C&C DarkSun

[gabriellyon]

I have a C&C game set in Greyhawk which has been splendid but thought about trying something different. I never got to play DarkSun the first time around and was thinking of picking up a copy of the first edition boxed set. Has anyone used the DarkSun setting with C&C rules? If so could you provide any suggestions or observations? Thank you

[Rigon]

I've run a few one shots using DS. It's one of my favorite settings. It worked just as well as regular AD&D. Don't know how much you know about the setting, but it is far deadlier than your standard setting. I have a conversion doc for DS and a conversion doc for psionics if you are interested. Just shot me a PM and I'll get those out to you as soon as I can.

R-

[jdizzy001]

I have the D&D 4e DS stuff. I love the setting, very "Barsoomian." I think the key to running a successful DS game (mechanically speaking) is scarcity. The PC's are on a dying planet. The gods have abandoned it, magic is literally killing the planet, and there is sand everywhere! In your hair, in your shoes, in your clothes, EVERYWHERE!

But seriously, the biggest difference, in my opinion, between a DS setting and a regular fantasy setting campaign is the lethal environment. A quest to find water is just as, if not more important, to the PC's than finding the magic sword with which to kill the dragon.

I highly recommend cruising WOTC's current DS supports on their website. If nothing else it will give you additional lore from which to draw.

Lastly, since metals are very scarce in DS, use weapon breakage rules. A LOT. A recommended rule for weapon breakage is any attack resulting in a nat 1 = broken weapon. This encourages PC's to carry secondary weapons and reinforces the scarceness of resources present in Athas.

[Rigon]

I have the D&D 4e DS stuff. I love the setting, very "Barsoomian." I think the key to running a successful DS game (mechanically speaking) is scarcity. The PC's are on a dying planet. The gods have abandoned it, magic is literally killing the planet, and there is sand everywhere! In your hair, in your shoes, in your clothes, EVERYWHERE!

But seriously, the biggest difference, in my opinion, between a DS setting and a regular fantasy setting campaign is the lethal environment. A quest to find water is just as, if not more important, to the PC's than finding the magic sword with which to kill the dragon.

I highly recommend cruising WOTC's current DS supports on their website. If nothing else it will give you additional lore from which to draw.

Lastly, since metals are very scarce in DS, use weapon breakage rules. A LOT. A recommended rule for weapon breakage is any attack resulting in a nat 1 = broken weapon. This encourages PC's to carry secondary weapons and reinforces the scarceness of resources present in Athas.

I've heard 4 had some good material for DS, but I doubt that it would be at all compatible with the first DS boxed set. As that timeline is very different than the later stuff, which followed the novels.

R-

[Relaxo]

Yes, Barsoomian! I just realized that recently when I started reading John Carter books. I mean, the threen have 4 arms and everything. SWEET!
aside: anyone else think the Black Martians were the inspiration for the drow?

back on topic: if Rigon's Houserules for DS are the ones I've read (I DL'd them from this site back in teh day) then they are top notch!

[Rigon]

Yes, Barsoomian! I just realized that recently when I started reading John Carter books. I mean, the threen have 4 arms and everything. SWEET!
aside: anyone else think the Black Martians were the inspiration for the drow?

back on topic: if Rigon's Houserules for DS are the ones I've read (I DL'd them from this site back in teh day) then they are top notch!

Thanks mang.

R-

[jdizzy001]

agreed, 4e material will be almost 100% incompatible mechanically, however, the flavor is great and some of the mechanical ideas put forth could be useful. Particularly I enjoy inventing 4e style encounter powers for my C&C PC's. I usually add them to a magic weapon or something, not the character itself.