Okay... Maybe you should try Draw Steel...? | Review: the MCDM RPG

I tried the MCDM RPG: Draw Steel. This was while playing the Patreon playtest packet, so before the recent release of the Backer Kit version. Here are all my thoughts on the updates from the first playtest, how we faired as a group in this new ttrpg and my overall thoughts about it. We also get to touch base on making a character in Draw Steel.

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00:00 Intro
1:37 Updates from the Last MCDM Playtest Packer
8:56 Overall Thoughts on Gameplay
11:25 Making a Character in Draw Steel
16:49 Final Thoughts

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For most livestreams I use this music during my games:
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[FMD-FullMetalDragon]

I think the best thing that has happened with the MCDM rpg is that it has a real name now. Draw Steel is honestly a really cool title IMHO.

[facelessone]

So the packet from last December didn't have tiers at all. The damage was just 2D6 + mod +/- boon(edge)/banes. This lead to most damage rolls being very similar. The reason they switched to tiers is because they could make each ability do different amounts of damage for tier 1/2/3. It's also easier to create damage differences between weak and strong characters/enemies.

For example, in the old system a weak goblin would do 2D6+mod damage while a huge troll would do 2D6+mod damage with maybe some D8s in their to pump up the damage. That is hard to scale. The new system a goblin may do 2/4/6 damage with their tiers while a troll could do 8/14/20. That is easy to change and homebrew!

[nathanlee]

The biggest changes in the backer packer is Director facing like the way monsters work and encounter building. There's also a short intro adventure that takes place before the adventure you played.

[StruggleBus]

Great review! As an MCDM fan sometimes it’s easy to look at the thing with rose-colored glasses. Maybe your Director was just wiped out at the end of the sessions trying to keep all the monsters and new rules in his poor noggin. I’m sure he had an amazing time.

[hotwheels]

Played a combat with a friend last night using the backer packet, just a goblin encounter. It was pretty fun and didn’t put nearly as much strain on me as running 5e has for the last 8 years, I’m super encouraged by it. I’ll have to see how it goes with a full party to be sure though.

[gaa_txt]

Funny enough, the biggest change was a response to your director feedback! They made the monsters easier to run.

[HarmonicHewell]

13:05 I think that deciding what class you’re going to play is literally what they mean by “Think.” The draw steel character making system is about making characters first, not necessarily just stat blocks.
Also, starting with Ancestry then going, Culture, Career and then Class is a chronological approach. You’re born as a certain ancestry into a culture, then you grow up and have a career which you leave to become a hero.
I think this critique mainly comes from a different philosophy of character creation.

[infamousjustice]

My friends and I are excited to try out draw steel, we are waiting for one of our friends to find the time to direct. All but one of us is a dm, so it makes it challenging with that and work.

We have been loving the edge mechanic. Many jokes have been made.

[undeadamerican]

Thanks for this recap. I'm really interested in Draw Steel and looking forward to more information on it!

[CyanMentality]

Yo this is sick, cheers for the upload.
My group is just getting their heads around 5e but I'd love to try this sometime. Keen use my Fate CORE +/- dice to keep track of Edge/Bane lol.

[ReadingAde]

I was a day 1 backer of the mcdm rpg. However once I realized it was nowhere near finished I backed out. I’ll wait to buy when the game is ready to be released.

[SgtWicket]

Thank you for the info, I’ve had one eye on this game’s development but there are so many new games there just isn’t enough time in the day. I still have a shelf full of rulebooks for old games I have yet to play.

[amianderson]

i passed, rolled an 11, but I have a +3 for autism for 15. yay, go me!

[M.Melnick]

Matt made a character on a stream it took a while but that was mostly because Matt was talking about all kinds of things. I'd imagine that if you do it one time, it will go very fast thereafter.

[benreisfisher]

I've run the black bottom pack twice now. Once with Patreon and once with backerkit.

It's easier to do on backerkit, a bit more streamlined.

I am very excited for draw steel.

[probablyDae]

Made the perception check but my character can’t read 😢

[YuWinY]

DM coolest moment is when other player get to shine and enjoy themselves.

[khersheyjr]

I perceived your perception board behind you :P

[TobiasPatrick]

Maybe it will turn out to be good, but right now, I am glad I did not back this.

[Adrian_Lee]

Great review! Especially for those who didn’t have time to watch longer videos!