[RPG]: S1: Tomb of Horrors, reviewed by Lev Lafayette (3/1)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/12/12939.phtml

Lev Lafayette's Summary:

Although sometimes atmospheric and with some nice artwork, this sets a standard on why \"killer dungeons\" are wrong. Often deadly, often unavoidable, without rhyme, reason and even contrary to the game rules.

Go to the full review for more information.

[Ron]

You missed the point. This is a stupid module, you're right. However, if the DM tells the players in advance that there are a bunch of arbitrarily killing traps and he doesn't expect the party to survive or much less to complete the scenario, then it is a lot of fun. When I played it, I was told what it was about and, as such, none of the players take it very seriously. From time to time we would laugh regarding how stupidly some characters died in such or such part. It has little use in a campaign but it is a funny one shot.

[C.W.Richeson]

Originally Posted by Ron

You missed the point. This is a stupid module, you're right. However, if the DM tells the players in advance that there are a bunch of arbitrarily killing traps and he doesn't expect the party to survive or much less to complete the scenario, then it is a lot of fun. When I played it, I was told what it was about and, as such, none of the players take it very seriously. From time to time we would laugh regarding how stupidly some characters died in such or such part. It has little use in a campaign but it is a funny one shot.

I agree that that's how the module was practically used by most folk. And it certainly could be a lot of fun.

That's not how it's billed though, it's a fun and great use for an otherwise not so great module.

[Melan]

The war is over, Lev. Runequest and 1st edition AD&D are both fucking dead.

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by Melan

The war is over, Lev. Runequest and 1st edition AD&D are both fucking dead.

They're only dead if no-one is playing them. Are you suggesting this?

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by Ron

You missed the point.... From time to time we would laugh regarding how stupidly some characters died in such or such part. It has little use in a campaign but it is a funny one shot.

Well as I suggested, that's what it's become... It has humour value, I agree in a "this is ridiculous" sort of way.

There is no way it should ever be used in a campaign. That would be simply malicious.

[Zombie Flyboy]

When my DM ran my group through this a few years back I had a blast! I like dungeon delving probably better than anything else. As far as inconsistencies, don't you think a high level magic-user would use spells like limited wish and wish in creative ways? Surely even limited wish could be responsible for refilling traps, and wish could be used to eliminate some saving throws. In any case, I don't think everything has to be explained.

[Lars Dangly]

I'm afraid this might be the place where Lev's string of '1' reviews for 1st edition AD&D materials 'jumped the shark'. A 1 for Tomb of Horrors? This module has brought the fun for innumerable gaming groups over the last ca. 30 years. It is a classic that basicaly defined the trap-heavy duneon. It's rediculous difficulty is just part of its charm; everyone knows when the walk up to the door that a road-runner anvil could fall on their head at any moment. You can't give this thing a '1' and retain much credibility.

[Old Geezer]

Har.

This module does exactly what it's supposed to.

IT IS A TOURNAMENT MODULE. Prizes were hinging on the outcome.

The easiest way to declare a winner is "whoever's bodies are furthest from the door wins".

Simple as that. Kill them quick so you get a clear winner, and set up situations that 9 different referees can run IDENTICALLY.

This is a tool that perfectly achieves its purpose. You may not like that purpose, or you may have been TOLD that its purpose is different.

But this tool precisely and exactly does what it is supposed to do -- make it possible to declare a "winning team" in a "AD&D Tournament" with the least ambiguity.

[Lev Lafayette]

Originally Posted by Zombie Flyboy

As far as inconsistencies, don't you think a high level magic-user would use spells like limited wish and wish in creative ways? Surely even limited wish could be responsible for refilling traps, and wish could be used to eliminate some saving throws.

*nods* That's a good point. I'll concede that one.

Originally Posted by Lars Dangly

A 1 for Tomb of Horrors? This module has brought the fun for innumerable gaming groups over the last ca. 30 years.

For the last twenty five or so years I had heard naught but horror stories (no pun intended) about it; so the people you associated were different to the one's I did. *shrug* That's OK. People are allowed different points of view. How they back them up is important.

I had fun running it as well. But I partially think that was because I warned the players in advance that much of the module wouldn't necessarily make much sense. They accepted that and went on with the show. Yes, it does have charm - but that's certainly not the same as having substance. It is atmospheric.

Originally Posted by Old Geezer

This module does exactly what it's supposed to.

IT IS A TOURNAMENT MODULE. Prizes were hinging on the outcome.

Even as a tournament module, I think it fails and fails badly. As described in the review there are many instances where using rhyme, reason and even good knowledge of the game rules will act against the players attempts. Much of the capacity of a team to survive is quite random.