DangerDwarf wrote:
See, I'm the opposite. When I pull out the RC I find myself saying, "Why aren't I playing this instead?"
It has a dangerous allure.
You KNOW you cannot resist, don't you?
Well, I have recently fallen to the temptation, and started a game with some newbies, following my recent acquisition of complete (with boxes!) Basic, Expert and Companion sets (previously I only had the italian versions). I introduced them to the Red Box Mentzer D&D and B1-9. Pure, absolute FUN. And, I am strangely sorry to admit, I did not feel that I was missing much with respect to playing C&C...perhaps this is because BECMI is so easy to adjudicate "on the fly" like C&C.
I would like to add that, although the RC is mostly a collection of the previous D&D books, it should be emphasized the "mostly" part. In fact, in many parts the RC "behaves" as yet another "iteration" of Classic D&D, in that new ways of doing things are introduced, but most of the time, not for the best. As an active member of Dragonsfoot put it (Mr. Reaper, author of an encylopedic treatment of the "ins and outs" of the RC): " The RC suffers from the lack of a pansystemic view of the D&D system". And this shows in particular in the combat chapter, which is a complete, utter MESS. Also in the magic chapter many things have been changed for no apparent reason than rewording, with the result that things become cloudy at best. So, to me, the RC is a good general purpose compendium; still, for clarity, I strongly prefer the BECMI boxes as written by Frank. Plus, these have the advantage of being taylored at given range levels, which for me is a plus, since, e.g., if you are gonna playing with levels 1-3 characters, you know which monsters and treasures are adequate for this level range.
Also, by simply adding the other sets when the campaign grows, makes for a gentle learning curve, and slowly discloses the real complexity of the system. I strongly feel that Classic D&D, with all its boxes, is as complex (if not more) than AD&D (in terms of campaign possibilities and completeness), but it is so carefully and artfully explained that things become second nature by the time one starts applying them. Just my two cents.
rabindranath72 wrote:
And this shows in particular in the combat chapter, which is a complete, utter MESS. Also in the magic chapter many things have been changed for no apparent reason than rewording, with the result that things become cloudy at best.
Very correct. My primary complaint with the RC is the format it is given. In my opinion, the layout is pretty haphazard and could definately be cleaned up to make several things more clear.
rabindranath72 wrote:
So, to me, the RC is a good general purpose compendium; still, for clarity, I strongly prefer the BECMI boxes as written by Frank.
I think the RC even points that out, stating that it is supposed to be more of a compendium and not something for people to learn the system by.
rabindranath72 wrote:
I strongly feel that Classic D&D, with all its boxes, is as complex (if not more) than AD&D
I agree there as well. The system is far more intricate than many would assume. When combining the various sets, it becomes a very in depth system, definitely has more complexity than C&C.
BECMI and the Rules Cyclopedia are complex, and I feel too complex. Of course, that feeling is because my taste in role playing has shifted from the inflexible and regimented rules of the AD&D era (of which RC falls into the latter half of that era) to far more flexible versions of the game, like my personal D&D rule set based off the OD&D rules from 1974. RC D&D, despite its bulkiness compared to the rules I use now, will always hold a place of prominence on my bookshelf.
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My small homage to E.G.G.
I always liked the Mentzer sets better than AD&D myself.
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"We'll go out through the kitchen!" Tanis Half-Elven
Peter Bradley
"The accumulated filth of all their sex and murder will foam up about their waists and all the whores and politicians will look up and shout, 'Save us!' And I'll look down, and whisper 'No.' " ~Rorschach
There were certain things in basic D&D I didn't care for. At the same time, there were certain things in AD&D I didn't care for either. Since neither basic D&D nor AD&D fit my needs, I had to go back in time.
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NOTE TO ALL: If you don't like something I've said, PM me and tell me to my face, then give me a chance to set things right before you call a moderator.
My small homage to E.G.G.
