Being a “tool-kit” system creating the “feel” you want your world to have is very easy. Creating new races (species) is very easy and guidelines are posted on the Crafty Games site.

For those on the fence, just read the NPC/Monster Creation section and it should help the sell. It’s a great, easy to use, flexible system that takes a TON of the work out of creating NPCs.

When I say that that I chose FC over PF it’s not really true. I use FC as a system and pick up a lot of the PF extras like adventure paths and the like and the similarities between the systems is enough that converting is VERY easy. I did pick up the PF PDF and have read through it and really feel I made the right decision with my $50.

I also found the mentioning of Master Classes without their inclusion in poor taste on Crafty Games part as it forces you to buy more products. For those who love the game and will play it that’s not really a problem, but for those who will end up being casual players or just collectors it would have been nice to at least have a couple presented to get a general feel of what they are like.

@Samsimillian: I can definitely see that game play manages to separate itself greatly from 3.5, but the rules under girding the system are definitively 3.5 derived. Even if you have tons of stuff to do you, you’re still using a 3.5 “powered engine.” Also, in terms of balance, the non combat classes require most DMs to really rethink their typical game. I’ve rarely played in a fantasy game, even in systems where non-combat is emphasized, where non-combat characters don’t end up feeling extraneous in combat situations. Fantasy Craft has classes that are pretty useless in fighting, so perhaps the ‘balance’ issues aren’t 100% the systems fault, but also a byproduct of how I perceive most fantasy games to be run.

Ultimately though, I’m very happy to hear that you love the system. In a perfect world instead of playing in two D&D 4.0 games I’d switch one to Fantasy Craft!

Though I am confused by one part of the post.

set of rules and flavors to separate the divine from arcane casters (to use 4.0 parlance)

I’m not sure how that is a 4e parlance. I mean, arcane and divine have been defined since probably 1e days, and the terms “divine caster” and such were commonly used to describe classes in at least 3e.

Or am I missing what is a 4e parlance?
Graham´s last blog ..CriticalAnkleBites and ChattyDM pretend to be journalists

But, as you quite rightly say, getting player buy-in is an uphill struggle. I burnt myself out convincing my players to convert to 4e D&D. It’s going to be a while before I try that again

Good review.
greywulf´s last blog ..They grow up so quickly don’t they