Gaming group in need of new game

[steenan]

There are several GM-less RPGs, like Polaris or Fiasco. They are , in general, focused more on interactions and story than combat and exploration.

This can work either as a sole replacement for a traditional RPG or as something you mix with board games, depending on the group's needs. It can also help someone grow into the GM role.

 

[innerdude]

I can't believe no one has suggested the PERFECT GAME for this situation:

The Lord of the Rings Living Card Game by Fantasy Flight.

1. It's co-operative. Yes, it's a deck-building game, similar to Magic: the Gathering, but it's not competitive. Each player builds a deck, then uses their deck to synergize as a team to defeat a scenario controlled by the game. Each scenario is a deck of cards (the "encounter" deck). On each turn, you flip over a number of encounter cards equal to the number of players in the game (typically 2, 3, or 4, but we've played successfully with 5). You then use your card deck to defeat the encounters presented.
2. It's highly thematic, based in Middle-Earth, keeping the fantasy "vibe" you're used to in D&D.
3. You can play scenarios as a single one-off, or you can play in "campaign" mode where results from your previous play-through carry over to the next.
4. The "Saga" expansions let you play through scenarios based in the actual books of the Hobbit and Lord of the Rings. You don't know what real terror is in a board game until you play through the "Knife in the Dark" and "Flight to the Ford" scenarios from the Black Riders expansion. Some of the most intense, fun board gaming I've ever done.

The Cons:

1. You'll have to buy at least 2 core sets to play with 4 players out of the gate. That's not terrible, though, since you can pick up a core set on Amazon for around $30.
2. The ongoing cost of purchasing expansions and scenarios. You can have fun playing with JUST core sets, and download some of the fantastic fan-created scenarios (look up the Feonix and NinjaDorg scenarios on ratdorg.blogspot.com), but the game really shines in later expansions. As a player, you really don't get the "full experience" with the game until you spend ~$100.
3. You'll have so much fun you'll feel compelled to spend that money.

I highly, highly suggest you check it out. It's really a fantastic game, so much so that I'm willing to forgive Fantasy Flight's general cash-grab business model for the product line.

 

[Aj935]

Thank you guys so much for the suggestions. As to why I'm lookingn for soemthibg without a dm, none of us want to dmDane our dm is moving. I myself like to play my character too muchto give it up

 

[Aj935]

Also, war games are something we may be interested in. So if you guys could also give me some ideas for cheap Salwar games that would be awesome. Haha

 

[GMMichael]

none of us want to dm. . . I myself like to play my character too muchto give it up

No one wants to design the dungeons, choose the bad guys, or rule the world? To each his own.

You still get to play a character as the GM. It can be helpful if you play more than one, though.

 

[Zhaleskra]

You still get to play a character as the GM. It can be helpful if you play more than one, though.

[Thompson and Thomson]To be precise, the DM/GM/Whatever-the-alternate-of-the-system-is, plays several characters. To be precise. [/Thompson and Thomson]

 

[Wednesday Boy]

The D&D Boardgames (Castle Ravenloft, Wrath of Ashardalon, and Legend of Drizzt) are cooperative boardgames that are D&D themed. They're fun games but they're not roleplaying games, so they might not satisfy your itch.

Sentinels of the Multiverse, perhaps. It's a card system, played between a group of players with decks to represent the abilities of their superheroes, against an enemy supervillain whose deck plays itself automatically - their cards tell you who to apply an effect to, among other things - with an environment deck that may or may not be helpful to you. There's several supplements for it, and I've found it quite fun.

I LOVE Sentinels. It's a fantastic game. I can play it over and over again. It has my gaming friends so enthused that we're going to run a Young Justice-ish roleplaying campaign set in the Sentinels universe.

 

[Matchstick]

Pathfinder Card Game? Seems like a good possibility. Certainly worth checking out.

 

[scourger]

Board games have never done it for me like RPGs. Probably because I am into the power gaming and storytelling aspects more than the tactics & strategy on which board games focus.

But I am glad I read this discussion to learn about:

Risk Legacy is an outstanding game for a consistent group to play over weeks. Very highly recommended to anyone interested.

Risk Legacy looks like the kind of thing that I would like in a board game campaign. The game changes through play, and the choices of aspects for the factions almost look like character development.

I'll see if my group would be interested. Too bad I can't get a family game going.

 

[Neonchameleon]

Also, war games are something we may be interested in. So if you guys could also give me some ideas for cheap Salwar games that would be awesome. Haha

Mechaton.

Also if you have any old GW players and ramshackle models the Necromunda Community Edition is a pretty decent campaign game.