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Dragon Age (role-playing game)

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Dragon Age RPG
DesignersChris Pramas
PublishersGreen Ronin Publishing
PublicationJanuary 25, 2010
Years active2010 – 2019
GenresDark fantasy
SystemsDragon Age system
SeriesDragon Age
Playing timeVaries
ChanceDice rolling
SkillsRole-playing, improvisation, tactics
Media typeTabletop role-playing game

Dragon Age is a tabletop role-playing game published by Green Ronin Publishing from 2010 to 2019. It is based on the Dragon Age video game series by BioWare, and uses the video game series' setting.

Description

[edit]
Five six-sided dice on a surface; the dice display various numbers with white pips. The three in the front of the image are red dice and behind them are two purple dice.
The player's dedicated "dragon die" is a different color to differentiate it.

The game uses traditional tabletop role playing game features, such as character classes (fighter, mage and rogue), races (human, dwarf or elf), and ability scores.

Gameplay in the system centers around the use of three six-sided dice for all rolls. One die, called the "dragon die", is differently colored than the other two. When doubles appear on any roll, the player can perform special actions called "stunts", based on the value on the dragon die.

Publication history

[edit]

Dragon Age: Set 1 was released on January 25, 2010.[1] Shannon Appelcline, in the book Designers & Dragons (2011), commented that the project was "initiated by BioWare, which highlighted Green Ronin's position of importance within the industry".[2]: 377  Chris Pramas designed the "simple class-and-level system" for the game.[2]: 377  Pramas explained that the stunt system originated as "a dynamic critical hit system" where doubles on any of three dice rolled "generated a number of stunt points" which "could be spent on a menu of various maneuvers".[3] He noted that doubles occur "almost 50% of the time" and added "tension in every attack roll" – the popularity of "combat stunts" in playtesting led to the addition of "spell stunts in the initial release" of the game which were then followed by other stunt types such as "roleplaying and exploration stunts".[3]

The game's initial release was as a boxed set including a Player's Guide, Game Master's Guide, map of Ferelden and three dice, and covered characters of levels 1 through 5.[4][5] Pramas believed releasing the game as a boxset would "improve its accessibility".[2]: 377  That year, Green Ronin also released a corresponding Game Master's Kit (2010), which included a gamemaster's screen and an adventure, and the supplement Dragon Age: Blood in Ferelden (2010), which included three full-length adventures and three scenario seeds.[5][6] Dragon Age: Set 2 (2011) and Dragon Age: Set 3 (2014), covering levels 6–10 and 11–20 respectively, were later released.[7][8][2]: 377  The Dragon Age: Duty Unto Death adventure (2013) originated as the module Pramas ran in the Dragon Age episodes for the web series TableTop; Green Ronin then released it as a free PDF.[9]

A single hardcover compilation and update of the rules, titled Dragon Age RPG Core Rulebook, was released in May 2015.[10][11][12] The initial set was based on Dragon Age: Origins, however, the 2015 updated core rulebook "features material from Origins, Dragon Age 2, and Inquisition".[13] The adventure Dragon Age RPG: The Dalish Curse (2016) was released by Green Ronin as a standalone free PDF; it was originally included in Dragon Age: Set 1 which went out of print.[14] On April 9, 2019, Green Ronin released the supplement Faces of Thedas. This sourcebook is dedicated to porting series elements that could not fit in the core rulebook, such as a variety of companion and non-playable characters from the Dragon Age video games, into the table-top game.[15]

BioWare also released two system-neutral lore books, Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Vol. 1 (2013) and Vol. 2 (2015), which included art by Green Ronin's Tyshan Carey.[16][17][18] These were re-released in 2023 as a combined boxset.[19] In 2024, Robin Valentine of PC Gamer noted that while "Green Ronin has ceased supporting the game, and it never really got a lot of releases in the first place", the publisher adapted the system's rules into their Fantasy Age game system.[13] Valentine explained that since "Dragon Age features all sorts of classic fantasy tropes, it's easy to adapt Fantasy Age's many adventures, monsters, and more to it, and keep Thedas alive that way".[13]

Reception

[edit]

The Dragon Age system was a perennial best-seller for Green Ronin – ICv2 highlighted that it was in the top five roleplaying games for multiple quarters, such as #4 in Q1 2010,[20] Q4 2010,[21] Q1 2011,[22] Q2 2011,[23] Q3 2011,[24] Q4 2011,[25] Q2 2012,[26] Q3 2012,[27] Q4 2015,[28] and #5 in Q2 2016.[29] In 2013, ICv2 also highlighted that Dragon Age received a 30% "TableTop Bump" in sales after being featured on the web series TableTop; ICv2 noted that "the Alliance Game Distributors sales increase is measured from a baseline three months before the original release of the TableTop episode, and compared to a recent rolling three month average".[30]

Marshall Lemon, in his 2015 review written for The Escapist, praised the Dragon Age Core Rulebook, commenting "Green Ronin's Dragon Age isn't just a fantastic RPG adaptation, it's an excellent game period. It doesn't matter if you're a veteran tabletop player, a BioWare fan, or a complete newcomer to gaming. Dragon Age is a wonderful tabletop RPG that absolutely deserves your attention."[31] Lemon thought the main downside of the new combined rulebook was its "massive" size at "over 400 pages" since "parsing the book for useful content will feel more daunting to new gamers" compared to the split between the three sets where "first-time players could focus entirely on rules for low-level characters until they were comfortable with advanced mechanics".[31] Susana Polo of Polygon highlighted that while the game limits players to three class choices, the game still feels like there is a "multitude" of choice "with no less than 30 distinct Backgrounds for players to choose from" and that Green Ronin "shows its dedication to the vast world that Bioware has painted for its Dragon Age series" with the background options.[32] Polo felt that players who like both the Dragon Age setting and tabletop role-playing games should "check the game out".[32]

Robin Valentine of PC Gamer commented the game has "old school charm to its take on fantasy adventure, with some clever new ideas thrown in to make it feel fresh and exciting"[33] and that it almost felt "a bit like old school D&D" due to its "simple class and levelling system and lots of classic adventuring, albeit with the dark fantasy atmosphere of Dragon Age past".[13] While Polo thought the game mechanics were not more complex than Dungeons & Dragons 5th edition, she wasn't sure about recommending "it to a group that was completely new to tabletop RPGs, if only because of the source material. Dragon Age wouldn't feel like Dragon Age without mature handling of sex, addiction and dark ritual – challenging subjects that can turn a poorly managed game into an uncomfortable experience".[32] Alex Lenzini of CBR thought the Dragon Age lore was "fairly welcoming to players" and "easy for players to jump into without knowing too much".[34] He felt it was a "fantastic tabletop RPG" which made "it easy for new players to hop into the adventure".[34]

Polo also highlighted that the game uses just three six-sided dice unlike other tabletop role-playing games and adds "flair" via the Stunt Point table which players gain access to if they roll doubles on any of their dice.[32] Lenzini opined that the game's dice and stunt "system not only separates it from the countless other tabletop RPG dice systems but also excels at making players feel like awesome fantasy adventurers".[34] Lenzini commented that one of the three dice, the Dragon Die, determines the strength of the stunt and it "creates a fun and engaging reward that happens more frequently than rolling a natural 20 does in D&D, and it has layers of effectiveness that keep things balanced and interesting".[34] Valentine called the stunt mechanics "particularly good", highlighting that "every roll to hit in combat has a chance to generate points you can spend on getting cool extra effects".[33] Lemon similarly commented that "the Dragon Die make the lowest of characters into an epic hero" and that "stunts keep players focused on the in-game action. In turn, dice rolls get a lot more exciting – and dangerous – when you realize NPCs might use stunts against you".[31]

Lemon reviewed the Faces of Thedas sourcebook for VG247 in 2019. He noted that it is not an essential product for game masters working from the core book, though he recognized that fans of the Dragon Age video games will relish the "opportunity to interact with fan-favorite characters", and that "the relationship rules can encourage roleplay opportunities for new players".[15]

Awards and nominations

[edit]
Year Award Category Work Result Ref.
2010 ENnie Awards Best Game Dragon Age: Set 1 Nominated [35]
Product of the Year Nominated [35]
2011 Origins Awards Best Roleplaying Game Nominated [36]
2012 Best Roleplaying Supplement or Adventure Dragon Age: Set 2 Nominated [37]
ENnie Awards Best Art, Interior Silver Award [38]
Best Free Product Dragon Age Quickstart Guide Nominated [38]
2016 Best Art, Interior Dragon Age Core Rulebook Gold Award [39]
Best Game Gold Award [39]
Product of the Year Nominated [39]

Books and supplements

[edit]
Year Title Type Authors ISBN Ref.
2010 Dragon Age: Set 1 Rulebook (boxed set) Chris Pramas ISBN 978-1-934547-30-4 [40][4]
Dragon Age Game Master's Kit Gamemaster's screen, adventure module Jeff Tidball — [41][5]
Dragon Age: Blood in Ferelden Adventure module Walt Ciechanowski, Kevin Kulp, TS Luikart ISBN 978-1-934547-33-5 [42][5]
2011 Dragon Age: Set 2 Rulebook (boxed set) Steve Kenson, T.S. Luikart, Chris Pramas, Jeff Tidball ISBN 978-1-934547-44-1 [43][7]
Dragon Age RPG Quickstart Guide Supplement Jeff Tidball — [44]
2013 Dragon Age: Duty Unto Death Adventure module Chris Pramas — [9]
2014 Dragon Age: Set 3 Rulebook (boxed set) Chris Pramas, Will Hindmarch, Steve Kenson, Mary Kirby, Lauren Roy, Logan Bonner, Zack Walters ISBN 978-1-934547-48-9 [45][8]
2015 Dragon Age RPG Core Rulebook Rulebook Chris Pramas ISBN 978-1934547625 [46]
2016 Dragon Age Game Master's Kit, Revised Gamemaster's screen, adventure module Chris Pramas, Dave Brookshaw ISBN 978-1-934547-69-4 [47][48]
Dragon Age RPG: The Dalish Curse Adventure module Steve Kenson, Evan Sass — [14]
2019 Faces of Thedas Supplement Lisa Adams, Stephen Michael Dipesa, Justin Harris, Alyc Helms, Jack Norris, Matt Miller, Oz Mills, Jack Norris, Ryan Schoon, Jamie Wood ISBN 978-1934547830 [49]

References

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  1. ^ "Dragon Age RPG: Dark Fantasy Roleplaying". Greenronin.com. Archived from the original on 2009-11-10. Retrieved 2009-11-08.
  2. ^ a b c d Shannon Appelcline (2011). Designers & Dragons. Mongoose Publishing. ISBN 978-1-907702-58-7.
  3. ^ a b Pramas, Chris (March 2018). "The Evolution of AGE". Game Trade Magazine. No. 217. Alliance Game Distributors. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  4. ^ a b "Details Emerge on Green Ronin's 'Dragon Age RPG'". ICv2. May 27, 2009. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  5. ^ a b c d "'Dragon Age,' 'M&M,' 'Fire and Ice'". ICv2. December 12, 2009. Archived from the original on 2023-12-02. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  6. ^ Tidball, Jeff. "Blood in Ferelden Developer's Journal". Green Ronin. Archived from the original on May 28, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  7. ^ a b "'Dragon Age: Set 2'". ICv2. February 23, 2011. Archived from the original on 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  8. ^ a b "'Dragon Age: Set 3'". ICv2. July 17, 2014. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  9. ^ a b "Dragon Age: Duty Unto Death (PDF)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on 2024-06-14. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  10. ^ "Dragon Age RPG Core Rulebook". Green Ronin. Retrieved May 8, 2015.
  11. ^ Helton, Christopher (2015-04-20). "Green Ronin Announces Dragon Age Tabletop RPG Core Rules". Bleeding Cool. Archived from the original on 2024-02-22. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  12. ^ "'Dragon Age,' 'A Song of Ice and Fire,' 'Return to Freeport,' More". ICv2. January 27, 2015. Archived from the original on 2022-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  13. ^ a b c d Valentine, Robin (October 30, 2024). "If Dragon Age: The Veilguard has got you in a Thedas mood, make sure you grab this brilliantly cheap deal on the official Dragon Age tabletop RPG". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on November 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  14. ^ a b "Dragon Age RPG: The Dalish Curse (Free PDF)". Green Ronin Online Store. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  15. ^ a b Lemon, Marshall (February 25, 2019). "Dragon Age: Faces of Thedas review – a lovingly crafted RPG resource, but non-essential". VG247. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  16. ^ Gelinas, Ben (March 14, 2013). "BLOG: The World of Thedas". BioWare Blog. Archived from the original on August 10, 2013. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  17. ^ "Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 1 HC". Dark Horse Comics (Product page). Archived from the original on April 13, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  18. ^ "Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Volume 2 HC". Dark Horse Comics (Product page). Archived from the original on April 18, 2023. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  19. ^ Schedeen, Jesse (October 26, 2022). "Dragon Age: The World of Thedas Boxset Reprints Two Essential Lore Guides". IGN. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  20. ^ "Top Five RPGs--Q1 2010". ICv2. May 26, 2010. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  21. ^ "Top 5 Roleplaying Games--Q4 2010". ICv2. March 28, 2011. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  22. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Q1 2011". icv2.com. May 27, 2011. Archived from the original on 2024-04-23. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  23. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Q2 2011". ICv2. August 4, 2011. Archived from the original on 2024-10-08. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  24. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Summer 2011". icv2.com. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on 2024-05-05. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  25. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Q4 2011". ICv2. February 21, 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-06-13. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  26. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Spring 2012". ICv2. July 25, 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-05-24. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  27. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Summer 2012". ICv2. October 23, 2012. Archived from the original on 2024-08-11. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  28. ^ "Top 5 Roleplaying Games--Fall 2015". ICv2. March 9, 2016. Archived from the original on 2024-07-21. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  29. ^ "Top 5 RPGs--Spring 2016". icv2.com. Archived from the original on 2024-06-21. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  30. ^ "The 'TableTop' Bump". ICv2. November 7, 2013. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  31. ^ a b c Lemon, Marshall (May 6, 2015). "Dragon Age RPG Core Book Review - You Won't Be Disappointed". The Escapist. Archived from the original on January 21, 2020. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  32. ^ a b c d Polo, Susana (2016-07-29). "The Dragon Age tabletop RPG will scratch your blood magic itch". Polygon. Archived from the original on 2024-03-04. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  33. ^ a b Valentine, Robin (May 13, 2024). "The coolest tabletop RPGs based on videogames, from Fallout to Dragon Age". PC Gamer. Archived from the original on May 16, 2024. Retrieved November 16, 2024.
  34. ^ a b c d Lenzini, Alex (2023-01-31). "The Dragon Age Tabletop RPG Is the Perfect Alternative to D&D". CBR. Archived from the original on 2023-02-04. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  35. ^ a b "2010 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards". Archived from the original on 2024-06-24. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  36. ^ "37th Annual Origins Awards Finalists". ICv2. April 13, 2011. Archived from the original on 2024-02-21. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  37. ^ "Origins Awards Nominees". ICv2. May 30, 2012. Archived from the original on 2023-11-10. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  38. ^ a b "2012 Nominees and Winners – ENNIE Awards". Archived from the original on 2024-06-23. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  39. ^ a b c "2016 ENnie Award Winners". Archived from the original on March 19, 2019. Retrieved March 30, 2020.
  40. ^ "Dragon Age RPG, Set 1 (Print)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  41. ^ "Dragon Age Game Master's Kit (Print)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  42. ^ "Dragon Age: Blood in Ferelden (Print)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  43. ^ "Dragon Age RPG: Set 2 (Print)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  44. ^ "Dragon Age RPG Quickstart Guide (PDF)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on 2024-04-19. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  45. ^ "Dragon Age RPG: Set 3 (Print)". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on February 9, 2015. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  46. ^ "Dragon Age RPG Core Rulebook". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  47. ^ "Dragon Age Game Master's Kit, Revised". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  48. ^ "New 'Dragon Age GM's Kit' Arrives". ICv2. April 15, 2016. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
  49. ^ "Faces of Thedas". Green Ronin Online Store. Archived from the original on 2024-07-16. Retrieved 2024-11-16.
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