I'm re-reading my Dragonquest materials; I started to glean material for another fantasy heart breaker project, but ended up just getting fired up once again for Dragonquest and sketching out maps for a new dungeon.

There are a half dozen great things about this game, but one really important one is that no one is really that lame and no one really gets to be an invincible tyrant (with the possible exception of a super experienced magician - those dudes will crunch you up). It basically had 5ED&D's approach of providing a narrow range of success chances (before that was cool), and a more or less realistic combat system. Put these things together, and your characters are always improving but also always mindful of their own limitations. In my experience, this is a real sweet spot for table top role playing games.

Yeah, DragonQuest is the bee's knees. I like it much better than D&D or its various redheaded stepchildren.

Agreed.

It holds up really well after all these years.

Even the super experienced magician still has to take an action to prepare a spell, and then another to cast it, during which time he can't move, talk, or even check on someone sneaking up on him.  I particularly like that this prohibition even applies to the players, not just the characters.  I knew a guy in college where that particular rule would have killed his magician chances.  No way he could have kept his mouth shut for two rounds.

If anyone is interested, I've been doing a long read of DQ over at RPG Geek, Let's Read DraqonQuest.  I'm barely into the magic section just now.

Quote from: Steven Mitchell;992652Even the super experienced magician still has to take an action to prepare a spell, and then another to cast it, during which time he can't move, talk, or even check on someone sneaking up on him.  I particularly like that this prohibition even applies to the players, not just the characters.  I knew a guy in college where that particular rule would have killed his magician chances.  No way he could have kept his mouth shut for two rounds.

If anyone is interested, I've been doing a long read of DQ over at RPG Geek, Let's Read DraqonQuest.  I'm barely into the magic section just now.

Cool, I will have to read that.

At one point I had two copies of DragonQuest, the severed Dragon head and the purple (TSR?) versions.  Can't find either one!  Is this back in print anywhere?

Quote from: Patrick;992769At one point I had two copies of DragonQuest, the severed Dragon head and the purple (TSR?) versions.  Can't find either one!  Is this back in print anywhere?

No...but I don't think replacements are too dear. Also there are PDFs online, though probably pirate if that bothers you.