Four Against Darkness - Updated Buyer's Guide for 2024

[@Joshuadmathews]

Andrea gave an update about a month ago about 2e. Seems to still be in somewhat a draft stage as some new things are being added in. Originally, I believe 2e was good to go and about to be published but then Ukraine War started (where Ganesha Games was based). After fleeing, Andrea lost all of his game content and art studio. Took him like a year to get everything back and the company afloat. When this happened, he focused a lot of his attention on finally getting TTT published. Now I think he's finally returned to 2e getting its final polish. What was previously announced: -Rules re-organization / clarification -Updates on Barbarian and Halfling class - Introductory Adventure - Fiendish Foes as an appendix -New art What has recently been announced to be added -AD&D2e classes added into the core I would expect Monk, Druid, Ranger, Paladin all to get 2e overall and possibly all classes might get a 2e polish - new Character Traits and maybe Milestones not originally published in W&A and Twisted Traits. - Possibly everything might go the way of HCL Level model.

[@sumdude4281]

I just want an improvement in formatting, rules are scattered in FAQ so on and so forth.

[@josephpurdy8390]

AD&D 2e didn't have the monk class initially.

[@RNCAST]

I just received my copy of 4AD this morning and was about to look into what else to buy so this video came to me as a blessing, thanks!!!!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Wow! Perfect timing. :)

[@DJ_Blaker]

Wow I'm in the same boat! 4AD and Twisted Minions arrived last night. I had to DL the PDF of Twisted Dungeons as I can't find a book copy of it. 😊

[@braydenlawrence6148]

Just picked up a near complete set of the books for this game. I love rolling on tables so I'm super excited to give this one a go.

[@Esgeledor]

Hello Daniel, as Andrea Sfiligoi said recently, a second edition will come soon (he said before the end of the year), with a more comprehensive rule distribution, new classes (similar to AD&D) and with the tables of Fiendish Foes.

[@convicsik]

As someone that just got into this game about a week ago and already plowed through all your content on this game, this video is welcome surprise !

[@TheDungeonDive]

I hope it's helpful!

[@convicsik]

@ very helpful as always !

[@shirleynace1314]

Great video! I have been playing 4AD for about a year now and this advice is spot on! Thank you.

[@BryanSpellman]

AMAZING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Nice list!!! Great job, please keep it up. Added tons to my Buy List.

[@Arska.A.Tiikko]

Absolutely super helpful video..🙏 Thanks a LOT..

[@jasonrobert8098]

Thanks! This made me drag out my books and continue where I left off! Looks like I have more to buy.

[@jaymeU2]

My favorite game thanks Daniel!!

[@Thomas-kx9op]

Great video! Would love to see one like this for D100 Dungeon.

[@TheDungeonDive]

That's a great idea - I'll add it to the list.

[@carltonbauheimer]

Thanks for this video. I completely forgot that i purchased Four Against Darkness a few months ago and never actually played it. Time to crack it open.

[@FlintFireforge]

Great summation. I have only used the original 4AD but I might investigate some of the other books.

[@AceneDean]

Excellent update. And a great buyers guide, as always found on the Dungeon Dive. Im also very excited for 2e.

[@mikem449]

Love this, just started tinkering around with this based on your older videos. So far just have base and twisted minions but might look at more after christmas!

[@blainroman7317]

Thanks for the video. Well presented and useful as well. One could also include the Lantern 'zines for a selection of dungeons of varying levels. Echoes of the Dead a level 1 adventure for those of a undead bent and my collection also has lost temples of Quarra a level 6 set of themed Temple dungeons. These might be interesting though I haven't tried them yet. Themed dungeons of a specific type or for a specific character type is something I would like to try. For only a few dollars the creator also has the Beast Bulletin, a collection of monsters. Perhaps you considered these. On a different topic would you consider doing a buyers guide for Mork Borg?

[@TheDungeonDive]

I almost thought of including the Lantern Zines. I think I would include those as a 7th tier. A Mork Borg one would be fun! I'll see what I can come up with. I'm also working on a KISS - Keep it Simple Stupid guide to simple RPGs.

[@bangpow00]

Great video, thank you!

[@jordanw1083]

Have a few of these just sitting around, might have to give it another try this Winter. I bounced off as well after an adventure or two because it felt so same same. Will look at those twisted books

[@the_Mike_d]

Timely video - I had moved on from this a few years back and was wondering if it was time to give it another try. This is a great overview to help figure that out and how on earth to try and jump back in given how much stuff has been released.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@VanDavis]

THANK YOU!

[@TheDungeonDive]

You're welcome!

[@crazyvolucris]

Thank you for this updated list. Do far i have not dipped into this… well let’s see what’s available to order😂😝👍🏻

[@Dragonxxx26]

great video thanks!!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Glad you liked it!

[@JevousGaming]

Great idea having a tiered list!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Every once in a while I come up with a good idea. ;)

[@JevousGaming]

@@TheDungeonDive haha, I’m here for them!

[@reedlockwood4989]

It's too late for me. I already bought every single book.

[@TheKid_88]

It’s over man…😂

[@TheDungeonDive]

lol!

[@Dravok]

Thank you for making this video. It really gives me an idea of what to purchase. I've thought of using miniatures on a board to give it more of a dnd feel. Maybe use lego people lol.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I’ve seen people use Lego figs for this!

[@Gorehaven68]

Love it.

[@rhysturton5068]

Suprised the Erik suppliments (Caverns of Chaos, Court of the Pixie King, More Mountainous Mayhem, etc) weren't mentioned!

[@TheDungeonDive]

I was only able to mention a few books out of 50. This was a very tightly focused buyer’s guide.

[@shirleynace1314]

Yes! Three amazing supplements also worthy of consideration especially for those who want to take their game in a classic fantasy direction.

[@p0ck3tp3ar]

I have a bunch of books. I mostly play the core book and use the other books for classes. I wish there was more variety in treasure, monsters, etc all in one book. The treasure in particular doesn’t motivate me to stick around long. Amazing game though!

[@TheDungeonDive]

That's exactly why I recommend the Twisted expansions as must buys!

[@earthguardian2]

When time comes im thinking of converting pathfinder monsters to heroquest at least it has 400+ monsters in the first book

[@leighbradley6506]

Do you have or know of a list of the complete books and cards, currently in the 4AD RPG range?

[@TheDungeonDive]

I do not.

[@markg890]

The base game, IMHO, works well standalone. If it were reorganized and had another couple pages of minions and vermin, it would be perfect. All the other stuff is interesting, but you lose the approachable, compact game at the core.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I can see that. I just lost interest with the base game very quickly.

[@JOHNDAVIS-ff1qt]

Would you consider, a Concise Collection of Classes, teir 2? I definitely want to catch up and get the Twisted books.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yes.

[@ravenshadowz2343]

Where can I get these? Amazon does not have Twisted Dungeon.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I get everything on Amazon or Lulu.

[@RC-qk7qw]

Where did you get your physical copy of Twisted Dungeons? All I can find is PDF from Ganesha.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I get all of my 4AD stuff on Amazon or Lulu.

[@samurguybriyongtan146]

Are any of these good for wilderness exploration?

[@TheDungeonDive]

The ones I mention focused more on dungeons and towns.

[@jonrost5574]

My only problem with 4AD is the combat mechanics. Too simple for me and just not very exciting.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Yeah, if you're looking for complex combat this is definitely not the game for that. In general I dislike complex combat, but that's just my preference.

[@scottwilson9908]

I’d avoid any of the books white the white labels. They have very triggering themes and encounters Andreas and Alexeys books are the best

[@TheDungeonDive]

They're more adult/juvenile and a bit edgy, but there's definitely room for that kind of thing in the hobby. You know, I like Spike Lee movies, and I like Troma films. I've got room in my life for both. :) Art and smut side by side is OK with me.

[@Lee_Adamson_OCF]

I started working on an index generation tool, but the 4AD community lost their minds about it. Great game but the community surrounding it is ridiculously toxic.

[@TheDungeonDive]

Wow! What upset them about that?

[@Lee_Adamson_OCF]

@@TheDungeonDive I'm not sure! It was kind of psychotic really lol. I thought at first that they'd misunderstood what I was trying to do and thought that I was trying to reprint copyrighted material rather than just an index tool, but they got even weirder after I tried to explain myself better. The argument seemed to be something like "he's been displaced by the war, and needs money because of that, and making an index tool that will let people find what is in his products more easily will take money out of his pocket somehow," which doesn't make much sense, but maybe I am confused. I dunno. It was very surreal and seemed like almost cult-like behavior lol. But I guess that's social media for ya!

[@TheDungeonDive]

Dumb. Social media can really suck.

[@VT3611]

I myself have purchased some of the earlier 4 AD books. Pretty fun. Concerning Treacheries of the Troublesome Towns, it does have some use of AI-generated elements. Specifically, the cover is a mix of AI and non AI. Maybe this isn't the place to post this. I would just kindly ask that IF you are aware of any AI use in anything you review to please mention it. I know you won't always be able to find out. Other than that, thanks for the video.

[@TheDungeonDive]

I have a whole video posted about my thoughts on AI. Please watch the video for my thoughts.

[@TheDungeonDive]

The Dungeon Dive is not in the business of policing the use of AI art. I don’t have the time or desire to do that. I barely have enough time to learn, play, and cover the games.