In recent years I have noticed that more and more DnD players are interested in games such as Deadlands. The wild west experience is, from my perspective, something that will always appeal to gamers (both board gamers and video-game ones).
Nevertheless, being a decades-old game, Deadlands is no simple matter, and its various versions bring many updates and changes to the mechanics and overall feel of the game. This is why I’ve decided to put up a blog explaining, in short, what are some of the main differences between DnD and Deadlands.
Deadlands vs. DnD
People often talk about Deadlands through its most popular and distinct versions – Deadlands Classic (the original game) and Deadlands Reloaded (multiple modern versions such as Savage Worlds). The easiest way to describe those two is to compare them to DnD versions.
If you are a fan of DnD 3.5e, you would be happiest playing Deadlands Classic, while at the same time, if you are a DnD 5e player, you would enjoy some of the Reloaded versions more.
The Classic version has many more mechanisms for combat and non-combat gameplay. In contrast, Reloaded editions that are based on the Savage World system have an easier and more streamlined experience.
Character creation in Deadlands classic
Deadlands is set in the alternate history 19th century with different supernatural elements and offers a lot of action and excitement for all true role-playing fans.
Characters in Deadlands Classic setting are formed randomly using playing cards to determine a character’s abilities. You draw 12 cards from a 54-card deck (yes, you add the jokers that offer unique bonuses), and each card represents a trait.
Drawing the following cards represents the following traits:
2 = d4
3 – 8 = d6
9 – Jack = d8
Queen/King = d10
Ace = d12
You discard two from the 12 drawn cards since your character can have only ten traits (e.g., Strength, Cognition Deftness, etc.). You can discard any cards except for the twos (d4s).
With regard to suits, the clubs represent trait level 1, diamonds is level 2, hearts is level 3, and spades is level 4. The crucial thing to know is that these numbers will influence how many and what kind of die you roll for each trait test or aptitude test.
For example, if you draw a Queen diamond, you will roll two d10s. If you draw nine hearts, you will roll three d8s, etc.
In the Classic setting, there are around 40 aptitudes (sub-characteristics/sub-traits) and concentrations (required sub-aptitudes).
Character creation in Deadlands Reloaded
On the other hand, characters in Reloaded are created utilizing a point buy system. The character generation process follows the conventional SWADE model.
The SWADE model means that each character will start with level 1 in each attribute and core skill. This is a modification from the earlier versions. Each polyhedral dice from d4 to d12 represents a distinct attribute or skill level. All starting characters have a d4 for both their primary abilities and traits.
You utilize your character development points to purchase levels, which raises the die type. A d4 becomes a d6, then a d8, and so on. Each level up in Attributes becomes more costly.
Deadlands Reloaded offers you to level up five attributes (e.g., Smarts, Agility, Strength), around 20 skills, and some skill specializations (optional sub-skills).
There is a distinct difference in the number of features between Classic and Reloaded, which, depending on how you look at it, makes Classic richer or Reloaded more efficient.
You should note that in Reloaded, the term “Trait” refers to an Attribute or Skill as a whole.
Characters in both systems have downsides (hindrances) and talents (Edges). They perform similar functions. On the other hand, Classic Hindrances had a point value ranging from 1 to 5, but Reloaded Hindrances have two levels: Major or Minor.
Classic Edges have a point value from 1 to 5, but Reloaded Edges do not have point values (they all have the same “value”) but do require particular trait levels or have other requirements before a character may accept them.
Leveling up
The initial printing of Deadlands Classic stated that the Marshal (GM) should grant “Bounty” (basically, XP) to the PCs based on how effectively they completed the goals.
Bounty was wrapped into Fate Chips (which allow players to increase their roll or soak wounds) in the Revised & Expanded edition, where a player may cash in unspent Fate Chips for XP.
Early versions of Reloaded carried on the tradition of Bennies (the name for Fate Chips in Deadlands Reloaded) being cashed in for experience points. Later editions, however, reverted to the GM granting XP after the session, depending on the PCs completing their objectives.
Spells and magic
It’s worth mentioning that the magic systems have been extensively altered in Deadlands Reloaded. Having said that, I’ll explain in short what this means.
Deadlands Classic setting allowed you to use a wide array of powers. For example, there were more than 200 only for Hucksters (mage class). It has highly specific trappings for abilities from which you cannot deviate much.
So, Hucksters can only attack with the Soul Blast power, which, according to the basic rules, generates a torrent of ghostly white energy. If you wish to attack using burning playing cards, you must first locate the power in a supplement.
But, Reloaded has around 50 spells that are universal and are defined by their trappings. Generally, the Marshal will decide any situational uses for any specific types of spells (if your lightning spell can knock down a door or not, etc.)
Moreover, there are specific parameters for how to use power in Reloaded. Still, for example, the “Bolt” power may be whatever you want it to be: a soul explosion, a burning card, arcane-powered bullets, etc.
This is a brief example, but the point is that the Classic model is much closer to the DnD style of game, where you have more freedom and customization with spells.
It can be a lot of fun for every DnD fan
No matter which version of DnD you’re hooked to, Deadlands will indeed have something for you. There will be a lot of thrill in the horror wild west adventures for your team and plenty of opportunities to shape your own story.
It will take getting used to some game mechanics(especially if you decide to go for Deadlands Classic), but I can tell you that the learning phase will pay off and that you will have some of the best role-playing experiences in front of you if you decide to try out Deadlands.
