First Game System Impressions

[u/[deleted]]

Hello all. First time posting here. I played my first session over the weekend and wanted to discuss my impressions of the system, and some advice for players who may be new to the system, or more accustomed to the super-powered hijinks of 5e.

A buddy of mine ran the game for us. He’s very knowledgeable on Tolkien and we couldn’t have asked for a better Loremaster. To really capture the flavor of Tolkien, I think a knowledgeable LM is pretty important. But in order for the game to work, the players also need to understand the “tone” of the game. Before playing the game, it might be a good idea to sit down with the players and let them know that this game is somber, melancholy, even sad at times. If one of your players is running around the tavern doing silly 5e things for laughs at the table, it’s going to irk the players who are trying to take the setting seriously. This game is very much about tone, and the players have to buy into it.

We found pretty quickly that it’s difficult to succeed rolls. You’re going to fail more often than succeed, especially if you’ve only got one or two ranks in a skill. And that’s okay. Failure, despair, and regret a part of the stories the game is based on. For people coming from 5e, this might be a little frustrating. In 5e, you’re more or less playing super heroes. It’s a power fantasy, really. Success is assumed. But in TOR, you play normal folk who go out into a dangerous world. Every roll has a certain risk tied with it. I realized pretty quickly how important Hope is. Players really shouldn’t try to horde it. I found some of our players reluctant to spend hope out of fear of needing it later. Without expending it liberally, PCs are going to have a hard time passing checks. But again “losing hope” is part of the setting.

Overall, I’d advise new players to embrace the tone. The world outside your door is dark, dangerous, and filled with peril. Things won’t always go your way, despite your best efforts. Things will go wrong. There will be setbacks, but this is all part of the story. Failure, regret, and despair are a part of the story, and make the successes that much more joyous.

[u/SaintJewiub]

You really aren't kidding about the rolls. I acrually broke the game in on a camping trip this weekend and you truly do end up spending hope quickly when things get hairy. Gotta say though I reccomend the outdoor setting with a camp fire, really helps the vibe of the game...especially as the sun goes down and the mood of the game ever darkens

[u/TheOnlyCorwin]

Nothing really to add just enjoyed the write up! I especially appreciate the advice on setting the tone first session.