DRAGON WARRIORS: Why?

[Niki]

Hi!
I am gamemaster and I played RPG for more than 20 years.
I started with D&D and I continued with RuneQuest and Warhammer.
Last 2 years I played MRQ and I am quite happy with it, even if I think
some of the rules are a little too heavy or not clear.
I don't know DW at all. I just would like to ask you why do you think this
game is a good choice... what are its good and bad points and so on.

Thanks everybody!

 

[wazza]

DW is a very simple and intuitive system to learn. What makes it worth running (and for any RPG for that matter) is the world setting which is superb. It really captures the feel of a medieval society full of magic, mystery and monsters. Plus all the written adventures so far are fantastic. So if you and your players fancy a system-light FRPG I'd highly recommend it. Of course if you prefer system crunch (such as D&D) then DW isn't for you.

 

[Niki]

DW is a very simple and intuitive system to learn. What makes it worth running (and for any RPG for that matter) is the world setting which is superb. It really captures the feel of a medieval society full of magic, mystery and monsters. Plus all the written adventures so far are fantastic. So if you and your players fancy a system-light FRPG I'd highly recommend it. Of course if you prefer system crunch (such as D&D) then DW isn't for you.

Thanks, Wazza, for your reply.
I am not into D&D (in fact I'm actually playing RuneQuest). I am interested in DW 'cause it seem a simple and nice system. By the way, I prefer to homebrew my settings, so perhaps DW isn't for me. Do you think it's hard to use DW with an homebrew setting?
I played Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, but I found its system is very bound to its setting. I'm looking for something more "free".
Thanks in advance!

 

[bulya]

DW is a very simple and intuitive system to learn. What makes it worth running (and for any RPG for that matter) is the world setting which is superb. It really captures the feel of a medieval society full of magic, mystery and monsters. Plus all the written adventures so far are fantastic. So if you and your players fancy a system-light FRPG I'd highly recommend it. Of course if you prefer system crunch (such as D&D) then DW isn't for you.

Thanks, Wazza, for your reply.
I am not into D&D (in fact I'm actually playing RuneQuest). I am interested in DW 'cause it seem a simple and nice system. By the way, I prefer to homebrew my settings, so perhaps DW isn't for me. Do you think it's hard to use DW with an homebrew setting?
I played Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay, but I found its system is very bound to its setting. I'm looking for something more "free".
Thanks in advance!

Well i know of folks running Lone Wolf and LotR with DW so its fairly adaptable, but I wouldn't be too quick to put Legend aside its a great setting with ample 'blank space' for a GM to fill in.

 

[wazza]

At the end of the day it's down to the individual GM to run an entertaining game. If he is off kilter then the best systen in the world can't save the game. However DW is a good, clean system which doesn't require endless page flicking to find some obscure rule. I'd say download the free demo and try it out with the free downloadable adventure. Here's the links:

Free RPG Booklet: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/detail.php?qsID=1609&qsSeries=43

Free Adventure: http://www.magnumopuspress.com/?page_id=101

 

[Niki]

Well i know of folks running Lone Wolf and LotR with DW so its fairly adaptable, but I wouldn't be too quick to put Legend aside its a great setting with ample 'blank space' for a GM to fill in.

Thank you for your advice, Bulya. If I'll buy DW I'll give Legend World a chance!

 

[Niki]

At the end of the day it's down to the individual GM to run an entertaining game. If he is off kilter then the best systen in the world can't save the game. However DW is a good, clean system which doesn't require endless page flicking to find some obscure rule. I'd say download the free demo and try it out with the free downloadable adventure. Here's the links:

Free RPG Booklet: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/detail.php?qsID=1609&qsSeries=43

Free Adventure: http://www.magnumopuspress.com/?page_id=101

YAY! Thanks a lot, Wazza! I'll dig into the rules right now!!!

 

[bulya]

At the end of the day it's down to the individual GM to run an entertaining game. If he is off kilter then the best systen in the world can't save the game. However DW is a good, clean system which doesn't require endless page flicking to find some obscure rule. I'd say download the free demo and try it out with the free downloadable adventure. Here's the links:

Free RPG Booklet: http://www.mongoosepublishing.com/home/detail.php?qsID=1609&qsSeries=43

Free Adventure: http://www.magnumopuspress.com/?page_id=101

YAY! Thanks a lot, Wazza! I'll dig into the rules right now!!!

Theres a few other downloads on the magnumopuspress site as well; another adventure, some extra weapons and armour info. etc.

Also checkout the Wiki at http://dragonwarriors.wetpaint.com for a lot of extra stuff.

 

[Niki]

Okay, I read the rules in the free downloadable PDF, and I immediately got how the game works. It's very simple and it could be a very funny system to play.

I want to ask you some more infos before to buy it.

Have you guys any experience with AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay? Those are the systems I played 'till now. Can you compare DW with any of them?

I really enjoy DW's easy system, I am just afraid it don't permit players to customize their player-characters. Any opinion about that?

Thanks in advance!

 

[bulya]

Okay, I read the rules in the free downloadable PDF, and I immediately got how the game works. It's very simple and it could be a very funny system to play.

I want to ask you some more infos before to buy it.

Have you guys any experience with AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay? Those are the systems I played 'till now. Can you compare DW with any of them?

I really enjoy DW's easy system, I am just afraid it don't permit players to customize their player-characters. Any opinion about that?

Thanks in advance!

I don't have any experience with those systems...mainly cos I started playing DW when I was 12-ish.

I could compare DW with Storyteller, Shadowrun and a few others but that won't help you much.

Depends what you mean by customise, the simplicity of the system means that there is only so much mechanically difference between the PCs but that simply means that its up to the player to invest his/her character with personality and style.

Sir Guthrie the grizzled crusader is a long way from Jamal the Zheniri warlord or Kraddock, Captain of a Kurlish Mercenary band or Quet Cian, Royal Guardsmen of the Jade Lotus. But under DW their all Knights.

Etc.

 

[celmive]

Have you guys any experience with AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay? Those are the systems I played 'till now. Can you compare DW with any of them?!

Hi Niki, I have played & run all those systems. I would say it is probably close to Warhammer if I had to pick one but that is mainly down to the grittiness. The levels are a bit "Classic" D&D too with Castles & Crusades thrown in for good measure. DW has a system all its own (Which I think is great)

I would suggest DW for the following reasons :

1. Easy to learn as a GM and as a Player
2. Very easy to Play - You don't need stacks of rulesbooks. Just the Core Rules. Much simpler & easier on the shoulders than any of the above.
3. There are a lot of options for a GM to mess about with things without Players kicking off (Well this is something I found anyway).

I really enjoy DW's easy system, I am just afraid it don't permit players to customize their player-characters. Any opinion about that?

This could be a problem... Then again LET them customise them as long as they run the ideas past you first AND they fit in with the game you have planned. Just make sure they aren't overly powerful.

 

[wazza]

I've played AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and many more as I've roleplayed for over 25 years now. AD&D 1st ed will always be a firm favourite purely because it was my first experience of roleplaying (after the Warlock of Firetop Mountain Fighting Fantasy book)and I had a great DM. I know that particular system is very dated now but, as I said earlier, a good DM can overcome the deficiences in any system but not the reverse. I liked Warhammer too but found Runequest too lethal. Overall DW plays well and is suited for campaign play.

 

[Niki]

Okay, I read the rules in the free downloadable PDF, and I immediately got how the game works. It's very simple and it could be a very funny system to play.

I want to ask you some more infos before to buy it.

Have you guys any experience with AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay? Those are the systems I played 'till now. Can you compare DW with any of them?

I really enjoy DW's easy system, I am just afraid it don't permit players to customize their player-characters. Any opinion about that?

Thanks in advance!

I don't have any experience with those systems...mainly cos I started playing DW when I was 12-ish.

I could compare DW with Storyteller, Shadowrun and a few others but that won't help you much.

Depends what you mean by customise, the simplicity of the system means that there is only so much mechanically difference between the PCs but that simply means that its up to the player to invest his/her character with personality and style.

Sir Guthrie the grizzled crusader is a long way from Jamal the Zheniri warlord or Kraddock, Captain of a Kurlish Mercenary band or Quet Cian, Royal Guardsmen of the Jade Lotus. But under DW their all Knights.

Etc.

Thanks a lot. I got what do you mean, really.
Probably it's EXACTLY what I'm looking for. I think it can be funny to let my players enjoy in developing their characters establishing themselves on their ideas and imagination rather than on the rules, feats or legendary abilities.

Probably the easy "old-school" class system will help them to have a better fun. Moreover, I already took a look on DW Wiki and I saw there are several optional "new" classes that would help them (I got a player who want to play a bard...).

Thanks a lot for your help!!!

 

[Niki]

Hi Niki, I have played & run all those systems. I would say it is probably close to Warhammer if I had to pick one but that is mainly down to the grittiness. The levels are a bit "Classic" D&D too with Castles & Crusades thrown in for good measure. DW has a system all its own (Which I think is great)

I would suggest DW for the following reasons :

1. Easy to learn as a GM and as a Player
2. Very easy to Play - You don't need stacks of rulesbooks. Just the Core Rules. Much simpler & easier on the shoulders than any of the above.
3. There are a lot of options for a GM to mess about with things without Players kicking off (Well this is something I found anyway).

This could be a problem... Then again LET them customise them as long as they run the ideas past you first AND they fit in with the game you have planned. Just make sure they aren't overly powerful.

Thank you, Celmive! Your reply helped me a lot! Probably the customise problem could be not a serious trouble... As I replied to Bulya, I think the simple, intuitive and "old school" class system will help my players to establish their characters on their own imaginations and ideas rather than on feats, talents or legendary abilities.

DW looks very interesting to me. I already found a shot in Italy who send it, so I'm going to buy it. I think the combat system is also very quick and enjoyable.

How much do you enjoy DW's combat? It seem very quick, I think I will love it. I HATE RuneQuest combat system: the GM have a LOT to do.

I have to take care of all the monster's hit locations... there are a lot of skill checks to do... I got an headache everytime I've to rule a combat...

Time to go to buy DW...

 

[Niki]

I've played AD&D, RuneQuest and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay and many more as I've roleplayed for over 25 years now. AD&D 1st ed will always be a firm favourite purely because it was my first experience of roleplaying (after the Warlock of Firetop Mountain Fighting Fantasy book)and I had a great DM. I know that particular system is very dated now but, as I said earlier, a good DM can overcome the deficiences in any system but not the reverse. I liked Warhammer too but found Runequest too lethal. Overall DW plays well and is suited for campaign play.

I also play since long time (for over 23 years now). My favourite systems are RQ and AD&D. But I would like to try something new for me. Moreover I'm going to be tired of RQ massive bookeeping: the GM have really a lot to do in that system.

I TOTALLY agree with you. Good GMs can overcome a poor system but an excellent system can't overcome a bad GM.

New Moongose RQ isn't so lethal as the previous versions in my opinion, but it's still to heavy for the GM.
Thanks a lot for your replies. I think it's time for me to buy DW.

What do you advice me? I'm going to buy DW and the Bestiary. There are other books you would reccomand me?

Thanks in advance to you all, guys!

 

[wazza]

But Elven Crystals and Sleeping Gods - both excellent adventure anthologies, which should provide months of game play. Shame about the typos in Elven Crystals though...

 

[Niki]

But Elven Crystals and Sleeping Gods - both excellent adventure anthologies, which should provide months of game play. Shame about the typos in Elven Crystals though...

Mhh... I will buy those books too, then.
What's wrong with Elven Crystals?

 

[bulya]

But Elven Crystals and Sleeping Gods - both excellent adventure anthologies, which should provide months of game play. Shame about the typos in Elven Crystals though...

Printing problem. i didn't actually notice it until luke pointed it out.

Sleeping gods is good as a primer for Elleslands society and a great open campaign.

Elven Crystals and Prince of Darkness are 'save the kingdom' type campaigns for higher levels and quite a lot of fun.

There are some other books coming out over the next 12 months or so:

- one forest based book with a mini campaign, some new rules and a new profession.
- Friends or Foes a book of NPCs, plot hooks and assorted goodness.
- The Fey; a detailed book on the faerie, their magics including further information about Elves and Dwarves.

 

[bulya]

But Elven Crystals and Sleeping Gods - both excellent adventure anthologies, which should provide months of game play. Shame about the typos in Elven Crystals though...

Mhh... I will buy those books too, then.
What's wrong with Elven Crystals?

A transcription error occured in the printing process, all of the italiscized pairs of 'fl' didn't print out. Its barely noticable and its easy from context to work out which word is meant.

Its been fixed in the .pdf and in further printings.

 

[Niki]

Printing problem. i didn't actually notice it until luke pointed it out.

Sleeping gods is good as a primer for Elleslands society and a great open campaign.

Elven Crystals and Prince of Darkness are 'save the kingdom' type campaigns for higher levels and quite a lot of fun.

There are some other books coming out over the next 12 months or so:

- one forest based book with a mini campaign, some new rules and a new profession.
- Friends or Foes a book of NPCs, plot hooks and assorted goodness.
- The Fey; a detailed book on the faerie, their magics including further information about Elves and Dwarves.

Wow... looks like DW will be well supported. I'm going to be intrigued more and more by this game. I'll definitely buy it! BTW, even if Elven Crystals it's a good product, I'll begin with Sleeping Gods, since both me and my players are all beginners.

I couldn't find Prince of Darkness here on Mongoose Flaming Cobra section. It's another scenario, right?