Mr. Welch's Mad Musings: The Arcanum

Going back to one of the original D&D clones, Arcanum is both a simplified fantasy RPG as well as a much more advanced game system with its skill system that blurred the classes. A very short-run game with only three official books, it has kept a mystique about it with its mechanics and its old school art. Of note, the system evolved to become the classic RPG Talislanta and has been reprinted several times by various companies just recently.

[@johnbratton1340]

We played those books in our DnD sessions while on the ship in the mid 80s. Swapped from Atlantis to Mytara often.

[@OgamiItto70]

I used to play Arcanum back in the mid and late Eighties. I _loved_ it! Partly because of the world background and partly because it addressed one of my pet peeves about D&D: you have to be strong to hit. That never made sense to me. But Arcanum gave you bonuses to hit for being dexterous, not strong. If you did hit, you'd get bonuses to _damage_ if you were strong. Much more rational, in my view.
Find it. Get it. Play it. Run it. It's a great game.

[@michaelmclaughlin261]

I had this supplement and loved it. I thought it made a cool supplement for 1st edition AD&D. (And let's face it, back in the day everyone was trying to create their own house rules and campaign worlds -- heck, it was highly encouraged!)
I really liked the ability to spend XP to buy Talents as it was a great way to customize your character. I found myself wishing this would be adopted in D&D.
All in all great supplement and a beautiful setting.

[@mykediemart]

I have this from the 80's, never played it just lifted a few things here and there. now I kinda want to actually play it

[@allmight9840]

Love your work please continue reviewing RPGs

[@obsdark]

finaly!!!! Fadingsuns!!!! never played it but i love the universe and the lore

[@QeepingItReal]

this game seems great. i would love to join a group playing it.

[@MrRourk]

Zila Games has free SRD for Arcanum 30th Anniversary