Runebound (Second Edition)

[Brel]

Anybody here found any expansion sets for Runebound: Second Edition that is sold locally?  I'm currently looking for some and found NG selling 'Shadows of Margath', but that is for the 1st edition.

[Brel]

Anybody here have played DUNGEONEER and/or the RUNEBOUND 2nd Ed. w/ CLASS DECKS?  They say both games almost have the same mechanics.  Runebound Class Deck's Menace counters is almost similar to the Glory/Peril of DUNGEONEER.  What do you think is the best among the two or rather which do you prefer to play?  Which has the shortest playing time?

[Kim]

P3K+ gah!  5 hours!  Unpainted models!

Given the 40K GT that coincides with the coming AOM (AEGIS Open Meet), I might not make it this month.  But can you bring that on the next AOM?  Looks interesting.  Are those cards the same size as Dungeoneer/MTG cards?

[Brel]

Yep I can bring it.  But it's really a very lengthy game.  Our first play lasted about 6-7 hours and succeeding games about 5 hours.  I was curious at a fantasy-themed boardgame before that is why I bought this.  We had several fun sessions with the game before but now we don't have much time to play it.  There is minimal player interaction with the base game but you can get the new CLASS DECKS also to somewhat improve this fine game.  The CLASS DECKS borrows some elements from the Glory/Peril system of Dungeoneer to improve the game's player interaction.  If you want a longer and more advanced game than Dungeoneer, then Runebound is the game for you.  Please take note that another boardgame called DESCENT: JOURNEYS IN THE DARK, also by FFS, uses the same figures and graphics as of Runebound as it is set in the Runebound universe too.  Also, sir Titus demoed DESCENT in the last AEGIS Open Meet.  DESCENT is a modular boardgame that has a dungeon setting while Runebound has an "upland map" as the game board.

I enjoyed both the Runebound and Dungeoneer games and is hoping to also play Descent someday.

[Brel]

[quote1150418821=Kim]
Are those cards the same size as Dungeoneer/MTG cards?
[/quote1150418821]

I haven't actually compared the cards yet.  I will check later.  

[Kim]

What makes it so lengthly?

[Brel]

What makes it so lengthly?

hmm lemm see... I guess because there can be a lot of things a player can do before it passes to the next player.  Here are some actions a player may do in his turn and that i think are the reason why the game is longer to play:

• Roll Dice to Move
  Runebound has a unique way of moving figures.  It is based on dice and the combination of symbols that you roll.  There can be different symbols for each terrain and a each side of the dice has three various symbols: it can be mountian, hills, plains, forest, river, etc.  This element already contributes to the length of the game as a player tries to figure out which way to go (there can be many possible route to choose).
  
• Healing, Resting, Hiring, Buying and Selling
  Any player who visits a town may opt to heal, rest, buy & sell items, and/or hire allies.  A player, presented with these various decisions can also contribute to the length of the game as he tries to think what action to do to fit his strategy.
  
• Upgrading Character Stat
  Instead of leveling your stat all at once, your character needs to upgrade EACH of his stat in order to have a chance of suvival in facing higher level dangers and win the game.  Although this better customizes your character, it also contributes to the playing time.  We had to reduce the exchange rate of the experience points to stat points to decrease the play time.
  

I still like Runebound but its just a little harder finding time nor players to play the game.  I bet this game will still go well with the D&D crowd and other RPGers.

[Kim]

That IS indeed a lot!  Next time around though, I'd prefer watching first ^_^

[Talismanic (Mark)]

The lands of Terrinoth seem to cry out for adventure...and adventure is never long to answer. Heroes and villains clash upon these lands to forge legendary tales that will live on in the campfires and bard’s songs of tomorrow. Many have come before you to set out on that open path, and many have failed. Do you have what it takes to become a legend of Terrinoth?

Fantasy Flight Games is pleased to announce the upcoming release of the Essential Collection for Runebound! This box of adventure contains six previously released expansions for Runebound, now available in one convenient and specially priced package. Featuring six single deck expansions, consisting of Adventure variants, Challenge cards, Items, and Allies, the Essential Collection is a great way to breathe new life into this beloved game of fantasy adventure.

The Essential Collection contains two new Adventure variants for Runebound, telling the tales of The Cataclysm and The Seven Scions. With cursed stars falling from the sky and the threat of the Stormlords invading Terrinoth, heroes are needed more than ever! Each of these Adventure variants are comprised of new game rules and new Adventure decks that replace the Rise of the Dragonlords Adventure in the core set. These expansions not only tell new stories, but they give players new objectives and alternate win conditions.

Also included in the Essential Collection are the Beasts and Bandits and Traps and Terrors Challenge card expansions. These two decks will add plenty of variety to your encounters and can be mixed in to the Adventures of your choice.

Finally, the Essential Collection also comes with two Item and Ally card expansions, Weapons of Legend and Rituals and Runes. These decks add new cards to your Market deck, featuring new Item types and dozens of new weapons, allies, and artifacts!
x--------------------------------------------x

So it looks like this 6-in-1 expansion pack set will be available soon. Hopefully NG will stock it. Contrary to the press release the 2 adventure variants have been out for some time. Cataclysm is considered as a good alternative ending (the best being Scepter of Kyros), while the Seven Scions is just so-so and a bit fiddly (but then again Runebound is kind of fiddly to begin with).

Beasts and Bandits, as well as Traps and Terrors are good additions to the challenge decks and will certainly add more flavor with their skill check based RPG-lite elements. Weapons of Legend and Rituals and Runes are also well rated on a BGG poll.     

So all in all, its the small box expansion king of the rings with a single box to buy them in. 

[Fab]

Is there any update regarding the release of the Essential Collection? My only expansions for Runebound are Sands of Al-Kalim and The Frozen Wastes, which makes this a perfect addition to my collection. The problem is that there are no new updates on the FFG website since Nov 22, 2010.

[Talismanic (Mark)]

Is there any update regarding the release of the Essential Collection? My only expansions for Runebound are Sands of Al-Kalim and The Frozen Wastes, which makes this a perfect addition to my collection. The problem is that there are no new updates on the FFG website since Nov 22, 2010.

Well NG still has some of the small box stuff- variants and additional encounter cards, and I think the Island expansion is still around. I have Mists of Zanaga which you should try out, maybe we can have an RB session sometime. 

[Fab]

Well NG still has some of the small box stuff- variants and additional encounter cards, and I think the Island expansion is still around. I have Mists of Zanaga which you should try out, maybe we can have an RB session sometime. 

Sounds good! We'll have to plan it in advance though due to the long playtime. And you'll have to teach me the new rules for Mists of Zanaga. When and where do you usually play? I'm from Makati.

[Talismanic (Mark)]

Well NG still has some of the small box stuff- variants and additional encounter cards, and I think the Island expansion is still around. I have Mists of Zanaga which you should try out, maybe we can have an RB session sometime. 

Sounds good! We'll have to plan it in advance though due to the long playtime. And you'll have to teach me the new rules for Mists of Zanaga. When and where do you usually play? I'm from Makati.

I game primarily in Ortigas, Taft and QC. However, I do have an office in Makati and we play there on occasion. Likewise, I join the Makati meet which Steve organizes from time to time. 

[Fab]

I game primarily in Ortigas, Taft and QC. However, I do have an office in Makati and we play there on occasion. Likewise, I join the Makati meet which Steve organizes from time to time. 

Is there a thread about the Makati meet? Or do you just text/PM each other about the details such as when and where there's going to be one? And is it open to new people? I can bring games from my collection, though I've forgotten the rules for those that I haven't played in a long time.

[Talismanic (Mark)]

I game primarily in Ortigas, Taft and QC. However, I do have an office in Makati and we play there on occasion. Likewise, I join the Makati meet which Steve organizes from time to time. 

Is there a thread about the Makati meet? Or do you just text/PM each other about the details such as when and where there's going to be one? And is it open to new people? I can bring games from my collection, though I've forgotten the rules for those that I haven't played in a long time.

The meets are open to whoever wants to go. The Taft meets are covered in the Hobbymania thread, Makati is covered in the "weeknight gaming in Makati" thread, though it has been some time since we did that (sometime late last year).

Ortigas is roughly every Thursday at Macdo Tycoon though we usually arrange it through text- its usually composed of myself, AdriantheOtherOne, Maskmanjoe, JayMata, and Zinegata, other attendees can include, depending on their schedules- Doc Togashi, AerolB, Yamizero, Viscoos, Gerald, and DJinn.

However for Runebound (3-4 players is ok, though 3 is fastest), I prefer Hobbymania or my office for that purpose based on table size and time needed. I'll PM.