Quote from: darthfozzywig;978079Momentum is a thing people can sense. Sporting events turn on it. Actual battles turn on it. Humans are pattern-finding creatures, and are especially sensitive in life-and-death situations.

Utter nonsense. :rolleyes:

If I had the time I'd definitely run this for my group. Two of the lads love Conan and I think they'd get a blast from it. I agree with Tenbones in that I get a string vibe very similar to FFG SW and that is an enjoyable game.

Quote from: Dumarest;978104Utter nonsense. :rolleyes:

Nah, it's real. Wrestled for years. When you sense your opponent is slipping or fading in will, or you've figured out their 'tells' you almost automatically up your tempo to take advantage. Really good opponents use this to catch you in grappling and wrestling. I got my ass handed to me by several good opponents that took advantage of my aggression and lack of keeping a cool head (but that's a different "thing" - maybe there's a talent/feat in Conan that let's you turn the Momentum around?)

Do I need it in my RPGs? Doubtful. But I'm open-minded.

Quote from: Dumarest;978104Utter nonsense. :rolleyes:

I suspect you've never watched an England batting collapse in a test match. Would you be happier if it were called morale rather than momentum?

Quote from: CRKrueger;978067Yeah, I don't know what Conan stories people are reading sometimes.  Thundarr might be a great cartoon, but Conan ain't Thundarr.

Hell, even the 2d20 system, which is more focused on narrative stuff still includes hit locations, armor piercing and fatigue (as well as reach).  Brutal, descriptive combat with lots of options is part and parcel of Howard.

Too often people get the actual specifics of Howard's Conan mixed up with "general literary protagonism", forgetting how many times Conan loses, runs, or almost dies.

Yeah, when someone asks about a playing in a "Conan RPG,"  I think people have two vastly different reactions about what that is.  Conan the super hero of comics, art, movies, etc. contrasts pretty sharply with what Howard actually wrote.   After bringing up "let's play Conan," the next question should be "is this the cinematic over-the-top comic book Conan? or is this the Nietzchean existential adventures in the Hyborian Age where your wits and skill are all that separate you from a brutal and unglorified death Conan?"

Quote from: Madprofessor;978193Yeah, when someone asks about a playing in a "Conan RPG,"  I think people have two vastly different reactions about what that is.  Conan the super hero of comics, art, movies, etc. contrasts pretty sharply with what Howard actually wrote.   After bringing up "let's play Conan," the next question should be "is this the cinematic over-the-top comic book Conan? or is this the Nietzchean existential adventures in the Hyborian Age where your wits and skill are all that separate you from a brutal and unglorified death Conan?"

Yup. I once put it as "Superman the Barbarian" vs "Hyborian Cthulhu".

Mongoose Conan is the best version of d20 that I know of - whatever that's worth.  Mongoose made a heroic effort to put a square peg in a round hole and should be applauded.  It's still d20 with levels and classes and feats which is not ideal for the Hyborian age.

Quote from: CRKrueger;978067Yeah, I don't know what Conan stories people are reading sometimes.  Thundarr might be a great cartoon, but Conan ain't Thundarr.

Hell, even the 2d20 system, which is more focused on narrative stuff still includes hit locations, armor piercing and fatigue (as well as reach).  Brutal, descriptive combat with lots of options is part and parcel of Howard.

Too often people get the actual specifics of Howard's Conan mixed up with "general literary protagonism", forgetting how many times Conan loses, runs, or almost dies.

I've read all the original Conan stories and while there's some grit in the descriptions there's also a strong, romantic flavour that I don't think Mythras captures.

Quote from: HorusArisen;978010I disagree* but in that vein you could use one of the variant BRP games. Some lack those qualities.

*not that your opinion is wrong, this is a ymmv kinda conversation

Fair enough.

Quote from: Voros;978296I've read all the original Conan stories and while there's some grit in the descriptions there's also a strong, romantic flavour that I don't think Mythras captures.

Yeah, he has problems facing more than 4 men (Phoenix on The Sword), but can handle 3 well enough in the short stories.

Quote from: Christopher Brady;978312Yeah, he has problems facing more than 4 men (Phoenix on The Sword), but can handle 3 well enough in the short stories.

It's been awhile, but isn't he fighting off armoured men while wearing no armour himself, all in the enclosed quarters of his bedroom? I'm sure he could handle a lot more with armour parity.

Quote from: Premier;978313It's been awhile, but isn't he fighting off armoured men while wearing no armour himself, all in the enclosed quarters of his bedroom? I'm sure he could handle a lot more with armour parity.

Actually he starts the battle in plate armour, sans helmet and shield.

'True; there had been lack of time to don the heavy plumed casque, or to lace in place the side-plates
of the cuirass, nor was there now time to snatch the great shield from the wall. Still, Conan was better
protected than any of his foes except Volmana and Gromel, who were in full armor.'

Conan uses his superior strength and skill through the fight to drop nine enemies, each with a single blow. He keeps himself alive using footwork to limit the number of foes who can strike at him at any moment (Outmaneuver in Mythras), but still ends up with a number of superficial cuts, surviving thanks mainly to his Aquilonian armour.

Unfortunately he then takes a serious wound (sword chop) to the left shoulder, followed by a serious wound to his chest (dagger thrust through the open armour). At this point all is lost for Conan whereupon Thoth-Amon's demon arrives, routing the remaining assassins and killing Ascalante, the last of the conspirators and the best fighter.

This is Conan's most epic solo fight in the entire series of tales, taking on 15 to 1 odds. It was also the very first of the published Conan stories. In the later tales he uses surprise, darkness and outmaneuvering to great effect, and generally flees when the odds are against him. He also wears the best armour available, whenever he can. Paramount to his survival however is the fact that he uses his wits and personality to take control of situations before he can be mobbed. There are frequent cases of him talking his way out of a fight or limiting it to a single combat for leadership.

Quote from: Voros;978296I've read all the original Conan stories and while there's some grit in the descriptions there's also a strong, romantic flavour that I don't think Mythras captures.

Can you elaborate? I don't see the disconnect that you are seeing.

I'm seeing the same obnoxious behavior from Mythras fan community as I do from Runequest fan community. The treating of Runequest/Mythras as the "one true way". And preaching that from a pulpit.

That behavior only serves to repulse me further from said game system and its community.

OGL Conan worked. Because it was based on the most popular game system in the world. That's why it sold at the level it did. Because the public largely knew what they were getting into.

Could it have been better? Yes. Because no game is perfect.

Would a version based on 5th Edition D&D sell? Yes. Because the market is absolutely starved for 5th Edition supporting material.

I'm not saying D&D 5th Edition is better than Runequest/Mythras. Simply that it is more visible and profitable.

I thought it was axiomatic that all fan communities are obnoxious.