[Origins rumour] Conan v2 to use RuneQuest! :D

[wartorn]

You know, as shitty as some of the supporters of D20 are about any mention of this, they DO have a point or two. I remember some of the stories where Conan was almost literally torn to shreds (Shadows in Zamboula), even crucified once (A Witch Shall Be Born). The stories support the high hp model sometimes, don't you think? As much as I hate to admit it, because I think BRP style games capture the feel of Hyborian combat better than any other. Maybe dual-stat would be the best solution for Mongoose, although I personally would not buy them. My interest in MRQ is high enough that I would like to see the company stay healthy, though. So there would be some things being published I can keep interested in too. They are right that I wouldn't like it if the rumor were of a reverse situation.

I'd prefer that the injury system effectively ignored hits that don't surpass location HP (these are minor-moderate injuries that need only be tended after the battle). With the higher location HP this gets a little harder to excuse - but I think this system would better simulate the 'almost being torn to shreds' situation you mention. That is to say most of the attacks would cause cuts and bruises without taking away from how much damage it takes in a single blow to cripple a location.

Without this addition to the system Conan would be a little too weak, I agree - BUT I'd rather that he be weak than be able to engage in combat effectively risk-free (you don't have to worry until your HP drops below an uncomfortable threshold, unless you're facing the odd opponent who can deliver 20 damage). This comes down to taste, and my personal interpretation of what Conan is about.

 

[andakitty]

True. Maybe Conan does belong to the other game system (if you want to emulate the Conan who gets crucified or fights a demon man-to-demon and completely recovers, that is). Truth be told, these days I would rather play games in other settings with other systems, where the characters are not nigh invulnerable anyway. The old Cimmerian will always hold a place in my (once) teenage heart. But now there are lots of other fictional characters to fill the gap, ones that maybe MRQ will be a better fit for. Say, Fafhrd and the Grey Mouser or Nifft the Lean. Or more cerebral settings such as Tekumel. Something about that weapon chart just screams 'Tekumel' to me.

Anyway, it will be interesting to see what Mongoose does.

The possible solution you mention sounds like how they handle the PC characters in Savage Worlds, by the way. Shaken at a certain level, wounded over that.

 

[Enpeze]

the problem is that conan is represented sometimes as "invulnerable" hero. In other stories he is just an excellent but human fighter. Its similar to Wagners Kane stories, in which the combat abilities of Kane depends sometimes on that what Wagner thought is right for current story.

RQ can portray the gritty settings perfectly. But it is also very usable for heroic actions. Many Gloranthan heroes which have the similar superhuman abilities like conan can be played and enjoyed by players since 25 years. And many of them seem to survive. This is for me the proof that RQ is at capable to portray both worlds.

MRQ advanced this inherent abilities of BRP even further. For example there are "Hero Points", special heroic abilities and up to 4 active combat actions for the better fighters. And I am sure the system support skills with several hundred %.

 

[GbajiTheDeceiver]

Hell yes. RQ3 even had the "being heroic" mechanic, to allow folks to avoid a lot of the side-effects of high damage levels.

 

[andakitty]

I don't think it really matters, just amongst us BRP fans. After all, someone CAN be lucky enough to survive a lot of combat in real life, so why not in fiction? I mean, think about Wyatt Earp, Audie Murphy, Ivar the Boneless...