I found one old post asking what was different mechanics-wise between KAP-3 and KAP-5 that was answered in terms of character generation options. I have KAP-3 and KAP-4 and recently the PDF of GPC. While I can see that the core of the system is the same and presume KAP-4 charcter generation is closer to KAP-5, is there a significant reason to seek a KAP-5 PDF?

I was guessing that the wealth system has changed slightly as well? It also appears that NPC foes for battles have also changed some? It looks like it may be possible to connect the opponents referred to in battles to NPC foes from KAP-4?

So far GPC looks well worth the wait, even to read through.

While things have changed a bit, you could run the GPC with KAP3 or 4 with little difficulty. Characters generated with the old rules would still work, the wealth system is about the same (and there is a new harvest table included in the GPC,), and you could use the old battle system with the GPC without any problems (KAP5 gives customized foes table depending on who you are fighting. Nice but not essential). In fact, all the changes are done in a sort of modular fashion so you could even pick and choose things to add to a KAP3 or KAP4 campaign. Like the new British Christian religion.

Surprisingly the character generation in KAP5 is actually closer to KAP3 than KAP4. You generate characters from Salisbury, assign points to stats, and get fixed values for passions and traits, and then make some background picks to raise some things.

Where the more significant changes come are in the supplements.

There is no significant reason to seek out the KAP5 rulebook.

The earlier discussion focussed on character generation, because that's the only area where there is any significant difference. Elsewhere, the differences are mainly in presentation*. If you have 3 & 4, and you like the character generation options those books provide, you have all you need to play.

If you do want to update the character generation, I'd advise skipping KAP5, and getting the Book of Knights and ladies, from Greg's website. It is a marked improvement and expansion of the advanced options found in KAP4, and covers all the periods of the campaign, not just the 531 era.

Greg's website is a great source of rules discussion and updates too.

*There are only two rule differences I can think of (that haven't been errata'd away), between KAP3/4 and KAP5: In KAP5, the Double Feint tactic has been dropped. And when fighting Berserk v Defend, both sides keep their +10 skills, and the berserk hits if he wins, while the defender has no effect if he wins.

Just wanted to add that to get the KAP5 as pdf would be sacrilege. Its a beautiful hardcover book, with real thump as you put it on the table. So if you can only get it as pdf then just use KAP4 for now and wait until you can get KAP5 as it was intended...
;D ;D ;D

The only good reason why I bought this book is for the chapter "Salisbury Family History", which generate the family history of a knight adult in 485 (and not 531). All the others pages seems to be the same as previous editions, and I just skim through them (and I hadn't saw the difference for the combat tactics ^_^)

Just wanted to add that to get the KAP5 as pdf would be sacrilege. Its a beautiful hardcover book, with real thump as you put it on the table. So if you can only get it as pdf then just use KAP4 for now and wait until you can get KAP5 as it was intended...
;D ;D ;D


Yes Spoonist!
I absolutely agree with this and what a resounding, meaty thump it makes on a table too! Enough to rattle the teeth in antagonistic players heads and to make the dice on the table scatter like so many frightened cockroaches!
It is also more than an adequate shield against missiles launched by furious catpissmen players, frustrated spouses and befuddled observers (I lump into this category household pets and children!).

The only good reason why I bought this book is for the chapter "Salisbury Family History", which generate the family history of a knight adult in 485 (and not 531). All the others pages seems to be the same as previous editions, and I just skim through them (and I hadn't saw the difference for the combat tactics ^_^)


Oh yes, good point. That's definitely worth having.

Also, the KAP5 rulebook is a very nice rulebook, and the presentation of the material is very good. So it's definitely a good book, just if you have 3/4, and you aren't extravagantly buying gamebooks just because you can, you don't need it.

Really, I feel as though the main advantage is the layout. It's clear and very well put together. Not that prior editions were terrible in this regard but 5 is definitely a step up.

Just wanted to add that to get the KAP5 as pdf would be sacrilege.
Well, maybe if you get the pdf instead of the hard cover. I recommend both. The bound edition to browse, and the digital version to search. Yay pdf searching.

Just wanted to add that to get the KAP5 as pdf would be sacrilege.
Well, maybe if you get the pdf instead of the hard cover. I recommend both. The bound edition to browse, and the digital version to search. Yay pdf searching.

Conceded, but I don't want a CPU on the gaming table when playing a medieval game... My players really hated it the few times I did so...

I just pretend my laptop is a GM screen. It's not really any more obtrusive when you think about it.

I just pretend my laptop is a GM screen. It's not really any more obtrusive when you think about it.

If turned off and covered in artwork, then yes. :-[ But the usage of it is very obtrusive by itself.

I guess we're coming from different angles. :) I love gaming with a laptop, even if I'm not a huge fan of pdfs (I like books, dammit). I have music I can change based on mood with a click, notes I can search and a wiki for the campaign everyone can access in real time.

I guess we're coming from different angles. :) I love gaming with a laptop, even if I'm not a huge fan of pdfs (I like books, dammit). I have music I can change based on mood with a click, notes I can search and a wiki for the campaign everyone can access in real time.

I do that in my cyberpunk campaign. ;D But for my Pendragon one I use a remote to switch the mood music and lots of paper for the notes etc. ;)
The only thing I have problems with are names... so there is a lot of title use instead. The duke said that to the senechal, etc...

I printed my PDF. THen I gout it sprial bound at Kinkos. That is probably the best of both worlds, since I have a water-resistant hardcopy to flip through, but can still cut and past sections from the PDF to print out for reference; can read the file on a computer; and can use search functions to find stuff easier.

And for a hardcopy, printed or purchased, I strongly recommend Post-It's durable tabs. The are easy to put on, can be removed or moved , and make it a lot easier to find things. I know it saves me valuable time each session, allowing me to find the Winter Phase and Solo sections much quicker.

I guess we're coming from different angles. :) I love gaming with a laptop, even if I'm not a huge fan of pdfs (I like books, dammit). I have music I can change based on mood with a click, notes I can search and a wiki for the campaign everyone can access in real time.


Me too. I've never understood the argument that it's obtrusive to use a computer in fantasy games. Taken to extremes, that would mean you can't use paper, pens, or electric lighting and central heating. I can't see why a laptop would be any more intrusive than those. :)

Different strokes for different folks.

Which puts me in mind of the old WoD joke. Why do WW use dots on their character sheets? So the goths can game by candlelight. Bad-um-bum!