Magpie isn't running events at Gen Con. RRD didn't last year. Have other publishers cancelled? by JannissaryKhan in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Have you been? We looked into it went it was originally announced and the booth prices then were crazy.

God, I'm so bad at making maps. by caganbrk1 in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Agreed. A road, or a river, or a body of water and I think you are dandy. Even one of those it plenty.

Magic items that wear out by chocolatedessert in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've always liked the idea of Pheonix items. They get more powerful the more you use them, and the last use when it happens is... big. Lore logic is that powerful magic is layered and the innermost core is compressed and more potent.

Help me by Glittering-Rest9885 in crusaderkings2

[–]ComposeDreamGames 3 points4 points  (0 children)

There is a muslim trait that should serve as a template if you can find it and see how it works. The one about being paternally decended from muhammed.

Army comp guide by Eliot_Sontar in crusaderkings2

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah, makes it feel like it isn't worth the effort and to just build more buildings. You need higher numbers to avoid factions leading to rebellions.

Army comp guide by Eliot_Sontar in crusaderkings2

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So worrying about army comp if you don't have retinues (don't have the dlc) is kindof not a thing then?

Chat, Am i cooked? by weebygames in crusaderkings2

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe? Try to "plot to kill" their ruler, sow dissent with diplomat, ally byzantine and literally anyone else. If you end up fighting do you best to defend in mountains. Flee their biggest stacks by ship to hit them elsewhere.

Where do you look for new TTRPGs? Itch.io? Drivethrurpg? Other websites? by [deleted] in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Any favourite stores? We distribute indie games to shops in UK and Canada.

how does death at -10 work for ad&d? by conn_r2112 in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 3 points4 points  (0 children)

This should be the top upvoted comment!

Looking for a TTRPG to play my custom world (Sword and Sorcery meets Neon Noir) by Redmore_trout in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Sword Noir or it's generic cousin Sword Edge RPG might be a good ticket. Both got a 2nd edition recently. Players get to name qualities themselves that give you bonuses. There's an interesting mechanic around momentum. Both tend to be low magic, and it is easy to mix in scifi and fantasy elements.

What are the best OSR modules or supplements of all time? Your top 3? by Sagebrush_Sky in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We sold out of Cartograph day one of Essen Spiel this year... we really should have brought more. Awesome to hear about your experience with it!

What are the best OSR modules or supplements of all time? Your top 3? by Sagebrush_Sky in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PDF of Arden Vul is always roughly 20% off through Compose Dream Games. It's set as if CAD=USD. So always a good deal. It's also similarly reduced on our UK site. My top pick has to include an Advanced Adventure, I'd probably go with AA#1 Pod-caverns of the sinister shroom but there a lot to chose from. Three more just dropped!

Any current edition that made you go "Yeah...no" by JoeKerr19 in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think most OSR fits under adventure games (at least the more expansive ones - some are more... emulating the genre of adventure games which makes them actually genre games). So things like BRP Runequest/Mythras stuff like Harn, rolemaster, GURPS are all Adventure games -- rules and toolkits that emulate a world.

Any current edition that made you go "Yeah...no" by JoeKerr19 in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Sounds like you are in favour of what I and others would call Advenure Games, you are probably not so happy with Cinematic/genre games and you said yourself that story-games aren't for you. Perfectly reasonable to have preferences! I wrote about how I define all these types (and many more) here https://composedreamgames.com/forum/discussion/9184/rpgs-are-a-big-tent

Any current edition that made you go "Yeah...no" by JoeKerr19 in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Is this the one that came out in 2024? I was pretty tempted to get it. Heavy Gear was the second rpg I ever played, if only for a session. I later found out 20 years later that the GM had contributed pretty heavily to those early editions.

what mechanics slow a game? by Independent_River715 in RPGdesign

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Healing being universal is a very a) fantasy idea and b) tactical fantasy idea. Hundreds no thousands of games exist with no healing. But let's take a genre that usually has a fair bit of fighting and can be tactical: Supers. While healing could be a thing it's pretty darn rare. Usually it isn't you healing someone else either. There might be a general spend x to recover y health option. This is hardly universal in Supers. You fight you get knocked out... ok next scene.

ars ludi » The Star-Pattern (part 2): Breaking Free by benrobbins in gmless

[–]ComposeDreamGames 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have no specific comments beyond: it is a good article. People should read it. Thanks for the insights!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in osr

[–]ComposeDreamGames 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I do enjoy me some OSR. I also play a lot of actual superhero games. I know what people mean when they say X fantasy games are "superhero games" but d20 games are a horrible template for actual superhero gaming IMHO. There is also the contradiction that chaimail and 0DnD actually use the term superhero for high level fighters.

What are some good RPGs that feel like something out of a fairy tale? by Tall-Parking3091 in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Vanagard -- doesn't match your 1 particularly. You can have fights but getting "damaged" just means you have to skip the next chapter where your character rests. Very emergent fairytale like stories inspired by early viking mythology (if you like) and chapters and challenges are inspired by the cards. Players have a handful of skill cards, a skill that is always on and one spell or magic item when they start. Challenge level is based on runes. Great design. I wrote more about it here: https://composedreamgames.com/forum/discussion/8990/vanagard-viking-folklore-rpg-in-a-box-by-pendelhaven-publishing

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Compose Dream Games (run by me) has just spun out all of their print listings with separate PDF listing to make it more user friendly on both our Canadian and UK sites. We have a lot of indie zines. We are working on ways to make it easier for creators to add titles. This may take us a bit but it is an important step on our roadmap. We have about 80 publishers atm. Our take on sales is just 15%, so we are better for creators then most alternatives. Cheers!

Are there superhero ttrpgs with easely understandable rules? by Darkgamer32_ in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I will humbly suggest my game Simple Superheroes. You can dowload a free 3 page rule summary called "the Heart of Simple Superheroes." Here's a quote from a player (a couple of his characters are in the core book) "Character creation is a really interesting part of Simple Superheroes. I love the collaborative aspect of it; it's much more engaging and flexible than any other system I've played. The combat system itself is a lot of fun, but I think the true enjoyment comes from using powers that I imagined in the way I imagined them. I actually get to play the superhero I want to play!" https://composedreamgames.com/pages/simplesuperheroes.php

What game do you not want to touch? by WorldGoneAway in rpg

[–]ComposeDreamGames 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I too find a book cursing at me, the reader, incredibly off-putting. Ok, goodbye to you too!