tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post4095139838407252697..comments2024-03-19T04:29:47.922-04:00Comments on GROGNARDIA: REVIEW: Astonishing Swordsmen & Sorcerers of HyperboreaJames Maliszewskihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00341941102398271464noreply@blogger.comBlogger19125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-3281430877780342172012-10-16T20:01:21.661-04:002012-10-16T20:01:21.661-04:00I received a boxed set a couple weeks ago and I mu...I received a boxed set a couple weeks ago and I must say that the set and books are attractively sturdy and well-constructed. A big part of old school nostalgia for me is sensory, and this set nails that. It feels like a physical object from the 1970s, if it had been put together with contemporary technology. Also, the writing and art are consistently superior. Michael Rooneynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-62684202471103863582012-10-16T19:52:58.132-04:002012-10-16T19:52:58.132-04:00James, I picked this up in PDF (and soon the boxed...James, I picked this up in PDF (and soon the boxed set, I think), in no small part due to your review. Thanks!Ron Blessingnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-24381600602346395242012-10-15T12:26:22.578-04:002012-10-15T12:26:22.578-04:00I'd been impressed by the first two adventures...I'd been impressed by the first two adventures that came out before AS&SH ("Taken from Dunwich" and "Charnel Crypt of the Sightless Serpent."), so I'd been waiting for the game with some anticipation. I'm definitely buying the PDF.Anthony Raganhttp://breeland.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-79459188692227206642012-10-14T16:56:09.183-04:002012-10-14T16:56:09.183-04:00Another one: Magicians only have six spell levels,...Another one: Magicians only have six spell levels, just like everyone else, not nine.Colin Chapmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-10460460743185948492012-10-14T14:21:56.104-04:002012-10-14T14:21:56.104-04:00I picked up the PDF a while ago for a game I was t...I picked up the PDF a while ago for a game I was to be joining. I turned out missing the game, but did read through all AS&SH and love it. I'm itching to run/play this game.Riley Vandallnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-41087869185011635412012-10-14T13:46:32.044-04:002012-10-14T13:46:32.044-04:00I just ordered my copy of AS&SH through RPGNow...I just ordered my copy of AS&SH through RPGNow.Ville Ojanperänoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-53144329240464214562012-10-14T13:00:02.053-04:002012-10-14T13:00:02.053-04:00Setting-wise they're not as similar as you mig...Setting-wise they're not as similar as you might expect. Certainly AS&SH has elements of REH's Hyboria, but it owes much more to CAS's work setting-wise and has a strong "dying earth" genre feel. System-wise they're also quite different. Conan d20, while a great d20 game, owes much more DNA to D&D3e, with a combat system that is somewhat more crunchy than that edition. AS&SH owes far more to AD&D1e, albeit with cleaned-up mechanics and presentation. Which you'd prefer is going to be very much a matter of taste.Colin Chapmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-1289110255292782402012-10-14T12:07:26.586-04:002012-10-14T12:07:26.586-04:00Great review, James! AS&SH (as the inebriated ...Great review, James! AS&SH (as the inebriated barbarian might curse...) is truly a magnificent game. I supported it from the Kickstarter on down, and wasn't disappointed. Weird fiction saturates the text, and the art by Ian Baggley is absolutely integral to generating the proper feel. Even for players who don't have much of a pulp background, all you'd need to do is show them some of the illustrations to get them in the mood, so to speak. It should also be mentioned that Jeff has a robust ongoing discussion about the game over at the ODD74 forum: http://odd74.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=hyperborea<br /><br /><br />As others have mentioned, the pdf is ridiculously well-priced at $10. Do yourself a favor and pick it up!keshernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-77638702304266560072012-10-14T12:07:14.491-04:002012-10-14T12:07:14.491-04:00The Mongoose Conan is a D20 OGL game based on 3.0 ...The Mongoose Conan is a D20 OGL game based on 3.0 rules, or atleast the 1st edition which I have is. From what I've read it is one of the better presentations of the D20 system, even if the 1st edition editing is horrible. The game does capture the sword & sorcery feel of Howard's stories quite nicely. <br /><br /><br />I've actually never played D&D or any of the retroclones. I've read the Labyrinth Lord rules, but haven't got the change to play it yet. But I'm most likely getting the PDF version of AS&SH anyway as it's very good values for money, even if I just use some bits of it.Ville Ojanperänoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-88466086765557917302012-10-14T11:43:46.465-04:002012-10-14T11:43:46.465-04:00I've never actually read a copy of the Mongoos...I've never actually read a copy of the Mongoose Conan game, so I can't really say. I will say that AS&SH is more like "pulp-flavored AD&D" than simply a pulp fantasy game, so, if you're not keen on D&D tropes, it probably won't appeal to you.James Maliszewskihttp://grognardia.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-19088933256064515052012-10-14T11:41:10.665-04:002012-10-14T11:41:10.665-04:00Do you recommend getting this if I already own the...Do you recommend getting this if I already own the Mongoose Conan RPG? It's very similar in setting and ruleswise. And why it wouldn't be given the sources the game draws inspiration from. But form the rules point of view? But then again $10 for the PDF is a steal.Ville Ojanperänoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-18743752997280045512012-10-14T11:00:24.431-04:002012-10-14T11:00:24.431-04:00I absolutely love AS&SH! I can honestly say i...I absolutely love AS&SH! I can honestly say it is my favorite version of D&D (including even all the 'official' versions). The combat rules are are clean, simple, and provide enough detail and options that I am immediately dropping them into my current LL campaign.. I have the print version myself, but like James said, the PDF for $10 is a steal.Mike Grubernoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-8241576172537787902012-10-14T10:40:44.943-04:002012-10-14T10:40:44.943-04:00I loved this game... I am currently thinking about...I loved this game... I am currently thinking about mixing it up with DCC RPG. I think they will fit nicely together.Diogo Nogueirahttp://www.facebook.com/diogonognoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-70063244602891085012012-10-14T09:08:00.085-04:002012-10-14T09:08:00.085-04:00You are correct. I'll make that correction now...You are correct. I'll make that correction now.James Maliszewskihttp://grognardia.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-47965397178802165932012-10-14T09:06:53.608-04:002012-10-14T09:06:53.608-04:00Petty Gods is where it has been for the better par...Petty Gods is where it has been for the better part of the last year and a bit: in limbo because I don't have someone reliable to do layout for little or no money and I don't know how to do layout myself. This may be changing; I have found someone who wants to take on the project, but only time will tell if it's going to work out. If it does, I'll let everyone know.James Maliszewskihttp://grognardia.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-3436639265964968482012-10-14T08:51:04.450-04:002012-10-14T08:51:04.450-04:00It's a fantastic game, and while the setting i...It's a fantastic game, and while the setting is an outline, it's an extensive one with more than enough meat for someone to use and set adventures in. Quick correction though: Thief skills use a d12, not a d20.Colin Chapmannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-30442600235328593432012-10-14T08:29:47.870-04:002012-10-14T08:29:47.870-04:00I own the box set and I absolutely love this game!...I own the box set and I absolutely love this game! If/when my long-running HackMaster campaign comes to an end it will be the next campaign I run. Can't wait.Jasonnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-56926603021476209262012-10-14T04:41:39.802-04:002012-10-14T04:41:39.802-04:00That's a pretty funky logo. That alone makes m...That's a pretty funky logo. That alone makes me oddly interested Oodoreshnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7487871339000666216.post-54589323625790736392012-10-14T04:04:18.832-04:002012-10-14T04:04:18.832-04:00I just remembered the existence of Petty Gods. Can...I just remembered the existence of Petty Gods. Can we have an update on that some time, please?Akiyamanoreply@blogger.com