I'm about to run a Birthright campaign using Rules Cyclopedia. Instead of the Birthright Battlemat stuff I'm just gonna use RC's War Machine rules. I'm also not using the optional weapon mastery rules or the skill system in RC. I am using a rule system of my own that basically gives the PC a bonus to his ability checks when performing an action related to a skill he has.
Otherwise, I'm gonna use the two as they are written (Regency points, bloodline abilities, et al). I have run a short RC campaign but only recently bought and started reading through the Birthright stuff.
So, I ask the assembled brains here to give me your best advice and experience with the two things. Anyone used them together? Anything I should be mindful of with either? Any nuggets of wisdom you want to pass on?
Never did use them both together. Sounds like it could get messy, though.
Regarding mass combat, it shouldn't be too hard to whip up RC War Machine stats for the BR units. How do you intend to integrate Battle Magic, though?
Also, for Regency Points to be worth squat, you'll have to ignore the RC domain management system and use BR's for the most part. Not to mention guild, temple and ley line holdings, and of course, Realm Magic.
Personally, I'd use BR's system for nearly everything domain-related and mass combat, and RC for everything else. But that's because I'm a lazy slob.
Nonetheless, the RC offers some very inspirational reading regarding economy (if you want to include natural resources and economic activity as an element to be managed in more detail in your game) and some ideas for adverse, shit-hits-fan realm-level events.
I love, love, love both games. Please let me know how this turns out.
I'd basically do it like Butcher: default to Birthright for all the particulars of the campaign, and use RC for the rest. Otherwise, that might quickly become a headache.
The only thing I planned to change from Birthright was the battle resolution system. The card system doesn't seem like a great one.
I'll take your advice, though, and use the Birthright stuff as written at least until I become disenchanted with it.
Thanks for the replies!
I agree that the mass combat system from BR is... workmanlike, but to use the RC War Machine you'd have to find a way to integrate it with Regency Points and gold bars and Battle Magic and whatnot.
Mybe you can find an easy way to make this work, that I'm not seeing.
Hell, maybe you can whip up the lackluster BR card game into something more interesting. Take these cards and design yourself a new mini-game! Now there's something I'd like to see.
Maybe I should go to Birthright.net for this or something, but has anyone done such a thing? Taken the card system of BR and made it more interesting with house-rules and such?