Heroes & Other Worlds

Just ordered it. Looks very cool.

sounds fantastic! just ordered!

edit: A Quick Review
(for anyone straddling the fence on the purchase)

In it's core, HOW is just like LAW and very similar to TFT. The intro in the rules gave my own feelings about RPGs a sense of validation. HOW does not refer to itself as a RPG. HOW considers itself to be an adventure game, not a role-playing game. Funny voices, archaic vocabulary, and theatrical performances are not required. The focus is on adventure. What happens during game-play.

There are really only 3 major differences between DCG/LAW and HOW.

1. A new attribute has been added: Endurance (EN). Damage and Fatigue are subtracted from EN first. When EN reaches zero, additional damage/fatigue is subtracted from ST. EN recovers quickly without intervention. In LAW terms, 1 point of EN is recovered for each location visited or encounter resolved. ST recovers just like ST recovers in LAW. If ST=0, character=dead.

2. There are three different methods of rewarding XP (IRC). The simple core rule is that you get 3 XP for each check you pass. Skills are learned or advanced with a "100 XP times the new level" cost. Learning a new skill costs 100 XP. Raising that skill to level 2 costs 200XP, etc.

3. XP cannot be used to raise attribute scores. Once the character is created, that's it. You must live with those scores for the rest of the character's life. I understand the reasons for this but I'm not crazy about this solution. I would prefer to have the same formula for raising skills apply to attributes. Raising ST8 would cost (100 XP times 9) 900XP. Unless your scores are really low, you're better off focusing on raising skills, but still the possibility is there, albeit expensive.

Other than the 3 points above, it is mostly the same as LAW with a small caveat to almost everything. There are rules for more combat maneuvers such as parry and dual-wielding, etc. as well as the LAW reactions for Dodge, Counterattack, etc.

I wouldn't say that HOW is more detailed than LAW (although it may be but only slightly). What I would say is that HOW addresses a great many more topics than LAW, in terse, LAW verbage. HOW is chock full of skills and spells. HOW is how I would have made LAW Advanced.

The GM/Referee section of the rules are chock full of simple tables and charts for generating just about anything in the game world...adventure hooks, dungeons, wandering monsters, treasure, etc. It also contains a nice 'monster manual' section.

There are black and white illustrations throughout the book that will take you back to the good ole days.

The printed copy and pdf versions are worth their current prices IMO. If you use one of the coupon codes from HOW's blogsite, you will get a bargain indeed. But you must HURRY! The coupon codes expire this weekend (IRC) and the normal prices will also go up in January, according to one of the blog posts.

you are most welcome. i actually never heard of TFT until i found LAW a few months ago. i did read your reasons and i understand the reasons. i have brushed on the issue here with LAW a few times in different ways, posts and PMs. in fact, your HOW rules address many things i've brought up here in posts and PMs. great work! but on the xp/attribute front...yes, the house rules!

cool beans!

well, i just re-visited your site and saw the new, in-depth explanation on 'no attribute raising'. i left you a new comment there as well. the point you made that it forces players/characters to rely on each other and hirelings is a big one and definitely adds to the whole experience. you converted me, sir!

i am about to order a couple more.

i feel retarded having this discussion in 2 places (duplication) but i feel compelled to do so for the benefit of someone that is not a member of both audiences...

for refereed adventures, alternative unnecessary. the HOW way is best. the gm always has the ability to put something in the adventure like a potion of permanent assist or something. it's a one-off deal and players shouldn't feel entitled to it.

i'm still scratching my head a little for programmed adventures though. if they are already written and do not specify an option for hirelings, i guess my house rule will be that they are always available (implicitly). the referee section of HOW does a great job of defining types and costs of hirelings as well as how to determine their attributes, etc.

the main reason i feel compelled to post that here as well as there (insert crazy emoticon) is to showcase HOW's thoughtful attention to such things as hirelings.

ewookie-
thanks for posting back on the topic. I think where some people are getting confused is assuming HOW is a direct clone and assuming the game will be "just like" what's come before. It is influenced strongly by, but is not just a direct replication of previous game like TFT, Melee and Wizard. Best way to sum it up, if you know LAW, TFT, Melee and or Wizard, you will have a head start on understanding HOW, but don't assume you know it!