Conan 2 Ed v Lone Wolf

[Zip]

Not sure where to post this as it covers both games by Mongoose.

I am looking to buy a new rpg. I love Conan and also love Lone Wolf. I want to introduce my 8 year old to the whole deal. I know Lone Wolf is easier than Conan (I assume). What I would like to know, is just how complicated the Conan combat is. I heard it was quite rules heavy.

I'm not worried about the possible adult content in Conan, that's easily toned down, I was just wondering about the easy of play concerning the rules.

Also, what will happen with the Conan 2 Ed and Lone Wolf games when 4ed comes out, will our current crop of games become obsolete sooner rather than later? Guess I'm asking will Mongoose be looking to update everything to 4e?

Thanks all, top products either way.

 

[Azgulor]

Mechanics-wise, Lone Wolf is a little lighter - rules are somewhat more streamlined and classes have more built-in class abilities rather than generic picks from lists of feats.

It's a fantastic game and captures the Lone Wolf series very well, IMO. The supplement books are worth picking up as well. Unfortunately, it's no longer actively supported or published. Lone Wolf 2.0 will use a completely different rules set, ones based on the rules in the original gamebooks.

Conan is hands-down, the best swords-n-sorcery RPG on the market. While it is approximately on-par with D&D in terms of complexity, I wouldn't consider it more so. You're trading D&D spellcasting & magic item complexity for combat options (and things like maneuvers I'd consider completely optional). 2nd edition is backwards compatible with all prior Conan RPG material and actively supported. My only reservation would have been the adult content, but as you said, it's easy enough to tone down.

I've found Conan to be fast in play. Character creation might take a little longer as there are more options to choose from, but you'll need to guide your child through character creation anyway.

Hope that helps!

 

[Zip]

It does indeed help.

Thank you very much, you just made a sale for Mongoose

 

[The King]

My only reservation would have been the adult content, but as you said, it's easy enough to tone down.

What do you mean there?

 

[Zip]

My only reservation would have been the adult content, but as you said, it's easy enough to tone down.

What do you mean there?

Blood and gore combat descriptions, with decaptitations etc, the defensless and clothing less slave women, and stuff.

 

[MongooseMatt]

Blood and gore combat descriptions, with decaptitations etc, the defensless and clothing less slave women, and stuff.

Yeas, you probably want to stay away from Conan on that score

However, I would also recommend the Lone Wolf gamebooks - they are how a great many people started in roleplaying, and they are pretty much designed for children.

 

[Zip]

I used to own the LWRPG a few years ago, but got rid of my rp stuff for on reason or another. I was considering purchasing it again but I hear a new edition is coming out soon.

Guess I'll wait...or get Conan 2ed....no I'll wait....no...I'm going to get Co...hmmm...

 

[MongooseMatt]

Actually, I would also suggest RuneQuest - it has multiple settings to pick and choose from, and it is way easier to get to grips with than any D20-based game. . .

 

[Garet]

Conan d20 really rocks. D20 is as complicated as you make it. If you obsess over rules then it will be complicated. My half a copper :wink:

 

[Hervé]

Well, I'm an old gamer and father, and I find Conan pretty complicated as are most D20 games. The setting is quite gritty, and you get feats like Tortured Sacrifice and such. If you tone down the thing (and there's a lot to do!), you'll get only an avarage low medieval setting. Humans are the only playable race, there are little monsters (most foes will be humans), magic is always very dark.

On the other hand I think the Lone Wolf world would be more adapted to a young kid, being a more "classical" fantasy. You'll get more variety (monsters, magic items, spells and the like...), and a less "adult" content.
From what I've heard, the game system is simpler, too.

I know wich one I would choose if I wanted to play with my son.

 

[The King]

My only reservation would have been the adult content, but as you said, it's easy enough to tone down.

What do you mean there?

Blood and gore combat descriptions, with decaptitations etc, the defensless and clothing less slave women, and stuff.

Did you never look at the Ravenloft setting (from TSR) or, better, at Earthdawn sourcebooks?

 

[The King]

Actually, I would also suggest RuneQuest - it has multiple settings to pick and choose from, and it is way easier to get to grips with than any D20-based game. . .

Agreed. RQ is just great for initiation (among other things). Even if the system evolved over time it never really changed and is easy to comprehend.
The only weaker part is the (relative) lack of scenarios.

 

[MongooseMatt]

The only weaker part is the (relative) lack of scenarios.

Solved by the just released Blood of Orlanth, and the forthcoming Dara Happa Stirs!

 

[The King]

The only weaker part is the (relative) lack of scenarios.

Solved by the just released Blood of Orlanth, and the forthcoming Dara Happa Stirs!

And that's a great idea, especially when considering all the good words we heard from the first one.

 

[Yogah of Yag]

Personally, I would not introduce Conan lit or Conan RPG to an 8 year old. That is too young, IMHO, to be introduced to the darker, more mature themes of REHian Sword and Sorcery.

Lone Wolf is much, much more suitable, since it is more high fantasy, full of whimsy, more magic and perhaps a wider assortment of races and critters to encounter.

My 2 cp. 8)

 

[Strom]

Cool review of the Lone Wolf RPG:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaJF8_L9Byw

Unfortunately no Conan RPG review from Game Geeks.