GURPS or d20 Modern

[Double Duce]

I want to start Role Playing a World War II game but I don't know what system to choose. Gurps has a lot more material on that era (The even had a whole book on the italian army ) but I'm most familiar with D&D, I've never played GURPS or d20 modern, so could someone make a recomendation.

 

[Calico_Jack73]

What are you wanting out of it? For a realistic combat system which I'd imagine would be needed for any war-setting game I'd probably say neither and point you in the direction of the FUZION system. It is free for download so you'll save your players some cash and has a GREAT combat system that takes shock into account when your PCs get shot. Cyberpunk uses the system and I love it.

Fuzion Website

Barring that I'd go to Noble Knight games and see about getting a copy of Twilight:2000. Gritty war settings don't work well with your usual hit point combat systems. Heroics more often than not get you killed. Sound tactics and teamwork is what gets you out alive.

 

[BiggusGeekus]

As much as I love d20, I'd have to go with GURPS.

GURPS, as you say has much more support for WW2. It can be ported to d20, but why? Also the gritty combat of WW2 is going to be more accurately captured by GURPS, d20 tends to be more "heroic".

Now, the problem is that there is a LOT to absorb with GURPS. It isn't as fast to pick up as with d20. Also, some of your players might object to buying new books and/or having to learn a new system.

Also, check out this: http://www.peginc.com/OurGames/WeirdWarTwo.htm

Happy gaming!

 

[Darkness]

Hm. GURPS gets a new - and vastly improved - edition in August.

On the other hand, it's not that long 'til August and the GURPS WW2 main book also includes a slightly modified version of GURPS Lite so it should be possible to run it without a GURPS corebook until then.

 

[Gutboy Barrelhouse]

Since you have never played either GURPS or d20Modern, I'll offer this, having played both in WWII settings:

If you decide to try GURPS, consider using only the GURPS Lite Rules and adding on only what you absolutely need for your WWII setting. If you like it, consider using the full GURPS rules for your next campaign - and if rules-heavy isn't your style, you can stick with GURPS Lite.

D20Modern gives you a quick-start advantage because it's derived from the rules you already play. d20Modern is much more rules-light than full GURPS, and not nearly as light as GURPS Lite. You can use the GURPS source material with d20Modern with a little work.

I don't think you can go wrong with either system. Good luck with your game.

 

[The Cardinal]

GURPS WWII includes GURPS Lite 3e - start with it, and then switch to GURPS 4e in August.

 

[Goodsport]

What are you wanting out of it? For a realistic combat system which I'd imagine would be needed for any war-setting game I'd probably say neither and point you in the direction of the FUZION system. It is free for download so you'll save your players some cash and has a GREAT combat system that takes shock into account when your PCs get shot. Cyberpunk uses the system and I love it.

Fuzion Website

I'm not familiar with the Fuzion system, so it would be unfair of me to comment one way or another about it.

As much as I like both GURPS and d20, between the two I would have to choose GURPS for a WWII setting.

Barring that I'd go to Noble Knight games and see about getting a copy of Twilight:2000. Gritty war settings don't work well with your usual hit point combat systems. Heroics more often than not get you killed. Sound tactics and teamwork is what gets you out alive.

Twilight: 2000 is definitely a cool game, and could easily be converted to WWII.

There were three versions of the game made: the First Edition version (1984), the Second Edition version (1990) and the Version 2.2 version (1993), as well as a recent reprint of the First Edition version. Of the three, definitely get the Version 2.2 version as it was the latest one, and was the most streamlined and user-friendly version of the three.


-G

 

[ToddSchumacher]

I read that GURPS Lite 4e was going to be available to download (For Free) either the end of April or May.

 

[RFisher]

d20 Modern or GURPS for WW2? That's too easy! For me: GURPS. YMMV.

 

[Kershek]

There is a recent Polyhedron (attached to Dungeon mag) that has a World War II mini-game IIRC. I don't remember the issue, but perhaps someone else can help with that.