Jump to content

Fantasy Hero Complete contents


Ravenheart87

Recommended Posts

I tried to ask permission from Jason by posting on the hero Games Facebook page, but it was completely dead and I received no response.

 

I do not want to post something that will violate their rights. But it seams to me that something like this would be an ideal thing for them to share.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The main chunk of the book is the Hero System, slimmed down. If you have experience with Hero 4th, it's basically like the Hero System Rulebook from that edition (most of the extra stuff--edge rulings, examples and so on are not included from 6e1). Next is a brief intro to Fantasy. Then there's a section with pre-built character templates, starting with about a dozen racial templates, followed by a bunch of "Ancestral and Environmental" templates (Lycanthropes, Vampires, Water-dwellers, Celestial/Infernal, and so on), and then a half-dozen cultural templates, and then ten professional templates (Priest, Knight, Thief, and so on). All of these templates are extremely flexible, and can be easily adapted to fit individual games.

 

Next is a small section on magic systems, followed by a slightly longer section on world-building. Then comes what I consider the most important part: the numerous examples. There are sample characters, monsters, martial arts styles, spells and magic items, bases and so on. The remainder of the book is then devoted to reference tables and a character sheet.

 

But because this comes as a "bits and mortar" product, there's also an electronic copy and a bunch of extra PDF files included with the purchase of the physical book. There are 18 more sample characters, 24 more monsters, a basic setting (which could easily be expanded), some excellent maps, and a short adventure. It's easily worth the $10 price of the electronic package, and the $30 for physical book and PDFs is also quite a bargain for what you get.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I bought this book and enjoyed reading it a lot. The layout was good and easy to read and the explanations for the rules were great.

Can you hear the "but" coming? :/

But, if you are a long time Hero fan it wasn't really anything new, just repackaged material.

And... if you've never played Hero and were taking in by the "complete" word that I wonder if it has nearly enough content.

For example, the equipment was a paragraph or two, you are supposed to work it all out yourself.

I've GM'd a lot over the years and I can assure you I've never sat down and worked out a complete set of arms and armour before starting a game. I can't recall any system where they don't have lots of stuff like this. There isn't even a list of gear with encumbrances and costs. Previous editions had min stats and damages and ranges and more... should a GM buying a "complete" book have to work these out? I felt that I should just go back and use my Fantasy Hero campaign book from 1990 as it is more complete.

 

Now I know hero well enough and can work these things out, but I did feel let down when I read this section, enough that I put the book down for quite a while.

I think the font should have been changed to something like Times New Roman and everything compressed a little so that more game ready content could have been put in.

 

Hmmm, looking back at what I've written it is a little more negative than I intended. Let me balance that by saying if you don't already have a 6th edition book, buy this product... it really is great and I can't wait to gently persuade (bully) my group into playing. Maybe they can put out a supplement, or they already have or are intending to.

 

Now I need to ready the super's complete book :P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fantasy Hero was never intended to be a campaign book, which I thought was a tragedy. It was an opportunity to take the generic nature of the rules and show how to build a cohesive campaign setting* around them. I like the book because it is an easy, abridged version of the Hero rules with a smattering of Fantasy Hero genre advice. I just feel like it missed the mark in so many ways. Ironically, I pledged enough to get my physical copy and I haven't even removed it from the shipping box yet.

 

One of the reasons I'm a little disappointed in Narosia is because it was explicitly designed to be a campaign setting that was expressed via the Hero rules. The poor folks over at Legendsmiths have had one setback after another. Now it is years past due and we are still waiting. Apparently there was some progress with layout recently so I'm hoping they can get past that and get the product out. I'm still rooting for them. It's hard some days, but I am still trying to be positive.

 

 

 

 

* Yes, I downloaded the bonus materials. Wasn't thrilled with the product. I was grateful that time and effort was put into something but I do not think I will ever use it. To be fair, I will go back over it and look again. No sense in discarding any resource prematurely.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wonder why there is no preview at DrivethruRPG. Virtually all other companies manage this accomplishment.

 

Does Hero Games not want to sell their product? My guess as someone in online sales is that this alone could increase sales by 10% to 30% or more.

 

Similarly, the product descriptions at the Hero Store don't offer previews or even PAGE COUNTS. You don't know if you're buying a 100 or 300 page book.

 

Seriously - I ask the question, does Hero Games not want to sell their products?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 3 weeks later...

I will note that the contents of FHC were limited by a number of factors. The need to include the basic Hero System rules, total page count, the desire to cover certain subjects, and so on. A book that as truly "complete" would have been twice as large. At least.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
  • Recently Browsing   0 members

    • No registered users viewing this page.
×
×
  • Create New...