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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft $0.00
Average Rating:4.3 / 5
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CJ Carrella\'s WitchCraft
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Michael [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 12/05/2023 16:28:39

This is a great game system to run an urban fantasy style game. It actually has a robust system that is almost like a GURPS light that you could perhaps even use as a more general RPG system but the rules do assume a certain amount of supernatural goings on. This slight narrow focus and some 90's rule crunch (which I like but is probably not going to be popular with modern ttrpg players) keeps this from getting a perfect 5 stars from me. Still, a fantastic game that you should get.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Leonardo G. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/20/2021 20:07:25

WitchCraft is one of the best systems for running mystical games that not necessarily need to be philosophical- aka Mage the Ascention. The Unisystem is intuitive, after reading a bit you already grasp the essentials- this comes at the cost of inovation, which is small, close to nule. The Grimoire section of the book is comprehensive and complete, but I wish it was a bit more clear on some parts. Nonetheless, CJ Carella's is a must for anyone who thinks of playing a game that revolves around magic-using beings. You cannot ask for better than this, considering its free! I really hope that somehow we get a second edition of WitchCraft with more innovative mechanics, I really like the book.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Asen G. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/09/2020 15:10:30

That's an overlooked pearl of a game. The mechanics are great,working without "clutches" like Destiny points. The cards option is great for forum games. And playing a Bast is great fun!



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Michele A. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 04/10/2020 13:33:23

One of my favourite RPGs so far. Both mechanics and game world are immersive and push the players to good role-playing, instead of power-munchkining.

I suggest the game to mid- to experienced players, since it is hard to e.g. flesh out a talking cat if it's the first time you are playing.

The only issue is that the power growth of the characters gets slower as experience accumulates, thus it is hard to set up a proper ending to a campaign.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Norbert P. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 01/09/2018 13:52:37

If your looking for a modern day horror or supernatural rpg look no further!

Check out my review of Eden Studios WitchCraft rpg: https://youtu.be/CW8V1v8syK0



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Ian F. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/04/2017 05:34:02

A classic modern-supernatural game you can run from a single book.

I picked up Witchcraft (2nd ed) around 1999, and played with the book so often I had to get it rebound. While the supplements are useful (especially Mystery Codex), the core book could keep you playing for years on its own. The system is very easy to figure out, and has card and diceless variants included that I've used with success as well. The setting has the right amount of interesting groups to use in play, and you can re-skin them trivially to fit your own vision of an occult conspiracy setting.

And (at the time of this writing, and for quite some time) it's free.

This game features an interesting magic system, some great artwork, and a very usable dice engine. You will likely want to moderate how the experience system works (I found characters advancing way too quickly in some games), and also remember that guns are deadly in this game.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Timothy B. [Featured Reviewer]
Date Added: 06/30/2015 21:38:10

This is less of a review and more of a testimonial.

WitchCraft is the best game ever made. At least, for me.

WitchCraft is, hands down, my favorite game. Period. Picking up a copy of this book back in 1999 was just like picking up a copy of the Monster Manual in 1979. Everything I ever wanted in a game was right there. Everything.

WitchCraft had such a profound effect on my gaming that I can draw a rather clean line between what came before and what came after it. Granted a lot was going on in 1999/2000 both gamingwise and personal that may have added to the this effect, it was an effect all the same.

Back in 1999 I was really burned out on D&D. I was working on my own Witch netbook and reading a bunch of different games when someone, I forget where, must have been the old RAVENLOFT-L that TSR/WotC used to run, told me I really need to check out WitchCraft. At first I balked. I had tried Vampire a couple years ago and found I didn't like it (and I was very much out of my vampire phase then), but I was coming home from work and the my FLGS was on the way, so I popped in and picked up a copy. This must have been the early spring of 2000.

I can recall sitting in my office reading this book over and over. Everything was so new again, so different. This was the world I had been trying, in vain, to create for D&D but never could. The characters in this book were also all witches, something that pleased me to no end, it was more than just that. Plus look at that fantastic cover art by George Vasilakos. That is one of my most favorite, is not my favorite, cover for a game book. I have it hanging in my game room now.

WitchCraft uses what is now called the "Classic" Unisystem system. So there are 6 basic attributes, some secondary attributes (derived), skills and qualities and drawbacks. Skills and attributes can be mixed and matched to suit a particular need.

WitchCraft uses a Point-Buy Metaphysics magic system, unlike Ghosts of Albion's levels of magic and spells system. Think of each magical effect as a skill that must be learned and you have to learn easier skills before the harder ones first. In D&D for example it is possible to learn Fireball and never have learned Produce Flame. In WitchCraft you could not do that. WitchCraft though is not about throwing around "vulgar magics". WitchCraft is a survival game where the Gifted protect humanity from all sorts of nasty things, from forgotten Pagan gods, to demons, fallen angels and the Mad Gods; Cthulhoid like horrors from beyond. WitchCraft takes nearly everything from horror and puts all together and makes it work.

The Eden Studios version was the Second Edition, I was later to find out. The first one was from Myrmidon Press. I manged to find a copy of that one too and it was like reading the same book, from an alternate universe. I prefer the Eden Edition far more for a number of reasons, but I am still happy to have both editions.

The central idea behind WitchCraft is the same as most other Modern Supernatural Horror games. The world is like ours, but there are dark secrets, magic is real, monsters are real. You know the drill. But WitchCraft is different. There is a Rekoning coming, everyone feels it, but no one knows what it is. Characters then take on the roles of various magic using humans, supernatuals or even mundane humans and they fight the threats. Another conceit of the game (and one I use a lot) is that supernatural occurances are greater now than ever before. Something's coming. (dogs and cats living together, mass hysteria).

It is most often compared to World of Darkness, but there are things WitchCraft does that I just like better. Unlike (old) Mage there is no war between the (good) Mages and the (evil) Technocracy. There is a war certainly, but nothing so cut and dry. Unlike new Mage there are rarely clean divisions between the factions. Yes, yes Mage players, I am being overly simple, but that is the point, on the simple levels new Mage dives everything into 5 because that is how the designers want it. There are factions (Associations) and there are different metaphysics for each, but also overlap, and sometimes no clear and defined lines are to be found or given. It feels very organic.

In my opinion C. J. Carella may be one of the best game designers out there. WitchCraft is a magnum opus that few achieve. I took that game and I ran with it. For 2000 - 2003 it was my game of choice above and beyond anything. The Buffy RPG, built on the Cinematic Unisystem took over till I wrote Ghosts of Albion, which also use the Cinematic Unisystem. I mix and match the systems as I need, but WitchCraft is still my favorite.

WitchCraft paved the way for so many other games for me, not just in terms of playing but in writing. If it were not for WitchCraft then we would not have had Buffy, Angel or Army of Darkness. Conspiracy X would have remained in the it's original system. There would be no Terra Primate or All Flesh Must Be Eaten and certainly there would be no Ghosts of Albion. The game means that much to me.

But you don't have to take my word for it, Eden Studios will let you have it, sans some art, for free. Download it. If you have never played anything else other than D&D then you OWE it yourself to try this game out.

My thing is I wish it was more popular than it is. I love the game. If I was told I could only play one game for the rest of my life then WitchCraft would be in my top 3 or 2 choices.

You can read more here: http://theotherside.timsbrannan.com/2015/06/why-i-love-rpgs-c-j-carellas-witchcraft.html



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Tomas T. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 06/29/2013 09:04:24

It has a very well founded and easy magical background. Although I haven't played it yet I have read parts and found it very well written and anyone who likes this themed Role Playing will use it. The way to create a character is very defined and what I most like of the book is that it's not complicated. I also loved the art displayed in it. A definitive must try for all magic and mystic lovers!



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Joseph M. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 05/01/2013 12:13:39

This book is the rosetta stone of 'getting' the unisystem. And it's free.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Sean D. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/19/2012 05:41:31

This is a Unisystem game, the same rule set that powers All Flesh Must Be Eaten. And WitchCraft is free! If you think you might run All Flesh one day, stop reading this and download WitchCraft right now. Before Eden Studios wises up and starts charging you for it.



Rating:
[3 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Jan S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/17/2012 03:04:41

This game introduced me to the whole Unisystem series of which I now own quite a few products. I was never happy playing WOD games, I considered them too much like superhero games instead of gritty, dark urban fantasy. For me Witchcraft was what I was looking for. I liked the fact that I did not have to roll handfulls of dice, its a personal preference. I liked the dark grim setting, with a slight hint of Cthulhu esque horror. The fluff pieces in the book give a really nice feel for the setting.

If you are not a fan of WOD, but want something in the line of urban fantasy, you will probably be happy with Witchcraft.

After getting Witchcraft for free, I went on to buy all the expansions (starting with Mystery codex), which I consider useful additions to the main rules.



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Rodrigo N. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 10/10/2011 14:31:31

muito bom acho que vale a pena pegar esse livro, ainda mais de graça



Rating:
[5 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Corey K. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/06/2011 11:41:35

The game looks pretty solid to me. The Unisystem is a little simple for my tastes, and I'm not too sure how it'll stand up if used without Dice or Cards. Still, it looks like it will get the job done nicely, and I look forward to testing it out. The fact that it's free makes this book even better, and I would recommend any gamer take a look at this. It does a lot of things WoD just can't, and I kinda wish I had started my current 'Psychics trapped in an Asylum' game with it instead.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Ramon F. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 09/03/2011 23:12:01

Well for me it was great,and at that price much better. as things are going, we need a bit more stuff free so we can keep rpg alive



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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CJ Carrella's WitchCraft
Publisher: Eden Studios
by Timothy S. [Verified Purchaser]
Date Added: 07/24/2010 09:32:23

This review is based on approximately 1 hour of skimming the rules, reading in-depth into some sections, and is not a comprehensive review.

That said, I strongly recommend this game to anyone interested in contemporary supernatural settings.

The artwork is black and white, but excellent. The fiction that is interspersed throughout the book is well written, although the font used can be just a bit clumsy to read.

The ruleset is solid... similar in many ways to other, more popular and well known RPG's in a similar setting, but they stand on their own and seem to work well.

This PDF is just over 320 pages, and it is a complete system... just because it's free here at DriveThru, don't let that make you think it's any less valuable than expensive games.

I did not give this particular game 5 stars because... well honestly I felt there was almost too MUCH fiction blended in. That's a personal issue with me (I can't stand the tons and tons of fiction in the Vampire series books by White Wolf), so please disregard this criticism if you like a lot more color in your games than I am comfortable with.

Final verdict: Extremely good game, solid game mechanics, excellent art. You can't lose with this.



Rating:
[4 of 5 Stars!]
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