Holy crap, we are having an AMAZING time with this system. The skill system is immensely easy, everyone loves doing XP rolls, and the characters all seem very different in play.
And combat? We've had:
-A champion's duel that went back and forth, with opponents disarming one another, taking one another's weapon, and both opponents just holding on at the end of the fight.
-A massive melee on the beach, as the group attempted to hold off waves of attackers (they did, but not without some great thinking and some nasty, nasty injuries).
-A lowly conscript holding off the group's best fighter for an increasingly amusing number of rounds. Sure, he died, but I think all of us (but one) sort of wanted him to live.
-Multiple fights where numbers and ganging up really told. Even the best fighter can become sorely pressed when he is threatened by three spearmen.
The Combat Effects system has been a game-changer. Yeah, yeah can adjudicate to Compel Surrender or Disarm in any game, but there's something about getting that success, and the back-and-forth, unpredictability of it all. See your attack succeeded AND you get a combat effect when your opponent thinks he has you beaten is just phenomenal. Combat has been of the hold-your-breath sort, something we haven't really had since Rolemaster, and I think RQ6 is a bit easier for the players to handle in that regard. Players are thinking (usually) more about their actions in combat.
From a GM's standpoint, it's been very easy to run (especially since I grabbed the Combat Effects app). I'm still having a little trouble balancing some of the Miracles and theology-based magic, but if that's all I have to complain about, I'm pretty happy. I have this Norse Saga/Mythic Greece/Earthsea/Early Iron Age mashup going, and it's been one of our most successful campaigns in a while.
Why the heck didn't I play RuneQuest earlier? I can't wait for my new hardback, which should be here by month's end. In any case, I am still absolutely loving this system. Design Mechanism hit an absolute home run, as far as I'm concerned.
For those interested, our campaign website is here (the characters need updating; they are more advanced now than listed):
http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/the-middle-isles (http://www.obsidianportal.com/campaigns/the-middle-isles)
Yeah, RQ6 is pretty special. I've never had a game inspire so much creativity before.
Quote from: Zachary The First;709536A lowly conscript holding off the group's best fighter for an increasingly amusing number of rounds. Sure, he died, but I think all of us (but one) sort of wanted him to live.
There's been more than one occasion in my campaigns where the NPC Mook Spearman has survived for a crazy amount of time, and the reaction of the PCs has been to ask for his surrender (or to heal him up if they did take him out in the end) and offer him a job. :)
Quote from: Ravenswing;709644There's been more than one occasion in my campaigns where the NPC Mook Spearman has survived for a crazy amount of time, and the reaction of the PCs has been to ask for his surrender (or to heal him up if they did take him out in the end) and offer him a job. :)
I thought this guy might survive, too, but our main fighter's blood was up. Oh well. :)
How it stack up compared to Legends? Are we talking inches like between B/X vs AD&D or a bigger difference like with 3.X?
Quote from: Ravenswing;709644There's been more than one occasion in my campaigns where the NPC Mook Spearman has survived for a crazy amount of time, and the reaction of the PCs has been to ask for his surrender (or to heal him up if they did take him out in the end) and offer him a job. :)
I think it must happen to all of us. I remember the first campaign I ran with MRQ2 (now RQ6) rules and "log ninja." Log ninja was a peasant farm boy cultist with a big bit of wood. Facing the PC who had the 2H axe. While the rest of the team cleaned out the lair, log ninja faced down the axe man. In the end he was cut down but the axe man never forgot the almost immovable object who was log ninja.
Same campaign was the one which featured super spider. Same kind of deal. An "unremarkable" medium-sized giant spider that they couldn't kill no matter how they tried. They lived in dread of super spider.
Quote from: estar;709737How it stack up compared to Legends? Are we talking inches like between B/X vs AD&D or a bigger difference like with 3.X?
RQ6 vs. Mongoose Legend is like mixing TSR era D&D rule sets.
Thanks for this feedback, as I will most likely be running RQ6 sometime soon. The various iterations of D&D are a little too abstract for me - when I go sim, I go hard, hard sim. RQ6 is a great gameworld-as-physics engine.
Quote from: estar;709737How it stack up compared to Legends? Are we talking inches like between B/X vs AD&D or a bigger difference like with 3.X?
Inches. It's like this.
1) Loz and Pete write a new edition of RuneQuest (MRQ2) for Mongoose. Mongoose enforces a page count limit at the last minute meaning that several sections are removed or drastically shortened.
2) 6 months later, Loz and Pete compile some errata to patch the (relatively few) issues.
3) Mongoose gives up the licence to the name RuneQuest. Republishes the game as Legend with all references to the name removed and the errata included.
4) Loz and Pete get the licence for RuneQuest and go through every element of MRQ2 to make it the game they wanted to publish and tighten pretty much every section based on MRQ2 feedback. They also add in all the extra stuff they wanted to include originally.
End result. They're both the same game. RQ6 is the version that was a labour of love with no expense or effort spared. Legend is the version that was put on the shelf as quickly and cheaply as possible.
Nope. No bias there. Move along. ;)
Very cool to hear Zachary. I'm currently trying to decide between RQ6 and Fantasy Dice for my next game.
Quote from: deleriad;709784They're both the same game. RQ6 is the version that was a labour of love with no expense or effort spared. Legend is the version that was put on the shelf as quickly and cheaply as possible.
OK, so how different is it from iterations of BRP like Stormbringer/Magic World and Runequest 2 and 3? Because those are what I've got and am familiar with.
QuoteOK, so how different is it from iterations of BRP like Stormbringer/Magic World and Runequest 2 and 3? Because those are what I've got and am familiar with.
Its crunchier. If you rate Stormbringer/MW as, say, 5-6 on the BRP crunch-scale (about the same as Cthulhu), then RQ6 is 8-9.
That said, the core mechanic is just about identical. Stormbringer/MW have slightly different 'special' thresholds, a more abstract combat system, and fewer magic systems, but essentially you could use RQ6 and most BRP products together quite interchangeably and happily with a little tweaking here and there.
The magic systems in Legend vs RQ6 are actually somewhat different, most notably with the Common Magic vs Folk Magic systems. But the earlier description is correct. They're far enough apart that chargen in one is not quite like the other.
Just came home to find the hardcover waiting for me. Pics soon.
Quote from: The Butcher;709867Just came home to find the hardcover waiting for me. Pics soon.
One of the few bad things about living in Sweden is that I actually receive the printed copies of our books after half of our customers!
Anyway, I'm glad folks are loving the system. Its a good game to try out if you want a short break from D&D/Pathfinder. ;)
Quote from: Pete Nash;709880One of the few bad things about living in Sweden is that I actually receive the printed copies of our books after half of our customers!
I know how you feel; I'm in Brazil. I certainly didn't expect it to arrive this soon.
It's gorgeous.
And seeing my name as a "Hero of Meeros" is fun. :)
Quote from: The Butcher;709867Just came home to find the hardcover waiting for me. Pics soon.
Oh man! I hope mine is there when I get home!
Quote from: Zachary The First;709903Oh man! I hope mine is there when I get home!
I don't - I hope we mailed yours to Indiana, not Brazil...
Quote from: Loz;709904I don't - I hope we mailed yours to Indiana, not Brazil...
Ha!
There is a Brazil, Indiana, but that wouldn't be much better. :)
BookWatchMania 2013 has officially begun....
Quote from: estar;709737How it stack up compared to Legends? Are we talking inches like between B/X vs AD&D or a bigger difference like with 3.X?
One is an economy version (Legends) the other is high-end and feels more complete (RuneQuest 6). Rules wise there isn't much difference, but it is certainly worth upgrading to RQ6; its cleaner, fresher and it is something you'd be happy to introduce to your players whereas Legend (MRQII) didn't feel like that.
So Butcher, are you going to post some photos to claim 'First'? :)
Quote from: Pete Nash;710435So Butcher, are you going to post some photos to claim 'First'? :)
Don't worry, I will! As soon as imgur stops acting up and decides to contribute.
Sorry Butcher, but I'm going to steal your thunder.
Here's a link to Runeslinger's unboxing of RQ6 Special Collector's Edition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=08qYDH9BYOQ
Quote from: Loz;712029Sorry Butcher, but I'm going to steal your thunder.
Took me long enough. :o
I can't get the images uploaded from the iPad to imgur for some reason. Sorry 'bout that.
Still, kudos on getting the book to Brazil so soon!
Quote from: Pete Nash;710435So Butcher, are you going to post some photos to claim 'First'? :)
I bought the PDF but now the Design Mechanism store tells me the book is sold out :( When wll there be new books available?
Quote from: Imperator;712092I bought the PDF but now the Design Mechanism store tells me the book is sold out :( When wll there be new books available?
We're sold out completely on the soft cover. We still have stocks of the Special Edition Hardcover (see that video I posted).
We will be reprinting the rules as a standard hardcover - essentially the same content as the Special Edition, but without the slipcase, dustjacket, bookmark, leatherette and embossed lettering. It'll still be a great-looking book, and priced somewhere between the Special Edition and Soft Cover.
Should take about a month. But given there are holidays looming, its more likely to be back in stock for the New Year.
Shall have to pick a copy of the hardcover up after xmas then as the vid has completely sold me on the need for hardback :) has the monster island book been printed yet? coz i may wait for that aswell if it's due early in the new year.
@Loz When should we expect our books in Northeast USA?
It looks really good, great job!
Quote from: Broken-Serenity;712113Shall have to pick a copy of the hardcover up after xmas then as the vid has completely sold me on the need for hardback :) has the monster island book been printed yet? coz i may wait for that aswell if it's due early in the new year.
Monster Island book has been out for a while; I have it, and it is monstrously fantastic!
Ah cool, then i shall pick that up alongside the hardback in the new year then :)
Quote from: estar;712114@Loz When should we expect our books in Northeast USA?
It looks really good, great job!
Books are still going out, and not all the USA ones have been sent yet. I would hope by end of next week.
Quote from: Loz;712140Books are still going out, and not all the USA ones have been sent yet. I would hope by end of next week.
Considering you have sold-out of softcover editions and that the hardcover campaign has been successful, has this ignited any exciting RQ6 plans for further Indiegogo or kickstarter campaigns (which I hate; though for RQ I'II make an exception)?
QuoteConsidering you have sold-out of softcover editions and that the hardcover campaign has been successful, has this ignited any exciting RQ6 plans for further Indiegogo or kickstarter campaigns (which I hate; though for RQ I'II make an exception)?
There's the possibility of Kickstarting or Indiegogoing 'Adventures in Glorantha' but we haven't made any firm decisions on that one.
We're very wary of crowdsourcing. They're a huge amount of effort, and the expectation levels that seem to be set, necessitating ever-increasing add-ons and stretch goals are, I think, quite dangerous. The more ambitious and complex the project becomes, the higher the risks of delay and failure. I don't need to cite examples, but having spent two years building up a reputation for high quality and reliability, Pete and I are not about to risk all that for the sake of a kewl-n-sexy Kickstarter.
Personally, I prefer to cost the project based on realistic capabilities and timelines, do all the necessary work, and then, when the manuscript is at the printer, open for pre-orders to ensure that all the bills get paid. We have working capital; we have very good ideas of pre-order numbers: this means we can cost the book accurately without inflating expectations and placing an enormous delivery burden on ourselves. Its very nice to see a Kickstarter reach stratospheric values, but I think its also a potential liability too. And if there's a danger of personal and brand reputations being damaged, I'd rather not do the project in the first place.
Quote from: Loz;712156There's the possibility of Kickstarting or Indiegogoing 'Adventures in Glorantha' but we haven't made any firm decisions on that one.
We're very wary of crowdsourcing. They're a huge amount of effort, and the expectation levels that seem to be set, necessitating ever-increasing add-ons and stretch goals are, I think, quite dangerous. The more ambitious and complex the project becomes, the higher the risks of delay and failure. I don't need to cite examples, but having spent two years building up a reputation for high quality and reliability, Pete and I are not about to risk all that for the sake of a kewl-n-sexy Kickstarter.
Personally, I prefer to cost the project based on realistic capabilities and timelines, do all the necessary work, and then, when the manuscript is at the printer, open for pre-orders to ensure that all the bills get paid. We have working capital; we have very good ideas of pre-order numbers: this means we can cost the book accurately without inflating expectations and placing an enormous delivery burden on ourselves. Its very nice to see a Kickstarter reach stratospheric values, but I think its also a potential liability too. And if there's a danger of personal and brand reputations being damaged, I'd rather not do the project in the first place.
Couldn't agree more. Further, I do cringe somewhat when I see thousands and thousands of pounds/dollars pledged on tat (for want of a better word). With that said, if you ran a campaign similar to the last then I'd go for that.
Perhaps you could construct a poll - and see what gains the most responses. I know you aren't favourable to splat-books but there is room I think for a companion book or something similar; more creatures; more spells (especially necromantic). Perhaps you could present it via way of bounded adventures featuring horror, high fantasy, sword and sorcery, Napoleonic, Stone age, Sc-fi, etc)?
While you're here, Loz, do you think there might be a softcover RQ6 reprint soon (with errata corrected, presumably)? I'm a pdf customer but would like to pick up a hard copy sometime.
QuoteCouldn't agree more. Further, I do cringe somewhat when I see thousands and thousands of pounds/dollars pledged on tat (for want of a better word). With that said, if you ran a campaign similar to the last then I'd go for that.
If we do Kickstart/Gogo* 'Adventures in Glorantha', then I dare say it will be along similar lines as the hardcover campaign. Modest stretch goals that add real value, are controllable, have very low impact on the delivery time, and can be controlled easily. All the stretch goals for the last campaign could be handled by our printer, which made life very easy. Its when you start introducing goals that require multiple, or complicated, assembly, logistics, distribution and shipping that you start to come undone.
*I enjoyed working with Indiegogo. They're smaller than KS, but they release funds once the funding goal is reached, which provides working capital across the life of the campaign, if the funding goal is reached early. This helps enormously. They're also independent and not controlled by Amazon. This also makes their fees cheaper too: 5% rather than 10%. And those fees have to be factored into the funding.QuotePerhaps you could construct a poll - and see what gains the most responses. I know you aren't favourable to splat-books but there is room I think for a companion book or something similar; more creatures; more spells (especially necromantic). Perhaps you could present it via way of bounded adventures featuring horror, high fantasy, sword and sorcery, Napoleonic, Stone age, Sc-fi, etc)?
We will only ever crowdfund projects where we know there's a real degree of advantage in doing so. AiG is a good example. We don't need to, and wouldn't dream of, crowdfunding smaller books. Our business model is based on being able to produce several books in our pipeline based on revenue generated through sales. We don't want to have to rely on Kickstarters to sustain our activities.
You're right: we're not fans of splatbooks at all. However, providing additional material such as spells, cults and so on, is welcomed and we have two avenues for doing this. First, as free PDF downloads, like our Firearms supplement, which we produce quickly and cheaply but can add real value to RQ players' campaigns. Second, as part of a setting/source book like 'Monster Island'. We're not interested in saturating our own market with hastily assembled splatbooks, or attempting to throw-out 8-10 releases a year in the same way some companies do. Instead we'd rather focus on a smaller set of quality releases that we've planned-out according to our resources and what we can see being reflected in the customer base.
Quote from: Loz;712224... Instead we'd rather focus on a smaller set of quality releases that we've planned-out according to our resources and what we can see being reflected in the customer base.
Absolutely, and looking forward to Mythic Britain. In relation to downloadable PDFs, are you taking freely submitted articles; so long as they pass quality control?
QuoteIn relation to downloadable PDFs, are you taking freely submitted articles; so long as they pass quality control?
Its a little more than just quality control, but yes: if you've something you'd like us to consider for publication, drop us a line with a 500 word synopsis and we'll take it from there.
Just the let you guys know I just got my copy and it is looks great!
Good job!
Well with the Black Friday sale I got the book in pdf. I'll give it a read over the holidays and if I like it I might dish in and get the hardback. I hope it's meatier than Legend.
Quote from: Mostlyjoe;712535Well with the Black Friday sale I got the book in pdf. I'll give it a read over the holidays and if I like it I might dish in and get the hardback. I hope it's meatier than Legend.
If you think RQ6 isn't meaty enough, I have 20 volumes of Rolemaster Standard System to sell you which might just give you enough to chew on.
My copy also arrived. I'll post some pics as soon as I get a minute or three. Beautiful.
I got mine on Wednesday. It did turn out very nice. Over the weekend, I did some side-by-side comparison of the changes to the interior art.