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Ceridan
2008-08-28, 01:54 AM
I just picked up Dark Hersey and wanted to ask the community for their opinions on the game. I've been a big fan of the 40k universe for years and have been waiting for a role playing game for the setting for almost as long. Has this system been worth the wait or has Games-workshop just found another way to gouge me out of my hard earned money?

Prophaniti
2008-08-28, 05:16 AM
Seems every week or so someone new picks it up and starts a new thread. That's ok, though, better than thread necromancy.

It's a great system, really not much different from the system for WFRP, if you've had a change to play that (and if you haven't, you should, it's my favority RPG system ever). Deadly combat keeps a good feel of mortality and danger in the game, essential to the setting. Speaking of the setting, it's presented pretty well in the manual, for those players unfamiliar with it, so you don't need any other 40k material to get new players into it. And they detailed a sector specifically for DH so you can have your fun without stepping on the toes of canon material, for those who care about that.

All in all, a really good job. I'm hoping for more material from them, and that it maintains this level of quality.

Hope you enjoy it as much as I have.:smallsmile:

Dragor
2008-08-28, 05:18 AM
I just picked up Dark Hersey and wanted to ask the community for their opinions on the game. I've been a big fan of the 40k universe for years and have been waiting for a role playing game for the setting for almost as long. Has this system been worth the wait or has Games-workshop just found another way to gouge me out of my hard earned money?

For once, no. :smalltongue: Dark Heresy is quite a good system. It was the first time I'd played a d% system (it is a d% system, right?), and while it wasn't certainly as easy to master as d20, it has a lot more possibilities. I do suggest picking up the Inquisitor's Handbook when you can- it builds on a lot of things.

If you're WH40k mad but are also in the opinion that 40k is fairly amusing, a lot of fun can be had. You can also play it as GRIM DARK, but I feel that the point of Dark Heresy is lost; it's also supposed to be darkly humorous. I'm currently playing a Cleric who will make everyone else see things her way by bringing up the Emperor. BY THE EMPEROR, PASS ME THAT SPOON!

Tsotha-lanti
2008-08-28, 09:11 AM
Dark Heresy is so good it always gives me an irresistible urge to play Fading Suns. (Which is basically the same game, but with more Dune, and generally better...)

Seriously, though, the system seems very functional. It seems mostly the same as WFRP, which is definitely a great game. The setting is cool. If you're into it, it's bound to be a fun and lethal game.

It's definitely got hilarious potential, too, because WH40K is so ridiculously grim and macho.

Hunter Noventa
2008-08-28, 11:01 AM
I want to play it, and have the book. Sadly all my friends want to keept he grimdark out of our tabletop RPGs, even if there is a measure of humor involved.

Name_Here
2008-08-28, 11:27 AM
Very fun game. When I started playing I expected it to be a nonstop fight for the characters just to survive and then only at the expence of their sanity and their souls.

Of course with my Players routinuely rolling multiple 1's to hit and me rolling high 80's it's become more of a comedy of errors as they steamroll elite stormtrooper teams, roll them and take their stuff. Also maybe I'm a little too lenient with the gear I allow them access to. I just kinda give a range of "up to rare" or up to scarce and let them go nuts. But the players enjoy seeing me jam my 5th lasgun of the fight while they hit 7 times blazing away at full auto so it's all worth it.

Kiero
2008-08-28, 11:45 AM
Don't much rate it, personally, and I own a copy. Largely because there's a serious disconnect between the fiction it supposedly seeks to evoke (Eisenhorn, Ravenor) and the kind of characters you actually play. Plus waste of seven pages on bloody critical hit tables, yet leaving out all kinds of important stuff. But it's a stale argument I can't be bothered to rehash all over again.

Zenos
2008-08-28, 11:51 AM
Okay, now I really want to play DH. It's even my birthday soon so I could ask for it. Too bad it's sold out.

Myshlaevsky
2008-08-28, 12:31 PM
Don't much rate it, personally, and I own a copy. Largely because there's a serious disconnect between the fiction it supposedly seeks to evoke (Eisenhorn, Ravenor) and the kind of characters you actually play. Plus waste of seven pages on bloody critical hit tables, yet leaving out all kinds of important stuff. But it's a stale argument I can't be bothered to rehash all over again.

I've never really thought DH was supposed to evoke fiction like that. It seems more Ciaphas Cain comedy misfortune. There's a lot of jokey stuff even in the fluff. If you're interested in a game where you play a capable Inquisitor, well, play Inquisitor :smalltongue:. It's free (http://www.specialist-games.com/inquisitor/rulebook.asp) but I rate the mechanics as inferior to Dark Heresy. You need to be pretty careful how you play Inquisitor for it not to become incredibly boring - though I suppose most games are like that.

Demonix
2008-08-28, 01:22 PM
great, now I want to get it, just so I can say 'By the emperor, pass the salt!'

lol. How many people do you think you would need for a good party? I've only got two players at the moment.

Kiero
2008-08-28, 05:38 PM
I've never really thought DH was supposed to evoke fiction like that. It seems more Ciaphas Cain comedy misfortune. There's a lot of jokey stuff even in the fluff. If you're interested in a game where you play a capable Inquisitor, well, play Inquisitor :smalltongue:. It's free (http://www.specialist-games.com/inquisitor/rulebook.asp) but I rate the mechanics as inferior to Dark Heresy. You need to be pretty careful how you play Inquisitor for it not to become incredibly boring - though I suppose most games are like that.

Back of the book, it quotes those very books as "essential reading material". I don't want PC inquisitors, just a bunch of capable Throne Agents from the off. None of this contracted-out, hapless nobodies who don't even work for the Inquisition, but should they survive comic-but-deadly adventures might one day be offered a real job.

Myshlaevsky
2008-08-28, 06:00 PM
Back of the book, it quotes those very books as "essential reading material". I don't want PC inquisitors, just a bunch of capable Throne Agents from the off. None of this contracted-out, hapless nobodies who don't even work for the Inquisition, but should they survive comic-but-deadly adventures might one day be offered a real job.

Start off at a higher exp. level.

Kiero
2008-08-29, 02:51 AM
Start off at a higher exp. level.

Not a real solution, given the game is balanced for lesser characters. Then you get add-crunch and have to wade through lots more stuff.

There are other systems much better suited to a game of Throne Agents than DH.

lord_khaine
2008-08-29, 03:21 AM
i have allways thought that the shadowrun system would be great for a game of 40k, with a little bit of conversion.