Why Shadowdark RPG is Worth Your Time

[@HouseDM]

Do you also hear the Shadowdark call to you? Let me know! And thank you everyone who has subscribed to my channel. I really appreciate you taking the time out of your day to do so.

[@igku8339]

Yes I totally did. I've been searching for OSR and their differences lately. I want to do a homebrew system as a mix of modern and OSR ttrpgs by taking the best from both. And I think that such mix philosophy could also be applied to non-fantasymedieval ttrpgs. My fonts rn are Dungeon World and Dungeon Hack as main but also tweaks of Fate, 5e, Dungeon World fanmade homebrew and some small ones. EDIT: I just download Shadowdark and read the player's handbook plus a did a quick reading of DM's book and... for me the only remarcable things from the game are the thing mentioned on the video (the advancement roll, the equipment system etc). But even if there's not very much to see it deserves a look since it gave me ideas, and it could to who is reading this too.

[@David-su4is]

Hey, went and grabbed a copy and gave it a read through. I like it and would consider trying it out on an alternative game night.

[@HouseDM]

@@David-su4is I’ve played it and thoroughly enjoyed it. Glad it seems fun to you!

[@jaytomioka3137]

Shadow dark seems very cool, very inspired by Index Card RPG and 5 Torches Deep.

[@gstaff1234]

Clicked on the notify me tab on Kickstarter. Will certainly my be on board for this RPG

[@danielmarlett1421]

To clarify the cleric penance is a mechanic in DCC as well. But it is a cool one and I like to see it in more games.

[@HouseDM]

Haven’t played too much DCC. It’s certainly a monster sized tome.

[@f.a.santiago1053]

I JUST read the PDFs and OH MY GOODNESS!!! IT IS SO GOOD!!!

[@HouseDM]

I’m glad you like it! It’s a pretty rad system and I can’t wait for it to be finished 🙃

[@f.a.santiago1053]

@@HouseDM Oh crap, you're right!! I totally forgot this is just the Demo!

[@sunsin1592]

Interesting that while we previously got mostly house-ruled versions of old games, now we're getting mash-ups of different OSR systems, with some newer mechanics mixed in.

[@HouseDM]

It’s the golden age for tabletop rpg’s 😉

[@dougdoug2006]

This game is so good. Been using the quickstart to teach my middle school RPG club about RPGs.

[@HouseDM]

Hell yea! It’s such a solid system and has a great chemistry between complexity and simplicity.

[@lilcwa]

Cool video. I play mostly Runehammer Index Card RPG, and as a house rule for cleric (“Priest” type) characters, when a player rolls a natural 1 on a WIS (Wisom) spell casting, similar to the Shadowdark penance table, I rule that “the Divine Light” has left the caster for 1D4 rounds-which can really change up the game for clerics who like to spam certain spirit magic! In any form, I think some flavorful and narratively approximate consequence for failed divine spellcasting is a fun, thematic bit to add to this branch of magic and can be a welcome addition to most OSR-style (or OSR-inspired) fantasy RPG systems. Keep up the fine work!

[@HouseDM]

Hey BGD thanks for sharing that. I like the whole lose Spellcasting for 1d4 rounds. Pretty cool idea to add. Do you also have them lose the spell until the penance is paid, or do you have the 1d4 rounds penalty be the only consequence?

[@lilcwa]

@@HouseDM I treat it like a hockey “penalty box,” with just the prohibition on a round timer and no additional RP demands; in a really clutch moment, a critical spellcasting failure leading to four rounds of having to come up with an alternative to divine magic can feel like an eternity! It does provide some good drama and excitement as the player has to pivot and get creative with revised tactics on the fly.

[@HouseDM]

@@lilcwa Love it! I use a roll to cast system in my 5e games so I might steal that from you. Cheers!

[@HeathBadhwar]

This game looks very cool! I love the ICRPG influence. I think reducing the death timer by the amount of damage done would up the tension considerably. Definitely gonna have to give this game a go!

[@VanDavis]

I like the Encumbrance rule about carrying 20 items max, and a list of "freebee items." But, if I were gonna go that route, I think I'd like to just say your max number of items is equal to your strength score...MAYBE add their Constitution modifier? That way weaker players couldn't pack as much as the bruisers.

[@HouseDM]

I like that idea too. The funny thing is with Shadowdark, I think the casters are the ones who actually need more inventory space. So you’re idea sounds like a cool dynamic where wizards actually need the assistance of “bruisers” just to help carry their shit lol. I like it.

[@TheArcaneLibrary]

This is actually how it works! STR score or 10, whichever is higher. And fighters add their CON modifier (if positive), too! :)

[@VMSelvaggio]

Got my Fantasy Flight tokens that you listed in your portable kit, they arrived today, Also picked up 2 minute sand timers at Dollar Tree and Mechanical Pencils for my players. This Shadow Dark looks cool... Love the black and white art!

[@HouseDM]

Nice! Yeah those work really well for me. Enjoy Shadowdark! It’s so sick.

[@skreelthebarbarian]

This actually sounds so sick, wish I had the time right now to dive into it. Will have to wait until tomorrow. Thanks for the vids, found your channel today. Excellent content! Keep up the great work, subbed.

[@HouseDM]

Thanks a bunch Skreel! More on this topic soon. SD is epic!

[@jessedotson5998]

This guy needs more views

[@HouseDM]

Thank you. I appreciate your viewership!

[@DavidJamesdjamestc]

Agreed

[@patrickmulder2450]

I tend to run a lot of OSR dungeon crawls. I just had a look at the PDFs, and this looks pretty good. I'll be sure to give it a go. Thanks for featuring it!

[@HouseDM]

The darkness claims another 😉

[@ryanredfern1272]

Another system you may like is my published work "God King" that condenses a custom OSR ruleset down to 14 pages

[@HouseDM]

Sounds sick! Love simplified systems.

[@evwaldron]

Seems like Mork Borg but with the volume turned down in both system and aesthetic. Like they took Mork Borg and ran it through a rock tumbler for a while to smooth out the "edge"s.

[@HouseDM]

Idk if I agree with that comparison. I think Shadowdark is closer to maybe OSE or 5 Torches Deep.

[@tuliossauro]

Nice! Im gonna take a look. Im developing my own O5R rules as well.

[@buddhawasright]

O5R

[@davewilson13]

My core issue is the d20. A d20 is just so random, and adding +7 helps fix that. However an “expert” with a +3 really isn’t that much better than someone without it. However overall I like the feel of this game.

[@terencehoughton5734]

I prefer systems like Low Fantasy Gaming and similar systems where you roll under your stat with a D20. Its a lot less random.

[@danielboggs2013]

Interesting, as usual with these johnny-come-lately "OSR" RPGs my first thought was "Meh, nothing much more to see than what you already have in OD&D or a good clone like Delving Deeper or my own ZED". But as you went on it seems Shadowdark brings together al lot of cool house rules used by trad gamers and a few new twists too. Loved the Penance table idea and the idea that PC's don't have infravision/darkvision is a favorite feature of 3lbb only D&D few people know about. Sounds like they did their homework. And of course, any game that gets away from the immersion-busting action economy of 5e is on the right track. I'm going to have to check this out.

[@HouseDM]

Yeah when I first read it I thought the same thing. And then I kept going deeper and was finding some rather brilliant stuff in there. Plus the Arcane Library Discord is a “bumpin” place to hang out. Glad we are in agreement on the penance table, darkvision removal, and simplification of action economy. It still blows my mind in game when we have to differentiate between actions and bonus actions…

[@chiiiiaaa]

Adding your CON modifier to the death roll does seem generous.... unless you have a negative CON mod 👀 seeing as you roll stats down the line without allocating them manually that basically gives you a 50/50 on whether adding your CON mod is actually good for your character. I don't know though, I'll have to see how fast combat plays out. My initial feeling was that any positive modifier is going to give you a lot of time to chill. But also, your hit points through the levels remain very low, so maybe it balances out 🤷‍♂

[@stevecronin]

Thanks for sharing this! Haven't heard of this ruleset before. BTW a lot of groups I play with use a Diablo style slot based inventory system based on character size & con mod.

[@HouseDM]

No problem! You should def check it out! How does that inventory system work out for you? I feel like anything short of a simple numbered inventory and it begins to take too much time.

[@petegiant]

I prefer the B/X way of doing 2d6 for reactions, morale and cleric turning as it produces a bell curve result which is very different to a linear d20 roll.

[@HouseDM]

Seems like a fairly easy thing to house rule in SD.

[@dougdoug2006]

Shadowdark still uses 2d6 for reaction. I like Turn Undead as a spell, it seems to be more useful the way Shadowdark uses it.

[@TheBrutumFulmen]

It seems weird that every monster (outside undead, etc) has a DC15 WIS check for morale -- so there's no cowardly or foolhardy monsters. And a high WIS means a creature is more willing to fight to the death?!

[@VosperCDN]

This system sounds promising, simplification of unnecessarily "busy" elements is a good thing, imo.

[@HouseDM]

Totally agree. Whenever i’m hacking other rules systems into my own rules set, I always ask, “does this add something fun to the game without overcomplicating it?” Too many complex mechanics slows the game down.

[@dorgoron]

On "death saves": I'd rule if a monster hits a dying character on the floor, the character looses 1dX (x being the damage monster induced) rounds of their "death save" time. If the damage is greater then character's "death save", the character dies. Also: thank you for this lovely video.

[@HouseDM]

Thank you for watching it and leaving a comment! That’s a cool idea and it could work really well for SD.

[@dbf1dware]

That is a pretty cool idea. Personally, as a GM, I would say if a foe attacks you again after dropping you, you are dead. Dead with a capital D. If your foe takes that extra round to make sure you are dead, you are DEAD. But that's just me. AND, let me add here, in the heat of combat, most foes will NOT do this. They will be too interested in making sure they survive. So I think it fairly unlikely that a monster would waste a full round in combat to ensure the death of a single foe. But this is getting into "out of combat" thinking.

[@modrell86]

I want this...But I can't decide of I like it better than ICRPG or Basic Fantasy. It feels like a mix, some of what I like about both. I will probably get it, just a little on the fence.

[@HouseDM]

ICRPG is also amazing! But that book to me is a bit more like a GM guide. SD is very different because of it tying into the OSR.

[@johnathanrhoades7751]

You can always try the QuickStart rules for free from drivethru

[@RaiderWarpath]

What video do you link for an easily converted module? The invideo link doesn't pop up for me. Thank you

[@HouseDM]

Hey Raider! I went ahead and added the link to the video I was referring to. Check the link titled: The Horror of Vitu Gatu. And I also added my Shadowdark supplement to the video description. Hope that helps!

[@carlosschaafygarcia884]

Shouldn´t they be fleeing if they pass the Wisdom-check?

[@OverBlackSands]

Well no. Why would you run if your morale isn't broken.

[@carlosschaafygarcia884]

@@OverBlackSands Because you passed your wisdom check and it is wise to run from combat (in general and particulary when you are loosing). And it was a joke, Einstein!

[@David-su4is]

Sounds cool.

[@Arnsteel634]

Zero hit points equals death will completely change your players playstyle.

[@HouseDM]

Truth.

[@Grayald]

Seems pretty solid. I'd give it some consideration if I hadn't already started building my next campaign around Deathbringer. They feel similar enough in my opinion though.

[@HouseDM]

I don’t blame you. Deathbringer as a system is awesome!

[@VengerSatanis]

Use with the Cha'alt campaign setting...

[@DiceandDungeons]

Nice job! Has a fellow DnD streamer I appreciate what you are doing. I liked and subscribed :)

[@HouseDM]

Thanks so much! Glad to have you.

[@babissarris5003]

This game seems amazing! I have read the pdf. Does anyone understand if you add the strength modifier to damage rolls? The sample characters does not add it.

[@HouseDM]

It actually says in the rules that you only roll damage + any talents that increase your damage. Good catch!

[@babissarris5003]

@@HouseDM There is no way my players/friends agree to have 18 strength and not add to damage 😄 This can be homebrewed I guess, but I really like the game overall. I think my favourites are how saves, spells and spellcasting are handled! Thanks for the video and the reply!

[@HouseDM]

@@babissarris5003 Of course! Most rulesets can be homebrewed though if you add your modifier to the damage it might make the monsters a bit too easy to defeat. If you try it out, let me know how it goes and I'm glad you enjoyed the vid!

[@gstaff1234]

How about @8:14 getting hit while down decreases timer dice by that damage Love No Cantrips and no bonus actions

[@HouseDM]

That’s a great idea! Still will prove super lethal since many monsters can easily do an average greater than 4 damage with 1 attack. And hell yeah, trading cantrips for better spells with roll to cast has been amazing at my table.

[@f.b.3263]

Just watched your video: thanks for sharing, this rpg seems indeed a very “modern osr”! Just flipped through the rules and recovery all HPs upon successful rest seems to me to 5eish, if you know what I mean: I would houserule it differently (HP recovery is just one hit die).

[@HouseDM]

Heheh I can’t believe I’m saying this but from my experience playing SD, you actually really need that HP recovery. The darkness is ridiculously lethal.

[@Emanemoston]

Thanks for the video.

[@HouseDM]

Of course! Thanks for watching!

[@Meeeeeeeestery]

Shadowdark is going to be definitive

[@ruprecht8520]

If you roll 3d6 down the line you probably don't have a high CON modifier. Imagine 1d4 -2 for your death time. That's pretty lethal.

[@HouseDM]

True. Which is why 3d6 down the line might not be for everyone. Personally I like starting my SD games off with max hp die. So thieves start with 4+CON and fighters start with 8+CON.

[@pacceli2009]

That sounds like the way I play d20 system already.

[@talscorner3696]

Fear of the (shadow)duck.. Fear of the (shadow)duuuuuuuck!

[@HouseDM]

The Shadowduck is coming for you…quack.

[@talscorner3696]

I have a constant fear that something's always neeeeear. *kickass guitar solo*

[@voggi9450]

What does osr stand for...any acronym should be named at least once in any video

[@HouseDM]

Good point! OSR stands for Old School Renaissance or Old School Revival. Both terms essentially mean the same thing.

[@EdwinSteiner]

Indeed, TLAs are the bane of the internet. (TLA = Three Letter Acronym)

[@michaelwallace6851]

This game looks interesting. It amuses me that you think a +3 is a low modifier, though. I think it is high, and since there is something like a 0.5% chance to roll an 18 on 3d6, it is also very rare.

[@HouseDM]

Hahah yeah I know, its cause I started with 5e. Playing OSE and having the max be a +3 from stats was certainly a culture shock for me. Love it!

[@kurgon1976]

it's cool but I'll stick with DCC. I think my favorite thing is that there is no darkvision.

[@Tysto]

This is a great system, altho I’d prefer a full d20 roll-high system & a bit more choice in class features when leveling up. I don’t understand how OSRs can be happy with spellcasters getting a choice of numerous spells but fighters get nothing but bonuses.

[@HouseDM]

As someone who plays a fighter regularly, I love my bonuses. The point is, my fighter can take a ton of hits while casters cannot. But if you’re looking for more choice in class features, then maybe osr systems aren’t for you. From my experience playing in systems with tons of options each level up, my casual players get confused and we get too bogged down in all the complexities of those new rules. I did make a supplement for SD giving a larger variety of classes to pick from. It’s not the same as variety per level per say, but there is variety of classes!

[@DAEDRICDUKE1]

I like the lamp

[@zonegamma8197]

Wow i wanr this game

[@dreamleaf6784]

Wow. Theae rules solve almost all the things I don't like about rpg.

[@HouseDM]

Sounds like the Shadowdark is calling to you.

[@dreamleaf6784]

@@HouseDM yeah. I'm going to check it out. Thanks!

[@EdwinSteiner]

Shadowdark looks really promising. I wouldn't call it "old-school" overall because it is a blend of very modern mechanics + OSR principles. The preview PDF looks like what I (very naively) hoped for in OSE Basic Fantasy, including the much better art. I say "naively" because OSE B/X was the first DnD product I ever bought and I was somewhat disappointed about what a mess the rules are compared to modern rules-light systems. I realize that B/X is a time-proven "mess" that works great for lots of people, it just wasn't what I (very uninformedly) expected.

[@HouseDM]

Honestly that’s how I felt when I picked up OSE. It’s a hefty tome for sure and holds some really great ideas. I think Shadowdark encapsulates what I expected a modern osr system to look like and the layout is just phenomenal. I’ll probably be making more videos on SD on the future.

[@EdwinSteiner]

@@HouseDM +1 to more videos on Shadowdark!

[@MarkCherkowski]

Now that I have DM'd 2 games of ShadowDark RPG I am annoyed by 5e in my other 2 groups.

[@lpanebr]

Let's all switch to shadowdark and drop 5e with their new OGL

[@HouseDM]

Workin on it 😉

[@lpanebr]

@@HouseDM let's call the other the One that must not be named!

[@sawdustjunkies5779]

I'm checking this out. I absolutely hate darkvision. Been looking at Castles & Crusades, too.

[@HouseDM]

Take a look! It’s incredible.

[@jakebooo1]

This game doesn't seem too beginner friendly but SOOOO fun

[@OverBlackSands]

Imo it's written in a very intuitive way. It's systems are pretty simple and easy to understand

[@lpanebr]

I thought the opposite. It felt much simpler than that One that must not be named.

[@JRChiossi]

Looks nice, even if all it does is cannibalize other systems for stuff. The random talents come from Dragon & Lion, for instance, while the cleric penitence is directly taken from DCC (I'm surprised you name dropped the game but then didn't recognize the idea as being already done). Will probably get the book.

[@HouseDM]

Lol that’s because I haven’t read DCC. I just know it’s a system they use. DCC is a bit too dense for my taste 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@Tysto]

“All it does”

[@JRChiossi]

@@Tysto yeah maybe that was a bit harsh

[@tabletop.will.phillips]

Randomized character advancement? Naaaaaaah, man.

[@HouseDM]

Yup, not for everybody.

[@dougdoug2006]

@@HouseDM but definitely for me. It’s a big selling point. All of the potential improvements are useful. Nothing makes you say, “I wish I got something else.” It helps with niche protection for the classes and it keeps character builds out of the game.

[@HouseDM]

@@dougdoug2006 nice! Yeah I have a house rule that changes all of the random talent tables into a choice. Works well for those who don’t like the chaos but I can go both ways 👍🏼

[@hughdelury63]

THe great thing about your table is it doesn't have to be that. Win win. Its there if you don't know what to do with your character, it can be ignored if you choose.

[@john-lenin]

Today, every game designer wants to fuck up magic users.

[@HouseDM]

I’m not sure I understand. In 5e, Magic is extremely powerful and has almost no ramifications for its use. I think Shadowdark does a great job of keeping that power, but also making it dangerous and risky.

[@ronniejdio9411]

5e everyone is a magic user and op

[@andynonimuss6298]

Shadowdark is too simple and too rule-basic. I don't see very many people being attracted to a game with such low-level, board game-like mechanics. The cool artwork is the only thing carrying this game right now.

[@HouseDM]

Sounds like its not the right game for you, and thats okay.

[@DanielForrester]

Yeah the artwork is so cool the game is gonna break a mil on KS.

[@andynonimuss6298]

@@DanielForrester Don't think the artwork is selling the Shadowdark game? Think again. Here's a direct sampling of some of the comments from Kickstarter itself: "Amazing art. Rad artwork. I particularly love the artwork. Love the artwork! Any chance of t-shirts in the future?. The artists in this book rock! Artwork is great. I am so in love with the DM screen art. I like this art. I absolutely love the cover art. The art definitely builds your world of Shadowdark, the more art you can have the better. Love the artists you chose. Love the art. Art is dope. I absolutely love the art, your artists are killing it. Neat art INCREDIBLE art. The ART! You’ve captured what I love about the old stuff, yet in new ways. It’s be outstanding to be able to purchase some prints. My wife and I love the artwork. Some of the best screen art I've seen. The art for your project is amazing! Art for this game is so distinct the art is just *Killer*. Art is some of the best I've seen in the industry. Awesome art."

[@john-lenin]

The dumbing down of RPGs

[@hughdelury63]

dumbing down? They're getting complex to be... unique? They don't have to be. Shadowdark reigns that overcomplicated 350 page rulebook of actual mechanics down to a simple, "lets grab 1 book, teach the game in 10 minutes, and play the damn game" feel that is missing from RPG's. Complex'ifying RPGs is dumb. Shadowdark is a relief.

[@brandonkelbe]

@@hughdelury63 Ukrainian flag insert weird pronouns likes this complicated with tons of rules? you don’t say

[@buddhawasright]

@@brandonkelbe O5R

[@williamfranklin860]

5e is trash and it isn't D&D. 2e is compatible with 1e with minor changes. 3e onward are completely different games which have been appropriated by the left, and thoroughly corrupted. WotC "D&D" is banned from my house. I acquire my 1e and 2e material (I don't already have) in any way other than POD, because WotC is not getting any of my money, PERIOD. I hope that WotC and Hasbro go out of business and that every leftwinger involved with them, SUFFERS. With that said, Shadowdark sounds interesting.

[@ronniejdio9411]

So say we all

[@DanielForrester]

Appropriated by the Left? Hahahahahahahahahahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaa oh my.

[@williamfranklin860]

@@DanielForrester Cope, gaslighter.

[@buddhawasright]

@@DanielForrester 😑 p͓̽r͓̽o͓̽m͓̽o͓̽s͓̽m͓̽

[@peteypete3597]

God bless you, and may you open your heart ❤

[@liviamillin9333]

😑 p͓̽r͓̽o͓̽m͓̽o͓̽s͓̽m͓̽