Runequest 2 getting a reprint with fixed errata

Look at it right here. Yeah, so this turns out to be a real thing (thanks Erik; weird work schedules haven't dulled your ability to get a cool scoop). I saw a post about this recently but breezed over it on the assumption it was some fan mockup. Nope.

Wow.

The idea that there will be a modern reprint of RQ2 to play with is actually the most interesting news I've heard in the Chaosium realm. For those of you not in the know, RQ2 was a very clean, concise and detailed look at the RQ mechanics, but it was also very tight in design. It assumed Glorantha as a setting, yes, but you could do what you wanted with it. RQ3 tried to make Mythic Europe the default, to good effect, but it also added some layers of complication to the rules as well.

I'd play RQ2 straight-up again (sans Glorantha...sorry, just not a Gloranthaphile). Will have to grab a copy or two once it's in the wild.

Check out the Ken Rolsten quote in the bottom back cover. Neat, considering I've always thought of the Elder Scrolls titles as the "Runequest of computer RPGs."


I am now really, really glad I sold my one RQ2 boxed set that I had held on to when I did; a reprint will (possibly) impact Ebay value on old copies since we all know most of us really want one to play with...right?

Also, it will be fun to contrast classic RQ2 with current RQ6. I admit, there's a lot of stuff I miss from the Old Days of RQ, such as the classic combat mechanics and weapon skills (attack/parry/dodge FTW) as well as a much riskier and deadlier limb-losing experience.

AD&D 2nd Edition Premium Excerpts

Wizards of the Coast has some sample pages from the Player's Handbook up over here to look at. It should could as no surprise that the Premium books are internally going to be reproductions of the 1995 second prints with the black border covers and the revamped color interiors. The druid excerpt provides a sampling of the artwork from that edition. It's generally regarded as inferior to the 1st printing books (I agree) but it's not bad....just not as good, unfortunately.

I imagine it was a lot easier to reprint these books, as I am sure the art and layout assets were sitting around in a WotC vault somewhere, and who knows what the print-ready condition of the original 1st prints look like these days.

Either way I am looking forward to these reprints. At $50 apiece I may have to cave and order through Amazon rather than my FLGS (much as I want to support my FLGS these premium edition reprints are just too pricey to shell out full price for), but this is the edition of AD&D that I spent the most time with and found the most enjoyment with. As I've said before, my entire gaming career in the nineties was defined by AD&D 2nd edition pretty much (followed by a handful of other games like Cyberpunk 2020 and GURPS), so for me these are must-haves.

Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Commemorative Editions, or "I just Got Internet Whiplash"

I would honestly regard this as bigger news than the 5th edition Dungeons & Dragons announcement...

First is the ENWorld article here.

Next is actual press anouncement here.

..aaaand here's the WotC page for the PHB.

I for one am amazed that they are doing this, and actually this really suggests to me that WotC is now officially "thinking outside the box" about what D&D is and who plays it (and who they want as their customers).

SO yeah, I'll be ordering these new prints of AD&D, and I think I see a brand new 1st edition campaign in the near future to enjoy them!