Low fantasy gaming - your thoughts about this game

[Psikerlord]

Those are awfully vague words coming from the system designer.

That is intentional - it's up to the GM to make the ruling.

[Anonymouswizard]

I suppose it's one of the things that'll tweak with campaign tone as well, low fantasy can still go from 'dark and gritty' to 'cinematic action'. It's like how HP in the system works, of I was running a grittier game I might stop the random part, if I'm running a very gritty game I might stop the static part (Barbarians with 1d6 hp per level, it would be a very different game to normal). So in a very cinematic game getting up might be a Tony amount of your movement, in a gritty game it'll cost half or more.

If I get a copy and run LFG I'll likely go with something like a fixed 3m amount (about 9ft, round up to 10 for ease, but it's easier for me to think in SI). But it's certainly something that people would expect in the rules.

[Knaight]

Those are awfully vague words coming from the system designer.

Have you read the system? It's clearly dependent on frequent GM rulings, with high system consistency across GMs pretty clearly not a design goal.

About the only thing that all of them agree on is that GURPS is heavy. Also - I'd say that Anima is nearly as heavy as GURPS.

I'd put Anima down as heavier, though not as heavy as D&D 3.5.

[Potato_Priest]

One thing that I didn't like about the system was the armor classes. In LFG armor classes are even lower than in D&D 5e (AC 16 rather than 20 for plate+shield), and attack bonuses on monsters and martial character scale even faster. This means that by level 5 or so almost no-one is going to be missing their attacks, and the barbarian's defensive feature (half damage during rage) is waaaaaay better than the fighter's options for slightly better AC.

How would you recommend fixing that? The system looks pretty OK apart from this one detail.

[Berenger]

One thing that I didn't like about the system was the armor classes. In LFG armor classes are even lower than in D&D 5e (AC 16 rather than 20 for plate+shield), and attack bonuses on monsters and martial character scale even faster. This means that by level 5 or so almost no-one is going to be missing their attacks, and the barbarian's defensive feature (half damage during rage) is waaaaaay better than the fighter's options for slightly better AC.

How would you recommend fixing that? The system looks pretty OK apart from this one detail.

Personal House Rule:

Everyone gets half their Attack Bonus as a bonus to Armor Class and +1 to AC can be chosen as an Unique Feature (up to four times).

Maximum Armor Class: 10 +5 (heavy armor), +1 (shield) +3 (dexterity 18), +6 (AC bonus at level 12) +4 (four unique features) = 29.

Maximum Attack Bonus: dragon or high level fighter with strength 18 = 1d20+15. Hits maximum Armor Class on a roll of 14 or higher.

[Potato_Priest]

Personal House Rule:

Everyone gets half their Attack Bonus as a bonus to Armor Class and +1 to AC can be chosen as an Unique Feature (up to four times).

Maximum Armor Class: 10 +5 (heavy armor), +1 (shield) +3 (dexterity 18), +6 (AC bonus at level 12) +4 (four unique features) = 29.

Maximum Attack Bonus: dragon or high level fighter with strength 18 = 1d20+15. Hits maximum Armor Class on a roll of 14 or higher.

Hmm. That looks decent. It still doesn't fix my gripe about barbarians being just better than fighters, but it's something. I'd probably use this and ban the barbarian class when running the system. If a player wants to be a barbarian the fighter class works fine with minimal refluffing.

Minor nitpick: Maximum AC would be 30 though, since there's a fighting style that makes the shield give +2.

[Psikerlord]

One thing that I didn't like about the system was the armor classes. In LFG armor classes are even lower than in D&D 5e (AC 16 rather than 20 for plate+shield), and attack bonuses on monsters and martial character scale even faster. This means that by level 5 or so almost no-one is going to be missing their attacks, and the barbarian's defensive feature (half damage during rage) is waaaaaay better than the fighter's options for slightly better AC.

How would you recommend fixing that? The system looks pretty OK apart from this one detail.

Don't forget fighters can take the protection style for an extra +1 AC, and there is no limit on Dex bonus to AC in LFG. Barb's tend to allocate their high stats to Str and Con, and Fighters Str and Dex. Also fighters get their parry ability at 5th.

[Psikerlord]

Adventure Framework #33 is out: Folds Between Worlds

https://www.patreon.com/posts/33-folds-between-15959080

[Psikerlord]

Two terrific reviews for the Midlands Low Magic Sandbox Setting:

http://halflingsluck.blogspot.com.au...c-sandbox.html

https://classicrpgrealms.blogspot.co...-midlands.html

[Psikerlord]

Mini adventure #34 is out: Carnifexum

https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/01/01/carnifexum/

[Psikerlord]

Adventure Framework #35 is out: Hive of the Mudmen :D
https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/01...of-the-mudmen/

[Psikerlord]

Blackpowder Toolkit now available :) https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/07...owder-toolkit/

[Psikerlord]

Some Diseases & Parasites for your game ... https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/10...ase-parasites/

[EggKookoo]

Hi all, Steve G here the author of LFG. More than happy to answer any questions :)

No questions but man I want to jump on the bandwagon and say how awesome this is. I've only scanned it (classes mostly) but I for one appreciate the amount of effort you put into it. In terms of feedback I love the 1e vibe of the artwork and I like the general approach to the concept. I don't have the bandwidth right now but if the opportunity comes up I'll grab some friends to run through it.

[Lacuna Caster]

Huh. ...I should probably check this out.

[Psikerlord]

No questions but man I want to jump on the bandwagon and say how awesome this is. I've only scanned it (classes mostly) but I for one appreciate the amount of effort you put into it. In terms of feedback I love the 1e vibe of the artwork and I like the general approach to the concept. I don't have the bandwidth right now but if the opportunity comes up I'll grab some friends to run through it.

Hey thanks CB! Love to hear how it goes if you do get to run an adventure :D

[Psikerlord]

A question, have you considered doing a version of the book with the extra classes in it? I'm considering actually plonking down the money for a softcover version if I can work out if Lulu prints copies in Europe (not paying for shipping from America), but if there's a version with the additional classes in it in the works I might hold off on it, as I'm certainly considering using at least the Artificer (what made me consider LFG as potentially worthwhile to run) and Ranger. The monk I'm less sure about, and will depend on the exact tone I end up with. Even just a second PoD book with the extra classes and some other stuff (maybe an alternative form of magic that anybody can use for a price?) would be interesting. No clue if you've had the interest to justify that though.

I know this is extremely old, but just thought I would say, a "Deluxe" edition of LFG is in the pipeline: full colour, all the classes plus new cultist/cleric, some toolkits material, expanded exploration rules, example unique features, and some other bits and pieces. More formal news/info coming in Nov/Dec. I'm going through re-reading all the old forums I can find looking for mechanics to tweak, etc, based on feedback.

[Knaight]

I know this is extremely old, but just thought I would say, a "Deluxe" edition of LFG is in the pipeline: full colour, all the classes plus new cultist/cleric, some toolkits material, expanded exploration rules, example unique features, and some other bits and pieces. More formal news/info coming in Nov/Dec. I'm going through re-reading all the old forums I can find looking for mechanics to tweak, etc, based on feedback.

Will the cultist/cleric emphasize the cultist side? One of the things I really liked about LFG was the way the magic user explicitly didn't separate out arcane and divine magic, instead taking a note from legends where mages are mage-priests as often as not.

[Psikerlord]

Will the cultist/cleric emphasize the cultist side? One of the things I really liked about LFG was the way the magic user explicitly didn't separate out arcane and divine magic, instead taking a note from legends where mages are mage-priests as often as not.

The cultist/cleric emphasizes their magic comes from a god or other supernatural entity. They must obey their cult's tenets in order to gain Favour, which allows them to use blessings without fear of Divine Rebuke. If they attempt to invoke blessings without favour, and they fail the Will check, they roll on the Divine Rebuke table (a kind of "divine" flavour dark & dangerous magic table). Certain effects on the DR table can only be removed by performing a Rite of Atonement (and whilst subject to such a rebuke, the cultist cannot gain favour). Cultist blessings are similar to your traditional cleric/paladin abilities (heal, smite, turn, etc) plus each god grants its follower a themed ability and/or spells.

The magic user spell list remains the same (well, in fact I have renamed all the spells similar to https://lowfantasygaming.com/2017/02...-the-midlands/ )

Yeah when I wrote LFG I imagined a cleric type character would simply be a Magic User. But of all the things most requested, a cleric class was it. So I've tried to make something that fills that role, with a strong "patron" theme/code, and quasi unpredictable magic, that can sit along the MU.

[Anonymouswizard]

I know this is extremely old, but just thought I would say, a "Deluxe" edition of LFG is in the pipeline: full colour, all the classes plus new cultist/cleric, some toolkits material, expanded exploration rules, example unique features, and some other bits and pieces. More formal news/info coming in Nov/Dec. I'm going through re-reading all the old forums I can find looking for mechanics to tweak, etc, based on feedback.

Awesome, glad I never got around to ordering it back then now not that I mean to say the 'classic' edition isn't worth the money of course

The cultist/cleric emphasizes their magic comes from a god or other supernatural entity. They must obey their cult's tenets in order to gain Favour, which allows them to use blessings without fear of Divine Rebuke. If they attempt to invoke blessings without favour, and they fail the Will check, they roll on the Divine Rebuke table (a kind of "divine" flavour dark & dangerous magic table). Certain effects on the DR table can only be removed by performing a Rite of Atonement (and whilst subject to such a rebuke, the cultist cannot gain favour). Cultist blessings are similar to your traditional cleric/paladin abilities (heal, smite, turn, etc) plus each god grants its follower a themed ability and/or spells.

The magic user spell list remains the same (well, in fact I have renamed all the spells similar to https://lowfantasygaming.com/2017/02...-the-midlands/ )

Yeah when I wrote LFG I imagined a cleric type character would simply be a Magic User. But of all the things most requested, a cleric class was it. So I've tried to make something that fills that role, with a strong "patron" theme/code, and quasi unpredictable magic, that can sit along the MU.

Sounds closer to the D&D Warlock than Cleric, which I'm greatful for. I've never liked the push a lot of gamers have to put an Arcane/Divine magic split in every game, when a lot of the time in myths and fiction there's either no difference or magic is inherently undivine (and tha's as far as I'll go).

I'd say that the Cultist sounds more like the kind of magic-user I'd allow in a low fantasy setting, always having to make sure their patron is happy, magic being risky if they aren't in good standing, and a good dark 'petty gods' theming. I love it, I kind of wish that this was the original magic-user class instead of a new addition.

[Psikerlord]

Awesome, glad I never got around to ordering it back then now not that I mean to say the 'classic' edition isn't worth the money of course



Sounds closer to the D&D Warlock than Cleric, which I'm greatful for. I've never liked the push a lot of gamers have to put an Arcane/Divine magic split in every game, when a lot of the time in myths and fiction there's either no difference or magic is inherently undivine (and tha's as far as I'll go).

I'd say that the Cultist sounds more like the kind of magic-user I'd allow in a low fantasy setting, always having to make sure their patron is happy, magic being risky if they aren't in good standing, and a good dark 'petty gods' theming. I love it, I kind of wish that this was the original magic-user class instead of a new addition.

Yes there's definitely a side of Warlock in there, and it didnt occur to me till you raised it, but you could easily remove Magic User from the game and use Cultist as the only caster class.

[Psikerlord]

The latest iteration of the Cultist class for LFG :)
9 page PDF, 2 versions - colour and B&W (different art).
https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/11...g-the-cultist/

[Psikerlord]

LFG Deluxe Edition is coming!

Just a quick heads up that LFG Deluxe Edition is in the pipeline, and we have a small Kickstarter planned for December to raise funds for some custom art pieces by Daniel Comerci, Dean Spencer and Matt Forsyth (don't know them? Google them! Be amazed). 95% of the book is already written and laid out; link below to the draft contents for an inkling as to what's inside :D

We're planning two versions: one full colour, one black & white with line art (similar to the recent Cultist doc – same page numbers/layout etc, just different art). PDF and Print on Demand. 100% compatible with original LFG (well, page number references will change).

More info soon!

https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/11...eluxe-edition/

[Anonymouswizard]

The latest iteration of the Cultist class for LFG :)
9 page PDF, 2 versions - colour and B&W (different art).
https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/11...g-the-cultist/

Well. comparing it to the magic-user:
-Blessings are simpler than spells and their chance to fail if your god isn't happy appeals to me. Plus the regenerate on a short rest as well as only having one slot type, which is easier on the resource management.
-Sacred Lore is a cool ability that
-Child of the Gods is a nice little ability, although Attuned Mind is probably better I like the simplicity.
-Actually getting a feature at 5th level! I know it's because the cultist is less magical than the magic-user, but it does feel nice to be able to melee when you're conserving your magic.
-Speaking of being able to melee, Second Attack is always a nice thing to have.
-At 10th level both get the ability to build a structure. But considering that this is a standard thing for everybody I can't really complain.

I really do think I like the Cultist, and that I'll be using it in place of the Magic-User

LFG Deluxe Edition is coming!

Just a quick heads up that LFG Deluxe Edition is in the pipeline, and we have a small Kickstarter planned for December to raise funds for some custom art pieces by Daniel Comerci, Dean Spencer and Matt Forsyth (don't know them? Google them! Be amazed). 95% of the book is already written and laid out; link below to the draft contents for an inkling as to what's inside :D

We're planning two versions: one full colour, one black & white with line art (similar to the recent Cultist doc – same page numbers/layout etc, just different art). PDF and Print on Demand. 100% compatible with original LFG (well, page number references will change).

More info soon!

https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/11...eluxe-edition/

Really looking forward to this, especially the line art version (I just prefer my gaming books to use it, for some reason). How will the prices compare to the current PoD versions? Because if the softcover is too expensive (>$12) I might pick up the current rulebook now and get the deluxe edition when I have a proper job.

[Psikerlord]

Adventure Framework #50 is out: Night at the Green Goblin
https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/11...-green-goblin/

[Psikerlord]

Well. comparing it to the magic-user:
-Blessings are simpler than spells and their chance to fail if your god isn't happy appeals to me. Plus the regenerate on a short rest as well as only having one slot type, which is easier on the resource management.
-Sacred Lore is a cool ability that
-Child of the Gods is a nice little ability, although Attuned Mind is probably better I like the simplicity.
-Actually getting a feature at 5th level! I know it's because the cultist is less magical than the magic-user, but it does feel nice to be able to melee when you're conserving your magic.
-Speaking of being able to melee, Second Attack is always a nice thing to have.
-At 10th level both get the ability to build a structure. But considering that this is a standard thing for everybody I can't really complain.

I really do think I like the Cultist, and that I'll be using it in place of the Magic-User



Really looking forward to this, especially the line art version (I just prefer my gaming books to use it, for some reason). How will the prices compare to the current PoD versions? Because if the softcover is too expensive (>$12) I might pick up the current rulebook now and get the deluxe edition when I have a proper job.

Glad you like what you see for the Cultist! I hope it will be possible for parties to take both that and a MU, or just one (or neither), depending on table preferences/setting.

Ah hmm for better or worse, Deluxe Edition will be more expensive than original LFG softcover (which was pretty much print at cost +$1). I've got art to pay for! ;)

[Psikerlord]

Low Fantasy Gaming Deluxe Ed Kickstarter is on track to start in one week! More details here: https://lowfantasygaming.com/2018/12...tarter-update/

[Psikerlord]

Deluxe Edition Kickstarter is now LIVE!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...eated_projects

[Anonymouswizard]

Deluxe Edition Kickstarter is now LIVE!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects...eated_projects

I'll have to see if I have money left after Christmas (and if my new bank card actually arrives), $40+shipping is actually a good deal for a black and white book+PDF.

[Psikerlord]

I'll have to see if I have money left after Christmas (and if my new bank card actually arrives), $40+shipping is actually a good deal for a black and white book+PDF.

Cheers AW, and have a great break either way!