Microlite20 : the smallest thing in gaming - Page 3

bytor4232 · 31st October 2006, 03:24 AM

I passed the word about your ruleset over at DNDOG. Its getting very positive reception so far.

Congrats on the great little system!

greywulf · 31st October 2006, 09:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bytor4232

I like how compatible it is with existing D&D stuff. I tried a little playtesting tonight. I rolled up three characters in about five minutes. Fought a dire badger from the srd. Then I fought three orcs. It went great, no compatibilty problems at all. If anything, the party was a little "too" powerful.

Great!

We found that at lower levels the party was a little more powerful than your typical 1st level characters. That's mainly thanks to the higher starting Hit Points. The jury it still out as to whether that's a bug or a feature though.

Two of the players liked that (the Fighter and the Mage, mainly because Hit Points fuel his spells), the other two - the Cleric and the Rogue - want to play more before they decide. So, we'll see.

As has been suggeted before, that does make it a good system for introducing new players as they're less likely to die at lower levels because of silly tactical errors ("I charge the Umber Hulk!").

Thanks for sharing

MeepoDM · 31st October 2006, 09:37 PM

Greywulf, this is very cool! Nice work, indeed.

Any future plans for iddy-biddy character sheets or pint sized adventure modules?

greywulf · 31st October 2006, 10:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeepoDM

Any future plans for iddy-biddy character sheets or pint sized adventure modules?

Now you're just being greedy!

Actually, I have thrown together a character-generator spreadsheet in Gnumeric (it's a Linux spreadsheet app).

Here it is , and here's the file converted to Excel. There's no guarantees about the Excel version, so you might need to hack it around a little to suit.

I like the idea of pint-sized adventures. Hmmmmmmmmmm...............

MeepoDM · 31st October 2006, 11:04 PM

Greedy? Nah...

Seriously, I just really dig the idea of a complete RPG that can fit in your back pocket (minus the dice - ouch!) and whipped out for a quick one-shot session any ol' time.

But besides the tiny (read: cute) and portable nature of this game you've created, I happen to think it is a really solid idea. True to the nature of D&D, 98% compatible with d20 products, and surprisingly well thought out for something you created in an hours time. Something about it just screams "play me on the fly" like the game we played a long time ago.

Anyway, I think you have a real winner here...I do hope it isn't a one-shot product!

MeepoDM · 31st October 2006, 11:07 PM

Oh, and while I'm thinking about it - the links in your signature are incorrect. There is a '/' missing between files and Microlite20.*

greywulf · 31st October 2006, 11:13 PM

Thanks, Meepo. I Did think about re-arranging the rules into a single 3x5 card, but that would just be silly.

As to adventures and add-ons - what do folks want? I guess a one-page Quick Critters bestiary would work. Pull a map from James' Random Dungeon Generator and you've got a night's gaming.

Heck, I might even continue and work Microlite20 into my (on hold) WikidDungeons project........

Any other thoughts?

greywulf · 31st October 2006, 11:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MeepoDM

Oh, and while I'm thinking about it - the links in your signature are incorrect. There is a '/' missing between files and Microlite20.*

Gaah! Well spotted. Fixed

MeepoDM · 31st October 2006, 11:21 PM

Well, I plan on having a few playtest battles myself tonight. I'll try a few at higher levels as well, just to see how it goes.

A single page (or two) Monster Guide would be very cool product. I'm visualizing something akin to the Monster selection in the OD&D books or the 1st ed. DMG, basically a big table of vital stats with a sentence or two description afterwards.

Modules could be a single page tops, map(s) on the backside. Something to be played in a single evening. A brief description paragraph detailing the hows and whys of the adventure. Minimal references to statblocks to keep it short with 1-2 sentence descriptions for each room in the dungeon/area.

Did I mention that I really dig this system yet?

Of course, I've always been a big fan of the "less is more" ideology. And with a 2 page rulebook...a single printed front/back rulebook...well, you can't get much less than that without just making up a game on the spot.

Edit: Oh yes, and spells - gotta have the spells so you dont have to lug around the PHB! Maybe two pages (one for Arcane, one for Divine) and only include "the essentials". Since everything is pretty much "in your head", a single line description of the spell would work out well.

bytor4232 · 1st November 2006, 01:18 AM

What I would like is a more detailed description on skills. I'm still shakey on some of the standard skills, mostly the Charisma based ones. I guess that would be a judgement call on the part of the DM I suppose.

greywulf · 1st November 2006, 10:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bytor4232

What I would like is a more detailed description on skills. I'm still shakey on some of the standard skills, mostly the Charisma based ones. I guess that would be a judgement call on the part of the DM I suppose.

Yes, 100% judgement call - I'm a firm believer that There Is More Than One Way To Do It (TIMTOWTDI), though a little guideline or two wouldn't hurt, I guess.

Here are the skills from the d20 SRD and their Microlite20 equivalents:

The four skills in Microlite20 are Physical (phys), Subterfuge (sub), Knowledge (know) and Communication (com), so..........

Appraise - com+MIND
Balance - phys+DEX
Bluff - com+MIND
Climb - phys+DEX or STR, whichever is highest
Concentration - doesn't apply. GM's fiat applies
Craft - it's an out of game thing. No one /ever/ crafts things in-game, so it's a redundant skill. Alternatively, know+DEX
Decipher Script - know+MIND or com+MIND
Diplomacy - com+MIND
Disable Device - sub+MIND or sub+DEX
Disguise - sub+MIND
Escape Artist - sub+DEX or sub+STR, depending on what you're escaping out of
Forgery - com+DEX
Gather Information - com+MIND
Handle Animal - com+MIND or com+STR if the animal is bigger than you

Heal - know+MIND
Hide - sub+DEX
Intimidate - could be phys+STR, or sub+MIND or com+STR. You choose
Jump - phys+STR (long jump) or phys+DEX (high jump)
Knowledge - know+MIND
Listen - sub+MIND
Move Silently - sub+DEX
Open Lock - sub+DEX
Perform - com+MIND, though it could be DEX if you're juggling, or STR if you're a weightlifter
Profession - com+MIND, usually
Ride - com+DEX
Search - sub+MIND
Sense Motive - com+MIND
Sleight of Hand - sub+DEX
Speak Language - doesn't apply. You either know the language or you don't. Alternatively, com+MIND to understand subtle nuances, I guess
Spellcraft - MIND only
Spot - sub+MIND
Survival - phys+STR to suyrvive, or sub+DEX or STR to hunt stuff.
Swim - phys+STR
Tumble - phys+DEX
Use Magic Device - you can either use it, or you can't. GM fiat. Alternatively, MIND only
Use Rope - no, never ever. Use Rope is a DEAD SKILL. This skill is dead. It has passed the mortal coil (of rope). Use phys+DEX if you must, but don't say I didn't warn you.

Hope that helps. I'm sure there'll be some combinations up there you'd do differently. That's cool too.

What we did was just wing it, and decide skill rolls on the fly. That's how it's intended, anyhow. For example: A rogue knocks out a guard using sub+STR, and then convinces the chambermaid to let him pass with a sneaky bribe (com+DEX for it to change hands unseen). He makes it into the cellar disguised as a cook (sub+MIND), and the game continues. I'm sure you get the idea.

kroh · 1st November 2006, 02:50 PM

Quote:

What we did was just wing it, and decide skill rolls on the fly. That's how it's intended, anyhow. For example: A rogue knocks out a guard using sub+STR, and then convinces the chambermaid to let him pass with a sneaky bribe (com+DEX for it to change hands unseen). He makes it into the cellar disguised as a cook (sub+MIND), and the game continues. I'm sure you get the idea.

How DARE you boil things down into an easy format that allows people to actually have fun!?!

That's it...I'm tellin.

greywulf · 1st November 2006, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kroh

How DARE you boil things down into an easy format that allows people to actually have fun!?!

That's it...I'm tellin.

Pleae don't! I promise to fix it with version 2. I'll have prestige classes 'n' feats 'n' swift AND immediate actions and everything.

Just....don't....tell....them....it's......fun.... .....

bytor4232 · 1st November 2006, 04:42 PM

Ourstanding Greywulf. Now if you can create a giant table of monster stats corresponding with the SRD monsters, then I wouldn't have to think as a DM at all!

I'm going to be playtesting the system over at DNDOG in the OpenRoleplaying forum. The thread is named Microlite20, which should be public for anyone who wants to watch the game. I typically only post every other day, to every third or fourth day, but I never leave my games completely dead. I'll keep this thread updated to my research.

kroh · 1st November 2006, 05:21 PM

Used this system last night for a little Halloweenie Fright and Screamy! It was very fun and we started playing right away (we all made up characters that day before the game). One of the best DND sessions I have ever played ( I didn't have to go digging in a rule book for thirty pages to find a rule or looking around the corner to find a lawyer for said rules). Characters were generated in no time flat.

STUPENDOUS!

Regards,
Walt

P.S. If word of this gets out you might want to hire protection as I am sure some one will try and take you out!