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Wow, I haven't thought about Over the Edge for a while now. Yeah, that game was about as light as you could hope for, depending on how you view the setting information/etc. (I personally don't count those as rules, but...)

I voted for too much time/effort. My current group is all old-timers, and we often switch who is DMing. However, a lot of campaigns die because the DM runs out of spare time to prep (or even show up, some times). Secondarily, I point to lack of agreement on system. They're honestly just too...

You could make that comparison. But at that level of "parallel", is there any system that couldn't be seen as symmetrical? That is, any system that is going to have the property of taking steps towards conclusion/resolution of the conflict. (or a clock, as PbtA would have it). If two systems are...

While humans are unique as a matter of observation, that doesn't prove that we are necessarily unique in this sense. That's one of the problems with sample of one. What we do know is that it seems relatively common on Earth for other species to bump up against whatever it is that the 'jump' is...

I'll go you one better. I actually don't think the hominid-animal or "rubber forehead" aliens are all that unrealistic (at least in a broad sense of vaguely humanoid). (Although I would expect to see some other forms as well.) I mean, yes, there are a lot of evolutionary steps that get from...

I've had similar experiences when trying inject more Fate, or other "indie" rpg mechanics into D&D (any edition). Very quickly into the exercise, I get the impression that its just not worth the effort, because the real answer is just to switch the other game's randomizer to a d20. To address...

My guess, we are not alone, but we'll never find out for sure. I think the Fermi paradox isn't really a paradox. I just think that interstellar colonization, perhaps even interplanetary colonization is far harder than we usually estimate. There's the obvious factor of different suns or even...

I would second Old School Hack, its very tight and plays very D&D-like without even as much mechanical overhead as Dungeon World. I wish the game had gotten more complete treatment, but if you're working up your own rules, it shouldn't be too hard to expand upon. Other games that I would toss...

enh? I played a 1e Ranger like a year ago and had a whole storybook full of pets; Griffons, Giant Owls, I think a couple of bears. Just have to roll well on the followers table. (Granted that's at 9th or something.)

Oh, I agree. But, OTOH, this forum (AFAICT) is mostly populated (and thus informed) by D&D "heavy users". Thus, I think that informs the common responses even to questions in this subforum. I mean, if you're playing Blades in the Dark, you generally want to avoid unnecessary killing because...

Not that I'm saying the stakes of any encounter or even combat encounter should be death...but! That's all that the basic mechanics address (HP attrition mediated by resource depletion and tactics). I think players tend to lean on the mechanics of the game (whatever game is being played) and in...

hmm...I have two distinct accounts, one on each. I wonder if/how they will merge, or if I will have to keep track of two logins for the same site.

Maybe I'm a little too into Black Sails, but political and eventually violent interplay between pirate captains and crews would make for rich ground here. Give them some rivals. I mean how cool would it be for them to hunt down a ship and find its already flying the black under some other crew?

I don't think the PCs should be confident that they can beat every encounter, but I don't really design them with the thought in mind "Hah! This should kill them." I'm more apt to think "It should be interesting to see how they deal with this." I have only been a part of one TPK that I can...

It really depends on why you're playing, IMO. That is to say, if you're playing for the sake of a challenge, then yeah most of the encounters should be tough. If you're playing for the sake of a an interesting story or mystery, then probably not as much. Especially for mysteries, the challenge...

Well its true that they aren't the kind of people who would go on adventures to thwart and eventually destroy a powerful dark wizard like D&D characters would....oh wait, they do. Not correct. When defending his brother in the tunnel, he fails once (at least) before getting it right. I don't...

Well its true that they aren't the kind of people who would go on adventures to thwart and eventually destroy a powerful dark wizard like D&D characters would....oh wait, they do. Not correct. When defending his brother in the tunnel, he fails once (at least) before getting it right. I don't...

IME, give it some time...the players will forget they even have them. ....only half joking. I've had games where the players face a Green Dragon and don't realize they have a potion of Green Dragon Control. (back in the day) Well, there's nothing to say the Dragon doesn't have guardians who...

Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom (especially their freshmen and sophomore years) and the fact that there is a well-used nurse's ward in Hogwarts would argue with your "never fail" appraisal of magic in Harry Potter. Many full-fledged wizards can't successfully cast the Patronus charm and other...

Ron Weasley, Neville Longbottom (especially their freshmen and sophomore years) and the fact that there is a well-used nurse's ward in Hogwarts would argue with your "never fail" appraisal of magic in Harry Potter. Many full-fledged wizards can't successfully cast the Patronus charm and other...