Whirlmeister
Rune Priest
How is this different from Cepheus Deluxe?
What have you splurged on recently? (continued)
- Thread starter Guvnor
- Start date
First Age
D&D h@ck3r and Hopepunk
Had lost track of this question!
Here's Paul Elliott's answer (author of Cepheus Universal):
"I would say that Stellagama’s Cepheus Deluxe is lighter and faster and easier to pick up and play. Cepheus Universal goes into more depth and is more comprehensive, and gives attention to rules and systems that Deluxe does not. The rules cover all tech levels in detail and aspects of sci fi settings such as deep water diving, damage to buildings, stress, the resilience of objects, the details of uploading minds, etc. For players who like this detail, Universal is a boon. For those who would rather cut to the action and keep things moving at pace, I think Deluxe is more suited."
I'd happen to agree. Deluxe has a slightly more space operatic flavour, with hero points and player character talents, that help to give them an edge. Starship construction and combat is more abstracted in Deluxe, but plays out well. Universal cleaves closer to base Cepheus, whilst also leaning into Paul's previous work on Hostile, Modern Warfare etc.
Of course , they are both variations on a core theme, with the classic 2d for 8+ as the central mechanic.
I like both, and would have to really sit down and think which I would use (or indeed Mongoose T2.2).
ottomancer
Lay member
torus
Rune Priest
They've really messed up the Cepheus brand, such as it was, by releasing about half a dozen similarly named but slightly different versions.
But anyway I made a decision a few years back that I would avoid buying any more printed books with terrible art or amateurish graphic design. Shelf space is too valuable for such things.
I still get caught out sometimes, but it has meant stellagama and Zozer products are pdf only for me.
But anyway I made a decision a few years back that I would avoid buying any more printed books with terrible art or amateurish graphic design. Shelf space is too valuable for such things.
I still get caught out sometimes, but it has meant stellagama and Zozer products are pdf only for me.
dbm
Rune Priest
A new book just released by Loke: Wilds, Wrecks and Ruins. Instant purchase. 
dbm
Rune Priest
I received the new Loke map book today and, while it is a lovely set of maps up to their excellent standards, I feel a bit conflicted about it.
The book is designed so that there are two double-page maps for each location, and you could put two of the books together to make a set of A1 maps rather than using the single book for A2. The thing which doesn’t sit quite right with me is that you are basically paying twice as much for half as many maps at that point (~31 A1 maps vs ~62 A2 maps). You can’t even take the book apart to achieve the A2 maps since they are over-leaf and so the same leaf is used in the two maps.
Like I say - not sure how I feel about that yet. I just bought the one copy, though.
Edited to correct size descriptions - they are all double-spreads so one book effectively A2 and two A1
The book is designed so that there are two double-page maps for each location, and you could put two of the books together to make a set of A1 maps rather than using the single book for A2. The thing which doesn’t sit quite right with me is that you are basically paying twice as much for half as many maps at that point (~31 A1 maps vs ~62 A2 maps). You can’t even take the book apart to achieve the A2 maps since they are over-leaf and so the same leaf is used in the two maps.
Like I say - not sure how I feel about that yet. I just bought the one copy, though.
Edited to correct size descriptions - they are all double-spreads so one book effectively A2 and two A1
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First Age
D&D h@ck3r and Hopepunk
PDF micro cost splurges can be insidious, so I will confess here.
The 'At The Gates' ashcan from Onyx Path gives me a window into their forthcoming high fantasy epic of demon powered polities vying for war and survival. I wanted to take a look at the current Storypath Ultra system, with enough for me to run a short test game if I was enthused. It looks like good fun for a heroic fantasy game and one to watch.
Tales of the Wolf Guard is exactly the kind of thing that I'd like to be able to write for Heroic Fantasy 2e. It's a low cost and content rich setting and adventure starter, with lots going on. Part of me just wanted to look at it to see what I could learn, but it also could form the basis of a nice mini campaign using Heroic Fantasy, with the OSE stuff quickly refitted.
The 'At The Gates' ashcan from Onyx Path gives me a window into their forthcoming high fantasy epic of demon powered polities vying for war and survival. I wanted to take a look at the current Storypath Ultra system, with enough for me to run a short test game if I was enthused. It looks like good fun for a heroic fantasy game and one to watch.
Tales of the Wolf Guard is exactly the kind of thing that I'd like to be able to write for Heroic Fantasy 2e. It's a low cost and content rich setting and adventure starter, with lots going on. Part of me just wanted to look at it to see what I could learn, but it also could form the basis of a nice mini campaign using Heroic Fantasy, with the OSE stuff quickly refitted.
PDF micro cost splurges can be insidious, so I will confess here.
Tales of the Wolf Guard is exactly the kind of thing that I'd like to be able to write for Heroic Fantasy 2e. It's a low cost and content rich setting and adventure starter, with lots going on. Part of me just wanted to look at it to see what I could learn, but it also could form the basis of a nice mini campaign using Heroic Fantasy, with the OSE stuff quickly refitted.
I resisted that one when I saw a review and realised I already had too many settings. By some people’s measures. But it should be a breeze to port over.
First Age
D&D h@ck3r and Hopepunk
It's alright. Although apparently streamlined, it feels strongly reminiscent of the past. Attribute plus skill in D10. 8+ are 'hits', a 10 is two hits. Difficulty is the number of hits you need. Extra hits can be spent on tricks that manage consequences that could be on the roll, or power tricks that improve your situation in lots of different ways.
It doesn't feel that streamlined, but I'm sure it will bob along just fine in actual play. The setting is quite saucy, so a worthy bit of fantasy fluff. Time is the only preventer.
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