Recommend Some Rules Lite Systems

Lord Shark · Mar 5, 2019

Blades in the Dark, although it's meant for a specific kind of fantasy -- criminals in a fantasy city, rather than adventurers going down into dungeons. And yeah, 13th Age.

The Crimson Binome · Mar 6, 2019

If you think that 5E is rules-lite, then Gishes & Goblins is only a bit lighter than that. It's been my go-to fantasy game, ever since I wrote it.

TarionzCousin · Mar 6, 2019

Almost every game is "rules light" compared to Pathfinder.

Aldarc · Mar 6, 2019

Another possibility is Fantasy Age by Green Ronin Publishers. The game feels like a lighter version of 3e played with 3d6. (You can see the influence of True20.) It has some nice, easy to digest elements such as its Stunt system. Roll doubles on a 3d6, and you get stunt points you can use equal to the value on the designated Stunt die, which is typically just the one d6 of a different color than the other two. And stunts let you do cool things: e.g., bonus damage, pushing enemies, striking multiple enemies, etc. Three base classes: warrior, thief, mage. And there are some methods for specializing your character. It even goes to 20 levels.

Jonathan Tweet · Mar 8, 2019

The nice thing about 13th Age (if I do say so myself) is that character creation is easier than it is in PF, and yet the game makes more room character customization rather than less. Something minimalist, such as C&C, gives you less character customization. I liked my 3E campaign back in the day, but today I want more customization and fewer rules.

Whizbang Dustyboots · Mar 9, 2019

C&C is simpler than 3E (and thus much simpler than PF), but it's definitely low on ability to customize characters.

Lighter, but with a good amount of customization, while still being broadly compatible with 3E-derived D&D games is Beyond the Wall. I haven't played it to high levels, nor picked up the sourcebook about doing so, but it is really wonderful and charming at low levels.

jagerfury · Mar 26, 2019

USR by Scott Malthouse and Trollish Delver Games. His games get a warm reception by many who paly his stuff. I use USR quite a bit for my S&S game.

Kurviak · Mar 26, 2019

Another D20 derivative that is light and could fit your needs is radiance rpg. And the core rules are free

ParanoydStyle · Mar 27, 2019

Was going to shamelessly self promote my own DicePunk system, saw the words "fantasy theme is important", and backed off of that. While I do consider to be (on the heavier end of) rules lite, DicePunk is pretty explicitly for gameplay set in the real world and the 20th/21st century.

SO: the rules in Lamentations of the Flame Princess are definitely lighter than Pathfinder so let me recommend that.