Don’t reinvent the wheel, being well versed in different RPGs

[rhythmsoundmotion]

Following the advice to be well versed in the different kinds of RPGs before attempting to make a heartbreaker. What RPGs (or near RPG) would you suggest?
My guess at a comprehensive list:
(I have not read most of these)
-Dungeons & Dragons B/X
-Cairn
-Ultraviolet Grasslands
-Fate
-Fiasco
-Amber Diceless
-BRP (Basic Roleplaying)
-Hillfolk
-Bubblegum Shoe (is that a good Gumshoe system to start with?)
-Over the Edge
-Apocalypse World
-Honey Heist
-Burning Wheel
But I really don’t know what amazing features each system brings (or what they don’t do.)
Also, it’s hard to recommend reading a ton of books to people

 

[Fenris-77]

What's the goal here? If it's to read about lots of different systems that do their particular thing well I'd add Blades in the Dark and Trophy Gold to the list, and probably recommend Swords of the Serpentine as the Gumshoe book. That's off the top of my head anyway. On the OSR front Into the Odd is quite influential as well, are Knave and Troika.

 

[Joshua Randall]

You want to look at major systems such as

BRP
Burning Wheel
Fate
GUMSHOE
Savage Worlds
Apocalypse World / PBTA / Forged in the Dark

That’ll keep you busy learning for a couple years while I remember all the stuff I can’t right now because I am old. And/or we spark a debate about what is a “major” system.

 

[Joshua Randall]

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In your opinion, what TTRPG is perfectly well mde and totally complete in one volume? That is to say, not only is the game good, but you don't need anything else to play it even long term.

NOTE: it is not required that the game does not have supplements, just that you feel that it does not need any.

I am tempted to say Champions 4E (the Big Blue Book) but the fact is it needs more example villains to be truly complete (so IMOP Classic Enemies completes Champions 4E, even though there are ots of other books I love).

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• 

 

[rhythmsoundmotion]

P

What's the goal here? If it's to read about lots of different systems that do their particular thing well I'd add Blades in the Dark and Trophy Gold to the list, and probably recommend Swords of the Serpentine as the Gumshoe book. That's off the top of my head anyway. On the OSR front Into the Odd is quite influential as well, are Knave and Troika.

Well part of the goal is reacting to new designers saying “I found D&D combat slow, so I invented a new system.” Or “I found D&D social interaction unfulfilling so I created a new one.” Replace D&D with Call of Cthulhu for a lot of other new designers.

 

[Joshua Randall]

Everything that can be done has been done, and yet new things keep being done. It is the paradox is human existence.

 

[Kobold Stew]

Some items on your list are a bit surprising, but overall it's reasonable. If representative, one thing it shows is how little innovation there has been over the past 10-15 years, as many indie games get squeezed out.

FATE as a system is great, but I would think it more useful to look at a specific implementation rather than the generic Fate Core. Spirit of the Century was revolutionary for our table at the time.

You also need an iteration of Traveller there. I'd say go Classic Traveller, with LBB 1-6.

For fun design ideas, I would also point you to Reign with its one-roll character generation.

 

[Whizbang Dustyboots]

I think the OP's list is pretty good. I would also put a World of Darkness game and Traveller on there. Even doing a one-shot of each of these games will collectively teach you a lot.

 

[overgeeked]

I would add a few to that list.

Classic Traveller, the original 1977 version, LBB 1-3.
Lasers & Feelings.
Toon.
Paranoia Troubleshooters.
Knave 2E.
Over the Edge 3E.
Dragonbane.
Sword World 2.5.
The Extraordinary Adventures of Baron Munchausen.
D&D 4E.
Diplomacy (yes, the board game).

I don’t think you’d have to run all of them, but you’d learn a hell of a lot if you did.

 

[sevenbastard]

What ever they call the Free Leauge system

Gurps

TSR marvel super heroes

Hero system

Warhammer Fantasy Role-playing

I'm not recommending any of the above just ones I think you missed.l off the top of my head.