Glorantha and RuneQuest Companion Previews

[Rurik]

It doesnt seem to me that Sarahnewton is a "casual gamer". thats why 200$ should not be too much for her. If the "casual gamer" looks for a core book he can buy it for 25$ and play the game. In this book everything he needs is included. combat, creatures, magic. Enough for having much fun. If the casual gamer then becomes more interested in the system he can buy the companion with more of everything.

Umm, considering Sarahnewton is the one that expressed the concern over the price, I am going to take her word over yours as to whether $200 is too much for her.

I Make a lot more money than I did when I was 20, but I actually had more to spend on gaming then. Now I have a House, 2 kids, a Car, a Minivan, and I'm addicted to Crack.

OK, I'm kidding about the Crack. But the point is the cost of entry for MRQ is Steep. And if you are planning a 2nd Age Gloranthan Campaign, you need a lot more than 3 books. I count 6-7 (Legendary heroes being the 'optional' one). With some of these books being less than 100 pages, and the longest being 160 pages, it certainly seems some of these could have been combined.

 

[atgxtg]

I'd be willing to bet that you can run a pretty complete game with just the RQ corebook, Companion, and Glorantha book. The other books are just gravy, IMHO.

Hyrum.

I think that depnds on cults in MRQ. I don't believe you can run a decent 3rd age Glorantha campaign without "long form" cult writeups.

2nd Age Glorantha does place the empahisis on EWF and the GL's, so perhaps the cult info insn't as important.

Still, even the three books require a pretty expensive outlay.

 

[atgxtg]

It doesnt seem to me that Sarahnewton is a "casual gamer". thats why 200$ should not be too much for her. If the "casual gamer" looks for a core book he can buy it for 25$ and play the game. In this book everything he needs is included. combat, creatures, magic. Enough for having much fun. If the casual gamer then becomes more interested in the system he can buy the companion with more of everything.

Okay, let me rephase that. $200 is too much for anyone other than an RQ fan to spend on a new, unknown RPG. Someone who knows little or nothing about RQ, and that is the majority of gameres these days, isn't going to spend that much money to see if they like a game.

If there is enough in the core book to give the beginner "everything he needs" remains to be seen. IMO four backgrounds and the new Rune Magic system won't cut it. I am wondering just what is in the 120 pages.

In one point you are right. This is that it seems to me more practiable to produce a players book and a GMs book. Dont know why this not standard. Maybe because of financial reasons.

Most companies either produce a big & complete core book, or a Player's/GM book combo. Core book & Compainion book doesn't strike me as a good marketing idea. Especially when the vertan RQers are probably going to think, "I already own the RuneQuest Companion, I don't need to buy a reprint of it."

And if you are a student or you without work you can download a pdf version of MRQ. So you have everything for everybody. For the hardcore player 800p for 200$, for the casual gamer 120p for 25$ and for the poor guy maybe 50p for free. I dont see any problem in this policy. En contraire. Its perfect.

You have a much more postivie outlook on this that I do. Which viewpoint is more correct won't be known for a year or so, when we see what impact MRQ has on the RPG market.

 

[andakitty]

Although I am not happy with the ship illustrations, both books look more than worth the price to me. There are indeed much more expensive hobbies out there (I was talking to an acquaintance who is into miniatures wargaming the other day, ouch). I'm glad I only have the rpg bug, I have to say.

And I second 'play nice'.

 

[SteveMND]

I've mentioned it before, but it appears that -- with an OGL approach -- Mongoose is following the same "3 core books" idea that WotC did with 3.0 D&D. A player's book, a DM's book and a Monsters book.

That (fairly) neatly equates to the MRQ Main Rulebook, the MRQ Companion and the MRQ Monsters book.

Whether the pricing on those 3 books is appropriate is a different question altogether, but I can't see any fault in their decision to split the books up, especially with it being an OGL product.

To play in the Forgotten Realms, for example, you (ideally) need the 3 core books, then anywhere from one to a zillion supplemental FR books, depending on how deep yiou want to go. I see the same thing here with MRQ. You want Glorantha, it's the main books, and then supplemental ones specific to Glorantha. Lanhkmar? Same approach.

Not that far off from what's been done in the past.

Even beyond that, since the Companion seems to have a few monster stats in it already, it may be that Mongoose just expects you to need the first two books, then grab the others as speciifc to your setting as needed. I suppose that depends on how extensive the monster lists are in the Companion.

Either way, I don't see any problem with how they structured the books so far.

For some of us, sure, a single compiled book may have been better, but a decent number of gamers -- especially new gamers -- are often put off by seeing this massive, 300+ page book on the shelf, as opposed to a couple of smaller one that contain the same info. The massive size can give the impression (real or imagined) that the player will have to learn that entire book front to back before they can start, whereas the smaller multiple books allows them to 'digest' the info in more maneageable chunks.

 

[WildHealer]

Hi all,

Re: the price thing, I'm also a hardened rpg fan & crack addict ;-). I own just about every RuneQuest & HeroQuest thing ever published, & spend far more than I should on the hobby. The desire to spend on Glorantha is certainly there!

My comments on price come from my own situation: I run 2 campaigns, 1 using the HQ rules and 1 using (sort of) RQ3. I'm interested in MRQ because i.) you get new background material (currently only in 2A, but hopefully there will be more), and ii.) the rules might be a development on RQ3 and take it somewhere new (ie into the properly heroic space). However, regarding that second point, I'm looking to 'check out' the MRQ rules system and decide whether or not I like it enough to warrant changing from RQ to MRQ. For this, I'd like to look at divine magic, spirit magic, sorcery, the full game system, how cults work, high-level (high-power) abilities, and so on. Normally I'd expect to be able to make this sort of decision from buying the core rules - with MRQ however it looks like it's going to take a lot more expenditure than just that. $200 for a rules set I may not even use is a lot - hence my reluctance. I'd still be in the market for background / source material however.

I remember a similar problem in the RQ3 release, when Games Workshop ended up producing 'basic' and 'advanced' RQ to cope with the fact that the 'new' rules cost £40+ (don't know how much in USD) to get everything you needed. I think in the case of RQ3 the initial steep entry price certainly dissuaded a lot of people from trying the game out - at least in the case of MRQ you can play a game with just the core rulebook (apparently ), so hopefully this problem will be avoided. It's just perhaps some of the hardcore Gloranthans who might sniff at having to shell out a lot just to see if they like it...

Cheers,

Sarah

 

[andakitty]

It looks like you will need to pick up the Companion to get the basic info covering all of those topics. Hopefullly that will be enough to make an informed decision.

Steve, I was thinking in a similar vein about the way they are putting out the books except it looks to me like they are following the WFRP 2 model. Basic rulebook, monsters, magic book, equipment book, piecemeal setting books, etc. Either way, I have to wonder about the motives of both companies ( I don't wonder about WOTC at all by now). I hope you are right in your reasoning concerning the size and content of the books.

 

[kpmcdona]

Since the Glorantha: SA book has been stated to be mostly background info rather than rules, it seems to me that you need both that and a book of magic rules to get enough to run a Glorantha based game. For discussion, here is my estimate of what you will need to play:

Primary = Core rules, Glorantha: SA, and either Magic of Glorantha (Godlearners & EWF) or Cults of Glorantha (everyone else). The total here is $95.

Secondary = Companion (for the ships and temples, at least), the other magic book (MoG or CoG), and maybe Monsters. The total here is also around $95.

Humm.... this is sobering. Since I can only afford to get one book a month, it is going to take me a while to even get started! Being a gloranthaphile, I plan to get the Glorantha specific books first, and then go back for the rules if I am so inspired.

 

[Adept]

The Glorantha book is looking darn good!

While the writing style is a bit too much R. Laws to my liking in places, you've just got to love the look of the thing.

The maps look great, and the visuals (runes, carvings) are really something. The pictures themselves are not so hot, but it's still going to be one purty book.

That one's a keeper

 

[Rurik]

Since the Glorantha: SA book has been stated to be mostly background info rather than rules, it seems to me that you need both that and a book of magic rules to get enough to run a Glorantha based game. For discussion, here is my estimate of what you will need to play:

Primary = Core rules, Glorantha: SA, and either Magic of Glorantha (Godlearners & EWF) or Cults of Glorantha (everyone else). The total here is $95.

Secondary = Companion (for the ships and temples, at least), the other magic book (MoG or CoG), and maybe Monsters. The total here is also around $95.

Humm.... this is sobering. Since I can only afford to get one book a month, it is going to take me a while to even get started! Being a gloranthaphile, I plan to get the Glorantha specific books first, and then go back for the rules if I am so inspired.

The Core Rules only contain what is now called Rune Magic (formerly known as Battle Magic/Spirit Magic). The Companion has Divine Magic (what used to be called Rune Magic) and Sorcery, as well as Spirit combat. So the Companion is pretty much required.

 

[andakitty]

I'm sort of reverse, although I am getting more interested in Glorantha as I see more. I presently will get the basic rulebook, Companion, and Monsters. Then we'll see. Unless it just gets really, really bad I probably will be in for the whole line, along with the hook, sinker and all. I was already putting together a homebrew BRP fantasy game/setting anyway, so that is the angle I'm coming in from initially.

 

[Rurik]

I'm sort of reverse, although I am getting more interested in Glorantha as I see more. I presently will get the basic rulebook, Companion, and Monsters. Then we'll see. Unless it just gets really, really bad I probably will be in for the whole line, along with the hook, sinker and all. I was already putting together a homebrew BRP fantasy game/setting anyway, so that is the angle I'm coming in from initially.

Psst, wanna try some Glorantha? First one is free (OK, actually $35).

Really, give Glorantha a try. There is a reason it is still beloved over 30 years after its' introduction. It is a wild and unique fantasy setting unlike any other.

Quibble all we want about the changes to the core rules in MRQ from previous editions as long as it has the basics (Skill % based, no levels or classes, armor absorption, etc) it will blow away any d20 implementation IMHO.

But if I hate the core changes too much, I can just get the great looking second age(!) stuff and use the RQ3 rules - after all it should be an easy conversion, and supposedly Deluxe BRP is coming out from Chaosium before to to long (you wanna feel overcharged go get the BRP Monographs from the Chaosium site).

 

[Fiddler]

Hello everyone first time in these forums.

First just wanted to say I like the look of the new MRQ and will pick it up when it hits my local store.

Basic MRQ is going to have a OGL. This means any gamer who's worried about the price or even if they like the game engine can read that without buying a book.
If it is similiar to Wizard's D&D OGL it should have enough information in it to make a informed choice.

 

[andakitty]

Like an entry drug? Waaaay too late for me. :lol:

I jumped on the RQ2 bandwagon as soon as I first saw it, about 1980. Split our college gaming group in two, some of them stayed with AD&D. I was sort of 'meh' about Glorantha to start with, loved Pavis and the Big Rubble (ran the whole campaign and then some between 1981 and 1985) and fell away from it with RQ3, jumping to Stormbringer and then homebrews during that period. Lost track of its development, and until Issaries introduced Herowars I honestly didn't know it was still being developed. From what I have currently seen and read of Second Age, I doubt that I will be able to resist getting the whole shebang, as resources allow. One thing I remember wishing we had in the old days was a complete history of Pavis and the EWF. At the time we were heavily into RQ2, I remember only finding scraps about the Second Age. No, I'm probably already well hooked into getting all the Glorantha stuff. The cover of the first Cults book looks very interesting, for instance, and I love the whole idea of the Godlearners. :wink:

 

[andakitty]

Welcome, Fiddler. It's a pretty friendly and informative forum.

 

[HyrumOWC]

Welcome Fiddler!

And you're right. When the RQ SRD is (for free) available on the Mongoose site, everyone will get a chance to try before they buy.

Hyrum.

 

[Rurik]

Like an entry drug? Waaaay too late for me. :lol:

Well if your already hooked there is no way you are getting a dose for free! :wink:

Wow, you've been RQ'ing longer than I. I was petty excited when I heard about a new RQ. Honestly the first previews dimmed my excitement some, but the Glorantha previews have me going again. And best of all, it is not going to be a rehash of the oft re-issued Third Age stuff.

I just don't have the time for Gaming I once had, so being able to use everything off the shelf without major modding/converting is a huge bonus, so I really am hoping I like the core rules.

 

[Rurik]

Welcome Fiddler.

It seems like a pretty freindly forum at first, but you'll get beat in before too long. :wink:

Its true the SRD will be available "sometime later", and I have considered waiting for it. But I suspect I will hold a copy in my hands within a Week. Patience is a virtue I am sometimes lacking. Besides, I want RQ to succeed (some version, any version, please, don't leave me...), so I figure ponying up for the core ruleset a show of support for bringing back RQ. If I hate it I'll just wait for the Glorantha book before getting anything else.

I suspect they are holding off on the SRD for two reasons, first that it contains necessary parts of the RQ Companion, and so they don't want to release it before that is released, and second so that people who have a low score in the Patience virtue will buy the Printed copy.

 

[kpmcdona]

The Core Rules only contain what is now called Rune Magic (formerly known as Battle Magic/Spirit Magic). The Companion has Divine Magic (what used to be called Rune Magic) and Sorcery, as well as Spirit combat. So the Companion is pretty much required.

Ugh! You are correct. That bumps the basic package up to $120, which is bit much to swallow all at once.

I also have to give my support to the crowd that thinks it would have been better to have one $40 book that combines the core rules and companion. It looks to me as if a game using the core rules would be pretty much unrecognizable as a gloranthan RPG.

Oh, well...

 

[Rurik]

The Core Rules only contain what is now called Rune Magic (formerly known as Battle Magic/Spirit Magic). The Companion has Divine Magic (what used to be called Rune Magic) and Sorcery, as well as Spirit combat. So the Companion is pretty much required.

Ugh! You are correct. That bumps the basic package up to $120, which is bit much to swallow all at once.

I also have to give my support to the crowd that thinks it would have been better to have one $40 book that combines the core rules and companion. It looks to me as if a game using the core rules would be pretty much unrecognizable as a gloranthan RPG.

Oh, well...

As has been mentioned in this thread you may be able to get by on the OGL SRD when released, so you could buy the setting books and forgo at least the companion, if not both the companion and the core rules.

I hate to push NOT buying a company's products on their own forum, but I'm sure they would rather you bought the source books than nothing at all.

They are also going to release PDF versions - I'm not sure how much of a delay there will be. The PDF's should be cheaper. I am a BIG fan of PDF's, especially for source books that don't need to be handed around.

[rant=] Does anyone lese here feel that if you pay for a printed copy of a book you should be entitled to the PDF at no additional cost?[/rant]