Core Rule Books Only - What system would you play?

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

An interesting question I put to my gaming group and which I now put to the Enworld population at large:

If you could use only the core books (PHB and DMG equivalent) for your gaming group, what system would you use and why (I'll even be nice and allow you to use one setting book if needed)?

 

[ggroy]

Moldvay basic + expert D&D box sets.

The ruleset is simple enough and doesn't have the problems of nightmarish bookkeeping or slow combat at higher levels.

Back in the day, most of our adventures didn't really go much beyond level 14. Our games could be made somewhat longer back then, when we removed various rules like XP for treasure.

If we had to go to higher levels, we just cribbed whatever we needed from the 1E AD&D books. Basically we used D&D and AD&D stuff more or less interchangeably.

 

[Bullgrit]

If you could use only the core books (PHB and DMG equivalent) for your gaming group, what system would you use and why

Huh? You're suggesting that there are some systems that people would not use unless they could use extraneous/supplemental material? This question just makes no sense to me.

Bullgrit

 

[Roadkill101]

If I only had to go with just one system I think I'd have to say BECMI/RC. Especially RC, it's everything needed under one cover. Mostly because it's a simpler and more of a rules light system compared to later D&D editions IMO. Furthermore, it also gives rules on kingdom building and gaining immortality not found in later editions (except maybe in a supplement I don't own, not that my players have ever shown any desire to go towards these directions).

Otherwise I'd go with 1e AD&D mostly for some of the charts and tables to be found in the DMG.

 

[ggroy]

If I only had to go with just one system I think I'd have to say BECMI/RC. Especially RC, it's everything needed under one cover. Mostly because it's a simpler and more of a rules light system compared to later D&D editions IMO. Furthermore, it also gives rules on kingdom building and gaining immortality not found in later editions (except maybe in a supplement I don't own, not that my players have shown any desire to go towards these directions).

Otherwise I'd go with 1e AD&D mostly for some of the charts and tables to be found in the DMG.

Now that I think about it, I probably could also choose RC. I've only read through it once, from a friend who had it. Though I've never played any games using RC.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

HERO 5th!

If you mean D&D only, 3.5, no question. I've been playing since '77- with much experience in each version since I started- and to me, its the best.

 

[Umbran]

I cannot think of a single game that I require supplemental rules in order to have fun. So, really, I expect I'll play just about any game core-only.

 

[DaveyJones]

OD&D(1974). no core books at all. or at least not a phb like you are suggesting.

just 3 small booklets for the referee.

 

[Alaxk Knight of Galt]

HERO 5th!

If you mean D&D only, 3.5, no question. I've been playing since '77- with much experience in each version since I started- and to me, its the best.

Nope, my intention was to allow any game system (and I think HERO is great system).

 

[Remathilis]

Huh? You're suggesting that there are some systems that people would not use unless they could use extraneous/supplemental material? This question just makes no sense to me.

Bullgrit

Well, I personally think 3.x is GREATLY served with some of the later-additions to it (reserve feats in particular, as well as some must-have prestige-classes).

Similarly, I wouldn't play 2e without some of the PO: C&T and S&M rules revisions (though I'd avoid character points like the plague).

And don't EVEN get me into 4e without PHB2 and Adventurer's Vault!

So to answer the OP, I'd say Pathfinder (where some of my 3.x problems are fixed, though the omission of a spontaneous divine caster is still a major hole) BECMI (Rules Cyclopedia edition: almost everything you need for a long-running game!) and Basic Fantasy (where though I'd probably invent a lot of new monsters and magic items; the selection of both is a little sparse).