RPGNow

Saturday, June 29, 2013

Why Do I Like the DCC RPG?


I've been asked this question a bit recently and decided it needed an answer. The answer isn't an obvious one.

Believe it or not, it's not for the art. I love the art, but that's not what makes the game so special.

It's not even for the awesome maps in the adventures, many of which I'd like to have in a "suitable for framing" print. I've said this part before, haven't I?

It's not the never ending spell charts. I'm not a lover of endless charts. Ever.

It certainly isn't because of a book suitable for stopping bullets and caving in heads. I prefer my gaming books thin and svelte.

Why do I like the DCC RPG despite the above?

Because it recaptures the magic and excitement from my early days of gaming, which isn't easy to do. Hell, if I knew how Goodman did it, I'd actually make some money off of my hobby ;)

Swords & Wizardry Complete captures the feel of how my group played AD&D in my high school and college years and fits like a prefect glove.

Dungeon Crawl Classics captures the magic I felt when first learning to play AD&D. DCC most certainly isn't AD&D and doesn't try to mirror the system, but somehow has found a way to extract the magic of those early days for me.

The DCC adventures keep that magic rolling, and I suspect they would keep much of that magic even were I to convert them to S&W.

Maybe I need to houserule a DCC / S&W Hybrid ;)


2 comments:

  1. Hmm. DCC is similar in broad strokes, but you have to learn a new system, for all intents and purposes.

    I love charts, but I find DCC's use of one chart per spell to be excessive. I think I'm going to write a blog post on why.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. To follow up:
      http://initiativeone.blogspot.com/2013/06/dcc-rpg-charts-and-pareto-principle.html
      Basically - I think most charts should be in the background, with a well-honed minority in "everyday" use. DCC RPG forces the opposite, with a lot of non-reusable charts in high use.

      Delete

Tenkar's Tavern is supported by various affiliate programs, including Amazon, RPGNow,
and Humble Bundle as well as Patreon. Your patronage is appreciated and helps keep the
lights on and the taps flowing. Your Humble Bartender, Tenkar

Blogs of Inspiration & Erudition