RPG Retro Review: Castles and Crusades - Revisited

[@johnmc703]

I started watching your reviews in the last weeks reminiscing on when I started AD&D 1st back in 1979/80. While I dabbled with 2nd and 3rd ( my 20yo daughter now is playing 5th), personally I kept returning to 1st edition. Now, having watched this video, I have got the C&C PHB on pdf and enjoying reading through it. I plan to get the physical books in the near future. Thankyou for a wonderful enlightening series.

[@Iris-qf7yu]

Much love from us over here at Troll Lord Games!

[@captcorajus]

Much love back my friend!

[@deathmetal926]

I just want to thank you for promoting this game. I am currently running a 5th edition campaign and am unhappy with the superhero feel to it. I saw your castles and crusades videos and decided to buy the game and I think it has a much better feel to it!

[@weprintplastic]

This is the nicest way to relive the old school D&D game, but in a very logical way that takes advantage of the parts the newer D20 systems got right. I enjoy this game because you can play it bare bones as it comes, or if you want to add levels of detail the Castle Keeper's Guide gives you all the elements to do that.... also the guys who made it are just great. You can reach out to them directly and interact, which also harkens back to grass roots nature of how D&D all started in the 70's.

[@donaldflowers8180]

I would like to thank you for doing Castles & crusade on youtube man. Your review on it inspired me to buy it and many other troll lord games supplements in castles & crusades. It's such a great 1e emulator and even its own campaign settings are rich in content.

[@LukeMasouras]

I often pull out my 1st edition DMG just to read bits and parts. So Castle Keeper's Guide will have to be purchased! Thank you for fueling my addiction.

[@manuc99]

I've bought the Player's Handbook for C&C and it's a beautiful beautiful game. I'm expecting the arrival of Monsters & Treasures and Castle Keepers' book to Argentina this very week so I can playtest it on a group that never played RPGs. This game pushed away all the enthusiasm I previously had por 5e and delivered me and my friends from the conflicting rules of 2e we were using. It even got back the Half Orc for retro gaming! Much love for the Chenault bros. and the Troll guys. Manuel from Argentina.

[@captcorajus]

Hey there Manuel from Argentina!! So happy to hear from you and that you are enjoying C&C. Love that game myself, and the best part, its EASY to convert 2E materia to C&C. Just got my Kickstarter package in the mail, for the 7th printing of the PHB. The new cover is gorgeous. Now, I have all these extra copies of the PHB, what could I possibly be doing with these? ha ha!

[@manuc99]

by the way, you still owe us all a video on The Village of Homlet and The Temple of Elemental Evil!!! Kind regards.

[@timkramar9729]

I know the creators won't like to hear this, but I feel a lot of clones are interchangeable. Six stats, 3d6. Even 7 to 8, as long as 3d6 is used. The most important considerations seem to be race and class, so I feel like C&C has the best range of possible classes. I bought the Player's Guide but did not see either the Castle Keeper's Guide or Monsters and Treasures available there. So I figured I could pair it with another system for those parts. I chose Labyrinth Lord. C&C, again, appears to have more classes available than LL. I also have a book called Low Fantasy Gaming that I thought was merely a source book, but found was its own game.

[@gunniification]

I bought this system after watching your review. I'm loving it. Thank you :)

[@captcorajus]

+Gunnar Ólafsson Awesome. Now how do I collect my commission! lol

[@GoShanePlays]

Good stuff! I'm here in Little Rock with the Troll Lord Games guys and I've had Steve Chenault on my show a couple of times. He's a gool guy.

[@captcorajus]

+Shane Plays Yes, I agree. I've talked to them a few times via email, always interesting. Glad you liked the vid, and thanks for the sub!

[@Elderos5]

I have to say that I enjoy your videos very much. They are concise and well thought out, and you present the material very well too. I am looking forward to further reviews. I believe you mentioned Volo's guide to Waterdeep and possibly Undermountian as well. I would enjoy seeing both of those. If you wouldn't mind, add the Haunted Halls of Eveningstar to the list. It was one of my first gaming experiences.

[@sunsin1592]

No harlot table? Outrageous! At least I still have my 1st ed. DMG...

[@NoActuallyGo-KCUF-Yourself]

_Book of Carnal Knowledge_ has me covered.

[@jeremywebster7912]

Anyone looking to buy this, Troll Lord Games has a holiday sale right now that has 40% savings on orders above $50. Monday I ordered the special bundle with the three core books, arms and equipment guide, CK Screens, and character record sheets, combined a 15% promo code for 55% off, and snagged the thing for about 66 bucks including shipping.

[@johncartwright6759]

Great video! Because of it I picked up the C&C books. Could you do a video on how to multi class and also how to do the class and a half in C&C?

[@guillermorobles887]

love your videos man, keep em coming

[@Wolfogre]

Well, you made me sorely tempted to purchase this. :)

[@captcorajus]

you won't be sorry. lol

[@Wolfogre]

As soon as I scrounge up the cash , so it'll be around new year at the earliest.

[@Susrek]

It was the first KS I regretted. If it wasn't for Gygax advocating it, I would never have heard of it or the company. I could never see using it over OSRIC, B/X or BlueHolme. None of my players liked it either. I can see using it in place of 5e or 3e/Pathfinder if forced into that style which is the C&C niche. I used C&C to wean my nephew off 3e and appreciate the Prime concept for use in other games.

[@Iris-qf7yu]

Hi! Intern here and daughter of Mac Golden! I'm sorry to here you and your players didnt like it! We're always open to comments and suggestions, so if you would like, you can check for contacts on our website or email me directly at [e-mail]

[@MrSteveK1138]

Using your d20 Rating Scale, what scores would you give for C&C?

[@captcorajus]

20, 20, 18

[@MrSteveK1138]

@@captcorajus A "19" *hand slam* "Amazing"

[@johnharrison2086]

These books seem like a great resource even if you play 5e D&D. I may check them out.

[@Susrek]

While I'm not a huge fan of C&C, it is an improved 5e IMO.

[@Iris-qf7yu]

@@Susrek hi! Intern and daughter of Mac Golden here! We'd love to hear any feedback! Contact us with the emails on the website or me directly at [e-mail]

[@scotifer920]

Great review. C&C is one of my preferred systems and the more acknowledgement it gets the better. Could you do G series in two parts and include the other half of The Queen of Spiders super module?

[@captcorajus]

+Scott Stevenson How about FOUR parts? Descent into the depths, Vault of the Drow, and queen of the spiders? :)

[@scotifer920]

+captcorajus You are looking at a lot of work there! You would not hear me complaining. I always wanted to run it for my old group but I overused giants in an 8th century Viking campaign and no one wanted any more bloody giants. Added to the list for a Fantasy Grounds conversion :)

[@KarmaSamadhi]

Excellent review! Is the alternate system of Mana Points included in the newest edition of the Castle Keeper's Guide?

[@captcorajus]

+Karma Samadhi Yes, there are no changes to the contents... just better production values.

[@KarmaSamadhi]

+captcorajus Good to know. Thanks!

[@kurgon1976]

you rock man. how about review of darksun?

[@captcorajus]

+kurgon1976 I've had that request. I've definitely got to add it to the list. :)

[@raknai]

Great video, I´m addicted

[@APaganPerspective]

Another Great Review

[@CastelDawn]

pretty cool stuff

[@burbigasmurgnakobaki586]

Excellent video as usual

[@ForgottenEssenceX]

Trying to find a game of Castles and Crusades is almost Impossible -sigh- Also looking to do some cypher system.

[@ForgottenEssenceX]

So in C&C Characters get a split of the monster exp value but not for gold/treasure earned right?

[@Augustinusgrimdalus]

I picked the player's handbook and I feel this is a great system for people new to RPGs. Do you agree with this opinion?

[@captcorajus]

Absolutely. I also feel its an amazing system for people who enjoy a 'rules light' approach to role playing. The siege engine allows for the DM to adjudicate situations on the fly, very easily. Its also great if you want to play old school modules, but want a more streamlined approach to your game as opposed to 1E rules.

[@Susrek]

@@captcorajus Or to play Castle Zagyg....

[@WildDieWoodard]

Nice presentation for one of my fav games! One minor thing... As far as I know, Paizo is pronounced "pie-zo"... Just one tiny nitpick. :)

[@CastelDawn]

I was wondering Captcorajus, ever played Stormbringer?

[@captcorajus]

+CastelDawn No, I'm afraid not. I prefer to stay away from licenced Fantasy RPGs based on published works, for three reasons. 1) I don't want to deal with the canon, I prefer to do my own thing. If players are sitting around my table to play, they are probably fans of the novels, and have certain expectation. If I'm not sticking to the published material, than why play a game based on it.. so, I prefer a generic system. 2) Traditionally, licenced product do no stand the test of time, and go out of print, with no further support. (BTVS RPG, I'm looking at you). 3) As far as Stormbringer goes, no one I've ever played with has expressed an interest. Lynn Willis does excellent work, and you know I like Chaosium, so I might take a look at it out of curiosity, but unfortunately I've never played.

[@Se7enBeatleofDoom]

No harlot table? But that’s the best part of role-playing and lore. Lol

[@robertmcgarr]

I really enjoy your videos, particularly those dealing with D&D BECMI. I recently picked up a copy of the Castles and Crusades players handbook (2008 printing) which is extremely well written (apart from the odd typo which is unfortunate). I was wondering if you had ever looked at the Basic Fantasy rpg, which I also have and bears some comparison with C&C?

[@captcorajus]

So glad to hear you are enjoying the videos! Its so funny how these things happen sometimes. I swear I'm writing the script for a BF review right now. Probably out this week. BF is extremely well done, and if you enjoy basic, its a great option. I like BF because it changes 'just enough' things from the rule companion to make it worth while. It uses inverted AC, its got an ability check system strikingly similar to Castles and Crusades Siege Engine, and it seperates the races and the classes. Furthermore, there is a TON of source material available for other 'Advanced' Classes... all well done. All FREE. In addition, you can get it print on demand at cost. The rulebook from Amazon cost me $3.50 WITH SHIPPING. What a deal! C&C is a fully modern rpg. The rules are sleek, smooth, whereas BF retains many of Basic D&D's systems. A d6 for initiative, hearing noise, percentiles for thief skills and so on. If you were using the Gazetteers and things like Hollow World, BF would be excellent to use with it as it would require minimal, if any changes to adapt it.

[@robertmcgarr]

Excellent, I look forward to seeing that! I agree with you; it is a very good system. Aside from the ascending Armor class and interesting and very flexible ability check system, it has a very clearly written combat system. What I also like very much is the way the author makes use of the old saving throw system and develops it by analogy to general situations that crop up in the course of a game That is very smart I think and not long-winded either. I have only recently taken delivery of the C&C player's guide and that again is another very well thought out take on D&D rules (even more impressive in the sense that it manages to streamline AD&D which in its original form appears a bit obscure). There are some great sub-systems in C&C, to mention one, the encumbrance system,which is the best I have seen

[@captcorajus]

Yes, the Encumbrance system for C&C is pretty good. I forgot to mention that. All in all, its so very playable. The advantage system in the CKG is also pretty good as well.I also love the 'Class and a half"

[@Alan13448]

A+++

[@IndyMotoRider]

3 years later and you can not even obtain the Monsters and Treasures book from Troll Lord website. Very disappointing! Apparently there was a kickstarter recently for some type of AD&D 2nd ed Monstrous Compendium version of Monsters and Treasure, but who the hell wants a big ass binder with pages that can easily get torn. Gah! So frustrating. *EDIT* I found all three books on Amazon however there is now only 1 Monsters and Treasures book left after I bought my set.

[@Iris-qf7yu]

Hi! Employee here and daughter of Mac Golden! If you look on there now, click Castles and Crusades, then click Game Master Content and scroll down, you'll find it! Hope this helps :)