveling crap weasel so....

I have no dog in the fight but he's stated that if you want him to review a product, you need to send him a physical copy.  If he's paid to, he'll review a PDF. 

I prefer an actual book, myself.  I'm more of an analog guy.  I don't knock him for that.

Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 04, 2024, 03:53:41 PMIs anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

My campaign is up to 20 sessions now.

On ranges, we use battlemats and Close=5', Near = 30'. Not had any trouble.

Current PCs (everyone starts at 1st):

_Online. Median Level: 4_

Elbin Grizzlegut, Dwarf m Priest-5 of Madeera (Tony). Ally: Innkeeper Rowan

Lilli, Human f Priest 4 of Ord (Jelena)

    Retainer: Bugs, Goblin f Wizard-2. Ally: Freydis Finehair, priestess of St Terragnis

Skulk, Goblin m Thief-4 (Kimberly). Ally: Innkeeper Rowan

Krimo Bagcutter, Halfling m Thief-4 (Philippe).

Liana the She-Elk, Amazon f Fighter-3 (Jelly). Ally: Maatkare, Priestess of Shune.

Kezi ("Burning Fire") of the Red Tiger, daughter of Xatchar, Altanian f Fighter-2 (Rena)

Nulamor of Diancecht,  Elf m Wizard-2 (Spencer)

Aurelia, Elf f Fighter-1 (Aelanna)


_In-Person. Median Level: 3_

Creeg, Human m Wizard-4 (Steve).   Angered Dragonqueen Saith at a Wizard Conclave when he drunkenly tried to seduce her.   Later appeared in her private bathchamber. Later sent her a book of religious history and philosophy. Ally: Sword Maiden.

    Retainer: Craggle, Goblin m Thief-3.

Courage, Human m Fighter-4 (Bill). Ally: Shadrak the Cunning, Sword Maiden, Torvash One-Eye.

    Retainer: Ikam Kott, Human m Fighter-3. Ally: Sword Maiden.

Sister Bertrude Human f Priest-3 (Tony).

Lee Ham, Halfling m Thief-3 (Matt) "Lord Ham of Ham Manor". Ally: Shadrak the Cunning

Jorbin, Dwarf m Fighter-3 (Rich)

Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 04, 2024, 03:53:41 PMIs anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

I've run it abit, and my current campagin (1.5 years) is in a system that is sort of a cousin of SD and I borrow from it.

reactions vary, mostly by age. older people, even those who started with 4/5e seem to like it better, "It's like D&D but all the fat cut off" was a quote. presonally, I cut the HP heavily and this made it somewhat better, because recovery to full is one rest away...
tactical play is there, but not to a great extent. it can support a mid length campain without much problems IMO.

real time torches really rub some people the wrong way and I CUT THE TIME TO 30 MIN. when i try it. It works if your players drag on IRL in every turn.

all in all, pretty decent, super easy to seduce 5e people with, and gradually try to move them over.
 

.

Cool

Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 04, 2024, 03:53:41 PMIs anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

Greetings!

Yeah, I run two different game groups using Shadwdark. Shadowdark is an excellent system, easy to grasp and play, very intuitive. Smooth mechanics and game-play. Character building takes just a few minutes, and done. DMing the game, likewise is a real joy. The basic system has everything neatly layed out, very well organized, and accessible. Making dungeons, adventures, monster lairs, new NPC's, all of it, is a snap with Shadowdark. The magic system, the spells, likewise are all easy, and to the point. The game system embraces a style of play within a campaign that is quick, simple, brutal, and fun!

I have found that Shadowdark is an excellent game system, and very much OSR. I highly recommend Shadowdark to anyone.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Quote from: SHARK on December 05, 2024, 09:43:46 AM

Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 04, 2024, 03:53:41 PMIs anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

Greetings!

Yeah, I run two different game groups using Shadwdark. Shadowdark is an excellent system, easy to grasp and play, very intuitive. Smooth mechanics and game-play. Character building takes just a few minutes, and done. DMing the game, likewise is a real joy. The basic system has everything neatly layed out, very well organized, and accessible. Making dungeons, adventures, monster lairs, new NPC's, all of it, is a snap with Shadowdark. The magic system, the spells, likewise are all easy, and to the point. The game system embraces a style of play within a campaign that is quick, simple, brutal, and fun!

I have found that Shadowdark is an excellent game system, and very much OSR. I highly recommend Shadowdark to anyone.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

Just curious if you're running anything else right now too? or just the two shadowdark groups?

Quote from: SHARK on December 05, 2024, 09:43:46 AM

Quote from: PencilBoy99 on December 04, 2024, 03:53:41 PMIs anyone running or playing shadowdark regularly? Or has tried it and it has or hasn't worked out?

Greetings!

Yeah, I run two different game groups using Shadwdark. Shadowdark is an excellent system, easy to grasp and play, very intuitive. Smooth mechanics and game-play. Character building takes just a few minutes, and done. DMing the game, likewise is a real joy. The basic system has everything neatly layed out, very well organized, and accessible. Making dungeons, adventures, monster lairs, new NPC's, all of it, is a snap with Shadowdark. The magic system, the spells, likewise are all easy, and to the point. The game system embraces a style of play within a campaign that is quick, simple, brutal, and fun!

I have found that Shadowdark is an excellent game system, and very much OSR. I highly recommend Shadowdark to anyone.

Semper Fidelis,

SHARK

This certainly fits my experience! The rules are simple enough I enjoy creating NPCs again.

The group I play in fortnightly is switching to Shadowdark soon, so looking forward to that.
I really just enjoy trying different systems. The last few years have been great for trying new games.