Fantasy RPG without levels?

[Mantriel]

Does anyone know about a fantasy RPG without levels? I imagine the character progression to be skill based, or learning new feats/traits/backgrounds/spells/getting better etc.

I really would like to play in a "realistic health system", realistic economy system, with characters who have no levels (and thus don't gain automatic HP/saves etc.), but rather get new skill points or something similar.

Thank you for your help and suggestions in advance!

 

[Morrus]

There are dozens! But I'll take the opportunity to plug the WOIN system. Life path character creation, freeform skill system, flattish advancement, freeform verb-noun magic system. You spend XP on careers, skills, exploits, and attributes.

www.woinrpg.com

 

[The Crimson Binome]

You could do it with GURPS. Many people do.

 

[Boneguard]

Harn would be another good option.

Gritty fantasy, realistic, no level, no hit points. Skill based Archertype/class

 

[MatthewJHanson]

Savage Worlds is another that seems to fit the bill.

 

[BrockBallingdark]

The One Ring has no levels and has the skill increasing that you're looking for and it's economy is simple, not counting coins. It's a beautiful game and plays really smooth for that Middle Earth feel.

http://shop.cubicle7store.com/The-One-Ring-1

 

[Sean Sutter]

The old Warhammer RPG didn't really have levels. It was more job based, so you could follow a job tree progression. But it was random, and strangely punitive. Like suddenly finding out you smell so terribly of fish people won't talk to you... and your leg got ripped off at some point. I've always loved leveling up. But I guess it isn't really a very realistic representation of anything.

 

[ccs]

Ars Magica
Shadows over Esterin

Both are skill + merit/flaw based systems

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Like GURPS, HERO is not level based, and can support a wide variety of fantasy playstyles.

 

[pemerton]

Does anyone know about a fantasy RPG without levels? I imagine the character progression to be skill based, or learning new feats/traits/backgrounds/spells/getting better etc.

I really would like to play in a "realistic health system", realistic economy system, with characters who have no levels (and thus don't gain automatic HP/saves etc.), but rather get new skill points or something similar.

The original one is Runequest: skill-based (with increases triggered by using a skill during play, plus training rules). It also has hit locations, a death spiral and other elements of a "realistic" health system.

Burning Wheel is like RQ in many ways: skill-based, with increases triggered by using a skill during play, plus training rules; hit locations; a death spiral; etc. Recovery times are measured in weeks and months, not days. Unlike RQ, it uses an abstract Resources stat to resolve characters buying stuff.

Rolemaster and HARP (both from ICE) have levels, but levels simply grant skill points to be spent on character development. There is no automatic hp gain, and (depending a bit on game version and options chosen) no automatic saving throw gain. These systems also have hit locations, death spirals and other elements of "realistic" combat and health systems. Recovery times tend to be long (weeks, not days).

Then there are the systems mentioned by other posters.