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Thoughts on Against the Darkmaster?

Started by Batjon, February 21, 2021, 09:45:07 PM

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Batjon

February 21, 2021, 09:45:07 PM
Any thoughts on Against the Darkmaster by Open Ended Games? ​https://www.vsdarkmaster.com/

It appears to be a bit of a retro-clone of Middle Earth Roleplaying (MERP) or Rolemaster to a degree but looks heavily improved from what I've been able to see.  Has anyone out there ran and/or played it?

How well does it play?

trechriron

#1
February 22, 2021, 03:05:48 AM
I backed the KS and read several early access editions and the final product. I have not had a chance to play yet.

I played Rolemaster with some peeps here in the Seattle area and I really enjoyed it. It was nowhere as complicated as the rumors made it out to be. However, it was a tad long-winded or difficult to understand in places.

Well, VsTD is a pleasure to read and easy to understand. It's hilarious really. The "retroclone" is wonderfully clearer than the original. Which makes it even easier to pick up.

It's still on my to do list to run. It will be a joy to teach it. :-D
Trentin C Bergeron (trechriron)
Bard, Creative & RPG Enthusiast
----------------------------------------------------------------------
D.O.N.G. Black-Belt (Thanks tenbones!)

Stephen Tannhauser

#2
February 22, 2021, 12:07:47 PM
Any word on when hardcopies will be available again?
Better to keep silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. -- Mark Twain

STR 8 DEX 10 CON 10 INT 11 WIS 6 CHA 3

soundchaser

#3
February 22, 2021, 12:44:52 PM
I agree. Very readable. I hope to run a Third Age ME game with it... very off the beaten track stuff. Still pondering it all, but it has replaced our group's use of The One Ring.

trechriron

#4
February 22, 2021, 04:24:46 PM
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on February 22, 2021, 12:07:47 PM
Any word on when hardcopies will be available again?

They are still fulfilling the KS hard copies. They are at the US fulfillment center.

They have online store up where you can buy a hardcopy and/or GM screen.
Trentin C Bergeron (trechriron)
Bard, Creative & RPG Enthusiast
----------------------------------------------------------------------
D.O.N.G. Black-Belt (Thanks tenbones!)

Stephen Tannhauser

#5
February 22, 2021, 06:58:29 PM
Quote from: trechriron on February 22, 2021, 04:24:46 PMThey are still fulfilling the KS hard copies. They are at the US fulfillment center.

They have online store up where you can buy a hardcopy and/or GM screen.

Many thanks, and much obliged!
Better to keep silent and be thought a fool, than to speak and remove all doubt. -- Mark Twain

STR 8 DEX 10 CON 10 INT 11 WIS 6 CHA 3

TKurtBond

#6
March 09, 2021, 12:00:26 AM
I backed the Kickstarter and got my copy and am slowly reading through it.  Slowly because of the amount of time I have to devote to it, not because of any problem with the book.  I agree that it is very readable, and is also fun to read.  I like it so far.
My blog, Lacking Natural Simplicity, which has  Another Take (and in Geminispace at gemini://consp.org).  And the Minimal OpenD6 SRD.

danskmacabre

#7
March 09, 2021, 01:54:37 AM
Hm, tried to order the epic bundle, but it got stuck on my address in Australia and couldn't calculate shipping.
I couldn't proceed from there, oh well.

A shame, I loved Rolemaster and ran it and MERP etc many years ago.

Batjon

#8
March 10, 2021, 09:54:10 AM
Quote from: danskmacabre on March 09, 2021, 01:54:37 AM
Hm, tried to order the epic bundle, but it got stuck on my address in Australia and couldn't calculate shipping.
I couldn't proceed from there, oh well.

A shame, I loved Rolemaster and ran it and MERP etc many years ago.

Did you try getting ahold of them through their customer service? I found their customer service to be really great.

Brad

#9
March 10, 2021, 11:28:20 AM
1st Edition MERP is a great game; how does this compare? Can you easily use it with all the old supplements?
It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.

Batjon

#10
March 10, 2021, 02:02:01 PM
This is much, much better.

You can use the old supplements but some conversion would be needed.  Not too difficult, though.

lordmalachdrim

#11
March 10, 2021, 02:12:18 PM
Just wish it didn't use wealth levels. Ah well, what fun is it if there's nothing to rewrite?

Jaeger

#12
March 10, 2021, 04:54:10 PM
What is the basic mechanic?  d100 roll high yes?

How does it do critical hits - Not the charts, but what numbers does the typical PC need to hit to hit one?

How fast does combat move compared to 5e..?

thanks for whomever takes the time to fill in the blanks!
"The envious are not satisfied with equality; they secretly yearn for superiority and revenge."

danskmacabre

#13
March 10, 2021, 06:17:09 PM
Quote from: Batjon on March 10, 2021, 09:54:10 AM
Did you try getting ahold of them through their customer service? I found their customer service to be really great.

I tried using the "Contact us" page, but it wouldn't accept the submit.
I tried turning off ad blockers etc just in case it was that.
I'll look into it again some time on a different PC.

lordmalachdrim

#14
March 10, 2021, 06:17:51 PM
Yes it is an opened ended d100 roll High.

Have not run it yet but I would expect it to play similar to low level D&D 5e combat.

What you need to roll to do a crit varies but an edge weapon vs no armor gets a superficial crit at 76 and lethal at 121. Heavy Armor its 111 and 156 respectfully.

Sample Warrior at level 1 has +95 to their primary attack and a defense of 35. With a total of 95 Health.

Tables: Edged Attacks, Blunt Attacks, Missile Attacks, Unarmed/Grappling Attacks, Area Spell Attacks, Bolts Spell Attacks, Beast Attacks.
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