Why Dark Sun should be created within a D20 ruleset and not a D&D d20 ruleset - Downloaded from the Wizards Community, all coding removed by Solauren

Why Dark Sun should be created within a D20 ruleset and not a D&D d20 ruleset

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
nytcrawlr
Jul 23, 2005 20:36:35 http://www.gamewyrd.com/review/473

Interesting read on low fantasy and how to make it work, plus a good review on Grim Tales.

I might just have to get this Eric, thanks for the mention.
#2
ruhl-than_sage
Jul 23, 2005 23:30:07 Very good review, I'll have to pick that book up when I have the money . I'd seen it before and was mildly interested, but after reading the review :D , I know I've got to have it.
#3
zombiegleemax
Jul 24, 2005 1:20:24
Very good review, I'll have to pick that book up when I have the money . I'd seen it before and was mildly interested, but after reading the review :D , I know I've got to have it.

The Darklore campaign setting does something similar with the ability based classes, only they use talents to effectively recreate the D&D classes
#4
xlorepdarkhelm_dup
Jul 24, 2005 1:37:54
http://www.gamewyrd.com/review/473

Interesting read on low fantasy and how to make it work, plus a good review on Grim Tales.

I might just have to get this Eric, thanks for the mention.

Agreed. GRim Tales sounds like a really good book.
#5
eric_anondson
Jul 25, 2005 15:01:13 Glad I can get more folks interested in Grim Tales. It is billed as a "Rules Resource and Campaign Toolkit." And it really is.

I recommend looking at RPGNow for more Grim Tales products. Bad Axe has put out some of the Grim Tales' chapters as individual .pdfs.

Also, if you have extra cash sitting around ($35.00), I heartily recommend checking out Bad Axe's Slavelords of Cydonia campaign setting/epic adventure. Takes characters from low level to 20th level. It uses Grim Tales' and can also be used with regular D&D (it provides dirt easy rules conversion). Slavelords evokes ERB's Barsoom books, and for those who are in the know about Dark Sun's development days will know that Barsoom and John Carter of Mars are vital influences for Dark Sun. Slavelords also introduces a simple, yet extremely versatile, set of rules for doing mass battles, which can also be bought on RPGNow as a .pdf separately.

ENWorld has a collection of other reviews for Grim Tales that I recommend anyone who is curious about Grim Tales to read. This is a particularly thorough review from among those.

FWIW, Bad Axe games in developing a spellcasting system (supposedly skills-based spellcasting) to build upon the spellcasting rules default that comes with the Grim Tales book... problably coming out by the end of the year.
#6
nytcrawlr
Jul 25, 2005 15:29:40
Otherwise, Grim Tales does not propose advanced / prestige classes. Its valid point is that one has enough talents and feats to choose from to create any type of character he wishes. In fact, I am grateful that Grim Tales doesn't include still another set of advanced / prestige classes. Despite I like them, I think there is enough of them in d20 modern and a bunch of other supplements out there, to be spared of more. Plus IMO advanced / prestige classes should be tailored to a specific campaign genre (and even setting), so it would be difficult to make meaningful advanced / prestige classes in the generic rulebook that is Grim Tales.

Couldn't have said it better myself, esp on the latter parts.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 nytcrawlr Jul 23, 2005 20:36:35	http://www.gamewyrd.com/review/473 Interesting read on low fantasy and how to make it work, plus a good review on Grim Tales. I might just have to get this Eric, thanks for the mention.
#2 ruhl-than_sage Jul 23, 2005 23:30:07	Very good review, I'll have to pick that book up when I have the money . I'd seen it before and was mildly interested, but after reading the review :D , I know I've got to have it.
#3 zombiegleemax Jul 24, 2005 1:20:24	Very good review, I'll have to pick that book up when I have the money . I'd seen it before and was mildly interested, but after reading the review :D , I know I've got to have it. The Darklore campaign setting does something similar with the ability based classes, only they use talents to effectively recreate the D&D classes
#4 xlorepdarkhelm_dup Jul 24, 2005 1:37:54	http://www.gamewyrd.com/review/473 Interesting read on low fantasy and how to make it work, plus a good review on Grim Tales. I might just have to get this Eric, thanks for the mention. Agreed. GRim Tales sounds like a really good book.
#5 eric_anondson Jul 25, 2005 15:01:13	Glad I can get more folks interested in Grim Tales. It is billed as a "Rules Resource and Campaign Toolkit." And it really is. I recommend looking at RPGNow for more Grim Tales products. Bad Axe has put out some of the Grim Tales' chapters as individual .pdfs. Also, if you have extra cash sitting around ($35.00), I heartily recommend checking out Bad Axe's Slavelords of Cydonia campaign setting/epic adventure. Takes characters from low level to 20th level. It uses Grim Tales' and can also be used with regular D&D (it provides dirt easy rules conversion). Slavelords evokes ERB's Barsoom books, and for those who are in the know about Dark Sun's development days will know that Barsoom and John Carter of Mars are vital influences for Dark Sun. Slavelords also introduces a simple, yet extremely versatile, set of rules for doing mass battles, which can also be bought on RPGNow as a .pdf separately. ENWorld has a collection of other reviews for Grim Tales that I recommend anyone who is curious about Grim Tales to read. This is a particularly thorough review from among those. FWIW, Bad Axe games in developing a spellcasting system (supposedly skills-based spellcasting) to build upon the spellcasting rules default that comes with the Grim Tales book... problably coming out by the end of the year.
#6 nytcrawlr Jul 25, 2005 15:29:40	Otherwise, Grim Tales does not propose advanced / prestige classes. Its valid point is that one has enough talents and feats to choose from to create any type of character he wishes. In fact, I am grateful that Grim Tales doesn't include still another set of advanced / prestige classes. Despite I like them, I think there is enough of them in d20 modern and a bunch of other supplements out there, to be spared of more. Plus IMO advanced / prestige classes should be tailored to a specific campaign genre (and even setting), so it would be difficult to make meaningful advanced / prestige classes in the generic rulebook that is Grim Tales. Couldn't have said it better myself, esp on the latter parts.