Shadowdark RPG Will Blow You Away! (Ep. 310)

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

PDM, thank you for giving Shadowdark a read! Knowing you liked it this much makes my soul complete!! :D

[@sietsewijker1530]

Kelsey, didn't you enter the hobby with ADnD or 2nd edition instead of 5e? Shadowdark looks great, I wish you all the best!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

@@sietsewijker1530 That is true! :) But I didn’t start doing professional work for the hobby until the 5th edition era. So I did come to what I’m doing now via 5E!

[@markpileggi643]

Just backed your project. I think my group will love it.

[@rockdomineck7250]

Great to see you kill your pledge goal! Way to help us prove LV gaming isn't just about casino gambling. Backing!

[@irishthump73]

Delighted to back this project thanks in no small part to PDM's review. Can't wait to play it!|

[@SonOfSofaman]

A collaboration between Kelsey Dionne, Ben Milton, Runehammer/Hankerin Ferinale, Seth Skorkowsky and Professor Dungeon Master would be a dream come true.

[@viking078]

you have weird dreams

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You can catch Ben and I doing two seminars are GenCon this summer.

[@THEFabianValenzuela]

True

[@johnedgar7956]

Agreed! Seeing PDM and Seth at the same game table would be epic!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

@@johnedgar7956 Seth and I willl both be at Pax Unplugged in Philladelphia in December 2023. We'll do something then.

[@PMandrekar]

I was proud to pledge for this Kickstarter. I played this game at GaryCon last year and it was a blast. I am really impressed with how quickly this game played, and was learned, but could handle all of the dungeon crawling I could ever want. I knew the author (Kelsey) when she was still a teenager working at a local game store (I am a long time resident and gamer in the Madison, WI area), and I'm thrilled that she grew up into the designer that she is now.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

Paraj, you are a true gem! So many fun memories going way back! I’m proud to know ya!

[@johnriccardi5191]

Oh man are you still in Madison? I'd love to play some Shadowdark here!

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

@@johnriccardi5191 My heart will always be that of a Wisconsinite, but I now live in Nevada!!

[@darkfatekod3962]

Yeah, I was interested until I found out you know her.

[@MarketResearchReading114]

@@darkfatekod3962 I recommend the game. I've played 5e for a very long period since 2018 and its been a good run, but wizards of the coast, has been lowering quality of books, and I found out, that they pay and potentially treat, their contract workers poorly. I know just how hard it is to be a temp, from my mother's experience, and I want to give the people that make these stories and systems my business. Just like in video games, indie works, can be really high quality gems that you might love more then a popular game you already know.

[@timothyyoung2962]

Man, I really love the art in this game. REALLY gives that old school D&D vibe. Reminds me of the black and white illustrations in old Dungeon and Dragon Magazines.

[@nathanlh116]

Just ran Shadowdark for the first time because of this recommendation. My whole table LOVED it! We rolled characters and played through a good chunk of the Lost Citadel in one sitting. We’re switching our regular play to Shadowdark (with the addition of deathbringer dice) and I couldn’t be more excited.

[@jont3295]

This video aged well in light of their awards at GenCon.

[@zimmejoc]

Wow!!!! A kickstarter that once funded, ships a product a month later!!!! I won't have to wait a year for a PDF to be delivered. Now this is something I can get behind.

[@brogrimm8900]

I was recommended your vids to learn DnD. I was just getting ready to purchase the books you recommended in one of your videos, when i saw this. So instead of purchasing DnD, I went ahead and backed this. I am looking forward to it. Thanks for the great vids.

[@thereisn0m0re]

In part due to your support of this independent game, I've just bought Death Bringer. It's about time. Thanks for your KZbin content PDM!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

And Shadowdark and DB are completely compatible in my mind.

[@BMHume]

Not related to this video, but I just joined your channel and wanted to use the opportunity to thank you for the great content. I was sick at home last week, stumbled upon the channel and have been watching a couple of videos every day since then. I haven't played a TTRPG in my whole life, but I'm right on the edge of convincing some colleagues to give it a try and might have to become the DM, so I guess I found you at exactly the right moment. I really appreciate your sensible, down-to-earth approach to DMing. It gives a potential rookie like me at least a little confidence that I might be able to offer the players a decent time without having to consult rulebooks every minute.

[@davidpaul1970]

I love how retro the art is.

[@tostiggoodwinson4415]

Right as you said, “artwork looks like a wood carving,” I was thinking to myself, that it resembled Albrecht Durer’s work.

[@whiskeyvictor5703]

I like artwork that looks like old Mediaeval art. The art-design of "Meadows & Megaliths" has that same look and feel of a dusty tome from the Middle Ages.

[@Lhight85]

Great minds think alike. I also use torches in real time in CoS, Death House. Both times it went out during combat against undead, lol.

[@YukonJack88]

What I love is Kelsey’s enduring humble passion for rpg action. Seriously, she is an inspiration and a god damn talented designer…. I’m supporting this project because of her amazing grit. I’ll high grad some choice nuggets for my DCC game I hope she can get a Foundry Vtt game mod done as kick starter goal. 😎⚔️⚔️🧟‍♂️😎

[@Hikertrash215]

THIS! Ive been running Knave (Ben Milton's game) for my friends and roommates for 6 months now and we're having a blast. The only real complaint was it needed more "crunch" (feats, abilities, ect) but Shadowdark looks to be that middle ground! I also think this will help bring over many of my 5e friends who are a lil more hesitant to play OSR style games. Great work Kelsey! P.S. dungeoncraft has been such a great resource and inspiration for my d&d/rpg games. Keep up the great work!

[@JakAttack]

Thank you for the video, this is literally exactly what I was looking for. Mostly needed for my players, who live and breath 5e but are intimidated at making the jump to OSE.

[@serigraph73]

Glad you posted this. I have been seeing SD ads on social media and wasnt very interested because i am so inundated with ads

[@beardynonsense]

I'm beyond excited for this! I've been waiting for the Kickstarter for almost a year now. I've been running two groups, one with Shadowdark and one with 5e. I backed at the highest level so I can share the game with both groups and maybe someone else. This game's mechanics and the way the adventures are presented give the best of all worlds: easy to learn, easy to run, and all materials I've seen are usable at the table! WotC could learn a lot from Kelsey and other leaders in the OSR.

[@phaedruslive]

Recoup some of those expenses and try and get like 30-40$ out of em for those spare corebooks.

[@geoffreynelson6413]

Great review. Love the idea of a random generator screen. Far more useful than a price list for pole arms.

[@dragonsnacksdan9063]

Wow! This is what I was looking for! Old School presentation and simplicity for a GM but fiddle bits so characters can be customized! Backed!

[@jefffisher1297]

In my OSE games I have retooled a bunch of it. Thieves use a d6 for everything they do, of course some of those rolls are made by the DM. We use Bulk (from Dungeon World) instead of coin weight, Wizards get more spells (they can still only cast one spell at first level however), many of the things mentioned in this Shadowdark I am already using, but I love all the charts and tables and will most certainly pick it up when it comes out.

[@SuperEndiku]

I've been an antisocial recluse for years but now I wish I had a group to play this with.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Invite people! There are other antisocial recluses out there!

[@phaedruslive]

There are plenty of Discords/Guilded servers to find a group with.

[@yeraycatalangaspar195]

Solo RPG also exist lad, look them up, perhaps somre are up your alley.

[@glacier68]

It took me a few years, but this antisocial recluse posted up a game on Meetup and has a full table of yahoos every session.

[@liamtaylor4955]

With all those tables it would probably work well with a robust oracle system. But, a solo player is definitely going to want a way to index those tables and so bring them to hand quickly.

[@handsofalabourer5592]

Backed this as soon as I saw it on KS. Glad it's got the stamp of approval. Very excited to play

[@BolofromAvlis]

I downloaded the quick start rules and this looks like so much fun! It's done some of the things my favorite system, Castles and Crusades does, but even more. All of a sudden it seems like theres all these great TTRPGs coming out and so little time to play them.

[@ChadHensley]

I discovered Kelsey through her 5E item cards just weeks after getting into 5E, which was my first RPG. Super excited about this new KS and it is great to see you and Ben over at Questing Beast cover it.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

We're going to team up for two seminars at GenCon if you're going!

[@ChadHensley]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 it has been my dream for a long time to attend GenCon but alas it is not in the cards yet again.

[@Xplora213]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 can this be taped? Interested but some of your viewers are on a different continent 😂

[@quantus5875]

Great review! This game looks interesting. I like that little random trait roll mechanic. While I'm posting I do want a post a plug for one of my favorite games. Castles and Crusades (the original new school mechanics - old school feel game)!! 2004 folks C&C was way ahead of its time. I wish the ArcaneLibrary the best! Good luck with your game!

[@glacier68]

Ha, yes, I recall Kelsey's convo with Ben and Jordphan when she listed off her gaming history and they were essentially, "well, you're the expert here..." She definitely has the chops. Crap, do I really need another game system? ...

[@71rwtd]

Funded the kickstarter! Seems amazing

[@ChanceIchio]

It feels like almost everything the professor has ever taught was put into this game, my brother and I backed this on day one after watching this video and I even plugged this product on My Escape from Zanzer's Dungeon stream that same day as well, I am truly looking forward to having this book in my hands.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You are correct.

[@russellparker5043]

Excellent quick review… I thought Professor Dungeonmaster was a bit over caffeinated until I realized I still had KZbin set to 1.25x playback speed 😂

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

LOL Thanks for watching.

[@RPG_Bliss]

Wow amazing review Professor! I agree the tables are sweet! Will be picking this one up.

[@seileurt]

Backed and I second the GM screen idea. Since I crafted my own screen, once I have the pdf I'll just replace the tables I taped on there with these ones instead!

[@mateofantasma]

This is fantastic. Happy to back this day one. Looks great!

[@GadgetJoseph]

Thanks for covering this. Have backed the Kickstarter!

[@elliotclark5818]

Just downloaded the beta and pledged on the kickstarter. This looks great! Thanks for the recommendation Professor

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You're welcome!

[@snarkback]

The intro music is so good i thought it was a game ad and had to double check.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks. Peter Crowley. Nice guy for letting me use it. Check out his stuff.

[@snarkback]

@@DUNGEONCRAFT1 definitely going to!

[@wschaecher]

After watching your video I downloaded the quick start guides and loved what I read. I have already signed up for the Kickstart and I am trying to convince my players into playing.

[@darksiant04]

Glad I ran across this video when I did... I'm on the Kick Starter, today is the last day. Thanx Prof. GM!

[@Thomas.R.Howell]

I've always been a big fan of your work and knowledge you provide in the TTRPG space. I have been playing D&D 5e for 6 years now (as a forever DM) and have always had the mindset that this is the game I will play until I pass. However as of late I have been studying the setting of Greyhawk and all of the old school D&D histories. I've been craving that gritty old school feel that 5e doesn't exactly bring... I am curious could I run shadow dark in a greyhawk setting? Or is this strictly more dungeon crawling rather than storytelling and roleplaying? Additionally do you think this shadow dark system is welcoming to new players and has a better gameplay pace that fits one shots well? Thank you for any insight!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You have a lot of questions. I'll try my best o answer them. 1) I think you can run SD in any setting. It's not just a dungeon crawler. It has tons of charts for every type of terrain. 2) SD is ideal for new players because it had fewer rules. Hope that helps.

[@davidpaul1970]

Great review. More reviews of indie RPGs would be great to see.

[@Mr_GoR_]

Been following Kelsey and Arcane Library for a couple years now. Grabbed the playtest copy as soon as I saw it on their main site a while back. Glad you are helping to get the word out. I'm backing this right away!

[@YoJesusMorales]

That carousing table made me chuckle, looks fun to roll.

[@josephpurdy8390]

5th edition darkvision is 3rd edition low light vision. 1st edition had infravision, and there was a great reason behind it.

[@lilboss168]

Just Pledged! I'm excited now. Thanks for the content, and the info.

[@Hellvector]

This was an excellent video Professor, and a wonderful service to the campaign!

[@shaggycan]

Feels very much like DCC. Not sure it's really different enought to make the switch for myself personally. Isn't there a carousing table in the DCC Lanhkmar boxed set? 5:50 or just..carry more than one torch?

[@jinxtheunluckypony]

The real world torch time rule is really interesting. I wish I had a consistent gaming group, I’d love to see this in action.

[@mikuel25]

$30 is a little too much for a PDF for me.

[@shaunhall960]

I absolutely love the art! Art is the way to my heart.

[@VengerSatanis]

Free sample of O5R called Crimson Dragon Slayer D20!

[@Grimlore82]

This is so freaking awesome! Very happy to have backed this Kickstarter:-)

[@vast3394]

she's the sole writer and designer on the game iirc. crazy achivement. a titan!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

She deserves it.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

I’ve seen her stuff on KZbin before and it looked really cool. Definitely going to pick this up.

[@darth_zorg]

Great review. I like the GM screen idea.

[@hexaedre]

Totally with you on how the Thief being more competent is a great design! Thanks for the review/comments!

[@RodBatten]

I backed it, because how could I not? Looks great and the tiers offer excellent packages for gamers of every media preference (digital, book, bibliophile/collector)

[@BlueCyberPhoenix]

One rule that a lot, and I mean a lot, of people over look with D&D 5E and the races that are able to see in the dark is they receive a minus (it's either a -2 or -4) to perception checks (it might be more but it has been a long time since I have played 5th ed). With that said I do like the thought of every race not being able to see in the dark.

[@johnedgar7956]

This looks AWESOME! No darkvision, no ignoring resource management, etc... I'm intrigued by this!

[@DigitalPhreak765]

Oh haven't heard of Shadowdark before.Thanks for the post awesome stuff.

[@rogermeiris6014]

I've been looking around at a lot of OSR games, and just seeing what's out there, and this video reminded me of two very cool finds. Grim Jim put out a 5e book called GrimDark, that has a bunch of stylized classes like Brute, Brawler, Magus and "Cunning Folk". It's very cool. And when the Prof. mentioned a DM screen with lots of random tables, I thought of the Mork Borg screen! I bought it solely for the awesome exterior, but the inside of the screen has lots of cool random tables on the inside(though with lots of the MB flavor).

[@EpicSolo]

Great review. Thanks for taking time to feature the unique/innovative mechanics which all seem very well done. Looking good!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks for watching!

[@elaineabreu282]

So during the pandemic times I have strayed away from group play and been playing solo, and to be honest, I quite like it on this side of the pool. I wasnt that interested until the abundance of charts was mentioned. Random charts are my bread and butter! So that got me interested..and then I went to the page and saw that one of the stretch goals is a show with some episodes on how to use this with gm emulator and I was sold!!

[@jclefbouncyrock]

Thanks for the overview. I'm going to back it.

[@tabletopgamingwithwolfphototec]

Funny I'm also a new Era player and GM that started in the Wizards of the Coast era. But also moved back towards the old school style. I'm also working on my own systems at this time.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

It's like being a new film student and discovering "Casablanca"

[@tabletopgamingwithwolfphototec]

@Dungeon Craft Yes The analogy also happened with movies. I have a ever growing collection of movies from the 1920s , 1930s & 1940s.

[@DeanPrudhomme]

I loved your channel back when I was making my own table-top terrain. Now I'm loving this review! I got the Quickstart rules and my favorite part is how streamlined they are. No more reading paragraph after paragraph of fluff! Shadowdark is so concise and easy to use. I backed the kickstarter today!

[@ndowroccus4168]

I love the backstory here, and with two reviews… I’m sold.

[@zephyrstrife4668]

personally, I've never really had to worry about adventurers being practically immortal in my games... but I do like the idea of having a much lower power scale for an RPG.

[@craftsmenMC]

My absolute favorite OSRs (and even rpgs in general) are the ones that use some modern mechanics so that newer audiences can get into them. Just throwing a modern player into ye olden days and expecting them to vibe with the way they were done back then isn’t going to go over well with most people. I usually homebrew out mechanics where race and class are the same thing or your race super-restricts your class, for example,

[@zenjr1004]

How it's different from five torches deep?

[@nordicson2835]

Thank you , putting this in Emails to the kids for Father's day... maybe that would be a good idea for content , what to get Gamer Dad for Father's day

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Yup

[@michaelcaudron9883]

I love the simple game system approach. I wonder if the designers took any inspiration from Games Workshop's old tabletop skirmish game Mordheim?? It's dark with black & white line drawings. The Warband champion advancement is also a roll on a chart. Looking forward to picking this up and trying it out.

[@dunwitch]

Wow, this sounds great, like what 5E should've been. I love it. They've got my money.

[@andrewlustfield6079]

Ordering now!

[@ambrosewetherbee8301]

Exactly! 5E is often touted as a streamlined system, which isn't something I've ever experienced. I've been playing 5E since its debut and I've never experienced a game where it wasn't cumbersome in execution without homebrewing to the point it faintly resembles 5E. I always find it funny that often the same people who criticize 4E for straying from "D&D" and being a video game MMORPG give 5E a pass for the same offense by being very video game MMORPG in how it handles player and monster mechanics. What I like about Shadowdark is that it doesn't try to reinvent the wheel. It looks at some of the best designed wheels out there and brings various design elements into this new wheel. The Gauntlet, aka Funnel, equipment slots rather than weight encumbrance, so on and so forth.

[@liamtaylor4955]

I don't know about "should have been". If D&D players want to go retro, en masse, then wotc can do 6E or 7E to suit. No version is off the table imo, if you like it.

[@Xplora213]

@@liamtaylor4955 the editions are not built for players. Every single one has been a company directed project. Ad&d was Gygax trying to formalise for conventions. Second edition was a tidy up that no one asked for (sales proves it). Third edition was WOTC trying to get their own piece of the pie. Fourth edition was WOTC trying to monetise the PC gamers. Fifth edition was an acceptance that fourth was a mistake. We don’t need the editions. I play second. The company has always pushed them into the market regardless.

[@consonaadversapars]

Because failing your spells randomly is fun?

[@dwarvesanddragons6948]

I started to do something like that, I'm using the SRD and build some old school rules to run my dungeons

[@marccaron6008]

Love it! Looks great for solitary roleplaying.

[@PhilippeLemaire]

Man this launch came out of nowhere for me but between you, Ben Milton, and runehammer, I got bombarded with influence. The project looks cool, and the Fomo was real, so I caved and backed it.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Believe the hype.

[@aopndgaming7567]

I want to back this kickstart so much, however I got recently burnt by a Kickstarter, the dragon eye dice, over 2 years I've waited for it and nothing, less than 3 uploads and yet to receive my refund I asked for....

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

She'll deliver.

[@viking078]

For me, its the wait of 2 years for the books to arrive...

[@fchrisb804]

I supported the Kickstarter for Shadowdark... it really looks good. I think it fits a niche between 5e and OSE. Can't wait to play!

[@whips_and_buckets]

Thanks you for supporting indie games!

[@Aircool212]

Sounds interesting, like the old D&D red box basic set. However, does it suffer from, what I consider, the biggest weakness of D&D and many old school mechanics; the binary results of dice rolls? You roll a few dice for your attack, miss both and then wait five or more minutes whilst everyone else has their turn and take damage from enemy attacks before you get to roll a few dice again.

[@Redfield70]

I backed immediately. I have faith in the product and the creatives behind it. Thanks for the fantastic review! This is the Way.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

You're welcome!

[@AaronWilbers]

I don't think I"d replace my OSE game with this but I"ll be grabbing this. Thanks for the review.

[@wh3nderson95]

I know Prof DM is doing the thumbnail face as a joke. But it still got me chuckling.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Making a stupid face and placing it to the left of the thumbnail attract clicks. It's proven KZbin science (Mr. Beast does it all the time). I wanted Kelsey's game to get as much exposure as possible, so I did the stupid face thing--and it worked! This is my second-highest viewed review after Warhammer Fantasy RP 4th Edition.

[@themcchuck8400]

Sounds really good! It stands out from the crowd. Lots of random charts never hurts, either.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Nope.

[@kathyevans3251]

I am checking it out. I like the way they set it up .

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Thanks!

[@donrosavelli8869]

If it's good enough for the professor,. It's good enough for me. I took a look at a preview and the game is a solid bx clone with a 5e frame. More or less how I play already. Great product and worth the buy. Support indie game designers and gamers!

[@artistpoet5253]

Wow. Sounds amazing. I'm going to wait for retail copies, though. I have a few games already going and nearly $100 for a physical special edition is just a bit outside my budget.

[@mattalford3862]

I've already backed this, and I can't wait to see the finished product!

[@vernondito]

Man, did the auto-generated subtitles mangle Deathbringer's bit at the end. Comedy gold🌝

[@sirnigelcogs]

That sounds like a great combination of AD&D 1st Edition and updated and streamlined rules. I've also always been a big fan of charts ever since playing MERP. They add an interesting element to the game.

[@derangedcomics]

I grew up on 1st edition D&D so there is definitely a part of me that misses the "old school" experience. BUT... I don't miss a lot of the mechanics. And I admittedly fell in love with 5e's more streamlined ruleset. So I think this book is targeted toward people like me. I liked the video and I've already made note of the book. Good luck with the Kickstarter.

[@MoragTong_]

The fact that you think 5E is a more "steamlined ruleset" tells me you have NEVER played the early editions of D&D.

[@derangedcomics]

@@MoragTong_ lol I've played them all. And you obviously don't understand the word "Stream-lined". Try a dictionary.

[@paulsavas2394]

Backed! I grabbed the starter kit too.

[@squirrellordsgaming2772]

I played causally as a kid, but didn't really get into D&D until 3.5 while I was deployed. I've also enjoyed 5 ed, just not the politics that's happened in recent years. I also Played other systems and have had fun. This looks like a good system. Thanks for reviewing it. I may have to take deeper look. Thanks.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

It's terrific.

[@illmade2]

Maybe people should look at Tunnels and Trolls. It has always been less restrictive and quicker game than DnD

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

Unless you have mid-level, evenly matched opponents. Then it can slow to a crawl. BUT I have great respect for T&T and Flying Buffalo. Still going to cons on 2023.

[@illmade2]

@Dungeon Craft Yeah, unfortunately IIRC the Rpg side of the business, was sold recently, and only the play by mail gaming is still owned by the original Flying Buffalo ownership

[@sw33n3yto00]

Saw this earlier today. Guess I'm signing on. Thanks for the review.

[@himesjb]

At this point, I'm wondering why we need a NEW osr system, when so many good ones abound. But I admit -- Shadow Dark is cool! I got the Quick Start rules and dungeon on Drive-thru RPG, and it was so good, I read all of it in 1 sitting. But why do they say it's NOT a retroclone? What are the downsides of retroclones that this avoids?

[@samchafin4623]

I need another rule system like I need a third nostril, but a lot of what you've pointed out looks pretty great! Might have to get this, even just for inspired random level ups and delicious random charts.

[@SeanFranchise]

I feel you Sam! I've been fawning over Savage Worlds as I prep to run PF2e after running ICRPG for a couple years, but all those charts have me salivating 😂

[@Snoil]

No darkvision, +1 there! Lower Hp more good, spell failures also good, uses for gold, uses for actual adventuring gear, this is DEF going on the menu I give my players and glad Deathbringer approves!

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

He does.

[@vasiliarkhipov2121]

I'm so excited for this I can barely sit still. By far the best D&D I ever played was the first campaign. We didn't know anything, so we weren't power gaming. We played by homebrewed 2nd ed. AD&D rules, and our DM was a jerk. It seemed like he took pleasure in torturing us, and every piece of gold or gear you got felt valuable. For years after that my innate power-gamer took over and it was just never as fun. The idea of 'going back to the beginning' is insanely appealing to me: simplicity, brutality, anti-powergaming rule set.... It all sounds just perfect to me. ***Oh and as a small aside I love the art. It's not quite as good as Brom and 2nd ed. Dark Sun, but it's damn close. The classic art was way better.

[@jettolo]

i have a silly fantasy: playing this game with alexa linked to the game room lights with a 1hour timer to shut them out

[@tknw]

I read the quickstart rules, listened to some reviews and it seems that this will be a hot hit! Glad to see the success of an independent creator! I was thinking hard if I want to support this KS, but decided not to. Personally I don't think I like some things in this game. What I like: great GM tools, one of the best I've seen; rules that take the unnecessairly complicated elements and simplify them; OSR feel without some of its downsides; elements that will be easy to recognize for people coming from 5e; GREAT art; inspirations from DCC (Gauntlet, rolling spell checks, magic mishaps, Luck) What I don't like: Random talents on level-ups are awesome, but I don't like having abilities growth by level-ups. Kelsey seems to draw a lot inspiration from DCC, but with this mechanics I am missing the most fun part that DCC tells me to do - QUEST FOR IT! Light - the book goes on about how light sources are important, to protect your light source and how GM can attack it to build tension. That's great, but a 1-st level wizard/priest can have 3 (2 for priest) spells on their list and they can cast that 1-hour long light as long as they make semi-good rolls (you need 11 to hit it, so if you're not playing 7 INT wizard, you should have about 50/50 chance on level 1 and then it just skyrockets as you go). At the same time, the spell doesn't need concentration, so if you have high int, because you were lucky on char gen or have some other bonuses to that spellcasting roll you can just cast that light spell every 15/30/45 minutes or so. I like that you need to roll for the spell, but the game gives you enough tools to make the darkness not scary pretty easily :/ Something I would need to test at my table, but here's what I think about the real-time rules - they are a cool idea, there might be some situations when that falls apart, especially if you start fast-forwarding some things (and the book tells you - if the table agrees, just skip time) and now I have several timers on my smartphone that I need to adjust every time I do that. There's no way I as GM will remember to approximate at what hour I should tell my players that your spell/torch/whatever just ran out. I can track in-game world time or real-world time, but I am not tracking both and adjusting them. And if I tell my players to set a timer for their torch, well, at that point it's just a gimmick, not a mechanics that will build tension for them.

[@DUNGEONCRAFT1]

DCC is good game too and Joseph Goodman is a terrific guy.