Crunchy Games
jdrakeh
Front Range Warlock
Burning Wheel Gold Revised is, easily, my favorite crunchy game. The various moving pieces are many, but they're actually in service to a better play experience in that they actually do something (other than simply complicate the game). My main problem with a lot of crunchy systems is that they don't deliver an actual play experience that can't be replicated by less complex rules. So, rules that are complex just to be complex.
payn
He'll flip ya...Flip ya for real...
Pathfinder Classic. After 20 years of 3E, I just know how to run it to my own specs. I dont know if I have it in me to learn another one like this. Its still my favorite fantasy TTRPG. I especially like the player side crunch, so chewy, and delectable...
I am becoming more and more partial to an overall general conflict resolution mechanic that gets bolt-ons. Like a trap, chase, interrogation, whatever module. If you can dial it in to a specific experience all the better. Paizo was pretty hit and miss with these over the years, but they delivered a lot.
I am becoming more and more partial to an overall general conflict resolution mechanic that gets bolt-ons. Like a trap, chase, interrogation, whatever module. If you can dial it in to a specific experience all the better. Paizo was pretty hit and miss with these over the years, but they delivered a lot.
A game with a lot of rules complexity and moving parts.
4e and Mutants & Masterminds.
These two games are, overall, more crunchy than I prefer these days, but hold a special place in my tiny voidborn heart.
4e is the only version of D&D I would choose to run a long-term campaign. After running a multi-year 4e game going from levels 2-19, I decided 5e was definitely not for me after looking it over. 4e clearly has more crunch for combat than most other things, overall, but I'm fine with that. It didn't really change how I run D&D, overall, when it comes to the mix of combat and other things.
Recently, I have become enamored with Cortex, so it is possible I might use that for any upcoming super-powered roleplaying I do in the near future. But, M&M would still be a consideration. I have never run a long-term M&M game, but my M&M 2e limited series was incredible, and my players loved it. I do have to admit that they played with templates that I created, on top of basic characters of their own. That helps a lot with balance.
Honestly, I think I like about these games, despite their crunch, is that a lot of crunch seems to be in the prep work or character creation. Both have crunch in play, but crunch I find flows nicely.
These two games are, overall, more crunchy than I prefer these days, but hold a special place in my tiny voidborn heart.
4e is the only version of D&D I would choose to run a long-term campaign. After running a multi-year 4e game going from levels 2-19, I decided 5e was definitely not for me after looking it over. 4e clearly has more crunch for combat than most other things, overall, but I'm fine with that. It didn't really change how I run D&D, overall, when it comes to the mix of combat and other things.
Recently, I have become enamored with Cortex, so it is possible I might use that for any upcoming super-powered roleplaying I do in the near future. But, M&M would still be a consideration. I have never run a long-term M&M game, but my M&M 2e limited series was incredible, and my players loved it. I do have to admit that they played with templates that I created, on top of basic characters of their own. That helps a lot with balance.
Honestly, I think I like about these games, despite their crunch, is that a lot of crunch seems to be in the prep work or character creation. Both have crunch in play, but crunch I find flows nicely.
Blue
Ravenous Bugblatter Beast of Traal
Well, my old favorite crunchy RPG was BBB-era Champions. Uber crunchy superhero simulation.
I'm not sure I have a current favorite crunchy RPG. I haven't even played (non-computer) Battletech in years, much less the old standbys like Star Fleet Battles or Car Wars.
I'm not sure I have a current favorite crunchy RPG. I haven't even played (non-computer) Battletech in years, much less the old standbys like Star Fleet Battles or Car Wars.
HERO 4Ed
HERO 5Ed
3.5Ed D&D (plus clones like Midnight 2Ed, Pathfinder, FantasyCraft, etc.)
Traveller (any edition)
M&M 2Ed
Hon. Mention to GURPS, which I don’t really LIKE, but grudgingly respect and in which have played in several good campaigns.
HERO 5Ed
3.5Ed D&D (plus clones like Midnight 2Ed, Pathfinder, FantasyCraft, etc.)
Traveller (any edition)
M&M 2Ed
Hon. Mention to GURPS, which I don’t really LIKE, but grudgingly respect and in which have played in several good campaigns.
Lord Mhoram
Hero
HERO 5E and Pathfinder 1st Ed.
