Yes, I'm wondering if anyone remembers Spelljammer here. Not necessarily the novels, but the setting itself.
Sadly I think I have the original campaign setting. Very, very silly. The neogi were almost slightly interesting, but everything else…incredibly bad. Giff. Crystal spheres. Helms. Like a terrible headache from the 80’s…
My recollection of Spelljammer is what got me finally contemplating giving D&D another shot two years or so ago.
Yes, it was goofy as f&$@.
Glorious.
Besides, how can you not love a setting that takes one of the most overpowered near-artifact level 'weapons' of the game & makes it just the 'main cannon' of the titular vessel?
I’m aware of it. Never played in it. Seems like a fun setting.
I've played a few campaigns in the Spelljammer setting back in 2nd Ed, both proper campaigns and temporary, where the Spelljamming came in as a way to travel between places, but prime was still the main setting of it.
I think that Starfinder covers essentially the same ground (Orcs in Spaaaccceeeee!!!") and does it much better.
Yeah, I'm right there with you.
Even leaving aside my typical apathy towards the 'classic' DnD settings (with the possible exception of Planescape and maybe Dark Sun) it really feels like Spelljammer is only DnD in space.
Yep, it's my favorite D&D setting along with Eberron. D&D meets Treasure Planet, Horatio Hornblower except he's an 8 foot tall hippo. Roving ships full of evil eel guys riding on the backs of umber hulks, whole planets controlled by vampires, Rodin's The Thinker as an NPC sitting on an asteroid somewhere contemplating the cosmos in vaccuum.
Why do you ask?
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I think that Starfinder covers essentially the same ground (Orcs in Spaaaccceeeee!!!") and does it much better.
They're different. Starfinder is closer to scifi than pulp fantasy. Spelljammer is more swashbuckling corsairs in space than Jedi or serious aliens in D&D. There's no attempt at realism or attempting to justify why silly things exist. There's a whole race of spacefaring penguin merchants because why not? It's great.
I think that Starfinder covers essentially the same ground (Orcs in Spaaaccceeeee!!!") and does it much better.They're different. Starfinder is closer to scifi than pulp fantasy. Spelljammer is more swashbuckling corsairs in space than Jedi or serious aliens in D&D. There's no attempt at realism or attempting to justify why silly things exist. There's a whole race of spacefaring penguin merchants because why not? It's great.
Agreed, I don't think the idea was to create a Sci Fi game with Spelljammer. D&D 2ED (and certainly 1ED) often didn't take itself too seriously.
Yep, it's my favorite D&D setting along with Eberron. D&D meets Treasure Planet, Horatio Hornblower except he's an 8 foot tall hippo. Roving ships full of evil eel guys riding on the backs of umber hulks, whole planets controlled by vampires, Rodin's The Thinker as an NPC sitting on an asteroid somewhere contemplating the cosmos in vaccuum.
Why do you ask?
Well, I was going to start recruitment for a Spelljammer game, but circumstances had changed.
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I think that Starfinder covers essentially the same ground (Orcs in Spaaaccceeeee!!!") and does it much better.
I would counter that the sheer absurdity of the Spelljammer setting is a feature, not a bug.
Spelljammer was a clear (ish) successor to the bravura that was Expedition to the Barrier Peaks. Starfinder is Sci-Fi with Magitech, emphasis on the tech.To Each his own.
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I guess I'm also in the minority, because I have fond memories of dealing with the Spelljammer stuff. Silly, but fun.
Ah well.
There is nothing more ridiculous in the history of DnD than Spelljammer. All other attempts to be funny (such as Ravenloft muppets or rotational lion faces etc) pale in comparison.
That is why, by certain Chuckles McChucklestons, it is a nostalgic delight. :)