Best edition of Gamma world?

[zonetrooper1]

I owned the very first edition of Gamma world back in the day and played the second edition a few times, but we never really progressed much beyond that point. Now I've been looking around the Internet to see what edition I would want to get to play some adventures with my sons and I'm not sure which one I want. What was the best edition of Gamma world? Is there much of a difference between the 2nd and 3rd editions?

Keep in mind, I'm leaving pathfinder to return to AD&D 2e and I haven't been real happy with much of anything d20.

So what do you think?

 

[scruffygrognard]

I dug 4th edition Gamma World (the TSR version from the early 90s). The problem is that it's hard to find and a little pricey once you do:

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Gamma-World-Rules-Book-7514/dp/1560764015/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1W6MQWECICU21&colid=S6O0NPENPIYH"]Amazon Link[/ame]

 

[zonetrooper1]

I dug 4th edition Gamma World (the TSR version from the early 90s). The problem is that it's hard to find and a little pricey once you do:

Amazon Link

Oh I know, it's nuts the prices they ask sometimes. I just want to play it you know? They act like it's got gold trim or something. Every now and again I can find someone on ebay who really has no idea what it is and I can get it at a good price. Not often enough though.

 

[Twowolves]

There was a massive difference between 2nd and 3rd editions, with the latter going with a universal task resolution chart (like Marvel Super Heroes). I'd say 4th ed was the best, if not 2nd ed (but that may just be nostaldia). 4th ed is missing skills and is very much a beta version of 3rd ed D&D/3.X in places, but with a page from the SIEGE engine from Castles and Crusades, I think it should be more than doable.

And I have no idea why it would be so expensive now. I was buying up used copies at used book stores every chance I got back int he 90's, so I probably have 3-4 copies of the core rules and at least 1 of every sourcebook and adventure.

But then again, I am an old school Gamma World fan.

 

[Lancelot]

The current version. Fun, fast and thematic.

• Random character generation that still guarantees that every character played can be useful and cool.
• High production values: great art, excellent poster maps, concise and very readable rules.
• Keeps what is good about 4e D&D (some semblence of balance, variety of PC actions, fast prep time for the DM, less fragile low-level PCs) and bins what is bad about 4e D&D (healing surge management, combat complexity and length, bland classes).
• Alpha Flux and Omega Tech are terrific in play; great random elements.
• Easily skinned to either a serious post-apocalyptic game, a complete gonzo freak-show, or something in-between (e.g. the Fallout CRPG).

 

[Diamond Cross]

I really enjoyed third edition of Gamma World.

 

[Erik Mona]

I liked Jonathan Tweet's OMEGA WORLD in Polyhedron years back. A nice, simple distillation of the rules and good for one-off play.

--Erik

 

[Reynard]

I'm biased toward GWd20 because I worked on it but my favorite is TSR 4E. I bought and am itching to try the D&D4E version -- despite not much liking 4E-- but haven't had a chance to play it yet.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I liked Jonathan Tweet's OMEGA WORLD in Polyhedron years back. A nice, simple distillation of the rules and good for one-off play.

Is that still available anywhere? I remember hearing a lot of good things about it, similar to the (mostly) positive things about the one-system Spelljammer riff.

 

[scourger]

I liked Jonathan Tweet's OMEGA WORLD in Polyhedron years back. A nice, simple distillation of the rules and good for one-off play.

Yep, Omega World is a great game. And, it is nice to see a compliment from the publisher. I bought 3 copies, and it is a steal of a download for $4.95:

http://paizo.com/dungeon/products/issues/2002/v5748btpy7zeq

I would run or play it again in a minute, d20 & all. The defects can be a little harsh, and I reduced them in a past game. In the future, I would further reduce or eliminate them; although they are very flavorful and "classic" GW. I especially love that all my D&D & Star Wars minis could get reused with their simple stat cards.

I ran a mini-campaign of it using the adventures from the Alternity Gamma World book. That version had a great setting & story, but I didn't "grok" the Alternity rules.

The current Gamma World is very fun, too. I like the fire & forget nature of the easy rules. And, the use of counters and maps makes it very easy to bring to the table. It feels a little light for ongoing character development, though; but it seems deliberate in the game design. The boxed sets (2) are currently available, and the 3rd is coming this month. There is a lot of information available if you web search, too.

Either of there versions would be very fun for you, I think.