Need another RPG to play? Are you a mass tabletop wargamer? Do you play Kings of War, specifically? If you answered yes to some or all of those questions, a Kings of War RPG is currently in the works for a Kickstarter launch sometime later this year. On the Frantic Gamers podcast, a show devoted to Mantic Games topics, the hosts interviewed Marc Langworthy of Red Scar Publishing who is working on the RPG for Mantic.
The interview covered a range of topics related to the RPG. Below are some highlights:
- What system will the RPG use?
- Tricore system licensed by Red Scar
- Where does this take place?
- Mantica, the world were Kings of War is set
- Will players be able to integrate their characters with Vanguard and KoW?
- Yes, the intent is for the mass battle, skirmish, and RPG to work together
- What kind of magic system, Vancian like D&D or unlimited like KoW?
- Likely hybrid system, but will require playtesting and feedback
- Will this be more combat focused, or narrative?
- Narrative/theater of the mind focused, since there are more combat options in Vanguard and KoW. However, Marc teased a roundless combat system.
Questions submitted by the community of listeners pointed to some possible challenges for the project. Mantic has a dungeon crawler style game already, Dungeon Saga. Marc contrasted his intent for the RPG to be more open world, exploring Mantica as a whole. Another pertinent question, given the number of RPGs on the market, was how this game would be unique? The TriCore system is the intended vehicle for this game. I understood it from the interview, characters are built around core concepts: natural skills, developed skills, and reliance on gear. Archetypes would help present these concepts. Other than that there seems to still be some detail up in the air. However, I see the possibility of integration between the different scales as a draw. Combat in D&D can take a notoriously long amount of time. Having a smooth way to transition between stages of combat would go a long way for making this game stand out.
There are, of course, precedents for combat games becoming RPGs. Infinity is a sci-fi, cyberpunk skirmish game that now as rules for playing it as an RPG. In my opinion, the Infinity models are so unique (with the bonus that as a player you are not fielding that many, say 3-10), it is easier to imagine a RPG, single character version set in that world. On the subject of IP, even Magic the Gathering’s Ravnica now has a setting for D&D 5e. People like playing in their sandboxes, with the lore and surroundings they know and love.
I’ll be following to see what comes of this RPG and how it can compete with a market that is full of different systems and settings. For core fans of Mantic there seems to be a lot to look forward to, here. Kate, one of the interviewers, is a big fan of D&D and Critical Role. She mentioned that she doesn’t play Vanguard or KoW. However, the idea of a character she can create and then continue to explore the world of Mantica through the different scales is appealing and could get her into those other Mantic offerings. I imagine she is not alone.
Ross Blythe is a Chicago based gamer interested in all things tabletop. He enjoys reading history as well as fiction, and so has a soft spot for historical wargames like Pike & Shotte. For the campaigns he runs as a DM he often looks to history for inspiration, for the lessons of the past to challenge the players at his table.
https://www.nerdunion.us/2019/01/11/unusual-dm-tools-the-writers-map/
https://www.nerdunion.us/2019/01/11/massive-darkness-brighter-than-it-looks/
https://www.nerdunion.us/2018/11/21/smuggles-n-snuggles-game-review-and-special-offer/
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