Has anyone played Castles and crusades?

[toddex]

I kind of wanted to get some first hand experience with the system. Since 4th edition has kind of failed me I wouldnt mind trying it. I just want to get some accounts of what it was like before I spend the cash.

[Matthew]

Sure, I have played it (or rather I have played AD&D using the C&C books). I bought C&C PHBs for some of my group for Christmas and regularly post on the Troll Lord Games forums.

Basically, it's closer to AD&D than D20. I can point you towards some good reviews and things, if you would like.

There's a $10/$5 sale on at the moment, so it's a good time to get into it!

Free Castles & Crusades Stuff

Quick Start Rules
Monsters & Treasure
The Rising Knight
A Lion in the Ropes

Strong supporters claim that C&C is halfway house between AD&D and D20. I am not sure I am all that convinced of that, but it does have a very elegant system that adopts many D20 elements for task resolution. I mainly use C&C stuff to directly supplement my AD&D games.

[hamlet]

There are those of us who think it takes too much from D20, really.

Don't know, never got down to playing with it and still can't justify actually shelling out cash for it when things that actually make me drool are coming down the pipe for other product lines.

[chiefwaha]

I played it. I own it as well. It's good. Works great for 1 shot games with people that don't know the system. Certainly more old school than d20, but not as complicated as 2nd ed. Haven't played it in a campaign game, so I can't really tell you about that, but to me it would seem slightly limited, but not outrageously so. Nothing an imagination can't fix.

[bbugg]

I've played it and quite liked it. We only played for a short time before switching to 3.5 and frankly I sort of miss it.

It depends on what you're looking for. Personally, I think there is too much stuff in 3.5. With so bloody many classes, PrCs, feats, spells, races, etc. there's little left to role play - everything has crunch. For example, in 3.5 I made a thief/fighter, only to find out later there's a swashbuckler that did exactly what I wanted only better. In AD&D I made a nature priest - he was a cleric but I refused to kill animals and the like. Now there are druids. We used to role play the interesting stuff.

Anyway, C&C is closer to that genre and I'm fond of it for that. It's quick, simple and straight forward and gives you lots of room to be creative.

My group recently bought Iron Heroes and I'm hoping that will work for me too. Fewer classes, no PrC and all human. Lots of space to role play.

[Matthew]

There are those of us who think it takes too much from D20, really.

Aye, the siege engine is a bone of contention. Fortunately, it's easily removable. The thing is there's no denying it appeals to D20 folk who want solid numbers governing things, so it is a double edged sword.

Don't know, never got down to playing with it and still can't justify actually shelling out cash for it when things that actually make me drool are coming down the pipe for other product lines.

Well, Castle Zagyg is a C&C product I am definitely looking forward to. What are you waiting on, if you don't mind my asking? Sounds interesting.

[zaei]

I haven't had a change to play it, but I do own the PHB, but I like the system. Definitely lighter than AD&D or d20, but it has a feel that says it would be fun and easy to play with.

[JadedDM]

I've heard good things about it, but I've never seen the books before. And I figure, I'm happy enough with 2E to not worry about it.

[Matthew]

I've heard good things about it, but I've never seen the books before. And I figure, I'm happy enough with 2E to not worry about it.

You would be right there, JadedDM. If I recall correctly, you don't use any published modules at all either, so the bulk of C&C material wouldn't be too useful to you. On the other hand, you might consider joining the Castles & Crusades Society, as it has just started issuing a free quarterly pdf zine to members (mainly ideas and stuff). Similar to Dragonsfoot's tri yearly Footprints magazine (don't know if you read that?), but smaller scale.

[Frito_Butterbuns]

I've been playing in a CnC campaign for over a year now. We meet every other Saturday. The rules work great if you put value on character decisions and quick combats. If you like number crunching, then go with something else. The rules are simple, and I think it makes the game more accessible to non-hard core gamers. We have a few in our group, and I don't think they would have come back if we started with 3.5 or Gurps.

I'm playing a druid, which isn't a very useful class unless I'm outside. However, the Castle Keeper is doing a good job of mixing in wilderness ecounters along with dungeon delving so I'm not totally useless.

[Tetsubo 57]

I bought a copy of it when it came out. I thought, "Hey, old school gaming!"

After giving it a thorough read, I thought, "There is a reason I no longer play 1E." I then promptly traded it in at a LGS and bought a new D20 book. I was very disappointed.

[Matthew]

I've been playing in a CnC campaign for over a year now. We meet every other Saturday. The rules work great if you put value on character decisions and quick combats. If you like number crunching, then go with something else. The rules are simple, and I think it makes the game more accessible to non-hard core gamers. We have a few in our group, and I don't think they would have come back if we started with 3.5 or Gurps.

Very good points. I agree entirely with this.

I bought a copy of it when it came out. I thought, "Hey, old school gaming!"

After giving it a thorough read, I thought, "There is a reason I no longer play 1E." I then promptly traded it in at a LGS and bought a new D20 book. I was very disappointed.

The first printing of the Castles & Crusades PHB was apparently very poorly laid out, and I know a few people who were turned off by it. Some of those have since bought third printings and had a much more favourable reaction. However, Castles & Crusades, much like Advanced Dungeons & Dragons is not for everyone. Of course, the same is true of D20, and that's rather the point in making something like Castles & Crusades available.