What TTRPG Is Perfect and Complete In One Volume?

[Thomas Shey]

I will say Pathfinder 1e. Many groups played core only. Supplements really just added more options rather than radical new fixes. It’s was a great game and we had many happy years playing it after being turned off 4e.

It was a big book too. Much bigger than what we had seen before. Jam packed.

I don't recall even 1e having any monsters in the main book.

 

[cbwjm]

Savage worlds core book is all you need to run a game.

The RC is also one of the best all-in-ones.

 

[Reynard]

Savage worlds core book is all you need to run a game.

Indeed! For specific campaigns (modern and sci-fi of most flavors) the Vehicle Guide is almost essential, though.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Indeed! For specific campaigns (modern and sci-fi of most flavors) the Vehicle Guide is almost essential, though.

I dunno if that's that common with modern campaigns; most types don't seem that vehicle-centric. You can make more of an argument with SF ones.

 

[Sword Devil]

Maybe not "perfect" but, as others have said, the D&D Rules Cyclopedia is one of the best single-volume game ever published.

 

[Bunch]

Champions 4th edition. I made most of my own villains for Champions so while I understand the OPs comment it's not necessary to me.

Gamma World 4th edition. Excellent iteration of the game. Everything I needed in the one book.

Talislanta 2nd edition. Everything you really need.

 

[dbm]

Rules Compendium D&D and Savage Worlds Adventure Edition were my first thoughts on this.

RC is a full D&D edition in one fairly slim volume which is extremely impressive. While I got started with the BECMI boxes rather than this book the content is mostly the same and the nostalgia value is also huge. SWADE is an incredibly complete toolkit for action-adventure gaming and I could play for years just in that one book. The add-ons are nice for saving time and giving worked examples of how to home brew, but not essential.

Some slightly left-field suggestions. Ars Magica 5th edition core is actually a very complete book including rules on magic and labs, covenants, and a bestiary. The new Definitive Edition will take that to 11 by the look of it. For an alternative retro-fantasy game, Advanced Fighting Fantasy Deluxe is an anthology book with the AFF core rules, Out of the Pit bestiary and the world of Titan.

 

[HaroldTheHobbit]

Savage worlds core book is all you need to run a game.

I love SW, it's my goto system for most genres. But I still think it runs better with a setting or companion book, core alone can feel a bit thin. Still fully playable though.

 

[PrunellaUK]

It's interesting that a number of recommendations here are 'generic' setting-agnostic systems such as FATE and Savage Worlds. What makes these an easy recommendation is that they don't include settings, so there's no need for supplements. The assumption is the GM is doing the hard work of establishing settings to play.

So my recommendation for the most 'complete' game in terms of mechanics and setting is Blades in the Dark. It's all there in the book, and I never felt like I needed an expansion. Alternatives that come close are games such as Thirsty Sword Lesbians, where the book is both setting and game.

 

[Reynard]

Gamma World 4th edition. Excellent iteration of the game. Everything I needed in the one book.

Still my favorite iteration of the game.