Plot Hooks is back on Kickstarter with a second attempt to crowdfund the second edition of Disaster Hamsters.
The first attempt at Disaster Hamsters asked for over $22,000 to fund and managed over $9,500 before ending. That’s pretty good for a game in which you use D&D’s 5e rules to play an adventuring hamster. Attempt two asks for “only” $3,900, and that goal has been met already. There are about four weeks left for other people to find these war hamsters and pledge their support.
The game is set in the Feywild and so, well, could therefore be included in many current D&D RPGs!
A scientist, Jaer’i Heliot, has discovered a way to craft sentient animals, has made some adventuring hamsters and is testing them by pitting them against the “Sanctuary” and the boss Snuggles.
It sounds like fun! Except, there’s that possible exception of that showdown with Snuggles. Maybe the two sides can talk and come to a truce?
If you can’t wait, then the first edition of the game is available from the DMsGuild. It’s a silver best-seller, averages 4.5/5 stars and helps confirm that the original creative team is back for the second edition.
What’s different? Disaster Hamsters 2e builds on the game’s lore and finesses the concepts. As a result, there are three sections to the new RPG: Critter Mechanics, Campaign Setting and a one-shot adventure.
You can get a sneak peek at the setting, for free, and with an interactive map at dScryb. I didn’t know dScryb could do that, so this is already a win for me.
In the Plot Hook team, Holly Wake writes and consults on accessibility. The RPG is already kid-friendly, in so much as the designers hope kids can and will play it without upsetting guardians, but it’ll also be available in two versions. One has a greater emphasis on accessible layout, alt text for images and will use the OpenDyslexic typeface.
Remember how I hoped there might be a non-violent resolution with the dungeon boss? Disaster Hamsters explicitly calls out non-violent solutions to many encounters. I’ve put the emphasis on “many”.
Deep in the Feywild, nefarious scientist Jaer’i Heliot has finally perfected the art of crafting sentient animals. Although the elf has designed many a creature, he regards his work with hamsters as the pinnacle of his achievements. Now, as a final test of his creations, Jaer’i plans to drop his adorable rodents into a enormous nature preserve, which he’s filled with other small intelligent critters. In Disaster Hamsters 2 by Plot Hooks, your party plays as sentient hamsters — or even some other little animals —adventuring through The Sanctuary in this epic TTRPG book, which is compatible with Fifth Edition!
As usual with Kickstarter, you can support the project by promising a money donation or sharing the campaign on your social media and with friends.
Backers who contribute $20 or more will also get their name in the book and a PDF copy of Disaster Hamsters 2e.
Backers at $35 will also get a print edition of the game, and shipping will be added later. Now, Plot Hooks say that it can be either a softcover or hardcover edition, and that makes me wonder whether what’s really on offer is an at-cost print-on-demand copy. If so, you will still have to pay printing costs too.
$50 tier hamster supporters get additional content, including everything from Plot Hooks’ Patreon from 2021.
There are higher tiers. One is for $160 backers who also get a year free at dScryb at the Hero level, which usually costs $79.99 a year.
Disaster Hamsters 2 is expected to be ready for backers by November.
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