Opinions on The Riddle of Steel RPG?

[Thorvald Kviksverd]

I was wondering if any of you have played it and, if so, what your impressions are.

Thanks in advance

BTW, for those who have no idea what I'm talking about...

theriddleofsteel.com

It sounds intriguing.

 

[Crothian]

There were some guys talkign about it at the local gaming store today. They seemed to like.

 

[Tsyr]

I played with the combat generator they have on their website... looks like a TON of fun.

It's #3 on my "to get" list

 

[mmadsen]

I was wondering if any of you have played it and, if so, what your impressions are.

I haven't played it -- in fact, I haven't even seen it in person -- but I remember checking out their site awhile ago, and their claim to fame was most certainly the realistic combat system:

The most realistic, dangerous, and strategic RPG combat system ever developed. Based on years of research, practice, experimentation, and training in authentic Western European Martial Arts, combat in The Riddle of Steel revolves around picking your fights—and carefully planning the ones you pick. No hit points or other absurd measures of damage or combat are involved, instead pitting skill and tactics against other deadly foes, where each fight might really be your last. Wounds, armor, techniques, and weapons are founded on real-world historical models. Found within the pages of The Riddle of Steel are over twenty detailed fighting systems, from Irish pugilism to the English quarterstaff, the German longsword and greatsword to early renaissance cut and thrust swords. This fully customizable approach to combat allows players to run quick, generalized skirmishes or drawn-out, detailed duels based on personal preference; each player develops and fights with their own style—no two fighters or fights will ever be alike! Players—not just characters—will find themselves in constant search of the elusive Riddle of Steel. These features make it the only RPG combat system approved and endorsed by the prestigious Association for Renaissance Martial Arts (www.theARMA.org), the number one authority and resource on medieval and renaissance martial arts in the Western Hemisphere. Thanks to die mechanics bordering on "real-time combat," all of this detail comes without slowing gameplay. In fact, combats in The Riddle of Steel are not only more engaging, but also run faster than most every other system available.

I do have to wonder how it actually plays.

 

[mmadsen]

Re: Re: Opinions on The Riddle of Steel RPG?

I do have to wonder how it actually plays.

There's a sample game-play transcript on their site. I'm not sure what to think. http://theriddleofsteel.com/whatis/RTC.htm

 

[Ace]

Oh goody! I get to plug the Riddle of Steel

I bought the game on a whim and while I have yet to campaign in it I love the game none the less.

I can't recomend the game enough, best combat system ever IMO

Combat is fast and very deady--- Basically you have to learn how to use your weapon and out guess your oponent to win.

If you are used to D&D styled fights, The Riddle will surprise you. basically the first person to get a solid hit in wins


The other basic systems are pretty good, its die pool based rather like an improved storyteller system

Rather unique to this system are "Spiritaul attributes" which add directly to your die pool anytime they are in play.

For example You are in a street fight, you have a 12 in your combat pool (decent for a trained fighter) with your sword and shield
Another fight, this time for king and country, and you get to add your passion/king and country 3 to the pool and your skill is effectivley a 15.

When you roleplay your spitual attributes they go up and when you spend them back down (they can't exceed 5) you get to add weapons profisciences, stats and a bunch of other stuff

There are a couple of bizaare bits though--

First the magic ages you when it is cast. On average a spell will age you a month-- Very weak spells, well you might be able to manage a couple a day without trouble

The magic system is not intended to be balanced at all-- Spells are composed of 9 Vagaries something like the spell seeds from ELH.

An example -- the movement vagary at level 1 will allow is about mage hand

Level 2 is light TK, about 50 lbs

Level 3 allows you throw 1 ton at light speed.

The problem is that really powerfull spells are no harder to learn than mediocre ones.

For example a planet killer (no I am not kidding) spell is roughly as easy as a cure serious wounds.

For the difficulty of cure moderate wounds I can make someone commit suicide!

The game is mainly dark fantasy in tone and set in Weyerth, the best Pseudo Europe I have ever seen


I love the game but a word of warning it is meant for short (20 sessions max) campaigns of Dark Fantasy with either crafty players or a high mortality rate

It also requires mature players and a good GM (they call it a senechal)

If you have any more questions, post them here I can answer most of them or get an answer

Or you can join us at the Forge site

http://www.indie-rpgs.com/forum/viewforum.php?f=25

I am Ace there too

 

[BrianL]

I played with the combat generator they have on their website... looks like a TON of fun.
QUOTE]

Glad you like it (the combat sim, I mean), I'm the guy who wrote it.

And yes, the game does play very well. I don't agree with Ace so much about the guessing game - IMO combat is more an outthinking game. The main problem with this is that the GM is likely to be more experienced with the combat system and what works well and what doesn't, so if he plays to full ability, the players are likely to be in some trouble when it comes to PC vs. NPC fights. But as long as the GM keeps that in mind (and as long as he's not the kind of low-life GM who thinks it's fun to kill off players) it should be fine.

Other than the combat system, the Spiritual Attributes system is excellent, helps promote good roleplaying and gives rewards where players really deserve them. I also like the skill system, very like Storyteller except that your dier pool is made up of the attribute, and the TN is determined by your skill level. Quite neat.

The magic system also (IMO) isn't as bad as Ace makes it out to be. On the official forum at the forge he's well known as the main detractor of the magic system, right Ace? As long as you play with the awareness that magic is very rare, scary and powerful (not like D&D where characters balance is really important) and even a starting sorceror can hose an experienced fighter if he has time to prepare (and he's dead meat if he doesn't) you'll do fine - it's quite fun.

Brian.

 

[Jake Norwood]

Hi all. I'm the guy that wrote TROS. I've got a reputation for answering questions, I guess, and when I heard there was a thread about TROS on ENWorld I had to come check it out.

So here I am. I'll be happy to answer any questions (although I confess that I'm off to GenCon tomorrow, Booth 216, IIRC, but I'll be back on Sunday).

Anyway, nice site here, really.

 

[Ace]

I played with the combat generator they have on their website... looks like a TON of fun.
QUOTE]

Glad you like it (the combat sim, I mean), I'm the guy who wrote it.

And yes, the game does play very well. I don't agree with Ace so much about the guessing game - IMO combat is more an outthinking game.



The magic system also (IMO) isn't as bad as Ace makes it out to be. On the official forum at the forge he's well known as the main detractor of the magic system, right Ace? As long as you play with the awareness that magic is very rare, scary and powerful (not like D&D where characters balance is really important) and even a starting sorceror can hose an experienced fighter if he has time to prepare (and he's dead meat if he doesn't) you'll do fine - it's quite fun.

Brian.

I think you are right, we agree on the combat. I sai guessing, you said thinking. We meant pretty much the same thing, its the head game that matters.

Now as too the magic I am its main detractor and while I have issues with the system I can't in all fairness say it isn't fun. I haven't tried it in a game.

While it isn't my cup of chai I will say that it does what it was meant to do and in a short game it probably is incredibly fun.

Of course now that Jake and Brian are here I am off the hook and don't have to answer questions

Seriously though, try the combat sim and you will want the game.

It is IMO one of the few It must be mine! items to come out in a long time.

TROS is awesome!

 

[sword-dancer]

I have a question!

How can I get TROS in Germany?