Basic Fantasy RPG -- what say you?

[jdrakeh]

How does the Basic Fantasy RPG compare to other popular rules-light OGL variants such as Castles & Crusades, Lone Wolf, etc? Specifically, what are its high points and low points? Why should one choose to purchase the BFRPG instead of another OGl rules-light variant? What makes the BFRPG special? Help me out here, folks (please)

 

[Turanil]

How does the Basic Fantasy RPG compare to other popular rules-light OGL variants such as Castles & Crusades, Lone Wolf, etc? Specifically, what are its high points and low points? Why should one choose to purchase the BFRPG instead of another OGl rules-light variant? What makes the BFRPG special? Help me out here, folks (please)

BFRPG comes for free (at least in PDF). I see it a streamlined and d20-ised version of basic versions of D&D (Rules Cyclopedia and the like), the same way Castles & Crusades is a streamlined and d20-ised version of AD&D 1e. Someday I will buy the hardcover BFRPG book on Lulu.com, but only for collector purposes (I don't intend to ever play that game).

 

[Akrasia]

BFRPG is based on the Moldvay Basic Set and Cook/Marsh Expert Set. There are some changes (e.g. ascending ACs), but in general it sticks with the original Basic/Expert rules somewhat closely (e.g. it keeps old fashioned saving throws, thief abilities are percentile, etc.).

Turanil's overall comparison is apt: BFRPG is an updated version of the original Basic/Expert rules for D&D, whereas C&C is an updated version of 1e AD&D. (C&C includes more d20-isms than BFRPG.)

 

[Mycanid]

How about a link to this free .pdf file?

 

[Baduin]

http://www.basicfantasy.org/

 

[jdrakeh]

I bought the hardcover. I'm waiting to hold it in my hands before I spoil myself any more than I already have (and, of course, a link to a PDF doesn't answer any of the questions that I asked). Basically, I want to know what other people think. The PDF won't give me that.

 

[Angel Tarragon]

BFRPG seems a great way to introduce the fantasy roleplaying concept to beginners. I fully intend to purchase the hardback, for collectible value and another for perusal.

 

[jdrakeh]

BFRPG seems a great way to introduce the fantasy roleplaying concept to beginners. I fully intend to purchase the hardback, for collectible value and another for perusal.

At $20, it seemed like a worthwhile purchase. I'm curious to see how it stands up to C&C (my primary dislike of C&C was a lack of mechanical differentiation between characters of the same class/level, and I've been led to believe that BFRPG has more substantial rules regarding such things).

 

[Skywalker]

At $20, it seemed like a worthwhile purchase. I'm curious to see how it stands up to C&C (my primary dislike of C&C was a lack of mechanical differentiation between characters of the same class/level, and I've been led to believe that BFRPG has more substantial rules regarding such things).

BFRPG is almost identical to the Moldvay Basic Set and Cook/Marsh Expert Set except races aren't classes and ACs are ascending. As such, it will play almost identical to that experience.

For me, it was so retro as to be not worth my time as it didn't translate at all to me 25 years on

 

[Turanil]

my primary dislike of C&C was a lack of mechanical differentiation between characters of the same class/level

I am afraid that you will find the same problem with BFRPG...