Hi folks. I was hoping some of you experienced gamers out there could perhaps point me in the right direction of some decent non-d20 fantasy systems. I've played D&D for over 20 years now and have an itch to delve into a different system. Having blinders that kept me focused on D&D has made me pretty ignorant about other systems. I'm looking to keep it fantasy (especially in the tone The Black Company, a source book I'm currently looking forward to receiving) but something less d20. A system based around skill and magic level ups based upon usage versus overall character leveling would be very interesting. Any ideas? Thanks in advance all.
Good Non-d20 systems?
- Thread starter donbaloo
- Start date
ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
I second HARP.
If you'd like to dig around for out-of-print stuff, try to pick up Runequest. It was an early alternative/competitor to D&D, and the basic system still survives as Chaosium's BRP (Basic Role Play) system, used for Call of Cthulhu, Pendragon, and Stormbringer.
Decipher's Lord fo the Rings RPG is actually quite nice. It bears some resemblance to d20, but uses 2d6 for the basic mechanic.
If you'd like to dig around for out-of-print stuff, try to pick up Runequest. It was an early alternative/competitor to D&D, and the basic system still survives as Chaosium's BRP (Basic Role Play) system, used for Call of Cthulhu, Pendragon, and Stormbringer.
Decipher's Lord fo the Rings RPG is actually quite nice. It bears some resemblance to d20, but uses 2d6 for the basic mechanic.
PapersAndPaychecks
First Post
Runequest > HARP.
ColonelHardisson
What? Me Worry?
PapersAndPaychecks said:
Yeah, sure, but RQ had a strong tie to its setting. EDIT: What I mean is, RQ had the advantage of not having to be as "generic" as HARP. It could come up with setting specific stuff and not have to worry that it wasn't "generic" enough to suit everyone. Later editions of RQ lessened the ties between the game and its setting, though.
sukael
First Post
Tri-Stat might work if you don't mind adding your own fantasy fluff.
(http://www.guardiansorder.com/downloads, the Tri-Stat dX Core Rules Download link.)
(http://www.guardiansorder.com/downloads, the Tri-Stat dX Core Rules Download link.)
Angel Tarragon
Dawn Dragon
GURPS is okay, it provides quite a bit of customization. Rifts is less than okay in my opinion, but that is only because every group I have played it with doesn't seem to fully understand the game. The people I game it with keep complaining that the system is too powerful. Alternity, though OOP, is an awesome system is one of the reasons why D20 is with us today. Two most excellent campigns came about from Alternity - Star*Drive and Dark*Matter. West End Games D6 system is all right (I think), although I never got to play it Tales From The Crypt was a most fun read.
I played Warhammer long ago, and it has a brand new edition written by the folks who printed your Black Company book. I don't know anything about the new Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay game, but the figures sure are available. It's even on the front of their web site:
http://www.greenronin.com/
I also played GURPS in the 90s. It has new 4th edition out. It has the virtue of being multi-genre, so you could play fantasy or any other genre with the same system. I can't get the link to work, but there it is:
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/
You might also try Savage Worlds. It's another multi-genre game. You can get a free Test Drive here:
http://www.peginc.com/Games/Games.htm
Good luck.
http://www.greenronin.com/
I also played GURPS in the 90s. It has new 4th edition out. It has the virtue of being multi-genre, so you could play fantasy or any other genre with the same system. I can't get the link to work, but there it is:
http://www.sjgames.com/gurps/
You might also try Savage Worlds. It's another multi-genre game. You can get a free Test Drive here:
http://www.peginc.com/Games/Games.htm
Good luck.
