I backed this when I got the email about it. I am very excited. I know what you mean about D&D magic. When I encounter players who have issues with it being sort of mechanical, I explain some of the gaming history, and then encourage them to think of it as a form of magical technology. That casting a spell is like executing a one use program loaded on the users. I too find that to be too shallow though. In my own games, for Magic Users only, I allow them to use spells as the first step in learning the mastery of a magical concept. Through the spell research ability I let them unlock the spell and then do a skill roll to cast flexible effects based on the spell. From simple cantrips to complex variations. Knowledge of a low level version of a spell makes higher level versions easier to learn. My personal game group is centered around two players who dig on this and use it frequently. I have had other groups who really just want something simple to use in combat. I am ok with both approaches. I am looking very much forward to this game. I am hoping I can use it to work on my own Earthsea setting, but just taken as it is offered I will enjoy hours of play I know. I am curious if they will do setting expansions. Not Tolkien obviously, but also I am wouldn't want another middle earth game. As always thank you for your enthusiastic reviews. I drift in and out with reviewers but I have to say yours are a consistent pleasure.
Durendal. That was Roland's sword's name. Great example. From LOTR you have Sting eventually getting a rep, you have Glamdring, Orcrist, and of course Narsil which became even more powerful as Anduril.
@@questwise4077 Hahahahaha it happens to everyone from time to time :) I can't tell you how many times I walk into a room and just look around blankly wondering... Now why the hell did I walk in here :)
@@questwise4077 I have many times experienced this pain. When I was a professional chef I couldn't ask for a dang thing while I was in cook mode because I couldn't remember the name of a spice or even... that flippy thing for pancakes.
I just got the book but haven’t opened it up yet. Is the game complete in itself or do you need supplements? Does it have a campaign setting?, Enemies or monsters? & all the normal niceties?
@@TheConfessor If this is THEE James Spahn, THATS AMAZING!!! I’ve read through some of the book now as well as some of the One Ring 2e starter set, you’re very skilled. Thank you for sharing your imaginations and definitely thank you for replying personally.
@@TheJDough1 Aww shucks. I'm the guy who wrote THJ2e and the majority of the TOR2e Starter set, but I'm just a guy rolling dice and having fun like everyone else.
Thanks for the review. I have a couple of questions. You talked about how you really liked what James had done with magic in his game but you didn't talk what that was. How does it differ? Secondly, the first edition had no reference to wilderness adventures despite having the word "Journey" in its title and an overland map on the cover. Does the second edition have a focus on the Wilderness or is it still relegated to the sidelines? Finally...I'm surprised you didn't show us anything from the game - just a few pages, pieces of art etc.?
Hey Mike! Thanks for watching. I am going to be doing a series of videos deep diving into different aspects of the game throughout the length of the kickstarter. The 1st of which is up now dealing with an optional rule regarding Visitation Fiction like play in the Hero's Journey. As far as art, there will be more, but as it is still a product not yet available I will share what I can, when I can. I hope you'll check out the rest of the series.
It uses a heavily modified version of "Vancian Magic." A character either knows a spell or they do not. There is no memorizing a spell. Characters ARE limited (based on their level) in how many spells they can cast each day. But each spell has 3 thematically tied effects. So, for example, casting "Breathed in Silver" can either convince a target they are your friend, put a mortal being into an enchanted slumber, or weave a minor illusion. The caster knows Breathed in Silver, so therefore knows all three potential effects - but does not choose which effect they are using until the moment they cast the spell. Finally, in the case of Wizards, if they have cast the number of spells based on their level and are in dire circumstances they can "Tap the Essence" and inflict damage on themselves in order to cast a spell. There are full hex crawling rules for wilderness travel too!
Using a few different oracles, including the Mythic GM Emulator and the 5e Adventures Toolkit (mostly for the random noun and verb tables), you could run a pretty fun, Tolkien-esque, inspired solo game.
Just picked up all 5 books for THJ2E!
I'm so glad to be backing this.
I backed this when I got the email about it. I am very excited.
I know what you mean about D&D magic. When I encounter players who have issues with it being sort of mechanical, I explain some of the gaming history, and then encourage them to think of it as a form of magical technology. That casting a spell is like executing a one use program loaded on the users.
I too find that to be too shallow though. In my own games, for Magic Users only, I allow them to use spells as the first step in learning the mastery of a magical concept. Through the spell research ability I let them unlock the spell and then do a skill roll to cast flexible effects based on the spell. From simple cantrips to complex variations. Knowledge of a low level version of a spell makes higher level versions easier to learn.
My personal game group is centered around two players who dig on this and use it frequently. I have had other groups who really just want something simple to use in combat. I am ok with both approaches.
I am looking very much forward to this game. I am hoping I can use it to work on my own Earthsea setting, but just taken as it is offered I will enjoy hours of play I know.
I am curious if they will do setting expansions. Not Tolkien obviously, but also I am wouldn't want another middle earth game.
As always thank you for your enthusiastic reviews. I drift in and out with reviewers but I have to say yours are a consistent pleasure.
Well, you definitely got me excited for this. Thanks for spotlighting it. 😎
I just picked this up. I like the changes he incorporated into the 2nd edition. I need to get a review of this filmed.
I LOVED the first edition, and reviewed it on my channel, so had to immediately back this when it launched. So excited for 2e!
Durendal. That was Roland's sword's name. Great example. From LOTR you have Sting eventually getting a rep, you have Glamdring, Orcrist, and of course Narsil which became even more powerful as Anduril.
It sounds like an amazing system! You've convinced me, I'm gonna check it out!
And I think you're thinking of Durandal :)
@@RollStats That's it! God, the old man brain got the better of me during this video! LOL
@@questwise4077 Hahahahaha it happens to everyone from time to time :) I can't tell you how many times I walk into a room and just look around blankly wondering... Now why the hell did I walk in here :)
Redwall also had Martin's sword.
Ah yes! There were so many I had lined up to talk about and once the video started the old mind went blank! LOL!
@@questwise4077 I have many times experienced this pain. When I was a professional chef I couldn't ask for a dang thing while I was in cook mode because I couldn't remember the name of a spice or even... that flippy thing for pancakes.
I just got the book but haven’t opened it up yet. Is the game complete in itself or do you need supplements?
Does it have a campaign setting?, Enemies or monsters? & all the normal niceties?
It is a complete game, with an implied setting elements - though there is no hard and fast setting.
@@TheConfessor
If this is THEE James Spahn, THATS AMAZING!!!
I’ve read through some of the book now as well as some of the One Ring 2e starter set, you’re very skilled.
Thank you for sharing your imaginations and definitely thank you for replying personally.
@@TheJDough1 Aww shucks. I'm the guy who wrote THJ2e and the majority of the TOR2e Starter set, but I'm just a guy rolling dice and having fun like everyone else.
@@TheConfessor That’s the best part man!You’re not a guy in a cubicle writing because he has to. You’re writing because you love it.
Thanks for the review. I have a couple of questions. You talked about how you really liked what James had done with magic in his game but you didn't talk what that was. How does it differ? Secondly, the first edition had no reference to wilderness adventures despite having the word "Journey" in its title and an overland map on the cover. Does the second edition have a focus on the Wilderness or is it still relegated to the sidelines?
Finally...I'm surprised you didn't show us anything from the game - just a few pages, pieces of art etc.?
Hey Mike! Thanks for watching. I am going to be doing a series of videos deep diving into different aspects of the game throughout the length of the kickstarter. The 1st of which is up now dealing with an optional rule regarding Visitation Fiction like play in the Hero's Journey. As far as art, there will be more, but as it is still a product not yet available I will share what I can, when I can. I hope you'll check out the rest of the series.
It uses a heavily modified version of "Vancian Magic." A character either knows a spell or they do not. There is no memorizing a spell. Characters ARE limited (based on their level) in how many spells they can cast each day. But each spell has 3 thematically tied effects. So, for example, casting "Breathed in Silver" can either convince a target they are your friend, put a mortal being into an enchanted slumber, or weave a minor illusion. The caster knows Breathed in Silver, so therefore knows all three potential effects - but does not choose which effect they are using until the moment they cast the spell. Finally, in the case of Wizards, if they have cast the number of spells based on their level and are in dire circumstances they can "Tap the Essence" and inflict damage on themselves in order to cast a spell.
There are full hex crawling rules for wilderness travel too!
How do you see this as a solo rpg?
Using a few different oracles, including the Mythic GM Emulator and the 5e Adventures Toolkit (mostly for the random noun and verb tables), you could run a pretty fun, Tolkien-esque, inspired solo game.
I have to say that while this was an entertaining video, it really didn't include any information about the game.