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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 0:49:14 GMT -5
The Complete Warlock is a California based D&D house rules/supplement with variant rules for D&D.
As this was openly copyrighted and published it is pretty obvious this is before the days when TSR started to sue their own fans left and right.
The fact that this document was copyrighted and published does at left in my non-legally binding opinion create a clear precedent.
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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 0:58:50 GMT -5
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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 1:05:39 GMT -5
So to be clear The Complete Warlock was an unauthorized supplement to D&D, but AFAIK they were never sent a C&D order or sued. Which is rather odd considering how TSR treated Arduin. Especially considering that unlike Hargrave they were somewhat insulting in their discussion of D&D.
Maybe someone else has more information in regard to these matters than I do.
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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 1:10:08 GMT -5
They use the same "races" and Classes as D&D and many of the same terms associated with D&D. Again AFAIK TSR never challenged their right to use those terms.
They also did the TSR thing of using halflings instead of hobbits.
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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 1:13:39 GMT -5
One of the changes they made to XP was to add this table for how much XP monsters were worth, which was followed by some caveats and guidance tweaks.
Level Points
1 50
2 100
3 400
4 900
5 1600
6 2500
7 3600
8 4900
9 6400
10 8100
11 10,000
12 12,100
13 14,400
14 16,900
15 19,600
16 22,500
17 25,600
18 28,900
19 32,400
20 36,100
21 40,000
add 4000 for each additional level.
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Post by Greyson on Feb 8, 2021 1:43:54 GMT -5
Feel free to ask questions and I will do my best to answer them.
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Post by Original Old School on Feb 8, 2021 3:11:43 GMT -5
Will you talk a little about the combat system?
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borg
Wanderer
Posts: 16
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Post by borg on Feb 8, 2021 17:15:12 GMT -5
Is there anyplace that you can get copies of these or are they completely out of print?
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Post by karaunios on Feb 13, 2021 0:51:38 GMT -5
I've been looking for PDFs for years. Physical copies surely are really expensive, if any can be found.
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Feb 13, 2021 6:51:44 GMT -5
I've been looking for PDFs for years. Physical copies surely are really expensive, if any can be found. They really should put them back in print or at least sell the PDFs. It is sad when so much stuff is OOP that would be great resources. Hasbro/WotC have hundreds of games of all types that will likely never see the light of day again. And all of these independent things are also out there. I wonder what would be required to get it back in print? |
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:22:58 GMT -5
Will you talk a little about the combat system? Before I get to combat, here are the classes. Each class had its own individual experience table with the Combinations having a much steeper climb from level to level. |
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:24:26 GMT -5
They also had a saving throw matrix for each class and also a couple of extra saving throw tables for special things.
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:36:43 GMT -5
Combat is not simple to explain, each characer or monster has its own Attack Level and Defense Level.
The Attack Level is derived from number of hit dice and adjusted for magic and strength. Adjustments can be both positive and negative.
The Defense Level is derived from number of hit dice and adjusted for magic and agility. Adjustments can be both positive and negative.
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:37:24 GMT -5
Adjustments are made for magical weapons and for magical armor.
The Attack Matrices for both weapon and monster attacks are for specific weapon vs specific armor.
Attack Rolls are made using percentile dice.
The appearance of the Attack Matrix is complex at first glance (you have to get used to it) and it does take into account weapon lenght in units of approximately 8 inch segments.
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:37:38 GMT -5
AC is split into 12 categories.
1 - None
2 - Leather
2B - Brigandine
3 - Shield
4A - Leather & Shield
4B - Brigandine & Shield
5A - Chain
5B - Chain-Plate
6A - Chain & Shield
6B - Chain-PLate & Shield
7 - Plate
8 - Plate & Shield
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:47:20 GMT -5
There is also a column in the matrix for the number of blows a man at a speed (movement rate) of 12" can make with a specific weapon during the combat phase of the round.
Damage Dice is the number of d6 of damage done by a specific weapon before adjustments.
The Monster Table adds Envelopment, Small Crushing and Large Crushing.
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:47:39 GMT -5
You also have to keep track in regard to shields is the attack on the shield side or non-shield side.
Monsters attack with various size teeth, claws, pincers, etc.
There are separate tables for archery and that uses a d20 roll instead of d100.
The consideration of range of a missile weapon is very granular (finely divided by distance).
There are also a fumble table and a critical hit location table which is quite detailed for different types of creatures. Critical hits go by different types of weapons.
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:48:43 GMT -5
Is there anyplace that you can get copies of these or are they completely out of print? AFAIK these are OOP and very expensive if they can be found at all. There are no legal pdfs AFAIK. |
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Post by Death Even XIII on Feb 13, 2021 21:51:30 GMT -5
I've been looking for PDFs for years. Physical copies surely are really expensive, if any can be found. There really is not excuse for the PDFs not being sold IMO, but likely the authors are not around and the heirs who have ownership are not even in the game community loop would be my guess. |
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Post by True Black Raven on Feb 14, 2021 1:53:26 GMT -5
Oh cool, two of you doing this project together. I will give both of you can exalt.
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Post by hengest on Mar 9, 2021 18:57:11 GMT -5
Oh cool, two of you doing this project together. I will give both of you can exalt. Agree, this is pretty cool. Exalt, for sure. |
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Post by landbeyondbeyond on Mar 22, 2021 17:27:55 GMT -5
Hi guys. I have all of the books for this game but as yet, not played. The game is indeed still being played and actively developed in several places including by a group still at caltech. Some of the original designers are still around but don't respond to communication.I've seen some of the newer material and it seemed unplayable to me. It obviously is playable though because they are still using it!
Illigal digital copies are still available of the Complete Warlock and at least two of the other books.
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Post by hengest on Mar 22, 2021 18:54:43 GMT -5
Hi guys. I have all of the books for this game but as yet, not played. The game is indeed still being played and actively developed in several places including by a group still at caltech. Some of the original designers are still around but don't respond to communication.I've seen some of the newer material and it seemed unplayable to me. It obviously is playable though because they are still using it! Illigal digital copies are still available of the Complete Warlock and at least two of the other books. Could I ask how on earth you came by this info? That's incredible, a 70's-era group at Caltech still going? |
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Post by The Perilous Dreamer on Mar 22, 2021 22:43:28 GMT -5
Hi guys. I have all of the books for this game but as yet, not played. The game is indeed still being played and actively developed in several places including by a group still at caltech. Some of the original designers are still around but don't respond to communication.I've seen some of the newer material and it seemed unplayable to me. It obviously is playable though because they are still using it! Illigal digital copies are still available of the Complete Warlock and at least two of the other books. How many books are there total? Can you post a list of the names of the all of the books? |
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Post by Thargym The Black on Apr 29, 2021 18:11:59 GMT -5
Hi guys. I have all of the books for this game but as yet, not played. The game is indeed still being played and actively developed in several places including by a group still at caltech. Some of the original designers are still around but don't respond to communication.I've seen some of the newer material and it seemed unplayable to me. It obviously is playable though because they are still using it! Illigal digital copies are still available of the Complete Warlock and at least two of the other books. How many books are there total? Can you post a list of the names of the all of the books? , how many books are there, I knew of three, but are there more than that. Please share about them with us. |
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Post by Thargym The Black on Apr 29, 2021 18:13:26 GMT -5
The Complete Warlock is a California based D&D house rules/supplement with variant rules for D&D. Thanks for all you have posted. Please share more about each book, would love to hear more. |
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Post by landbeyondbeyond on May 7, 2021 4:13:51 GMT -5
Hi Guys. Sorry for slow response.Here's what I have, other Balboa games are wargame related.
The Complete Warlock
The Warlock's Menagerie
The Warlock's Tower
The Monkey God's Curse
Instant Bad Guys
The first three are of course, the core books. The Monkey God's Curse is a solo adventure along the lines of early Tunnels & Trolls. Instant Bad Guys is a game aid and is simply pages of stats for OD&D/Warlock character classes, levels 1 to 10.
For those who haven't seen it, The Warlock's Tower is for Complete Warlock as Greyhawk is for OD&D. There are extra general rules (equipment, stronghold building, non-human characters, treasure and monster tables etc) as well as advanced magic rules. The Menagerie, as well as being the monster manual for CW, also contains new rules for weapons vs different armour types, Saving Throws for monsters, turning and dispelling the Undead, and encounter matrixes.
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Post by Greyson on Jun 4, 2021 21:52:02 GMT -5
Hi Guys. Sorry for slow response.Here's what I have, other Balboa games are wargame related. The Complete Warlock The Warlock's Menagerie The Warlock's Tower The Monkey God's Curse Instant Bad Guys The first three are of course, the core books. The Monkey God's Curse is a solo adventure along the lines of early Tunnels & Trolls. Instant Bad Guys is a game aid and is simply pages of stats for OD&D/Warlock character classes, levels 1 to 10. For those who haven't seen it, The Warlock's Tower is for Complete Warlock as Greyhawk is for OD&D. There are extra general rules (equipment, stronghold building, non-human characters, treasure and monster tables etc) as well as advanced magic rules. The Menagerie, as well as being the monster manual for CW, also contains new rules for weapons vs different armour types, Saving Throws for monsters, turning and dispelling the Undead, and encounter matrixes. Hey, a fellow fan! |
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Post by Morose on Aug 6, 2021 3:00:17 GMT -5
I have never seen any of these, please keep posting about them.
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Post by hengest on Apr 19, 2022 18:45:15 GMT -5
I've been looking for PDFs for years. Physical copies surely are really expensive, if any can be found. They really should put them back in print or at least sell the PDFs. It is sad when so much stuff is OOP that would be great resources. Hasbro/WotC have hundreds of games of all types that will likely never see the light of day again. And all of these independent things are also out there. I wonder what would be required to get it back in print? I don't have any inside info, but I would assume that - no one is paying particular attention to most of that OOP IP
- Hasbro is unlikely to "set free" IP by just making PDFs available to fans for a modest price when they would rather leverage the property into big money in some future scenario that may never come about but is still worth more to them than "diluting" its value by making it available legally now.
But I would love to see it.
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