Where to start? Collector's Box or individual books?

Open Discussion on all things C&C from new product to general questions to the rules, the laws, and the chaos.
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Frost
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Where to start? Collector's Box or individual books?

Post by Frost »

As a possible new convert to C&C, is there any reason not to get the C&C Collector's Box instead of picking up the individual books? That is, why pay more for them separately if I can get them all in one box on the cheap?

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Post by serleran »

There are differences in what is contained within the box set and the hardbacks. For example, monsters are slightly different (mostly movement rate and some descriptions) and there are fewer options in the box set (less playable classes, for instance), though the box has a module in it (also freely available online.) So, basically, it comes down to what interests you... something more like a Holmes D&D or something more like an AD&D PHB (note that is not a fair comparison in every aspect.)

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Re: Where to start? Collector's Box or individual books?

Post by moriarty777 »

TheFrost wrote:
As a possible new convert to C&C, is there any reason not to get the C&C Collector's Box instead of picking up the individual books? That is, why pay more for them separately if I can get them all in one box on the cheap?

The collector's box is more of a tribute to the original D&D box set and only has 4 classes as opposed to the 13 classes listed in the PHB. The Player's booklet also has fewer spells, fewer races, etc.

There is also a lot more depth and explanation in the PHB for various concepts. With regard to the Monsters & Treasures book compared the the booklet, you get a LOT more in the individual book.

As for the adventure, you can get that free as a PDF on the TLG pages.

Don't get me wrong, the Collectors box is nice to have and there are a couple of players that might actually prefer it. Fewer options... less complexity etc. I picked it up myself sometime after the I got the other books if for no other reason than just to have it.

If you're looking at C&C but aren't sure what the game is like, you can also purchase the C&C Condensed PDF on RPG Now! It won't have everything from the PHB, but there is 6 Classes and the same adventure that's in the Collectors box for something like $12.95

Hope that helps and if you have any other questions, feel free to ask!

M
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Post by Coleston the Cavalier »

TheFrost,

You can also download the C&C quickstart rules (which has limited classes, levels, races, etc) which can give you a good feel for the system. Like the others have mentioned, the adventure that comes with the collector's Boxed Set is available for free online too:

Quickstart:
http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/downlo ... cnc_qs.pdf

Adventure:
http://www.trolllord.com/newsite/downlo ... knight.pdf

I'm not discouraging you from buying anything. Most folks who investigate C&C end up loving it and purchase a copy of everything eventually (C&C products cost less than most rpgs)!!
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Post by Frost »

Thanks for the replies, folks. This is exactly the kind of information I needed.

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Post by Deogolf »

Welcome, TheFrost (aka Snow Miser)!!
I like both (I have both). But, for the complete game, the PHB and M&T do it quite nicely. Plus, as Coleston the Cavalier stated, they are very nicely priced!
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Post by Breakdaddy »

It's already been said, but get the complete books. There is a lot more information between those two covers than contained in the small but very cool collector's box.
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Post by Benoist »

I am clearly searching for an AD&D feel with Castles & Crusades. I thus went for the hardbacks.

I actually started brainstorming my "Advanced C&C", so to speak. Basically the smoothness of the SIEGE engine on the player's side of the screen and the inspiration, side-rules and Gygaxian feel of AD&D on my side of the screen. I'm also wondering whether to add Stunts and Challenges mechanics from Iron Heroes simulated through the SIEGE engine, as well as some feats of Third Ed... whatever feels "right", keeps the feel intact on the player's side of the screen and doesn't bog down the game with needless technicalities.

It's been fun so far!

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Post by Frost »

Ok, folks, I pulled the trigger! The $10 sale did it for me. I'm very excited to check these books out. I picked up the PH and M&T.

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Post by serleran »

Welcome, again, Frost (I'll just call you Frost as I'm used to...)

Let us know what you think when you have the books.

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Post by Foxroe »

Welcome to the fold!
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Post by Lord Stinger »

Welcome Frost. That 10$ sale is hard to resist huh.
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Post by Treebore »

If you like PDF's grab the $10 3rd printing PH before the 17th. ITs only available until then. Or whenever the Trolls "remember" they are supposed to take it down.
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Post by Omote »

Welcome to the Crusade, Frost.

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Post by Frost »

serleran wrote:
Welcome, again, Frost (I'll just call you Frost as I'm used to...)

Please do.... for some reason, I couldn't register under just "Frost."

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Post by Clangador »

Was it already taken?

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Post by Tadhg »

TheFrost wrote:
Ok, folks, I pulled the trigger! The $10 sale did it for me. I'm very excited to check these books out. I picked up the PH and M&T.

Excellent.

Enjoy the books!

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Post by Frost »

My books arrived today . By the way, hats off TLG on the sale. My first impression is how amazingly slim these books are. That bodes well. It's rare to point at a RPG book like that and say "yep, there are ALL the rules." And, really, opening the PH feels like opening my old 1e PH, perhaps in part because of the size of the book, but also the layout, the language.... anyhow, that is meant as a compliment.
Anyhow, great stuff.... I'm very pleased with my purchase.

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Post by Frost »

Ok, folks, I'm trying to convince my group take C&C for a test drive this Friday. We'll see how it goes.
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Post by Foxroe »

Good luck! My advice is to not push it. However, if they insist on any other system, make it as painful as possible!
BTW, like your sig!

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Post by Omote »

Best luck Frost.

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Post by Frost »

Clangador wrote:
Was it already taken?

"Frost" wasn't on the Memberlist. I'm pretty sure I registered here a long time ago (as in Lost City of Gaxmoor long time ago). Either the account was deactivated or associated with a now-defunct email account of mine.
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Post by Treebore »

Just let them know that instead of having to have a feat on their character sheet they can try anything they can think of, as long as you allow it. That is how I turned my kids onto C&C instead of 3E. I showed them how they can try every feat with a SIEGE check.
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