It's probably best to compare it to BECMI, with a gigantic focus on running huge tracts of land and raising armies. Economic data for everything you could want to know.
The typical spell lists you expect to see with a few minor changes here and there. Instead of race-as-class there are racial classes that are similar to the typical classes they're derived from but with a few modifications to flavor (with more in the Player's Companion book). The smaller -3 to +3 ability bonuses. At 9th level, everyone can build strongholds of different types - Mages can build fucking dungeons that attract monsters to live in them. Characters can earn XP from domain management. There are proficiencies (which are really a cross between 2e proficiencies and 3.x feats I suppose) that let you customize your character a bit as well. I like the implementation.
AC is increasing, starting at 0 for unarmored, but it still uses a thac0 based permutation for the to-hit roll. (if your Attack Throw value is 8+, you hit AC 0 on an 8. You roll and tell the DM what you hit, so in that case if you roll a 17, you hit AC9). It's very functional and a good compromise to keep ACs as secret as possible during combat w/o using the old AC scales.
There are permanent injury rolls when characters go down in battle, which can result in losing teeth, instant death, limbs, etc.
FWIW the original PHB is around 250 pages with monsters, gm advice, and all of the player info. The new books are going to be around 6 times that length as they're incorporating a lot of the existing material. That said, what's available now is very comprehensive.
Personally, I think it's a great system if you want that level of detail in what for many tables are just 'downtime' activities. I don't think it's the best system if you want a storygame or modern 'balanced' combat, but if you run hexcrawls or sandbox based games with tons of player agency it really shines.
All the traditional ones are there (plus more) between the PHB and Companion, but the companion has an entire chapter on creating custom classes. I've never used that, but it'd be great if you're using a highly customized world.
I should also note that fighter-types get a level-scaled damage bonus to every attack. Additionally, fighter-types get cleave attacks when dropping enemies equal to their HD, Cleric/Thief-types get half-HD in cleave attacks, and mage-types get none, which is a nice bonus that keeps fighters competitive with high level wizards in terms of damage output.
If you have a couple hours, he did an interview with DM Bluddworth which would help you get a handle on how he views the game. Bluddworth can be an acquired taste if you've never watched his solo videos but he's actually pretty decent as a conversationalist and interviewer.
So, my wife has been on the lookout for osr style games, and I'd love to hear more of your thoughts about the system so I could share them with her.
While I'm familiar with the general concepts of ACKS I'm not versed in the particulars so I'd appreciate hearing more myself.
It's probably best to compare it to BECMI, with a gigantic focus on running huge tracts of land and raising armies. Economic data for everything you could want to know.
The typical spell lists you expect to see with a few minor changes here and there. Instead of race-as-class there are racial classes that are similar to the typical classes they're derived from but with a few modifications to flavor (with more in the Player's Companion book). The smaller -3 to +3 ability bonuses. At 9th level, everyone can build strongholds of different types - Mages can build fucking dungeons that attract monsters to live in them. Characters can earn XP from domain management. There are proficiencies (which are really a cross between 2e proficiencies and 3.x feats I suppose) that let you customize your character a bit as well. I like the implementation.
AC is increasing, starting at 0 for unarmored, but it still uses a thac0 based permutation for the to-hit roll. (if your Attack Throw value is 8+, you hit AC 0 on an 8. You roll and tell the DM what you hit, so in that case if you roll a 17, you hit AC9). It's very functional and a good compromise to keep ACs as secret as possible during combat w/o using the old AC scales.
There are permanent injury rolls when characters go down in battle, which can result in losing teeth, instant death, limbs, etc.
FWIW the original PHB is around 250 pages with monsters, gm advice, and all of the player info. The new books are going to be around 6 times that length as they're incorporating a lot of the existing material. That said, what's available now is very comprehensive.
Personally, I think it's a great system if you want that level of detail in what for many tables are just 'downtime' activities. I don't think it's the best system if you want a storygame or modern 'balanced' combat, but if you run hexcrawls or sandbox based games with tons of player agency it really shines.
Excellent, that amount of detail helps. How about character classes?
All the traditional ones are there (plus more) between the PHB and Companion, but the companion has an entire chapter on creating custom classes. I've never used that, but it'd be great if you're using a highly customized world.
I should also note that fighter-types get a level-scaled damage bonus to every attack. Additionally, fighter-types get cleave attacks when dropping enemies equal to their HD, Cleric/Thief-types get half-HD in cleave attacks, and mage-types get none, which is a nice bonus that keeps fighters competitive with high level wizards in terms of damage output.
Fascinating.
To be honest it sounds like this could replace 5e for my fantasy campaign.
If you have a couple hours, he did an interview with DM Bluddworth which would help you get a handle on how he views the game. Bluddworth can be an acquired taste if you've never watched his solo videos but he's actually pretty decent as a conversationalist and interviewer.
https://www.youtube.com/live/Z5h3CHaQa8I?si=RZ2AW8syPKnwFRYa
I will definitely have a look when I've got some time. Wife's due with our next baby on Friday.