Help me get started please!

By dhrocks, in Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay

Hi all -

Just looking for some quick clarification on the following. My understanding is that the core box set has everything to get a group started, but there is also a plethora of additional box sets to enhance the experience from there.

I was wondering if this game can be played WITHOUT the core box set. Meaning, can I buy the GM guide, a couple of Players guides and possible an adventure box and go from there? Is this game able to be run without the cards and trinkets?

** I would also buy dice sets as well (of course).

I'm certainly not against what the corebox set has to offer, I was just wondering if this is a different option or if I've misunderstood what the guides do.

Thanks in advance for any clarification anyone can provide.

Edited by dhrocks

Hi,

Yes, with the guides you can play witout cards and other components. But instead you'd have to write down most of the information that can be found on cards on your character sheet instead or reference the guide when using something that is printed on a card. While it is possible to play witout all the components (and without the core set), I recommend using the core set and try out playing with the components.

I was a bit sceptical at all the first but decided to try it out and it fits my gaming groups great. I've actually not played WFRP3ed with anyone who thought it less than a great game. I've played this game with about 10 different people, old roleplaying wolves and total beginners, all seem to enjoy it more than any other system I've played.

But as I said, it's entirely possible with only the guides, without cards and other components.

You could find the old "Universal Head" summary of the game and use an online dice roller, but that might be somewhat unsatisfactory copmpared to having piles of books and dice :)

Thanks for the replies.

So if you had your time again - what would pick up first? I think I'll take your advice and buy the core set and see what comes of it. Anything else I should be adding to the shopping cart to begin with?

Core set and the player's guide PDF

with 4+ players have players buy some extra dice

I'd pick up the core set, the player's guide PDF. Try it out and see if you and your group likes it.

If you do like it (or if you want to go "all in" right from the start), I'd recommend getting Signs of Faith if you like priests (and it has great disease rules) or Winds of Change if you like wizards (and you get the rules for corruption).

If you have four players you could aslo pick up some extra dice and the adventurer's toolkit, there you get extra basic actions so that your players do not have to share them plus some new careers, actions and so on.

Oh, and a hint on what NOT to buy unless you're a complete collector:

  • Other than the Player's Guide, GMs Guide, or Creature guide - ALL OTHER PDF DOWNLOADS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY FOR AN INCOMPLETE PRODUCT (I use that word meaningfully as they should never have been released without a big, fat warning label on the cover that says that they are incomplete and that you are just throwing your money away). They don't include any of the cards, which means you're buying meaningless fluff that's useless without the cards. Whatever FFG was trying to pull by releasing these.
  • The GMs guide
  • The GMs toolkit - the GM screen is useless, ill-designed crap. Don't piss your money away on this product.
  • The GMs vault
  • The Players Vault

Some choices:

  • The Creature Guide has all the monsters, but you'll need to download the fan-summary of which actions go with which monster (unless you have all freaking day to prepare and select special actions)
  • The Creature Vault only has the cards without monster backgrounds. You'll still need to download a copy of the fan-action-summary (as above).

Hero's Call has ogres, halflings, and the alternate human races (by Empire province). The other stuff is for epic level play.

Lure of Power boxed set (Slaanesh) has a TON of social action cards. This product can help you gear away from combat-only type campaigns with more options in that direction.

THE NEW ENEMY WITHIN is a huge campaign that you should only start if your group is ready to go all the way.

The Gathering Storm is a great way to start a new group on a plain old campaign.

One last note: Many people scan all of their cards, sheets, and punch-outs so that when you lose one you don't have to go out begging for them :)

jh

Edited by Emirikol
  • The Creature Guide has all the monsters, but you'll need to download the fan-summary of which actions go with which monster (unless you have all freaking day to prepare and select special actions)

Hi Emirikol. Are you referring to the Standard Action Creature Cards on gitzmansgallery?

Yes, that thing. It is a time saver.

:)

jh

Don't know if you are interested BUT,... I am selling my set, and it is a great 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th,.. type buyers set.

Here is what I have and NOTHING is missing:

Core Boxed Set

Winds of Magic - Wizard Rules & Campaign Expansion

Signs of Faith - Priest Rules & Campaign Expansion

Omens of War - Combat Rules & Campaign Expansion

Lure of Power - Social/Noble Rules & Campaign Expansion

The Gathering Storm - Awesome and several chapter Campaign Expansion

The Witch's Song - Hedge Magic Rules & Very Cool Campaign Expansion

The Edge of Night - Campaign Expansion

The Creature Guide - Hardback Book

The Player's Guide - PDF Version

The Game Masters Vault - Loads of cool extra cards & EXTRA DICE!

The Creature Vault - ALL the Creature stats on their own Cards.

Large Plano Box - for Game Master Organization

3 Medium Plano Boxes - For Player Organization

Box of 10 Beastman Ungor Herd - VERY well assembled and UNpainted.

Extremely Well Made Custom "Clue Cards" for the Eye for an Eye Campaign in the Boxed Set

Selling ALL for $275.00

IF you are interested send me a PM,....

Oh, and a hint on what NOT to buy unless you're a complete collector:

  • Other than the Player's Guide, GMs Guide, or Creature guide - ALL OTHER PDF DOWNLOADS ARE A WASTE OF MONEY FOR AN INCOMPLETE PRODUCT (I use that word meaningfully as they should never have been released without a big, fat warning label on the cover that says that they are incomplete and that you are just throwing your money away). They don't include any of the cards, which means you're buying meaningless fluff that's useless without the cards. Whatever FFG was trying to pull by releasing these.
  • The GMs guide
  • The GMs toolkit - the GM screen is useless, ill-designed crap. Don't piss your money away on this product.
  • The GMs vault
  • The Players Vault

Emirikol - can you expand on why you think the Player's Vault is a waste of money? It seems to me careers/talents/actions are the bread and butter of the system and that pack offers a great deal of them. I'm new to this, so not disagreeing, just curious. Thanks.

Will

Edited by Avidian

You already get everything from the player's vault in the Core set and Adventurer's toolkit. Seems a bit redundant to have two copies. I prefer the actual "Players Guide" to the vault as it's easier to look stuff up immediately. You won't fault yourself for buying it or anything, but keeping the clutter to a minimum is helpful.

We also don't use the Career sheet or career cards (for anything other than to stick on a table tent for an image). We just write what we need from those on our character sheet to reduce clutter.

Lastly, and you'll find this out when you GM, it is a very good idea to only allow ONE copy of any action or talent at the table. For example: you don't want 3 characters with Reckless Cleave and the talent that gives you higher initiative with eagles.

Since we're on the subject: PROTECT YOUR STUFF. We've heard horror stories on these forums of players quitting a game and taking YOUR stuff with them or spilled soda on stuff, and simply beating up cards and whatnot. I recommend collectible card album sheets whenever possible and put your 4"x5" career sheets in protectors (either order album sheets and cut to size or use a 8x11 sheet protector and cut to size and tape the ends closed. The career sheets will get ruined when you spill coke on them :)

jh