A mega review of a mega dungeon crawl - Ker Nethalas: Into the Midnight Throne
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- Опубліковано 29 вер 2024
- In this episode of the Dungeon Dive, we take a super detailed look at Ker Nethalas: Into the Midnight Throne, the newest mega dungeon crawl from Blackoath Entertainment.
Available at DriveThruRPG
www.drivethrur...
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Thanks for the feedback, Daniel, you always give really valuable notes, and now that you mention the couple of rules placement issues, I actually agree with you. I hope I can fix it somehow in the near future. Thank you so much for the video! And yes, the secondary effects of an enemy's attack, like falling prone because of the Uuros, only happens if they actually hit you.
Thanks, Alex! But please keep in mind, I may be the only idiot to have had issues with the layout. :D
@@TheDungeonDive oh no, it's totally valid criticism! I'm still learning how to arrange the content of my books, it's an ongoing process.
@@blackoathentertainment5617 I guess i do have a question afterall on the cards subject.
I was looking through all the different cards sets and then the bundles of book and cards. I was confused about that in some of the item orders the exploration cards were offered in full finished cards set but others were just pdfs , but i was going to get the bundle until i noticed that the ordering selection just said pdfs and not hard copy versions.
Was the exploration deck thats a hard copy deck, did it include all the different cards available or were there still some that weren't included?
I just got confused by all the different separate offerings sets and most said only pdf while others said hard printed decks.
Just wanting to try and get everything at once basically. Thanks
As a retired guy with lots of time and money... and aging eyes, I'd like to second the "tarot card" size for the cards.
@@DustinDustin00 I'll see if this is a possibility, thanks for the feedback!
Alex's prodigious output is staggering. But it seems like I'm here for all of it!
Thanks so much! All I do is write, all day long, haha.
Alex has become in one the most prolific authors in solo RPG. Love his works!
Thank you!
I love Ker Nethalas! After over 20 hours playing it, I agree with all of your points, both the praises and criticisms. I think the future is bright for KN, it has so much room to grow and I know Alex has been hard at work on more content!
same feeling about dungeon tiles myself. the novelty has worn off. but i very much prefer more streamlining for the most part. Algebra and geometry isn't for me
Just got my copy this weekend! Felt like a teenager again paging through it, almost every page is just full of exactly what first sparked my interest in all things 'dungeony and looty'! 🤣
That's such a great feeling!
That's what I love to hear!
I see that someone created a card deck that combined the cards in a way that whittled the total cards down to 120. You look at different sections of the card depending on the context. I haven’t used these but it seems to be a good way to save on table space for at least some of the card types.
Great video! I’ve been trying to find a good solo game to fit my needs. I love DUN but it can be cumbersome. I’m curious- what kind of card tray are you using to organize all of the cards?
Thanks. Hold it Card Organization
I'm very much looking forward to starting this, and I'm reading through the rules. I'm not sure if you covered the potential issue (I'm not 100% clear) that there is no clear ending, or exit, to the catacombs? If so, it appears to be play as long as you live or decide that defeating an overseer leads to your escape? I may have read that Alex will address this in an expansion? Also, a bit that has me puzzled is the section on Advantage and Disadvantage on p64 - the text reads to my mind like the opposite of what may be intended, and the example? Not a big issue, I think the example makes it clear what happens but I'm curious if it's just my reading? Anyway, overall this looks really good, and I like your map-making approach - very helpful!
This book is focused on survival. I would direct you to the discord channel for any rules questions. I’m not a rules guy.
Over on Discord, Alex said that the 2nd Vaelorian Codex issue (coming soon, possibly July, he's just waiting for art...) will have a special ending Domain which offers the chance to escape and win the game.
Hello, Mr. Daniel! Thanks for this one. I'd been sitting on the fence after seeing some other channels' playthroughs and things and though they generally had positive reviews and the game looked interesting, I was waiting patiently for your thoughts. You haven't steered me wrong with any of your other recommendations. :)
I just received my copy in the mail about 30 minutes ago and am excited for the workday to end so I can dive in. So many games, too much work...
BTW, some time ago you showed Vermis and I was super bummed that it was out of print. But! They had a reprint and a 2nd book and I was able to snag copies of those. Such a neat thing and I'm really glad that you showed it off.
Hey Daniel! Thanks for the video, the cards seem really useful in streamlining the gameplay. I enjoyed 2D6 dungeon but I found there were too many table for me in the long run.
Also have you played Warlord Ascendant (also by Alex T.)? I would love to hear your thoughts on it
I've read through WA and thought about it. It seems really interesting. I just need the time to sit down and play it for a bit.
So, I'd never heard of Ker Nathalas, but I'm already putting a copy of the book into my cart on Amazon. This genuinely sounds like some really good fun.. though, I'm also considering getting a PDF of the cards, I really wish I could just buy the cards instead of having to contact a third-party print-on-demand service. Still, I'll at least get the book, and if I wind up enjoying it, then it'll be worth going through the trouble.
This game looks awesome, seriously; I'm only halfway through the video, and my interest is piqued.
You can buy the printed cards from Drive Thru. No need for a 3rd party.
Great to hear your own thoughts on this - and yes, I think it was wise to wait a bit after so many others offered their own opinions. I am usually also a fan of cards, but I can't deny that just having the book and some printed handouts makes the game really portable.
Looking forward to your mega comparison, which will include several games new to me! I would appreciate if you give a short hint how suitable the games are for cooperative play.
It will all be from the solo perspective. I haven’t played any of them co-op, so couldn’t really say.
Great review. this thinking of getting this but but will after watching. the cards are a nice idea but cards are expensive and DrivethruRPG only ship cards from the US which make them udoubly unaffordable in the UK.
yes, the cards are absurdly expensive for us in Europe... I wish DTRPG had a card printing facility over here...
@@blackoathentertainment5617 I remember they were looking for one that could handle their requirements - but then COVID happened, and they don't seem to have restarted the search.
I want it all! Is there a way to get the cards printed and sent in the UK? It's crazy expensive to get it sent over from the US now.
I'm afraid us in Europe are a bit screwed when it comes to the PoD cards... There's no way to get them, other than ordering from DTRPG and have them send them from the US.
Look into ordering the PDFs and then using a 3rd party printer like ArtsCow out of China.
@@TheDungeonDive This is a good idea - there is a card printing webshop closer to home that might do the trick actually, thanks for reminding me!
Yours is the only presentation on this game that generated my interest into it. Youve shown really good details that i havent seen so far.
I'd been waiting on a game that was worth my spending my small amount of gaming money on, and im glad i didnt purchase another system yet that i thought of getting but i just couldnt get a real feeling of intrigue about the other enough to feel comfortable buying it.
This one on first impressions has a feeling of a big video game adventure rpg so far from just seeing how the characters are assembled and operate.
Even the enemies having weak points and there being more Overseer bosses in different realms or regions really made me think of video game structure.
Sounds much more appealing hearing your overview on it. Thanks
PS: i like cards also, im interested in buying them.
I just noticed they were available on Drivethrurpg as i looked further into your section there. Lol
It really does have a great video game like flow and structure.
oh yeah, I had Diablo (the original) in my head all the time while writing this game! You even have randomly generated magic items, so videogame all the way!
This is a great game. The setting and undead aesthetic are brilliant
Alex always nails his settings.
Thanks so much!
Bought the book a while ago... now I want the cards.
cool idea the revenge expansion, let's hope Alex listen :)
I'm taking notes, haha
Another great review of a wonderful game i have been playing this alot and i will continue to support any additional content that is released for it
My hardcopy of the book and the zine arrive in the mail today! I've got my character sheets printed out and ready to go. Fingers crossed the dangers of Ker Nethalas are somewhat overstated... 😉
Have fun surviving!
Good luck!
Another great review, it has been on my radar awhile. Great Job!
Love these long discusisons, and can't wait for the roundup comparison video! -jesse
Thanks! Looking forward to recording it.
Giving me a Dark Souls vibe, but in solo ttrpg form. Is that a safe assumption? Really interested to get into these solo ttrpgs. I've been playing some small box games, and I have experience with DnD 5e before, so im checking out my options. So far 2D6 Dungeon has been the most interesting to me, but the combat feels lacking compared to what im looking for, but i love the way the dungeons are discovered.
I totally get that Dark Souls vibe, for sure! And hey, you're in luck! I have a super detailed video all about these kinds of solo dungeon crawls! You can check it out here:
ua-cam.com/video/eM2S4pWeczs/v-deo.htmlsi=cBJfGQXQT9LwvQnz
@@TheDungeonDive thanks... Checking it out :)
Sometimes, the Algorithm lands us somewhere we didn't even know to look. I LOVE old-school dungeon romp computer games (classic Wizardry, Might & Magic, etc) and I had no idea there was this whole subgenre of pen & paper solo-friendly dungeon romps. I just ordered Ker Nathalas and can't wait to dig in! Love your channel!
Oh wow! You're in luck! I also just did a total beginner's guide to solo, analog, table top dungeon crawls!
This video here is overflowing with info!
ua-cam.com/video/eM2S4pWeczs/v-deo.htmlsi=UU_P92hZwZ3jcEOW
Great video, can't wait for the big compare and contrast video. I love this genre
Yeah I'm really looking forward to it as well!
this was great thanks. I have the book I intend to read soon. id love to get the cards but see they are only print doc. could you share where yours were printed they look great :)
You can buy the printed cards from DriveThruRPG.
i see that now 🙏 thank you. i was looking at the bundle. you need to go through and buy each individually. gotcha 🙋♂️
I’m only 40 minutes in and I’m pretty sure I’m going to love this game. Thanks for sharing and showing this to us!
Excellent review. Will definitely be picking this up
Hope you enjoy it!
Let's Go!!
I'm not too far into the video so you may answer this later on, but I will ask anyway:
1) Can you have (NPC) companions in the game?
2) Can you run an ongoing campaign, or is there a definite beginning/ middle/ end?
3) How is the replayability?
1) I never run into any.
2) The campaign is to survive - it's a survival dungeon crawl
3) There is nothing stopping you from playing the game over and over again. There are like 500 different random things that can happen at any time, so you'll never have the same game twice.
Fantastic review and insights. Im sold!
Hope you enjoy it!
This looks awesome!
Thank you!
I thought I read somewhere that Alex said you dont roll for traps on open doors 🤔
Also Im gonna steel your idea for room description and only roll when I fail my tension die, ok its not completely what you are doing but its influenced me😂
Not sure what Alex said, but I don't think that's in the rules about the traps. Could be. There are a lot of things to get wrong in this game. :) As long as you're having fun is all that matters in a solo game.
@@TheDungeonDive Oh ye, I've struggled with a few rules myself, for example, do you roll on fumble table for fumbled defence rolls, as this table mostly lists attack actions!!
Re-reading the trap rules, as written, I think you could make an argument for going either way. :) It would definitely be easier to only have locked things have traps!
@@TheDungeonDive Ye, a trap on a open door, thats a very sneaky trap lol
You may have seen that from Alex on Discord or UA-cam comments. The rule in the book is pretty clear you roll "whether it's locked or not" - but he seems to have changed his mind on that.
Thanks for this tutorial. I'm a newbie to this sort of game & I thought I might have bitten off more than I could chew,but you have helped me immensely. Cheers.
Glad I could help!
Thumbs up for your coverage of stuff like this man! This seems like it would be perfect for me except it does a few things that turn me off. I added it to my wishlist just in case I change my mind in the centuries to come.
"You're really at the end of your rope"😮😂😂
20:15ish
At 1:06 the door was locked and you bashed it. Could you not have 1st tried Thievery on the lock? Yes I understand you have a 10% of success, but so what??If you never use a skill how do you get better? What is the downside to failure in this case? If you tried to pick the lock and failed would you not be allowed to bash it?
idioms.thefreedictionary.com/at+the+end+of+your+rope
@@TheDungeonDive yes, I know. The pun is what I am laughing about. Your character was hung... 😄😄
You just, ummm, dropped 😁 it in there.
Ah! Haha. Didn’t even notice the pun. lol. Sorry. :). Stealth dad joke.
I don't understand - can you explain the Lore of the game a bit more?
You are about to be executed...but then you find yourself in a dungeon? Are you trying to get out? Is it hinted that this is purgatory? Are you magicked away somehow?
Ty
You’re executed and presumed dead and thrown into a dungeon, but they presumed wrong.
@@TheDungeonDive ty for replying! Can you elaberate a bit more -
1) HOW are you executed?
2) What information is provided for the dungeon - does it have levels, is it all on one level, are you trying to DO anything apart from survive?
No time to elaborate more. :) Sorry. I elaborated for over an hour in this video, and in a follow up video.
Why are the cards for this so ridiculously expensive on dtrpg ?? A full set is kinda crazy. They are black and white poker sized cards. Is there some weird massive markup dtrpg print on demand somewhere ? I am talking about the physical cards of course.
I'm selling them basically at cost, as anyone who backed the Kickstarter can tell you (since they got them at cost). I make like 2-3€ per sale. There are hundreds of cards, though, if you get all decks is a thousand cards!
Thanks for explaining that. That number of cards would drive the price up.
Things are expensive when they’re print on demand. There is no economy of scale at play here.
So are the cards a mandatory feature? For this type of game I'd like to not need to mess with those. I'm fine with charts.
@@AaronWilbers not at all! Absolutely everything is in the book and zine, the cards are purely optional.
so very cool premise... but story-wise, why the heck does this gigantic underground labyrinth exist??? it would be cool if there was some justification for why it exists and why the above ground civilization is chucking dead bodies into it. initially, i thought it was just some kind of mass grave pit but where the heck did the rest come from? why isn't it being used by the above ground civ?
I play games to make my own stories. Also, I showed a whole deck of cards where you discover the lore of the game world. :) maybe if you play the game, you’ll find out! Play to find out what happens. That’s the best kind of story.
it's all justified by the setting. You are in the ruins of the ancient capital of the Vaelorian Ascendancy, a necromantic civilization that was destroyed millennia ago. The city of Veldonia is just built atop the ancient ruins, but things are very much active down there, still... And yes, as you play the game (especially the upcoming zine, which offers an ending), you'll understand what's going on.