MasterCraft

[Morgenstern]

Oh I hope 10K is static. I really do. Dynamic definitely needs to be an option, not the default.

I suspect Alex is leaning towards static initiative. Fluid initiative has its uses and adds a nice layer of complexity for the tactically minded, but for many folks its about 3 too many things to keep track of while moving combat along at a reasonable clip.

In that case, would we see a mechanics for replacement levels for use when importing classes from other MasterCraft splatbooks -- say a section suggesting applicable classes from other books that would be appropriate to the one in question, such suggestions including the changes that would have to be made to get it to fit.

I suspect such questions and their solutions will make fine foder for License to Improvise discussions, with us occassionaly collating the best answers in downloadable pdfs/a wiki with the stamp of official approval. The books themselves are unlikely to point to outside products. That would sort of defeat the stand-alone concept .

[mouthymerc]

Sounds to me like Palladium and their using of the same system for their games.  They do not have a core book to present the system, but every game uses it.  Once you've bought one game you become familiar with it.  The big difference, of course, is that this system is cohesive and works well.

Sounds cool.

[Sletchman]

We're not planning to release Mastercraft in a 'naked' form. What we're working towards is a core ruleset that is so compact that it can be reprinted (with a few tweaks to settle it into that genre) in each of the campaign setting books while only taking up a fraction of the book. You wouldn't need anything other than Fantasy Craft to play Fantasy Craft, and you would only need the single Ten-thousand Bullets book to play a Ten-thousand Bullets campaign, but since they both use the Mastercraft rules, you could 'port things across very easily like you were describing with the Faceman.

Ok - Awesome, I get it now, and I dig it.  Should make it easier to sell FantasyCraft to my fantasy-games-only mates who won't complain about having to get spycraft just for the rules.  Same deal for 10k Bullets [I know alot of people who dig the genre, but for some reason don't like the same idea plugged into an espionage setting].  Loving it, now that I get it.

Or...
C) Something else, and I've really mis-understood the news posting [which for some reason I don't really understand what you're announcing in the first place].

Well, we did consider pressing a bunch of mind-controlling squids between mock-up covers and unleashing them in a fiendish plan to dominate all life on Earth, but we found out shipping would be prohibitively expensive .

While an excellent plan, you'd never get them passed customs, and people local to you might get suspicous when their new book is damp, and comes packed in a free aquarium.  I'm more fond of the mind-controlling homing pidgeon, the hardest part is getting pidgeons from every part of the world. After that its just teaching them all my ultimate, and ninja-like mind control skills.

[TheTSKoala]

If I read this right, and I think I did.. but.. I'm just making sure... I'm a very very amazed and happy person.

Essentially.. you would have the MasterCraft book which will be the entire Crafty Engine.  Then, you get books like Spycraft, Fantasy Craft, Furthest Star, 10K, etc etc. that gives you rules, classes and "extras" to plug into MasterCraft?  If that's the case, lemme say.. Bravo!  And.. if that's not the case.. someone correct me.  ...I've had a long morning.

[Morgenstern]

If I read this right, and I think I did.. but.. I'm just making sure... I'm a very very amazed and happy person.

Essentially.. you would have the MasterCraft book which will be the entire Crafty Engine.  Then, you get books like Spycraft, Fantasy Craft, Furthest Star, 10K, etc etc. that gives you rules, classes and "extras" to plug into MasterCraft?  If that's the case, lemme say.. Bravo!  And.. if that's not the case.. someone correct me.  ...I've had a long morning.

Not quite. The essential elements of Mastercraft - how to make a character, how to level up, how feats work, how skills work, how combat works, how to use scaling NPCs - is really short. Short enough that it's pretty easy to put that in a book, then add classes, feats, skill descriptions, gear and other genre-unique goodies (like the d20 monster converter) and some sample settings and get it all to fit in a stand-alone book substantially shorter than the Spycraft 2.0 core rules. Then we can use that sleek little engine to build another book like Ten-Thousand Bullets, tune the language for the street, add in character options that fit that genre and add on some unique goodies like the empire system and the highly detailed Empire City setting to get your game going ASAP. You get another self-contained one-book-good-to-go game that you can easily take stuff from to add to your Fantasy Craft or Spycraft 2.0 campaigns or visa versa.

[TheTSKoala]

If I read this right, and I think I did.. but.. I'm just making sure... I'm a very very amazed and happy person.

Essentially.. you would have the MasterCraft book which will be the entire Crafty Engine.  Then, you get books like Spycraft, Fantasy Craft, Furthest Star, 10K, etc etc. that gives you rules, classes and "extras" to plug into MasterCraft?  If that's the case, lemme say.. Bravo!  And.. if that's not the case.. someone correct me.  ...I've had a long morning.

Not quite. The essential elements of Mastercraft - how to make a character, how to level up, how feats work, how skills work, how combat works, how to use scaling NPCs - is really short. Short enough that it's pretty easy to put that in a book, then add classes, feats, skill descriptions, gear and other genre-unique goodies (like the d20 monster converter) and some sample settings and get it all to fit in a stand-alone book substantially shorter than the Spycraft 2.0 core rules. Then we can use that sleek little engine to build another book like Ten-Thousand Bullets, tune the language for the street, add in character options that fit that genre and add on some unique goodies like the empire system and the highly detailed Empire City setting to get your game going ASAP. You get another self-contained one-book-good-to-go game that you can easily take stuff from to add to your Fantasy Craft or Spycraft 2.0 campaigns or visa versa.

Can you tell I've had 8 hours of sleep across 3 days yet?  Forgive me for being dumb... it's the job.  LOL.  So, Mastercraft is essentially the name for the Crafty-engine, and the engine that'll be used in all your books.  Not really a standard book, but a standardize engine across all your product?  (I've read the press release 3 times now.. and my brain is slowly turning on.  Instead of "Powered by D20" it'll be "Mastercraft Powered".)

[Desertpuma]

This is not only going to rock for those of us who already play but will be an enormous step up for those just getting introduced to the game. This is such a step forward for getting new players to the system.

[Forcegypsy]

Oooh. Shiney. Also makes it much more likely I can convince others to buy copies of each book. Hardcore Crafters always have the Corebook to add layers of complexity to taste.

Eagerly anticipating some teasers. Mastercraft also sounds less limiting than Spycraft to the uninitiated. Did I mention that logo is spiffy?

Good job gentlemen.

[Desertpuma]

Does this mean the WoF pdf and all future printings of WoF will incorporate the Mastercraft aspect?

[Mister Andersen]

I honestly doubt it'll lead to any sort of revision of existing books. Look at the angst just updating the 2nd printing with the errata and new gear tables caused.

[Morgenstern]

Does this mean the WoF pdf and all future printings of WoF will incorporate the Mastercraft aspect?

No. We will not be modifying existing publishing files as Spycraft 2.0 and World on Fire are already Mastercraft compatible (though they have quite a few extra options at work as default qualities). Some of the philosohpical changes that went into Mastercraft will probably have some influence on future releases for 2.0 and WoF products (friendlier language, more focused mechanical presentation).

[nil]

Sounds like a good idea, though I feel the announcement itself could have been worded a bit more clearly concerning the question "What does it do?". Personally, I wasn't quite sure what exactly it all meant until I read this thread.

[Mortadelo]

So that will imply a readjustment at the forums more MasterCraft friendly?

[Mister Andersen]

Sounds like a good idea, though I feel the announcement itself could have been worded a bit more clearly concerning the question "What does it do?". Personally, I wasn't quite sure what exactly it all meant until I read this thread.

Rather the reason why I started it

[Mortadelo]

Another question, won't Spycraft Henchman Edition be released?