One of the play-aids for Blades I will include are pre-made classes. These will be available character archetypes that someone can pick up and play: I want to be a fighter, a thief, a barbarian, a ranger etc. This should help get newbies into playing right away and fits the "D&D expectation" with players new to the system. Don't worry though, full on rules for choose what I want skills and character creation are still in the game, this is just a quick play hook so you don't have to spend a lot of time "making characters" and can pick up and play right away.
On the art front Artkid (Luigi) has created the cover image and two additional pieces of fantastic B&W illustration art...with more to come! I'd love to show them off because they are OUTSTANDING...but I am kind of excited to just leave it as BAM! final unveiling when the game is ready.
The question I have is one of setting. Should a simple setting sandbox be included as a kick off area to explore? I think yes but it might not be necessary..or even wanted. As always your thoughts and feedback are appreciated.
A small (one or two pages) Hyboria or Lankhmar pastiche might be nice, but I don't think it needs to be necessary
ReplyDeleteYes, I wouldn't mind a small setting - why not link the pre-made classes to that (and have them after the setting info) rather than have them in the intial chargen rules?
ReplyDeleteThat way you get the unfettered elegance of the rules and then 'here's what you can do with them'.
Please no 'Rangers'- that term's too Tolkien, how about 'Scouts' instead ?
@AK, Okay makes sense.
ReplyDelete@SW Okay, Scouts or Outirders makes more sense, possibly mantrackers? As to char-gen, perhaps as examples at the end of the section as samples? Not everyone I have played with wants to spend time trying to build a character concept or ranging through skill and spell lists trying to come up with something. Eventually with experience they do, but not when they are learning the game. hmmmm...
If you're catering for someone who is learning the game, why not have a sample setting, a few pregen characters (classic S&S archetypes) and a small adventure. That way you cover GMing as well as playing.
ReplyDelete@SW You may be right, but I don't see it as catering to a beginner necessarily. One of the major problems (IMHO) with current RPG's as written is the "By experts, for experts" assumption, thus necessitating a basic set.
ReplyDeleteInstead of this, I think devoting a few pages to quick or intro play will help a novice get into it, while experienced sorts can breeze by it. A small (programmed?) adventure and sandbox will be included and a few pre-gens as well. Overall though I don't see this detracting from nor overwhelming the core rules book. But I have been wrong before and until it is done, everything is malleable.