Looks great; Mid-March release! :)
Check it out here.
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Looks great; Mid-March release! :)
Check it out here.
Looks good, I am looking forward to getting it and the other books ,O so long ago promised.
It is nice to see Decipher really getting the RPG stuff out finally.
Cool! EIGHT NEW SPECIES! I can get species abilities for the Bolian character in the SB619 game!
Cool ! Hope the expanded rules for unarmed combat are there as promised too...
Can't wait can't wait can't wait
poiiinng poiiing poiiinng
Erm... sorry, got carried away :D.
Now, is that T'Pol on the cover ? Strange for a StarFleet Ops book... ;)
Why Scotty and Spock, but no one from TNG or DS9?
Yes, there are expanded rules for armed and unarmed combat. You can now learn and use special maneuvers like the famous hammer punch or the flying smash, as well as some boxing, aikido, and fencing stuff -- among others. (Including an alien weapon style, with this hint: It's not a Klingon one.)
J.H.
Very nice cover. I was somewhat surprised to see no TNG folks on there, but I think the choices were appropriate.
Is this cover pattern likely to be maintained (i.e. a few stars and a sort of primary color, in this case yellow). I see why it was done here, because this book complements the PG and NG -- but you might run out of stars and colors if you keep to this scheme...
Yess!!!! The return of the Kirk Flying Butt-Check! :D :D :DQuote:
Originally posted by Jesse Heinig
Yes, there are expanded rules for armed and unarmed combat. You can now learn and use special maneuvers like the famous hammer punch or the flying smash, as well as some boxing, aikido, and fencing stuff -- among others. (Including an alien weapon style, with this hint: It's not a Klingon one.)
J.H.
I look forward to the fencing stuff, so I can expand on the Caitian/Regulan Rakun two-blade style.
I know this isn't exactly the place to ask this, but what the hell. Can you expand on the C/R Rakun two blade style?Quote:
Originally posted by Sea Tyger
Yess!!!! The return of the Kirk Flying Butt-Check! :D :D :D
I look forward to the fencing stuff, so I can expand on the Caitian/Regulan Rakun two-blade style.
Hm. Nice-looking book.
Mid March isn't TOO far away from February. Tolerable.
Now, if they can just get it in the Decipher store by Mid March as well...
There's the rub...Quote:
Originally posted by First of Two
Now, if they can just get it in the Decipher store by Mid March as well...
::makes a pointed effort not to get involved with some of the griping::
What I'm wondering has nothing to do with shipping times. It's this: Why put a 96-page book in hardcover? What's the point of putting a book that small (comparatively speaking) in boards? Jesse, could you explain the logic behind that one to me, if in fact you were privy to the discussion?
Here's what I wrote on the Rakun. You can find more on my take on Caitian Hx/Culture below:Quote:
Originally posted by Phantom
I know this isn't exactly the place to ask this, but what the hell. Can you expand on the C/R Rakun two blade style?
http://forum.trek-rpg.net/showthread...&threadid=4184
--------------------------
Caitian Rakun
The Rakun, or "matched pair," is the traditional weapon of the Caitians. The two blades, called the rakgr'n and raksir, are forged from the same piece of steel, separated, then shaped into the sword-and-dagger combination that forms the core of the Caitian fencing art of Rakun.
Rakun hilts are always inlaid with a stone or wood that identifies the owner's clan. Members of Clan Fekiista Kalir (Karlinarsti's clan), for instance, can be identified by their flint-handled Rakun. Honored offworlders are allowed to have a sword made, using a jade-like stone that is native to Cait.
Rakgr'n
Specifications: 75-80 cm long, 1.5 kg
Description: A traditional Caitian fencing weapon, the rakgr'n is often seen matched with a raksir.
Parry Modifier: -1 (+2 when used in conjunction with a raksir in the Rakun fencing art)
Damage: 2d6+2
Raksir
Specifications: 20-23 cm long, 0.1 kg
Description: A traditional Caitian fencing weapon, the raksir is the second weapon of the Rakun "matched pair." This weapon is often concealed in the fur of a Caitian's forearm
Parry Modifier: -2 (+2 when used in conjunction with a raksir in the Rakun fencing art)
Damage: 1d6+2
Armed Combat -- Rakun
Rakun is a fast-moving, flowing art similar to Terran fencing. Always performed with the rakgr'n and raksir (also called the Rakun when used together), the art emphasizes thrusts, feints, parries and ripostes and flourishes of steel and fur that are designed to confuse an opponent's defense. Two Rakun masters engaged in swordplay often appear like a blur to the untrained eye.
When a Rakun practitioner has both his raksir and rakgr'n free, he receives a +2 parry modifier, instead of the modifiers of the individual weapons.
-----------------------------
I have also developed the framework of the Caitian language, including a couple of pages worth of vocabulary, grammar and syllabic rules, numbers and script.
I can only guess, of course, but looking at the cover illustration and coloring, I'd say that Decipher considers this book a "third core rulebook", at least informally. That being the case, publishing it as a hardcover seems the right course of action.Quote:
Originally posted by PGoodman13
What I'm wondering has nothing to do with shipping times. It's this: Why put a 96-page book in hardcover?
In the hobby and games industry hardcover books tend to sell better than softcover ones. You can guess as to the reasons as well as I but the general consensus is that hardcover books are perceived as more "valuable"--hence they sell more copies, even after one considers the price differential. Oh, also, the manufacturing cost to do a hardcover versus a softcover is negligible; however the publisher can mark up the MSRP by $5 simply because it is a hardcover. Sell more units with a greater markup--easy business decision to make.Quote:
Originally posted by PGoodman13
Why put a 96-page book in hardcover?
I don't know if it is the reasoning by Decipher, but it's a very common practice in the industry today.
Besides, it helps us fat and lazy gamers get in better shape lugging all these books around. :D
Well I suppose so... but what other book are they going to put her on the front of, "Supermodel Sourcebook?" :DQuote:
Originally posted by C5
Now, is that T'Pol on the cover ? Strange for a StarFleet Ops book... ;)
Hardcover books also hold up better. And this seems like a book that will get a lot of use. Narrator's will refer to Aliens and Starships when writing adventures, and perhaps infrequently during adventures. But the two rulebooks and this one are liable to get a lot of use at every phase from adventure design right through play.
A quick way to get a bad reputation is to publish a book that's heavily used and doesn't hold up. Look at WoTC and their second printing of the Player's Handbook. And that's only a recent example; there have been numerous others throughout the years.
I echo everything Don said.
I'd buy a hardcover over a paperback any day. Hardbacks are generally more durable, look great spined out on the bookshelf, and are IMO, just nicer to hold and flip through.
My hope is that Decipher makes the majority of their supplements hardcover.
Full color would be nice too. :)
Me too. I'd rather pay $30 for a hardcover that will last a really long time than $20 for a softcover that will get bruised and smashed and bent up the first time I have to take it anywhere.Quote:
Originally posted by Ineti
I echo everything Don said.
I'd buy a hardcover over a paperback any day. Hardbacks are generally more durable, look great spined out on the bookshelf, and are IMO, just nicer to hold and flip through.
My hope is that Decipher makes the majority of their supplements hardcover.
Full color would be nice too. :)
I too rather buy a hardcover book over softcover.
Vesku
I wasn't around when the decision was made to go hardcover on this, but I presume it's because hardcovers hold up better, retain better quality, and have a much better tendency to protect your investment when they're in full color on the inside.
Plus, like someone said, it's kinda the "third core book."
J.H.
Quote:
Originally posted by PGoodman13
::makes a pointed effort not to get involved with some of the griping::
What I'm wondering has nothing to do with shipping times. It's this: Why put a 96-page book in hardcover? What's the point of putting a book that small (comparatively speaking) in boards? Jesse, could you explain the logic behind that one to me, if in fact you were privy to the discussion?
To put forth a dissenting opinion. I'm not too fond of hardcovers nowadays.
I don't see any improvement in durability in them. In fact, most softcovers I own hold up better than the hardcovers. For example, my moderately used BESM2r is still entirely intact and my heavily used, 15 year old Robotech books are still well bound and secure. On the other hand, my little used Icon DS9 corebook has the cover separating from the book. My similarly little used D&D3 books are losing pages for no reason whatsoever. And I won't get into what my barely used 7th Sea books are like. Just about any hardcover book of recent vintage that I stored upright with the spine showing has lost pages, had the cover separate, or had the spine completely give out.
I haven't had any problems yet with the Decipher books, but I figure it's only a matter of time.
Because of this, I also dislike having to pay extra for something that doesn't really improve the value of the book. If the book is gonna fall apart ten times quicker as a hardcover, then why do I need to pay $5 extra for it?
That's just my opinion and my experiences. Please don't flame the crap outta me.
My Decipher books are holding up quite well. I have used them all through the summer constantly and then right up through this winter. They are still in very good condition as far as bindings. My D&D 3e books are still holding up well too.
Hmm, well my hardcover books are all still in pretty good condition. Be it ICON Trek, CODA Trek, or my old copy of D&D.
Of course, all my old FASA softcovers are in pretty good conodition as well, so maybe it's just me :)
Anyway, Hardcover's fine with me. I'd rather have hardcover in fact, since it sits better on my shelf, and will go nicely with my other CODA core books.
I completly agree with this position. It seems to me that I have to work harder at keeping my HC books in one piece then I do the SC ones I have. I see no reason to pay extra for nothing. Also, as above this is strictly my opinion.Quote:
Originally posted by Gabriel
To put forth a dissenting opinion. I'm not too fond of hardcovers nowadays.
I don't see any improvement in durability in them. In fact, most softcovers I own hold up better than the hardcovers. For example, my moderately used BESM2r is still entirely intact and my heavily used, 15 year old Robotech books are still well bound and secure. On the other hand, my little used Icon DS9 corebook has the cover separating from the book. My similarly little used D&D3 books are losing pages for no reason whatsoever. And I won't get into what my barely used 7th Sea books are like. Just about any hardcover book of recent vintage that I stored upright with the spine showing has lost pages, had the cover separate, or had the spine completely give out.
I haven't had any problems yet with the Decipher books, but I figure it's only a matter of time.
Because of this, I also dislike having to pay extra for something that doesn't really improve the value of the book. If the book is gonna fall apart ten times quicker as a hardcover, then why do I need to pay $5 extra for it?
That's just my opinion and my experiences. Please don't flame the crap outta me.
It probably costs too much money but I would love to see all books in a SC and HC format. That gives the ultimate choice but again probably too expensive.
Don't mind the hardcover, though it sems a bit thin for it. I think they hold up better, but I'm priggish about the care of my books in general. HC or SC -- doesn't really matter to me. If I'm going to buy the product, I'll buy either format.
Oh, I'm not questioning it from a business standpoint, really; I know that their margin is a little higher with a HC book vs a SC book, and as you said, that makes it an easy business decision if the binding costs aren't appreciably higher.Quote:
Originally posted by Don Mappin
In the hobby and games industry hardcover books tend to sell better than softcover ones. You can guess as to the reasons as well as I but the general consensus is that hardcover books are perceived as more "valuable"--hence they sell more copies, even after one considers the price differential. Oh, also, the manufacturing cost to do a hardcover versus a softcover is negligible; however the publisher can mark up the MSRP by $5 simply because it is a hardcover. Sell more units with a greater markup--easy business decision to make.
It's more a personal, pragmatic thing to me; it doesn't seem worth the effort if the book is less than, say, 128 pages (it takes at least another couple of signatures to make it thick enough to warrant boards, in my own personal opinion). Ninety-six pages just seems kind of...slim, to me. The question was mostly seeking enlightenment on the reasoning, not questioning their sense or anything. I was, truly, just curious.
Well, yeah, there is that.... ::hopes his new exercise routine will do something about his pizza gut sooner rather than later::Quote:
Besides, it helps us fat and lazy gamers get in better shape lugging all these books around. :D