I noticed there's an upcoming D&D 5e "limited" gift set of the core books. The books have new covers, which look kinda neat from what I can tell. It's somewhat tempting to tell the truth.
I got a chance to thumb through the 5e Monster Manual recently. I have to admit, I liked it. The thing I didn't like was the HP bloat. I don't know why WotC thinks HP slogs are the way to go, but HPs have been inflating ever since 3.0. Now not only does everything have a Con bonus to HP, but everything is close to having double the HD, further magnifying the Con bonus. Did a standard D&D sword get changed to do 4d6 damage or something? Because the HPs are ludicrous.
I'm curious about Wrath and Glory, the upcoming 40K RPG. I'm hoping it will be a bit more accessible than the FFG 40K games.
Is Modern AGE out in print? I dig the AGE system, even though it has some pretty blatant flaws.
I've found the HP is actually -too low- for most MM monsters. PCs just chew through it like it's nothing. DMs often have to boost the HP in actual practice, at least for monsters you want to be an actual challenge, as opposed to some goblins. It's not uncommon for the monster to get wiped out on its first turn.
I have been tempted to get that gift set too. The new covers look amazing. I assume the PHB would be in its latest printing too which would cover all the errata they'd released since then.
The hit point bloat is by design. Hit points and damage dealt scale, while attack numbers, armor class, and saving throws move very little. This makes numbers of weaker opponents still capable of wearing down characters.
The problem is not with the principle, or even the math, but rather that they didn't quite get the overall end-game numbers small enough to deal with handling time concerns. But it is a big improvement over other WotC versions, where you have equal or worse hit point bloat coupled with bad math too. Merely a little scaling down of hit points and damage across the board, and it would be just about perfect for that kind of system.
As for designer books, WotC is working double overtime to convince me not to buy any more of their products. It's as if every button a company could push to drive me away, they are mashing it repeatedly. Which is a shame, given how much I enjoy core 5E. Oh well, I've got the books I want, and the errata isn't even necessary.
Hit point bloat in 5e - I find it's never a problem with lone/boss monsters. It becomes an issue sandboxing when the low level party meet a tribe of a dozen or so ogres (57 hp) or the high level party battle a flock of dozens of vrock demons (104 hp). Where creatures are encountered in the dozens or hundreds I've taken to halving hp; eg my high level group is currently battling an army of ca 750 Duergar, I lowered their hp from 26 to 13 for the regular warriors. If I had to run that ogre encounter again I reckon I'd do the same, probably raise their AC & INT a bit for a more old school ogre feel.
The paradigm shift was from "high whiff, lower HP" to "high hit-rate, higher HP." It's intentional. New players are supposedly easily discouraged with older attack failure rates.
I'm picking up my kids' toys from all over the living room floor AGAIN! Oh wait... :p
I'm waiting for:
Raiders of R'lyeh GM's Guide & Complete Rules when the print edition hits DTRPG.
Everywhen (multi-genre system based on Barbarians of Lemuria)
Dolmenwood campaign book (not til next year, alas)
Quote from: Gabriel2;1050432I got a chance to thumb through the 5e Monster Manual recently. I have to admit, I liked it. The thing I didn't like was the HP bloat. I don't know why WotC thinks HP slogs are the way to go, but HPs have been inflating ever since 3.0. Now not only does everything have a Con bonus to HP, but everything is close to having double the HD, further magnifying the Con bonus. Did a standard D&D sword get changed to do 4d6 damage or something? Because the HPs are ludicrous.
Its not as bad as it seems usually. Its at the higher end of HD that you see the real difference and its usually to make monsters appropriately tough for those levels. They usually get beefed up across the board too, not just HP. They usually deal more damage as well.
An AD&D Black Dragon has 6-8 HD. An 8hd adult would have 40 hp. An adult 5e black dragon has 17d12+85 and averages 195 hp. This actually fits for what should be a pretty serious threat at CR14. The AD&D dragon would prove a tough opponent for a group of level 7 PCs. The 5e one is a challenge for a group of level 14 PCs.
An AD&D goblin had 1 HD-1.(1-7 hp) 5e goblins have 2d6 (2-12, average 7) and are a little tougher. Same with kobolds.
Combats still go pretty fast. I've rarely seen a fight go past 5 rounds unless it is something big or alot of foes and even then it doesnt go much past 5 rounds.
It is interesting the way 5e is balanced to this.
Though it would not be too hard to just halve the monsters HD and average and have the PCs HD cut off at level 10 and thereafter each level is just con bonus. Monster damage though will be an issue. That black dragon may have half the HP. but its capable of doling out alot of damage a round.
I gave in and bought the d6 SWRPG 30th Anniversary Edition, and am just a tad disappointed because I still have my original books in good shape so the only thing new is the Introduction..
Other than that, nothing for awhile. I'm in the process of buying my first house and that has most of my attention and play money. Once that is done, I'm going to pick up several cepheus Engine products from Gypsy Knights Games, Zozer Games, Stellagama Publishing, Moon Toad Publishing, and Michael Brown that I have wanted for awhile.
Then I'm going to do some writing and prep work for the first campaign in my own dedicated game room!
Not a whole lot, to be honest. I'll pick up the new edition of Masks of Nyarlathotep when it comes out in a few months, but other than that right now I'm just picking up a few releases here and there for games I already have like Godbound, The One Ring, and 13th Age. None of the new games that have come out lately or are on the horizon have really caught my interest. WFRP 4e could be interesting but I honestly don't see a reason to invest in it given that I've got a nearly complete set of the 2nd edition books, and given my group's tastes I probably won't get to run anything other than Savage Worlds for the next few years, anyway.
Modern AGE: I have it pre-ordered; not sure exactly when I will be getting my print copy. System seems decent enough, but not entirely convinced when/if I would use it over Spycraft or Night's Black Agents. I'm new to age and am not 100% sure it's "for me".
Other Stuff:
I'm anxiously awaiting:
- Armory for Starfinder (shipping soon)
- Scum and Villainy (GenCon timeframe)
Recent acquisitions:
Just got my print copies of Super Powered Legends and Rogues Gallery for Mutants & Masterminds and am pleased as punch.
I have just ordered some Chris Gonnerman stuff off amazon - Basic Fantasy and Iron Falcon adventures I plan to use with Swords and Wizardry. Or maybe 5e. :)
On the Radar: Vampire 5e, new Warhammer Fantasy and 40k, The Witcher RPG.
Received a heap of Basic Fantasy modules from Amazon recently. $30 for 7 books = tons of adventure!
Kind of interested in the Shadowrun Anarchy supplement for BugCity whenever it comes out..
I'd love to pick up 13th Age in Glorantha sometime too.
Quote from: S'mon;1050595I have just ordered some Chris Gonnerman stuff off amazon - Basic Fantasy and Iron Falcon adventures I plan to use with Swords and Wizardry. Or maybe 5e. :)
I originally got the BFRPG modules house with S&W too. But then I found BFRPG to be such a more appealing system, I ended up running that instead. Game's still going strong 3 years later.
I'm in for rhe relaunch of The Fantasy Trip. And preordered MCC 9 Evil of the Ancients. Otherwise there isn't much coming out that has me excited.
Quote from: Herne's Son;1050619I originally got the BFRPG modules house with S&W too. But then I found BFRPG to be such a more appealing system, I ended up running that instead. Game's still going strong 3 years later.
What are the elements you like better about BFRPG? The task resolution table? I prefer S&W currently for the demons, the single save, AC starting at 10, and the Greyhawk/ADnD classes. Also it's perfect for the Wilderlands which was written for ODnD; BFRPG as a BX clone would be better for Mystara.
Absolutely nothing from WotC or Paizo. If anything ever screams "must buy", I'd get it 2nd hand so those worthless fucks don't see a dime from me.
But even then, I doubt I'd run anything from them because I don't want to help increase their fanbase. I'd rather Mearls & Crew choke on ebola infected donkey balls and spend my time promoting smaller, better RPGs.
As usual, I'll troll DriveThru and Kickstarter for interesting 3PP and solo creator content.
I'll probably get whatever Sine Nomine / Kevin Crawford does next.
Three print versions of pdf's I have.
The player and presenter books for ghastly affair and jack shear's Krevborna. I want to mix them in with some ravenloft.
Just picked up a box set of Spacemaster (original game 2nd ed) for under ten dollars/euro. Sweet.
Have Midderlands and Midderlangs expanded waiting for me and also Dragon Warriors Bestiary and Frien & Foe that I picked up cheap.
If I hadn't settled into Castles & Crusades, I'd almost certainly be using Basic Fantasy as my "newer D&D book" game.
Got to admit that those new 5e covers really look fantastic.
Midderlands and Midderlands Expanded are on their way to me.
My copies of Iron Falcon Adventures #1 and Strongholds of Sorcery for BFRPG just arrived. My most important recent acquisition though is "100 Monster Hunts" for 5e D&D - http://www.dmsguild.com/product/247594/100-Monster-Hunts - I've been using it to create & run a very nice little Witcher-style sandbox for an online S&W game, my players are loving nearly dying each session. :D I also picked up "The Silvery Moon Tavern" (fantasy, systemless) which has a highly detailed inn with sample clientele, rival adventuring groups et al - can't see it on rpgnow right now.
Quote from: 3rik;1051243Midderlands and Midderlands Expanded are on their way to me.
I'd like to hear more about this product. I've seen it advertised a lot but with little detail about what it has going for it.
Quote from: RPGPundit;1051556I'd like to hear more about this product. I've seen it advertised a lot but with little detail about what it has going for it.
[video=youtube;m-11ZanbkmU]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-11ZanbkmU[/youtube]
Cool. I'll watch the review shortly.
Picked up the pdf of Everywhen yesterday - a multi-genre version of the Barbarians of Lemuria engine. Very impressed! I ran a Man From UNCLE campaign (based on the recent film, rather than the 1960s tv show) using the draft version of the rules. I worked very well indeed and the final product looks even better. I'll be picking up the setting material they plan to release at a later date - can't wait!
Just bought the pdf of White Star Galaxy Edition, it's Deal of the Day on rpgnow currently so half price.
Quote from: 3rik;1051243Midderlands and Midderlands Expanded are on their way to me.
I received both a couple weeks ago and they are fantastic. Probably the best setting books I have ever read. So much great gaming material here.
To answer the OP, I'm picking up all things AS&SH. I backed the 2nd edition kickstarter and have really come to love the system and setting. I backed the more recent kickstarter for a couple adventures and was very impressed reading those, so now I'm buying the back catalog of adventures published for it.
Midderlands may be the best setting book I've ever read, but Hyperborea is unbeatable as a setting.
Warhammer 4e. It's more crunchy than I like, and a fear combat might take a bit long, but it's orders of magnitude better than 5e, and will likely have a good following/easy to find players.
I got some OSR print on demand stuff on its way to me from DTRPG:
White Star: Galaxy Edition
Class Compendium (Labyrinth Lord)
The Midderlands: Rivers & Lakes
Ghoul Keep and the Ghoul Lands
FrontierSpace Player's Handbook
FrontierSpace Referee's Handbook
I got notice that Fear's Sharp Little Needles for CoC is coming from the Kickstarter.
And I ordered AS&SH 2E at a store from which shipping costs were reasonable. This may take a while, though.
I finally got around to getting Harnworld, a new binder 3rd edition. So, I'm looking over a few expansions for the next new campaign start.
I also bought hard copies of most of the Tales of Gor stuff a couple weeks ago. Neat.
I'm not really picking up anything. I'm getting stuff sent to me for review, of course.
Recent purchases
Traveller (Mongoose 2e)
Harnmaster (I may have finally found some people who will play, so I picked up some of the updated stuff)
ACKS (I had been looking at this one, took he opportunity to snag the stuff during the kickstarter)
Midgard campaign books for 5e
MCC
on the short list
Labyrinth Lord
AS&SH 2e
Dark Albion (I'm interested in seeing how compatible it is with the Harnmaster ruleset)
I'll probably get the Sine Nomine Fantasy RPG when that comes out.
I'd probably buy Sine Nomine stuff in general. His stuff is useful for other RPGs, even if I don't run the RPG in question.
If the new edition of Rolemaster ever comes out, I'd probably buy a print copy, but unlikely I'd run it.
I'd mostly get it for old times sake and a good read. But it'll probably never get released.
If any Elric/Stormbringer stuff was rebooted or an old edition such as 2nd edition or something similar was released, I'd probably buy it. Again for old times sake. But I'd try and run it again if I could garner interest in it.
I think this is a dead product line too and I think it's unlikely it'll ever get a re-release or reboot.
I have more than enough DnD 5e books, although I might (although unlikely) impulse buy them if one takes my fancy if I'm in a store at the time and I feel like splashing out on something, but really, I don't need or want any more 5e books.
Other than that, nah, I don't think I'd buy any other RPG stuff that I know of.
Quote from: mAcular Chaotic;1050433I've found the HP is actually -too low- for most MM monsters. PCs just chew through it like it's nothing. DMs often have to boost the HP in actual practice, at least for monsters you want to be an actual challenge, as opposed to some goblins. It's not uncommon for the monster to get wiped out on its first turn.
There is so, so much wrong here.
Recently got and am running The Barbarian King by Gabor Lux. Very moody lost valley/battlefield & dungeon/crypt.
You're getting to run that S'mon! Lucky. It is sitting right here for my main group to level to it.
Quote from: Kuroth;1053103You're getting to run that S'mon! Lucky. It is sitting right here for my main group to level to it.
I never worry too much about levels. :D
Quote from: Spinachcat;1050668Absolutely nothing from WotC or Paizo. If anything ever screams "must buy", I'd get it 2nd hand so those worthless fucks don't see a dime from me.
But even then, I doubt I'd run anything from them because I don't want to help increase their fanbase. I'd rather Mearls & Crew choke on ebola infected donkey balls and spend my time promoting smaller, better RPGs.
As usual, I'll troll DriveThru and Kickstarter for interesting 3PP and solo creator content.
I'll probably get whatever Sine Nomine / Kevin Crawford does next.
You know, I feel pretty much the same way about Paizo... I loathe the company, and their mindset towards gaming, but Starfinder does exactly what I want it to do for what I have in mind (D&D with laser guns and Starships), and I just do what I want with it... though I do hate giving them any money. My players are fighting ratmen drug-runners/illegal arm dealers on a space station right now...
(So I just picked up Starfinder Armory... more vehicles and guns!)
Quote from: zagreus;1053552I loathe the company, and their mindset towards gaming, but Starfinder does exactly what I want it to do for what I have in mind (D&D with laser guns and Starships)
You should get White Star then - it even has ratmen! :D
I have really been looking forward to WFRP4e and Wrath & Glory. I now have both of them in pdf, which lets me get glimpses but results in headaches if I try and digest 100-page blocks of the work. WRFR4e looks like it's going to be really nice once the finished version is ready. OTOH, Wrath & Glory is a finished product and, while it might take some getting used to, looks like the lighter crunch of the two. I like that it gives a wide range of character options at multiple tiers of power, but I haven't really delved into it deeply enough to see its beauty or its warts yet.
My copy of Frog God's Stoneheart Valley for Swords & Wizardry arrived today - basically it's Tomb of Abysthor plus Crucible of Freya, which I already had for 3e.
Quote from: moonsweeper;1053068on the short list
Labyrinth Lord
AS&SH 2e
Dark Albion (I'm interested in seeing how compatible it is with the Harnmaster ruleset)
Albion is mostly mechanically neutral, so you should be able to convert it fairly easily.
Quote from: 3rik;1052507I got some OSR print on demand stuff on its way to me from DTRPG:
White Star: Galaxy Edition
Class Compendium (Labyrinth Lord)
The Midderlands: Rivers & Lakes
Ghoul Keep and the Ghoul Lands
FrontierSpace Player's Handbook
FrontierSpace Referee's Handbook
I got notice that Fear's Sharp Little Needles for CoC is coming from the Kickstarter.
And I ordered AS&SH 2E at a store from which shipping costs were reasonable. This may take a while, though.
Well, everything arrived by now so plenty of reading to do. Some more stuff I may pick up in print in the near future:
Krevborna: A Gothic Blood Opera (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/230437/Krevborna-A-Gothic-Blood-Opera) is available in print again
Operation Unfathomable (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/233145/Operation-Unfathomable)
Beyond the Wall and other Adventures (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/113405/Beyond-the-Wall-and-Other-Adventures)
Beyond the Wall - Further Afield (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/145675/Beyond-the-Wall--Further-Afield)
Beyond the Wall - Heroes Young and Old (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/178319/Beyond-the-Wall--Heroes-Young-and-Old)
Kind of on the fence about:
Maelstrom Gothic (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/224552/Maelstrom-Gothic)
Slumbering Ursine Dunes (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/140450/Slumbering-Ursine-Dunes)
Some upcoming products from Kickstarters that I backed, though some won't deliver any time soon:
Lex Occultum (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1256540796/lexoccultum-role-playing-game) 3 core books + stretch goals
Western the RPG (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1152089861/western-the-roleplaying-game) I went all-out on this one
League of Seekers (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1635382860/league-of-seekers)
Advanced Labyrinth Lord +
Realms of Crawling Chaos (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1895361773/advanced-labyrinth-lord)
Vigilante City (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/ericfrombloatgames/survive-this-vigilante-city-tabletop-roleplaying-g)
Delta Green: The Labyrinth (https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/arcdream/delta-green-the-labyrinth) I threw in the slipcase with the two core books as well