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BECM vs RC

Post/Author/DateTime Post
#1
caeruleus
Jan 19, 2006 20:58:31 What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC?

EDIT: I'm referring to advantages/disadvantages that BECM has over RC, and vice versa (if there are any).
#2
havard
Jan 20, 2006 12:04:56
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC?

EDIT: I'm referring to advantages/disadvantages that BECM has over RC, and vice versa (if there are any).

RC: Better organized, easier to find the stuff you need, all in one book.
BECM: Better art, easier for beginners, Includes Aleena introductory adventure.

Sollution: Buy both, and use the RC when you know how to play the game, and use BECMI for cuddling up with ;)

Håvard
#3
zombiegleemax
Jan 20, 2006 14:19:41
What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC?

Honestly, if you're planning using ALL of BECM (not just using B+E or B+E+C or something simpler than the whole set of rules), I can't think of a single reason not to go ahead and use the RC. They're basically equivalent and the RC is all in one convenient package, ready to use.
#4
zombiegleemax
Jan 20, 2006 15:44:14 BECM gives you the context lacking in the RC; in BECM, you see what monsters came when, and what they're balanced against. You see what magic items are appropriate at each level of experience. You see when each ability was brought into the game.

RC adds the skills system from the gazetteers, but that's all it adds. Nothing else new of any real use. But it's a tougher, hard bound and more convenient reference guide.
#5
caeruleus
Jan 20, 2006 23:31:39 Thanks. The answer is clear: use both!

And it seems that Håvard has given the advantage that BECM has over RC... Aleena the cleric! Damn that Bargle....
#6
weasel_fierce
Jan 21, 2006 2:09:46 The RC has bits of optional stuff, like advancing elves to level 36 and such. There's some other tidbits, 3 pages on the known world, and the skill system

BECM has vastly better artwork, and propably more "run the game" advise. It also has half a page on jousting rules, and is largely coordinated and written by the excellent Frank Mentzer
#7
weasel_fierce
Jan 22, 2006 21:19:04 Also, BECM includes rules for healing injuries, which was seemingly left out of the RC...
#8
havard
Feb 13, 2006 6:50:27
Also, BECM includes rules for healing injuries, which was seemingly left out of the RC...

Those would be useful wouldnt they? ;)

BTW, it is probably a good idea to implement the optional rule allowing rest to cure 1HP per level per night rather than just the 1HP per night. It does make the high level characters suffer quite a bit especially in low magic campaigns, dont you think?

Håvard
#9
zombiegleemax
Feb 13, 2006 7:14:43 In low magic campaigns it would take a long time for high level characters to heal at 1hp per night.

If I were running a low magic campaign I'd probably allow the normal HP total for each character class per level in healing per day and night of complete rest (i.e. 1d4+con bonus for magic user and thief, 1d6+con bonus for cleric, and 1d8+con bonus for fighter).
#10
chatdemon
Feb 13, 2006 23:57:47 To me, the BECMI books have a better, more interesting feel to them, but the RC has two main advantages:

Portability: one book vs half a dozen
Known World Primer: Sure, the BECM books give some info (Expert set and X1 module especially), but if you lack a campaign setting, the RC does an adequate job of introducing the KW, and has better maps than the box sets.

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 caeruleus Jan 19, 2006 20:58:31	What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC? EDIT: I'm referring to advantages/disadvantages that BECM has over RC, and vice versa (if there are any).
#2 havard Jan 20, 2006 12:04:56	What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC? EDIT: I'm referring to advantages/disadvantages that BECM has over RC, and vice versa (if there are any). RC: Better organized, easier to find the stuff you need, all in one book. BECM: Better art, easier for beginners, Includes Aleena introductory adventure. Sollution: Buy both, and use the RC when you know how to play the game, and use BECMI for cuddling up with ;) Håvard
#3 zombiegleemax Jan 20, 2006 14:19:41	What do you think are the advantages and disadvantages of choosing one of BECM or the RC? Honestly, if you're planning using ALL of BECM (not just using B+E or B+E+C or something simpler than the whole set of rules), I can't think of a single reason not to go ahead and use the RC. They're basically equivalent and the RC is all in one convenient package, ready to use.
#4 zombiegleemax Jan 20, 2006 15:44:14	BECM gives you the context lacking in the RC; in BECM, you see what monsters came when, and what they're balanced against. You see what magic items are appropriate at each level of experience. You see when each ability was brought into the game. RC adds the skills system from the gazetteers, but that's all it adds. Nothing else new of any real use. But it's a tougher, hard bound and more convenient reference guide.
#5 caeruleus Jan 20, 2006 23:31:39	Thanks. The answer is clear: use both! And it seems that Håvard has given the advantage that BECM has over RC... Aleena the cleric! Damn that Bargle....
#6 weasel_fierce Jan 21, 2006 2:09:46	The RC has bits of optional stuff, like advancing elves to level 36 and such. There's some other tidbits, 3 pages on the known world, and the skill system BECM has vastly better artwork, and propably more "run the game" advise. It also has half a page on jousting rules, and is largely coordinated and written by the excellent Frank Mentzer
#7 weasel_fierce Jan 22, 2006 21:19:04	Also, BECM includes rules for healing injuries, which was seemingly left out of the RC...
#8 havard Feb 13, 2006 6:50:27	Also, BECM includes rules for healing injuries, which was seemingly left out of the RC... Those would be useful wouldnt they? ;) BTW, it is probably a good idea to implement the optional rule allowing rest to cure 1HP per level per night rather than just the 1HP per night. It does make the high level characters suffer quite a bit especially in low magic campaigns, dont you think? Håvard
#9 zombiegleemax Feb 13, 2006 7:14:43	In low magic campaigns it would take a long time for high level characters to heal at 1hp per night. If I were running a low magic campaign I'd probably allow the normal HP total for each character class per level in healing per day and night of complete rest (i.e. 1d4+con bonus for magic user and thief, 1d6+con bonus for cleric, and 1d8+con bonus for fighter).
#10 chatdemon Feb 13, 2006 23:57:47	To me, the BECMI books have a better, more interesting feel to them, but the RC has two main advantages: Portability: one book vs half a dozen Known World Primer: Sure, the BECM books give some info (Expert set and X1 module especially), but if you lack a campaign setting, the RC does an adequate job of introducing the KW, and has better maps than the box sets.