I generally prefer the simplicity of Talisman over the crunchiness of Runebound, but at the same time, I prefer the Runeboard board and movement system to Talisman's rather limited gameboard.

I was wondering if anyone had thought of a way to hybridize the Runebound board and movement system with the Talisman rules and cards? Or to find some happy medium between the two games.

There are obviously some big changes that would have to occur, but is it possible? Thoughts?

Lars... for those of us not familiar with board and movement in Runeboard, could you summarize it?

What is Runebound?

Runebound is much like Talisman in many respects, except that there are more components to the combat (I would argue the combat is too complicated), and whereas Talisman is played on a circular, mostly linear board, Runebound has a Hex Map board that allows you to travel in any direction. Movement in Runebound is determined by dice, but the dice have pictures of terrain instead of numbers. Any time you wish to pass through a certain terrain, you must roll the terrain-type. More difficult terrain, such as mountains or swamps, are less common on the dice, and therefore more difficult to cross.

Like I said, I think the movement and the board in Runebound is outstanding and better than Talisman (I think Runebound's movement system was based on an old railroad-building game, but I'm not sure which one). I just prefer Talisman's combat system, which is quicker and more engaging. Also, I think Talisman takes itself a little less seriously, which I like.

I see... well, I'm not sure you need to use a Runebound board to play Talisman on. It would require a lot more than just movement alterations. But there's nothing stopping you from attempting some games with your friends where movement could be altered in one of two ways.

NONE-RANDOM.

Set a standard movement cost in points for each type of terrain: Hills (as in foothills found around mountain ranges), Woods (as in any wild, untamed/pathed wilderness), Plains (as in open but uncivilized), Fields (as in civilized but but not inhabited), Urban (civilized and inhabited). Specialty spaces would be interpreted loosely by the same said descriptions. Each would be assigned a cost in movement points. For example: Hills 4, Woods 3, Plains 2, Fields: 1, Urban: autostop before going onward, perhaps.

Each Player has 4 movement points in a turn (slightly above the average for 1D6). No fractions may be used in moving around the board. For example, you could move through a Fields (1), then Plains (2), then have to stop short, unable to step onto a Woods (3).

Certain cards modifying Movement (Objects and Followers) would need to be interpreted carefully. Those adding a modifier would still do so to base movement. Those allowing the roll and choose of multiple dice might still allow the roll of 1 dice; if the dice rolls higher than 4, you get to use that 5 or 6 for you movement points in that turn.

RANDOM.

In like fashion, the movement points above would still be used, but you have to roll equal too or above terrains number to move onto it. But to keep things from getting boring, you would have re-encounter the space you are on as if wandering, lost, or unable to find a path the leads the direction you want to go. In this case, Movement modifying Objects and Followers might not be so easily interpreted, since having Horse shouldn't affect how easy it is to find you way (especially not through difficult terrain)

In either case, spaces like the Crags, Forest, and Chasm should be treated as auto-stops; you must face the space before attempting to move on, for they are the most difficult and dangerous terrain types.

EXPANSIONS

I have no idea how these would be rated... and likely either form of alternative movement would not work for these boards.

Lars Gnomish said:

I agree totally on Your view of the strengths of those two games ! Still I don't think it is worth mixing those games, as each is quite good as they are. I second the thought that Runebounds movement system is really good. It gives more freedom of choice, and grants some strategy to play, as one can plan his route on 2D, with some areas and locations being harder to get to than others. The movement in Runebound is really good. And at the same time Talisman is still just a more popular game in my family, I don't really know why, perhaps it's the amount of exciting or hilarious events in the game, or whatever.

Of course You can draw a similar 2D map and place the Talisman places into it, and design the similar wood/mountain/swamp/plain/road -elements to the board, and consider which locations should be harder to reach etc. There are obvious problems with the middle & inner region, and in the end I wouldn't really bother.

Good Luck, and let us know if You have any success !