Middle Earth RPG - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

Dain · 03-18-2003, 08:49 AM

Hey there, I have some experience with D&D, and I think it really doesn't fit with Tolkien all that well. At least, you'd have to do MAJOR revisions to all sorts of stats and allowances. These are things which discouraged me from some of D&D to begin with as well, because I didn't feel they got a lot of things "right" (to me, right is as Tolkien had it, which of course wasn't their intention, but...). I've tried to adjust things in D&D before, but it never quite worked out...

However, I just got my hands on the new LotR RPG system from Decipher, using their CODA system, and after reading the core rule book, it looks like an excellent game. It seems to both have a lot of details right and maintain an easy and sensible style of gameplay. It's quite similar to D&D in a lot of ways, but specifically tailored to Tolkien's world, a goal which I think they have achieved very well. I also think it's a better game system underneath as well. I'd recommend checking it out rather than completely reworking your D&D--it won't take that long to learn if you are an experienced RPGer.

If you don't want to switch systems, you could at least have a look at some of the sourcebooks--stat conversion shouldn't be too hard and it will describe the locations, enemies, etc. very well. I'm not sure all D&D characters will fit in ME, however, so it may depend on who's in your party...

[ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Dain ]

03-18-2003, 08:49 AM	#1
Dain Wight Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Iron Hills Posts: 127	Hey there, I have some experience with D&D, and I think it really doesn't fit with Tolkien all that well. At least, you'd have to do MAJOR revisions to all sorts of stats and allowances. These are things which discouraged me from some of D&D to begin with as well, because I didn't feel they got a lot of things "right" (to me, right is as Tolkien had it, which of course wasn't their intention, but...). I've tried to adjust things in D&D before, but it never quite worked out... However, I just got my hands on the new LotR RPG system from Decipher, using their CODA system, and after reading the core rule book, it looks like an excellent game. It seems to both have a lot of details right and maintain an easy and sensible style of gameplay. It's quite similar to D&D in a lot of ways, but specifically tailored to Tolkien's world, a goal which I think they have achieved very well. I also think it's a better game system underneath as well. I'd recommend checking it out rather than completely reworking your D&D--it won't take that long to learn if you are an experienced RPGer. If you don't want to switch systems, you could at least have a look at some of the sourcebooks--stat conversion shouldn't be too hard and it will describe the locations, enemies, etc. very well. I'm not sure all D&D characters will fit in ME, however, so it may depend on who's in your party... [ March 18, 2003: Message edited by: Dain ] __________________ Only I have looked through the shadow of the Gate. Beyond the shadow it waits for you still: Durin's Bane.