We ditched our level up based on the 5 questions. House rule is to add up all the 1s and 20s for the session, then each player gets to roll that many D20s at the end of the session for skills. It adds a lot more engagement to the table. Each time somebody rolls a crit, you're a bit more invested, like a game of craps. Some nights it's really only 3 or 4 total, others it's 6 or more depending on how the dice rolled. Overall, the math comes out to the same give or take that you'd get using the question method but it's a lot more fun! Credit to Mr. Dragonbane on this one.
I just played in my first session of Dragonbane last night. I thought I was going to hate the combat system. Turns out, I love it. Plus the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.
I was one of those Dragon Bane GMs at Gen Con last year. I absolutely LOVE this game because it has an old D&D feel to it, which I miss. I like that the emphasis isn't on leveling up and becoming super powerful. I love that there are very definitely limits to what stats and skills can be. I love that GMs and their groups are encouraged to just go with it if they don't quite know how to handle a situation - there aren't rules for every little thing, which makes the flow so much better. And combat can be deadly - it's important for a group to work together. And sometimes, you really do just want to use your action to defend yourself.
This sounds incredibly interesting to me. Your comment actually sells me. As someone who has been playing D&D since nearly the beginning, playing heavily in the 80’s and 90’s, for me, the golden age of d&d was AD&D 2nd edition. I know that edition is a little heavy and many don’t like the complexity of some of the systems, but for me and my experience, that was the height of D&D for me. 5th edition is ok, but the direction WotC took d&d, for me, is a detractor. Everyone is a superhero now, everyone gets access to magic, everyone gets access to flying. It’s ridiculous. The game almost feels like a video game without actually being one. It’s strange and hard to explain to players that haven’t experienced older versions of the game. I have implemented a ton of changes to 5th edition to make it more conducive to my theater of the mind style and open sandbox style of DM’ing. I have several of my own worlds and I have some house rules that some players protest to at first, but usually after a single play or after a campaign, they will give me the feedback that they love it here and want to be in the next game. Many say they never played D&D like it. I tell them in many ways I strip the rules back and change a few to create an experience more like older versions. For instance, I don’t allow multi classing for a dip. If you multiclass, you must alternate lvls between them equally, and you must announce your multi class before the game starts, and build your backstory accordingly. Most games.. it is banned entirely. This is probably the largest strip back I make, that upsets players, but it honestly fixes like a 3rd of the issues with 5e, just by banning multi classing. It fixes a lot of issues, role play problems, and puts people back into niche roles, rather than everyone being a superhero. Anyways, sorry for the rant, but I have (for about the past year) been very frustrated with D&D. I am actually looking for something exactly like this, as I am still wanting the high fantasy setting, and general mechanics of D&D, but something new and simpler. Your comment resonates with me. After seeing your comment I literally just ordered the game and am excited for it to arrive. Thanks mate!! Cheers!
To be fair, the 5e essentials and starter boxes are half the price but the dragonbane box set still comes with the whole core book albeit cut in half to rules and adventures and then has all the standees, map, pregens characters, extra character sheets, and dice. If you buy from free league, includes PDFs. Free league knows what they are doing.
I really enjoyed this video, thanks. The original version of this game (early 90s) was based on Chaosium's Basic Role Playing System (specifically Magic World); D&D had yet to be translated into Swedish. So the real influence was Runequest (second edition) and that might be where the Malard's originate. I think that's where the "roll equal-to or less-than" comes from and skill improvement comes from (roll GREATER than the current skill level). The only issue I have with the way Dragonbane handles this is via Dragons and Demons; because you roll so many more times in combat than any other activity you will always gain more skill checks in that sphere. Thanks again, I'll have a deeper dive into your channel.
I've got the starter set and I'm really looking forward to putting it out on the table. The quick resolution for combat attracted me as much as the beautiful art by Johan Egerkrans. Plus, the randomness of monster attacks is pretty great. And ducks! You can play a duck (Mallard) character! Great review, thanks for posting it.
Heads up, that isn't a Starter Set. It is the whole rules in the box. The hardcover rulebook is coming, along with a bestiary, but the box is everything you need to okay.
I've been running Dragonbane for about six months, and I really love the system. I've just been running the Misty Vale campaign from the boxed set, but I've got my eyes open for other campaigns to run later. I'm also considering using the Dolmenwood setting for another Dragonbane game, though I think that would take a lot of work on my part to preserve what's great about Dolmenwood _and_ Dragonbane.
Great review! I recently bought the Dragonbane boxed set, though I have yet to get a chance to try it out. When I first heard that you could play anthropomorphic ducks, I was a bit turned off from the game. But when I saw that image so reminiscent of Darkwing Duck (also a favorite of mine), I changed my tune and ordered the boxed set.
Dragonbane has provided some of the most tense fights I have ever run as a game master. It's fast, can be deadly and is INTERESTING. Card based initiative and getting to use that for timing actions, using reactions and monsters which are actually scary to fight. A mob of goblins or NPC grade mooks fight just like player characters. Monsters like Manticores, Dragons and Giants usually get two randomly determined actions per turn, many of these can't be avoided and or are de-buffs based on fear. Petrification, swallow whole, drown...so many memorable special attacks. All this and still a fast playing system. Oh, and while you can go down in a fight and go into 5E D&D-like death saves, If you make it, you have to roll to see if you have a lasting injury. Some are mildly annoying, some are irreparable.
Haven't played it yet, but hope to do so soon. Also, as for parrying and evading taking up your entire turn... Yep. Tactical choices and such. The Wait action to see what a monster will do is quite an interesting defensive strategy too. And some people don't seem to be aware of the Defensive and Shield Block heroic abilities. You just have to survive long enough to be able to get those. ;-) And, let's not forget, the subjectively gorgeous artwork. I bought Vaesen, and was drawn in by Johan Egerkrans' style. Then I learned about Dragonbane too.
I wanted to buy the boxed set but sadly it was unavailable in my country and the import and delivery tax was stupidly expensive so i bought the pdfs for the rule book and the adventures book. I does look like a lot of fun, will de GMing it for my group next week
I need to pick this up at some point. I know it's got some Basic Roleplaying in its DNA (the game evolved out of RuneQuest 2nd Ed, after all...hens the ducks), and BRP has been my go-to game since I got into the hobby back in the 80s. Love the art.
Yep. The "Roll Under" mechanic is just a d100 system converted to a different dice scale. In this case, the d20. Not sure who first did that. Possibly Pendragon which, of course, sprung from the same BRP source. Speaking of, I see the most recent version of BRP includes it's option for using personality trait values. I'm rather impressed with how many evolved options they packed into BRP5's one relatively modest-sized core book.
@@NefariousKoel, I really need to pick that up. I haven't owned an actual BRP rule book since the 20 or 30 page pamphlet that came in Worlds of Wonder.
The game does indeed sound interesting. The artwork looks amazing. That drake rogue leaping from above is, as I said somewhere else, probably the last thing Bugs Bunny saw after pranking Daffy one too many times! 😂😂😂😂
So your aware the system is a d20 translation of the "RuneQuest" system which is d00% based otherwise the mechanics are nearly identical ["Pendragon" the rpg is also a d20 version of the RuneQuest system with one slight change in the skill roll in that you want to score as high as possible to your skill level in the skill - if you get that number exactly thats a "crit"]. Moreover Dragonbane is a transposition of another game called "Trudvang" full name "TRUDVANG CHRONICLES rpg". Think of Trudvang as 'Advanced Dragonbane' maybe; much of its the same but there is a little more 'crunch' around the edges, even though they are in essence the same engine and what not (derived from Drakar och Demoner in Sweden). Trudvang's primary difference is a darker grittier feel and a lot of world building of its own setting which while similar goes for a different flavour (a bit grittier and darker).
Great overview and contrasting Dragonsbane to D&D is a useful approach. The lack of defensive rolls or ability to affect the attack is a bit troubling. As you mentioned, you can do so with an 'expensive' reaction, but this feels ripe for a homebrew rule...
Perfect example of the subjectivity of taste. Cartoon murder ducks could be fun for a thematic campaign, but aren't a race/heritage/w/e tf you want to call it I'd generally want in my games.
My first time hearing of free league, so I was expecting at least the core rules to be free, like in pathfinder 2e. But from what it looks like all their rules are paid? Just wanna make sure I'm not missing something.
I believe so. They’re not as big a company as Pathfinder or D&D and their games don’t have expansions in the same way either so that’s probably why. Outside of D&D and Pathfinder I don’t know what other games offers their core rulebook for free, is there?
I do think that there are some free downloads on the site, including a starter adventure in some of their various games. I recall I was able to download the first adventure site and some pregen for free along with some basic rules.
Not entirely accurate on the combat. The system is more complex on the tactical side. Use action for attack? Defense? Reaction? You have to look at what the group does and what the enemies are doing. Saying it got less conditions in calculating is, though it is not wrong, it leaves a lot out that dragonbande does.
Have the starter kit and the new Bestiary book. Love the art, but mostly disappointed with the game itself and don't think it's as good as other modern BRP systems (or even Elric or Magic World). I actually think the previous edition(s) are better. Oh well.
So I just got the box set, and I'm bummed because it's beautiful and high quality, not to mention the gorgeous art. But I just could not get into it. It was incredibly uninspiring to me. Returning it tomorrow, and like I said I'm really bummed. It was super hyped on youtube like it was an absolute revelation, and then I got it and was like OK, cool art, WTF with the duck? I sound harsh, but it's obvious that a lot of work and passion went into this game, but it's not for me.
The duck comes from Runequest RPG. Dragonbane uses the BRP mechanic and simply does it on a D20 instead of percentile dice. I'm not overly inspired either. But I do like it. There's nothing new in Dragonbane that hasn't been tried in KAP, CoC or Runequest previously. Actually I find D&D less inspiring with cardbord characters, min-maxing and long and overly detailed backstores that feel like poorly written fan fiction. In that sense I totally prefer Dragonbane. I play and like it. I preferred RQ6 or Mythras, Cthulhu etc. The game, I think will improve and feel more complete with supplements. The bestiary is out, as is a hardback core rulebook. So things feel more complete now, already.
No modifiers and conditions? Do you really think it's a good system? Conditions are made to spice up combat, to give something interesting for the enemies to do and for the players to react to. This goblin shoots an arrow that blinds, maybe some aberrant creature is able to daze you or whatever. If you remove conditions every monster will be a bag of hp that can do some d-something damage Now if the system has conditions but they don't call them that, like if a monster gives you a -2 to attack because it's supposed to blind you or something, we come to the second advantage of a condition system: condensing concepts. Instead of having to write each effect every time it applies to a monster attack for instance, you just write "blind" on it's attack action and with some experience, you'll know what's that. If you're a fan of simple systems, good on you, but don't act like it's just an objectively good thing
I do believe there are some Conditions, the six basic ones that affect your ability checks, and there are other envitonmental conditions as well, such as different types of poison, fear effects, being cold, and such.
That’s correct. So there are some that does affect play and can affect attacks possibly. The conditions I’m talking about are the long list of options in D&D that are very specific.
That's not how powerful monsters work in Dragonbane. When their initiative comes up the GM rolls a D6 to see which of it's actions to perform that round, in the case it's the same action as last time you use the next one on the list. It comes off more like a boss fight from Dark Souls or Bloodborne than D&D because some monsters have some really powerful options and you can't just stand there trading blows with them. And there are some conditions in the game but instead of modifying the roll it's the same as 5E's advantage/disadvantage system, except you take the low roll when you have advantage and vice versa.
@@JMcMillen One thing I thought was really cool was that the advantage/disadvantage system (called Boons and Banes) stacks in Dragonbane. If you get a Boon from sneak attacking an enrmy and from using a special weapon that gives a Boon, you get to roll 3 d20 and chose the best. This allows players to really work together for advantages and even give decent odds on exceptionally hard tests if you can secure enough assistance. And conversely, if you have multiple Banes you can easily fail a check even if you are exceptionally skilled, meaning very dire situations can still be challenging such as a high Willpower character being targeted by a powerful Fear attack while having the Scared condition (which gives a Bane to all Willpoer checks). You're rarely going to get more than 3 d20 to roll, since Boons and Banes do also cancel each other out, but it's great to keep people aware of their circumstances.
I'm 6 minutes into the video and I've no idea what makes this game worth checking. The first thing you say is like DnD but roll under, so I'm assuming there's nothing interesting about this game at all. I'm criticizing the video. Not the game.
Roll under....that brings back old D&D days memories and isn't inspiring. Adding is easier than subtracting for mental math, and feels more intuitive. That is why D&D changed to over instead of under. So if 5e is more complicated than Dragonsbane.....and Dragonsbane uses roll under to boot. It's not for me. I don't want to play complicated games like 3.5 D&D or Pathfinder 1e again but I don't want to go simpler than 5e.
It's the same basic system you see in Call of Cthulhu, except they divided all the skill% by 5 and now roll a d20 instead of a d100. It's a surprisingly simple system to get used to.
![Dragonbane RPG - Mirth, Mayhem, Danger [TTRPG REVIEW]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/D7vOmHxzBIo/mqdefault.jpg)
![Dragonbane RPG - Mirth, Mayhem, Danger [TTRPG REVIEW]](/img/tr.png)
![Blox Fruits Dragon Rework Update [Full Stream]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/EqDAp8udhm0/mqdefault.jpg)
We ditched our level up based on the 5 questions. House rule is to add up all the 1s and 20s for the session, then each player gets to roll that many D20s at the end of the session for skills. It adds a lot more engagement to the table. Each time somebody rolls a crit, you're a bit more invested, like a game of craps. Some nights it's really only 3 or 4 total, others it's 6 or more depending on how the dice rolled. Overall, the math comes out to the same give or take that you'd get using the question method but it's a lot more fun! Credit to Mr. Dragonbane on this one.
OK, follow-up on this house rule. 13 total 1s and 20s the other day. I still only managed to succeed in +1 to a single skill. 😭
An image of a rogueish dual wielding duck was all I needed to check it out.
Right??? 🤣🤣
Yes! You can play as Paperinik!
The grey screen for a bit there confused me. I wanted to see what those things looked like too.
My apologies. Not sure what happened there. I wished RUclips allowed video replacements for this reason!
RAW, the levelling up happens at the end of each session of play. The milestone thing is just for gaining a new heroic ability.
Yes that’s right!
I just played in my first session of Dragonbane last night. I thought I was going to hate the combat system. Turns out, I love it. Plus the artwork is absolutely gorgeous.
So glad to hear you love it!!!
I was one of those Dragon Bane GMs at Gen Con last year. I absolutely LOVE this game because it has an old D&D feel to it, which I miss. I like that the emphasis isn't on leveling up and becoming super powerful. I love that there are very definitely limits to what stats and skills can be. I love that GMs and their groups are encouraged to just go with it if they don't quite know how to handle a situation - there aren't rules for every little thing, which makes the flow so much better. And combat can be deadly - it's important for a group to work together. And sometimes, you really do just want to use your action to defend yourself.
I’m so glad to have read this! Thank you for sharing!
This sounds incredibly interesting to me. Your comment actually sells me. As someone who has been playing D&D since nearly the beginning, playing heavily in the 80’s and 90’s, for me, the golden age of d&d was AD&D 2nd edition. I know that edition is a little heavy and many don’t like the complexity of some of the systems, but for me and my experience, that was the height of D&D for me.
5th edition is ok, but the direction WotC took d&d, for me, is a detractor. Everyone is a superhero now, everyone gets access to magic, everyone gets access to flying. It’s ridiculous. The game almost feels like a video game without actually being one. It’s strange and hard to explain to players that haven’t experienced older versions of the game.
I have implemented a ton of changes to 5th edition to make it more conducive to my theater of the mind style and open sandbox style of DM’ing. I have several of my own worlds and I have some house rules that some players protest to at first, but usually after a single play or after a campaign, they will give me the feedback that they love it here and want to be in the next game. Many say they never played D&D like it. I tell them in many ways I strip the rules back and change a few to create an experience more like older versions. For instance, I don’t allow multi classing for a dip. If you multiclass, you must alternate lvls between them equally, and you must announce your multi class before the game starts, and build your backstory accordingly. Most games.. it is banned entirely. This is probably the largest strip back I make, that upsets players, but it honestly fixes like a 3rd of the issues with 5e, just by banning multi classing. It fixes a lot of issues, role play problems, and puts people back into niche roles, rather than everyone being a superhero.
Anyways, sorry for the rant, but I have (for about the past year) been very frustrated with D&D. I am actually looking for something exactly like this, as I am still wanting the high fantasy setting, and general mechanics of D&D, but something new and simpler. Your comment resonates with me. After seeing your comment I literally just ordered the game and am excited for it to arrive. Thanks mate!! Cheers!
@@TheWokeWarlockglad to read this!!! Hope you enjoy the game - let us know!
To be fair, the 5e essentials and starter boxes are half the price but the dragonbane box set still comes with the whole core book albeit cut in half to rules and adventures and then has all the standees, map, pregens characters, extra character sheets, and dice. If you buy from free league, includes PDFs.
Free league knows what they are doing.
Sounds great. I'm getting the boxed set once I slay the dragon that is my credit card debt.
Roll for Initiative to slay the debit card debt dragon. DC is 99
Levelling up Basic Roleplaying Style babbyyyy!
Looks like an absolute blast! Great breakdown, I can’t wait to check it out!!
I really enjoyed this video, thanks. The original version of this game (early 90s) was based on Chaosium's Basic Role Playing System (specifically Magic World); D&D had yet to be translated into Swedish. So the real influence was Runequest (second edition) and that might be where the Malard's originate. I think that's where the "roll equal-to or less-than" comes from and skill improvement comes from (roll GREATER than the current skill level). The only issue I have with the way Dragonbane handles this is via Dragons and Demons; because you roll so many more times in combat than any other activity you will always gain more skill checks in that sphere. Thanks again, I'll have a deeper dive into your channel.
Great video! I'm looking for new alternatives to Hasboro products.
Did minutes 3:30 through 4:00 get copy-right claimed?
No I think something happened when I exported my video - sorry!!!
And thank you for the comment! Really appreciate it
I've got the starter set and I'm really looking forward to putting it out on the table. The quick resolution for combat attracted me as much as the beautiful art by Johan Egerkrans. Plus, the randomness of monster attacks is pretty great. And ducks! You can play a duck (Mallard) character! Great review, thanks for posting it.
Thank you, that means a lot to me
Heads up, that isn't a Starter Set. It is the whole rules in the box. The hardcover rulebook is coming, along with a bestiary, but the box is everything you need to okay.
I've been running Dragonbane for about six months, and I really love the system. I've just been running the Misty Vale campaign from the boxed set, but I've got my eyes open for other campaigns to run later. I'm also considering using the Dolmenwood setting for another Dragonbane game, though I think that would take a lot of work on my part to preserve what's great about Dolmenwood _and_ Dragonbane.
There was a Kickstarter I backed that looks real promising
Great review! I recently bought the Dragonbane boxed set, though I have yet to get a chance to try it out. When I first heard that you could play anthropomorphic ducks, I was a bit turned off from the game. But when I saw that image so reminiscent of Darkwing Duck (also a favorite of mine), I changed my tune and ordered the boxed set.
Love hearing that!!!
Dragonbane is absolutely awesome. 👏🏼
Dragonbane has provided some of the most tense fights I have ever run as a game master. It's fast, can be deadly and is INTERESTING. Card based initiative and getting to use that for timing actions, using reactions and monsters which are actually scary to fight. A mob of goblins or NPC grade mooks fight just like player characters. Monsters like Manticores, Dragons and Giants usually get two randomly determined actions per turn, many of these can't be avoided and or are de-buffs based on fear. Petrification, swallow whole, drown...so many memorable special attacks. All this and still a fast playing system. Oh, and while you can go down in a fight and go into 5E D&D-like death saves, If you make it, you have to roll to see if you have a lasting injury. Some are mildly annoying, some are irreparable.
Glad to see another Dragonbane fan!
And there also solo play which is also fun!!
Haven't played it yet, but hope to do so soon. Also, as for parrying and evading taking up your entire turn... Yep. Tactical choices and such. The Wait action to see what a monster will do is quite an interesting defensive strategy too. And some people don't seem to be aware of the Defensive and Shield Block heroic abilities. You just have to survive long enough to be able to get those. ;-) And, let's not forget, the subjectively gorgeous artwork. I bought Vaesen, and was drawn in by Johan Egerkrans' style. Then I learned about Dragonbane too.
Hope you enjoy it!
I wanted to buy the boxed set but sadly it was unavailable in my country and the import and delivery tax was stupidly expensive so i bought the pdfs for the rule book and the adventures book. I does look like a lot of fun, will de GMing it for my group next week
I need to pick this up at some point. I know it's got some Basic Roleplaying in its DNA (the game evolved out of RuneQuest 2nd Ed, after all...hens the ducks), and BRP has been my go-to game since I got into the hobby back in the 80s. Love the art.
Same here! Hope you enjoy it when you play
Yep. The "Roll Under" mechanic is just a d100 system converted to a different dice scale. In this case, the d20.
Not sure who first did that. Possibly Pendragon which, of course, sprung from the same BRP source. Speaking of, I see the most recent version of BRP includes it's option for using personality trait values. I'm rather impressed with how many evolved options they packed into BRP5's one relatively modest-sized core book.
@@NefariousKoel, I really need to pick that up. I haven't owned an actual BRP rule book since the 20 or 30 page pamphlet that came in Worlds of Wonder.
I only play Dragonbane now. I love it.
Advanced Crimson Dragon Slayer!
The game does indeed sound interesting. The artwork looks amazing. That drake rogue leaping from above is, as I said somewhere else, probably the last thing Bugs Bunny saw after pranking Daffy one too many times!
😂😂😂😂
Can you link where you got your recomended deck boxes.
Yes! Here it is: a.co/d/6TulAPu
As soon as I saw Darkwing Duck I knew I had to listen to this!
Awesome video man!
Thank you! Really appreciate it
So your aware the system is a d20 translation of the "RuneQuest" system which is d00% based otherwise the mechanics are nearly identical ["Pendragon" the rpg is also a d20 version of the RuneQuest system with one slight change in the skill roll in that you want to score as high as possible to your skill level in the skill - if you get that number exactly thats a "crit"]. Moreover Dragonbane is a transposition of another game called "Trudvang" full name "TRUDVANG CHRONICLES rpg". Think of Trudvang as 'Advanced Dragonbane' maybe; much of its the same but there is a little more 'crunch' around the edges, even though they are in essence the same engine and what not (derived from Drakar och Demoner in Sweden). Trudvang's primary difference is a darker grittier feel and a lot of world building of its own setting which while similar goes for a different flavour (a bit grittier and darker).
Great overview and contrasting Dragonsbane to D&D is a useful approach. The lack of defensive rolls or ability to affect the attack is a bit troubling. As you mentioned, you can do so with an 'expensive' reaction, but this feels ripe for a homebrew rule...
Perfect example of the subjectivity of taste. Cartoon murder ducks could be fun for a thematic campaign, but aren't a race/heritage/w/e tf you want to call it I'd generally want in my games.
Talk abt Glorantha
Just pretend it's a different D&D race
Quickstarter was fun.
I died.
Although they missed a golden opportunity to call it "Quackstart" instead...
Good review! Hey, how can I contact you regarding a game? I couldn't find an email address on your website! Cheers!
Just about every other game’s starter box set comes with more than Wizards/DnD starter sets.
Was it just me, or does the video go black between 3mins 20 and 4 mins?
No you’re right. Something happened when I exported it and I didn’t catch that before uploading. I apologize!
@CritHitTheGiant No problem, just thought I should point it out.
😃
Dragonbane is a decent BRP on a d20, yet BRP nonetheless. Not bad. I prefer Mythras.
My first time hearing of free league, so I was expecting at least the core rules to be free, like in pathfinder 2e. But from what it looks like all their rules are paid? Just wanna make sure I'm not missing something.
I believe so. They’re not as big a company as Pathfinder or D&D and their games don’t have expansions in the same way either so that’s probably why. Outside of D&D and Pathfinder I don’t know what other games offers their core rulebook for free, is there?
I do think that there are some free downloads on the site, including a starter adventure in some of their various games. I recall I was able to download the first adventure site and some pregen for free along with some basic rules.
This sounds like an alternative to D&D for those soured on WotC, but a roll-under, armor-absorption system is significantly worse, IMO.
Maybe try it out and see.
We've replaced D&D with this game. D&D is absolutely ridiculous anymore.
I enjoy both but if I had to give up D&D for a game, it would be this
Not entirely accurate on the combat. The system is more complex on the tactical side. Use action for attack? Defense? Reaction?
You have to look at what the group does and what the enemies are doing.
Saying it got less conditions in calculating is, though it is not wrong, it leaves a lot out that dragonbande does.
Have the starter kit and the new Bestiary book. Love the art, but mostly disappointed with the game itself and don't think it's as good as other modern BRP systems (or even Elric or Magic World). I actually think the previous edition(s) are better. Oh well.
Can you explain? I'm considering this game.
So I just got the box set, and I'm bummed because it's beautiful and high quality, not to mention the gorgeous art. But I just could not get into it. It was incredibly uninspiring to me. Returning it tomorrow, and like I said I'm really bummed. It was super hyped on youtube like it was an absolute revelation, and then I got it and was like OK, cool art, WTF with the duck? I sound harsh, but it's obvious that a lot of work and passion went into this game, but it's not for me.
I’m sorry to hear that
The duck comes from Runequest RPG. Dragonbane uses the BRP mechanic and simply does it on a D20 instead of percentile dice. I'm not overly inspired either. But I do like it. There's nothing new in Dragonbane that hasn't been tried in KAP, CoC or Runequest previously. Actually I find D&D less inspiring with cardbord characters, min-maxing and long and overly detailed backstores that feel like poorly written fan fiction. In that sense I totally prefer Dragonbane. I play and like it. I preferred RQ6 or Mythras, Cthulhu etc. The game, I think will improve and feel more complete with supplements. The bestiary is out, as is a hardback core rulebook. So things feel more complete now, already.
No modifiers and conditions? Do you really think it's a good system? Conditions are made to spice up combat, to give something interesting for the enemies to do and for the players to react to. This goblin shoots an arrow that blinds, maybe some aberrant creature is able to daze you or whatever. If you remove conditions every monster will be a bag of hp that can do some d-something damage
Now if the system has conditions but they don't call them that, like if a monster gives you a -2 to attack because it's supposed to blind you or something, we come to the second advantage of a condition system: condensing concepts. Instead of having to write each effect every time it applies to a monster attack for instance, you just write "blind" on it's attack action and with some experience, you'll know what's that.
If you're a fan of simple systems, good on you, but don't act like it's just an objectively good thing
I do believe there are some Conditions, the six basic ones that affect your ability checks, and there are other envitonmental conditions as well, such as different types of poison, fear effects, being cold, and such.
That’s correct. So there are some that does affect play and can affect attacks possibly. The conditions I’m talking about are the long list of options in D&D that are very specific.
That's not how powerful monsters work in Dragonbane. When their initiative comes up the GM rolls a D6 to see which of it's actions to perform that round, in the case it's the same action as last time you use the next one on the list. It comes off more like a boss fight from Dark Souls or Bloodborne than D&D because some monsters have some really powerful options and you can't just stand there trading blows with them.
And there are some conditions in the game but instead of modifying the roll it's the same as 5E's advantage/disadvantage system, except you take the low roll when you have advantage and vice versa.
@@JMcMillen One thing I thought was really cool was that the advantage/disadvantage system (called Boons and Banes) stacks in Dragonbane. If you get a Boon from sneak attacking an enrmy and from using a special weapon that gives a Boon, you get to roll 3 d20 and chose the best. This allows players to really work together for advantages and even give decent odds on exceptionally hard tests if you can secure enough assistance. And conversely, if you have multiple Banes you can easily fail a check even if you are exceptionally skilled, meaning very dire situations can still be challenging such as a high Willpower character being targeted by a powerful Fear attack while having the Scared condition (which gives a Bane to all Willpoer checks). You're rarely going to get more than 3 d20 to roll, since Boons and Banes do also cancel each other out, but it's great to keep people aware of their circumstances.
I'm 6 minutes into the video and I've no idea what makes this game worth checking. The first thing you say is like DnD but roll under, so I'm assuming there's nothing interesting about this game at all.
I'm criticizing the video. Not the game.
Roll under....that brings back old D&D days memories and isn't inspiring. Adding is easier than subtracting for mental math, and feels more intuitive. That is why D&D changed to over instead of under. So if 5e is more complicated than Dragonsbane.....and Dragonsbane uses roll under to boot. It's not for me. I don't want to play complicated games like 3.5 D&D or Pathfinder 1e again but I don't want to go simpler than 5e.
One of the main design features of Dragonbane is that there is no mental arithmatic, no adding or subtracting.
Your roll is greater than your skill --- you fail
Your roll is less than your skill --- you succeed
DragonBane math is superior to D&D math
It's the same basic system you see in Call of Cthulhu, except they divided all the skill% by 5 and now roll a d20 instead of a d100. It's a surprisingly simple system to get used to.
It baffles me how you people think subtracting is hard. Society, parents and educational system really failed you.