Thunderfoot
Hero
Okay so my daughter came home from college with her boyfriend for Thanksgiving and on the last day they were here said "oh, by the way, when we come back for Christmas, we want to play D&D." I have been fretting ever since. Why, because I came to the realization that I like aspects of all the editions but absolutely hate others.
So what do I need, a game system, or even a point in the right direction for printed optional rules would be great. I could re-write the entire D&D set into a single new edition, but since 5th is supposedly doing just that, I am loathe to re-invent the wheel, just in time for someone else to invent the Corvette.
The Laundry List:
Six stats - random roll preferably Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con & Char (notice the 1st edition influence)
Non linear experience tables - the idea of 1st edition balance was unequal leveling, I like it.
NO FEATS!!! - Power creep and power gaming are something I abhor.
No THAC0, I admit, 3.X spoiled me on the linear combat all adds charts
Ability linked Saving Throws, another thing 3.X got right.
Skills instead of special abilities - mostly for things like tracking and thieves' skills.
Vancian Magic - if possible.
Clerics that heal, Mages that throw spells, and Fighters that hit things with weapons.
No "salad bar" multi-classing. (3.X blew it big time with this (IMO))
No magic items required. - While it was nearly impossible to play 1st and 2nd editions without magic items, it could be done, 3rd started skewing with treasure by level charts and 4th just lost it's mind completely with the walking Christmas tree assortment. (This doesn't mean I won't be using magic items, they just aren't going to be readily available - no Wal-Magics)
Now I realize this comes from a D&D background, it's what I know and love (sort of) but the glut of rules has made the idea of DMing a nightmare for me. Is there a knockoff system that uses most of the list, please point me in the direction. Is there a completely different game that has a small learning curve I can grab, please let me know. I realize this is a lot to ask, but the site problems delayed this a bit, otherwise I would have come crying for help much sooner.
So please, give your recommendations, give a brief description why it would work and be honest and list any cons as well. Do not comment on others posts unless you have something constructive to add. X edition/game/person is stupid is not only a violation of board rules, it wastes my time, which I don't have much of at this point.
So what do I need, a game system, or even a point in the right direction for printed optional rules would be great. I could re-write the entire D&D set into a single new edition, but since 5th is supposedly doing just that, I am loathe to re-invent the wheel, just in time for someone else to invent the Corvette.
The Laundry List:
Six stats - random roll preferably Str, Int, Wis, Dex, Con & Char (notice the 1st edition influence)
Non linear experience tables - the idea of 1st edition balance was unequal leveling, I like it.
NO FEATS!!! - Power creep and power gaming are something I abhor.
No THAC0, I admit, 3.X spoiled me on the linear combat all adds charts
Ability linked Saving Throws, another thing 3.X got right.
Skills instead of special abilities - mostly for things like tracking and thieves' skills.
Vancian Magic - if possible.
Clerics that heal, Mages that throw spells, and Fighters that hit things with weapons.
No "salad bar" multi-classing. (3.X blew it big time with this (IMO))
No magic items required. - While it was nearly impossible to play 1st and 2nd editions without magic items, it could be done, 3rd started skewing with treasure by level charts and 4th just lost it's mind completely with the walking Christmas tree assortment. (This doesn't mean I won't be using magic items, they just aren't going to be readily available - no Wal-Magics)
Now I realize this comes from a D&D background, it's what I know and love (sort of) but the glut of rules has made the idea of DMing a nightmare for me. Is there a knockoff system that uses most of the list, please point me in the direction. Is there a completely different game that has a small learning curve I can grab, please let me know. I realize this is a lot to ask, but the site problems delayed this a bit, otherwise I would have come crying for help much sooner.
So please, give your recommendations, give a brief description why it would work and be honest and list any cons as well. Do not comment on others posts unless you have something constructive to add. X edition/game/person is stupid is not only a violation of board rules, it wastes my time, which I don't have much of at this point.