[RPG]: Harnmaster (1st ed), reviewed by Lev Lafayette (2/3)

http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/13/13132.phtml

Lev Lafayette's Summary:

Below average physical production and layout does not give credit to the good internal and external art. Game system is simulationist to a fault, sometimes overly detailed, and lacks narrative input. At the same time however, Harnmaster makes real effort to be authentic, medieval and has many interesting ideas.

Go to the full review for more information.

[robertsconley]

Harnmaster was designed to work in conjunction with a "pre-game". Basically a one on one session with the GM that takes your character from his (or her) beginning ,from 14 to 18, to the "present" of the campaign.

It not part of Harnmaster but part of the Harn basic set that Harnmaster was designed to work with. Specially the first (thinner) book that has the overview.

In actual play Harnmaster is a fun system and not too hard to deal with. The combat system really engages the players as each wound is listed on the character sheet as it taken. One player I remember looked at his sheet after a combat.

"Damn, I have a cut on my upper arm, a graze on my forehead, a stab wound on my chest, and another cut on my thigh."

Remarking on the unconscious bandits.

"Those assholes going to die!"


More recent version of harnmaster smooths some of the rougher mechanics and makes for even faster play.

[mitchw]

Originally Posted by robertsconley

More recent version of harnmaster smooths some of the rougher mechanics and makes for even faster play.

I agree with this. While Harn is VERY front loaded with a lot of detail during character creation, once you have characters and start playing it's not much different than standard BRP for skill use.

Combat may seem complex because it is different than in any other system I have ever used. Not bad, just different.

Mitch

[Lev Lafayette]

"With regards to Style, even forgiving the unusual rules organisation, neither the layout nor the physical quality the book is below average, do justice to the external and internal art."

*shakes head*

I really need to proof-read these at times.

"With regards to Style, even forgiving the unusual rules organisation, BOTH the layout nor the physical quality the book ARE below average, AND NEITHER do justice to the external and internal art."

[robertsconley]

Originally Posted by mitchw

I agree with this. While Harn is VERY front loaded with a lot of detail during character creation, once you have characters and start playing it's not much different than standard BRP for skill use.

Combat may seem complex because it is different than in any other system I have ever used. Not bad, just different.

Mitch

I was surprised how smoothly it ran when I first GMed it. With 3rd edition it even easier to keep track of injuries.

[GrumpyOldMan]

I'm curious, why choose to review a twenty year old and out of print system?

While I agree with many of the comments about art and layout. If you check back I'd be surprised if many rule books of the time were very much better.

GOM