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Adventurer Conqueror King System

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Your Journey from Adventurer to King Begins Now!

Enter a world where empires totter on the brink of war, and terrible monsters tear at the fragile borderlands of men; where decaying cities teem with chaos and corruption, nubile maidens are sacrificed to chthonic cults and nobles live in decadent pleasure on the toil of slaves; where heroes, wizards, and rogues risk everything in pursuit of glory, fortune, and power. This is a world where adventurers can become conquerors – and conquerors can become kings.

Will you survive the perils of war and dark magic to claim a throne? Or will you meet your fate in a forgotten ruin beyond the ken of men?

The Adventurer Conqueror King System™ (ACKS) is a new fantasy role-playing game that provides the framework for epic fantasy campaigns with a sweeping scope. With the Adventurer Conqueror King System™ you can:

  • Play 12 different classes, including the fighter, mage, thief, cleric, assassin, bard, bladedancer, explorer, dwarven craftpriest, dwarven vaultguard, elven nightblade, and elven spellsword.
  • Easily customize your character using a unique, optional proficiency system. Make your fighter a berserker or your mage a necromancer!
  • Buy, sell, and trade common merchandise, precious silks and spices, and even monster parts and magic items in a balanced and integrated game economy.
  • Construct strongholds, establish kingdoms, and carve out a realm for your character.
  • Run a thieves' guild and send your minions to carouse, smuggle, steal, and commit other hijinks.
  • Establish a wizard's sanctum and explore the forbidden arts. Crossbreed horrific monsters in an underground laboratory, enact powerful magical rituals, build golems, craft magic items, or even transform yourself and your followers into undead monsters.
  • Build and run a living world for adventure on a grand scale. With game mechanics built to support emergent play, ACKS is the ultimate RPG for sandbox campaigns.

Whether you want to crawl through dungeons, trade with merchant caravans, run a merchant emporium, conquer an empire, or even raise an undead legion, ACKS supports your playstyle with simple, fast-playing game mechanics.

If you like ACKS, be sure to check out Adventurer Conqueror King System Imperial Imprint, the revised and expanded edition of ACKS, crowdfunding now at Kickstarter.

Please note that the interior of the book is black and white. We offer it for sale as standard color because color printing offers richer, deeper, blacks on better paper. 

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Reviews (18)
Discussions (21)
Customer avatar
Todd S February 18, 2024 9:43 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Greetings! It seems I missed the crowdfunding for ACKS II. Is there going to be any kind of late pledge capacity, via Backerkit or something like that?
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Customer avatar
Alexander M February 18, 2024 9:45 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Yes, there will be you! You can email us at orders@autarch.co to put in a late pledge.
Customer avatar
Lesley N January 19, 2023 4:28 am UTC
Deeefinitely one of those "how did I miss this one?" moments.

Love the over all look of the design. Yes, it's the usual 6 stats and the usual races and classes. But, it's got it's own flavour. it doesn't appear fixated on 'dungeons'. I have not encountered a DM devoted book yet. But I have liked the material directed at more pure wargaming of great battles possibly interacting with the role gaming.

I only have one beef so far. Knock off the solid black chapter dividers. Forget ink cost, I just don't like them. The art is also too full on black. Tone then down. Otherwise, I'm impressed with the product.
Customer avatar
Christian R November 22, 2022 4:14 pm UTC
How sturdy are the bindings on the hardcovers? Is there a difference in quality between the premium color and the B&W? Been reading around and ACKS seems like an amazing system for Domain play, so I want to go all in and get a bunch of physical copies. Not sure how long until an updated version is posted, so hopefully this isn't a bad time to buy.
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Customer avatar
Alexander M November 22, 2022 5:27 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
The premium color is a noticeable improvement of the B&W in paper quality and appearance. The bindings themselves are about the same, though. I haven't had any issues with them personally.

No updated version is scheduled to be posted anytime soon. Thanks for checking out ACKS!
Customer avatar
De la Viscario R August 04, 2022 12:48 pm UTC
Hi, do you have an email for business contact?
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Customer avatar
Alexander M August 04, 2022 4:17 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Sure, you can message me at alex@autarch.co
Customer avatar
Roger J May 08, 2022 6:27 pm UTC
PURCHASER
This looks to be a great deal of fun.
As someone who has spent years wargaming the 'historical scene' and new to RPG Fantasy, may I ask on rookie question.
How solo friendly is this set of rules?
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Customer avatar
Alexander M May 09, 2022 6:19 am UTC
PUBLISHER
It's not any more or less solo friendly than typical Dungeons & Dragons type games. That said, we have a member on the ACKS Discord who has written a host of house rules for a solo campaign, so it's certainly doable.
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Customer avatar
Roger J May 09, 2022 9:04 am UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks for that information. I'll look into this.
Customer avatar
George F March 25, 2022 7:12 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I've heard whispers of a second edition in process. Is there any merit to these whispers?
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Customer avatar
Alexander M March 25, 2022 7:21 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I'm currently running a campaign that uses all of the published Axioms rules and some rules that will be published in the upcoming "By This Axe" sourcebook. Some of the players have suggested I should consolidate this material into a new edition of the game. But it's not something that is on the calendar, simply a possibility for a future date.

If ACKS ever had a second edition it would be akin to BX->BECMI or 3->3.5 and nothing like the shocking changes that have occured from 2E to 3E, 3E to 4E, etc.
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Customer avatar
George F March 25, 2022 7:25 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Thanks for the fast reply. :)
Customer avatar
Joshua C December 04, 2021 10:46 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Is there a published errata anywhere?
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Customer avatar
Joshua C December 04, 2021 11:17 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Disregard comment...
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Customer avatar
Esteban M December 05, 2021 12:08 am UTC
PURCHASER
Just so you know, the errata is included in current files and every PoD order
Reply
Customer avatar
Joshua C December 05, 2021 2:38 am UTC
PURCHASER
My pdf has some weirdness to it. I found the forums and realized I must have had a bad download. The new copy didn't have the same issues...
Customer avatar
Charles B November 01, 2021 8:36 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hey Alexander,

I absolutely love this game. I can't say it enough. Had a question: Is the POD version here on drivethru the same as if I bought off the autarch website? I'm just wanting to get the nicest version of the book I can. Thanks!
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Customer avatar
Alexander M November 01, 2021 11:03 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
The version on the Autarch website is an offset printed book with a matte cover. The version available in POD is a digital printed book with a glossy cover. The books available from POD have thicker pages and are a bit heavier, which is nice; however, the matte cover seems to be everyone's favorite. Either version is really solid at the table.
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Customer avatar
Alexander M November 01, 2021 11:03 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
And thank you for the kind words!
Reply
Customer avatar
ROB B November 11, 2021 6:56 am UTC
PURCHASER
Is the construction on the offset print you’re offering perfect bound or case bound?

I’d love a physical copy but TBH I can’t take another one of these cheap glue-only bindings where pages crack loose from the glue and fall out within a year or two.
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M November 13, 2021 7:10 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
I don't actually have a copy myself of the matte version to confirm but if I remember correctly it is case-bound. It was our deluxe edition.
We haven't had any complaints about the pages falling out.
Customer avatar
Joe C October 15, 2021 12:34 pm UTC
Unable to review as my partner bought me the core book.
Now planning to purchase more in due course.
My wishlist includes a complete set of 14 books.
( Fully intend to get the whole lot eventually)

Absolutely brilliant set of rules.
Love the attention in detail in how domains work.
This is excellent, quite unique.
Wish I got into ACKS sooner, glad I found it though.
(Was recommended by O.G.Joel.)
This system has broad depth, an intriguing scope.
Offering some unique options.
It's all tied in with ideas I've been working already.
Looking forward to collecting more the books.
In particular ... Players Companion
Heroic Companion
Axioms Compendium
Barbarian Conquers Of Kanahun

Autarch scratch an itch that is eye opening and original.
Check out the forum
Check out their F.B
Along...See more
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M November 13, 2021 7:10 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Thanks for the kind review!
Customer avatar
ROB B October 08, 2021 4:08 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I read an old post over on the Autarch site about a second edition with the errata. Is this it? The print preview says it is the first edition. Does this PDF incorporate the errata?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M October 11, 2021 8:14 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Hi Rob! The PDF on DTRPG incorporates all of the errata. The physical second printing (it's not a second edition, just a second printing) is available for sale in a matte hardcover on my website, AutarchEmporium.com.
Customer avatar
Stacie W July 01, 2021 11:37 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Hardcover Standard perhaps since Premium prices jumped the shark?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M July 02, 2021 5:02 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Maybe I should do that, thanks for the suggestion. For now, I've left it as-is. I don't mind the lower profit margin for my core book since it's the gateway to future ACKS purchases.
Customer avatar
Armando D March 20, 2021 11:18 pm UTC
Is there no longer a POD option for this title?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M March 30, 2021 11:43 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Armando, the POD option has been reactivated. Please note that while it says "color" the interior art is black-and-white. The color option was used just for the superior paper and ink quality. Thank you!
Customer avatar
Rafael S February 05, 2021 2:18 am UTC
PURCHASER
Hello everyone, i was wondering if it's existed a GM screen for ACK and if so, it is sell separatly from the main book or is it not ?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M February 06, 2021 12:14 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Hello Rafael - there is not an official GM screen but we have a fan-made GM screen available at our website. It's at Autarch.co under "Downloads". Cheers!
Reply
Customer avatar
Rafael S February 13, 2021 12:57 pm UTC
PURCHASER
Oh thanks you am gonna take a look ^^
Customer avatar
Charles B January 17, 2021 3:03 am UTC
PURCHASER
Outside of the core rules what do you recommend getting to start with?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M February 06, 2021 12:18 am UTC
PUBLISHER
If you're running in a standard D&D-style setting and aren't initially interested in mass combat, warfare, strongholds:
-- ACKS Core + Player's Companion + Lairs & Encounters

If you are very interested in mass combat, warfare, strongholds, add:
-- Domains at War: Campaigns
-- AXIOMS Compendium
Add in Domains at War: Battles if you like tabletop miniature wargames like Warhammer Fantasy or Warmachine.


If you want to play in the Auran Empire campaign setting, add (in this order, as you play through the setting):
- Auran Empire Primer
- Sinister Stone of Sakkara
- Capital of the Borderlands
- Secrets of the Nethercity
- Ruined City of Cyfandir
- Eyrie of the Dread Eye
- Sepulcher of the Sorceress-Queen

If you are interested in trying out alternative settings such as high fantasy, swords & sorcerery, or renaissance muskets-and-magic, get one of these:
- Heroic Fantasy Handbook (LOTR/Earthsea/Hyboria)...See more
Customer avatar
Esteban M August 17, 2020 1:00 pm UTC
PURCHASER
I just recently found about this game.
Since I missed the Kickstarter, I missed on a great quality printing (at least the one I saw on YouTube was of great quality).
How good is this POD version compared to that?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M August 18, 2020 9:35 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
The POD quality is good. It's not as good as the beautiful KS book, but it is more than serviceable at the gaming table.
I personally play with the POD version and so does most of my personal group.
Reply
Customer avatar
Esteban M September 01, 2020 2:14 am UTC
PURCHASER
We shall see!
Everything I've read about the game is just pure awesomeness... So I decided to buy every single one of the books available for printing
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M September 03, 2020 1:44 am UTC
PUBLISHER
Thanks so much for the support!!
Reply
Customer avatar
Esteban M March 29, 2021 11:34 pm UTC
PURCHASER
If anyone wanders the discussions like me, before making a purchase; let me tell you:
Since I wrote the first comment, I now own 2 copies of the core rules, 3 copies of the heroic fantasy handbook, 3 copies of the players handbook, 3 of the player's companion, plus one copy of every other book available for print, + some adventures.
The game is THAT good. The layout is great, the quality is great and the rules awesome.
Yes, the game is almost 10 years old but no, it doesn't need a new edition, even if you decide to use alternate rules from the heroic fantasy handbook or axioms compendium; they are grouped and clearly explained, they don't feel like patches. The game has been masterfully designed and I give all my praises to everyone involved in it's design.
It's a shame currently the core rules are not available for POD, but you can find cheap copies (and of better quality) on amazon.

Please do yourself a favor and buy this ASAP if you're interested in OSR or high level play....See more
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M March 30, 2021 11:43 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Thank you for the kind review!
Customer avatar
Italo I March 06, 2020 5:02 pm UTC
Ok, so this is basically a "hack", but on which edition of D&D is based?
Reply
Customer avatar
Alexander M March 06, 2020 5:09 pm UTC
PUBLISHER
Moldvay/Cook BX and Mentzer BECMI.
Reply
Customer avatar
Italo I March 07, 2020 6:43 am UTC
Thank you very much!
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Product Information
Adamantine seller
Pages
274
ISBN
978-0-9849832-0-9
Publisher Stock #
AUT1001
File Size:
12.82 MB
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Publisher
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