You know some of my thoughts on fantasy rpgs. I had hoped this would be something outside the D&D branch, and it is, but the points, ah the points. Runehammer does great work, and the production is well done. It's just not a game for me at this point in time, and your assessment hammers that home.
Point-buy systems aren’t as popular as they used to be, but there are still plenty of them out there. This one, though — it feels strange to ignore decades of advancements in those types of games and hone in on Hero’s *points for everything!* model…
Excellent post. I’m a huge fan of Runehammer too but I was on the fence on getting this one. Glad I’m holding off for now. I think blogging is a great medium for you Harrigan. I look forward to following your blog.
Have had a chance to play in a CROWN and SKULL game recently -- will share follow-up thoughts soon enough, though one of the impressions I came away with is that it is absolutely a long-form game.
Yeah — there are many, many parts of the game I didn’t even touch on because I wanted to go deeper where I did. Lots of cool ideas in the game… let’s cross our fingers for an improved / master edition at some point.
After playtesting the game I had similar reservations. The attrition system makes some sense in theory, and I was excited to put it into practice. But then the results just didn't really make sense. I do love the Crown & Skull choice, that seems like a great mid campaign hook, or a way to retire powerful characters.
Like with most RPGs, I suspect the right group could have a lot of fun with the game. I know someone in Runehammer's current home game, and he's having a blast. (Actually, he's why I picked the game up recently to check it out. Hi Lou!)
I wouldn't mind playtesting the game a bit, but I do trust my instincts and there are enough issues on display to put this game way back in the ever-lengthening queue.
You know some of my thoughts on fantasy rpgs. I had hoped this would be something outside the D&D branch, and it is, but the points, ah the points. Runehammer does great work, and the production is well done. It's just not a game for me at this point in time, and your assessment hammers that home.
Point-buy systems aren’t as popular as they used to be, but there are still plenty of them out there. This one, though — it feels strange to ignore decades of advancements in those types of games and hone in on Hero’s *points for everything!* model…
Great post, Harrigan. You definitely provided enough information for someone to make a decision as to whether or not this is a system for them.
Excellent post. I’m a huge fan of Runehammer too but I was on the fence on getting this one. Glad I’m holding off for now. I think blogging is a great medium for you Harrigan. I look forward to following your blog.
Oh, and I should note that I should have been referring to it as CROWN and SKULL. Sorry Runesy!
Have had a chance to play in a CROWN and SKULL game recently -- will share follow-up thoughts soon enough, though one of the impressions I came away with is that it is absolutely a long-form game.
Yeah — there are many, many parts of the game I didn’t even touch on because I wanted to go deeper where I did. Lots of cool ideas in the game… let’s cross our fingers for an improved / master edition at some point.
This might be a sold enough game, but I am not the target audience, for sure.
After playtesting the game I had similar reservations. The attrition system makes some sense in theory, and I was excited to put it into practice. But then the results just didn't really make sense. I do love the Crown & Skull choice, that seems like a great mid campaign hook, or a way to retire powerful characters.
Like with most RPGs, I suspect the right group could have a lot of fun with the game. I know someone in Runehammer's current home game, and he's having a blast. (Actually, he's why I picked the game up recently to check it out. Hi Lou!)
I wouldn't mind playtesting the game a bit, but I do trust my instincts and there are enough issues on display to put this game way back in the ever-lengthening queue.