How Complex Do You Prefer Your TTRPG Systems In General

[Reynard]

This is a poll.

Using a scale of 1 to 10, where 1 is something like no-rules storygaming, 2 is something like Lasers and Feelings, 6 is something like 5E D&D and 10 is Phoenix Command, what (in general*) is your preferred complexity level for TTRPGs?

*I know that we often want different complexity for different kinds of games and purposes, but that is a much harder poll to write. So use your most preferred, or choose option 11.

 

[Reynard]

FWIW, I chose 6, where I put 5E and SWADE and similar games. Too much more complexity than those games and I get a little lots in the weeds. Too much less and I don't feel like the "game" part is robust enough.

 

[Fenris-77]

My tastes run to lighter games these days, so say, Shadowdark instead of 5E. There's also a difference for me between more complex games I already own and understand versus the pain of learning a new system of the same complexity.

 

[Reynard]

My tastes run to lighter games these days, so say, Shadowdark instead of 5E. There's also a difference for me between more complex games I already own and understand versus the pain of learning a new system of the same complexity.

For sure. I really WANT to learn and like Draw Steel!, but I don't think I have the bandwidth...

 

[innerdude]

I voted "5", but my tastes really run from around a 3.8-4 (Ironsworn) to a 7.7 (Pathfinder 2).

All things equal, whatever complexity you'd rate Genesys / Daggerheart is about what I prefer most of the time, which is probably about a "5".

I actually think D&D 5e is closer to a "7" than a "6", probably a 6.8-ish. SWADE is solidly a "6"; Genesys and Daggerheart an incremental step down from there (5.0 - 5.6-ish).

 

[Fenris-77]

More decimal points!

 

[payn]

I went with an 8 if 5E is a 6. My goto fantasy is still PF1, but I also stand by Traveller, which is a deal simpler. I can appreciate streamlined and simpler games if they are efficient at what they set out to do. Oftentimes, they lack depth, which makes the experience too thin. However, some complex games lose sight of the forest for the trees.

I do play a lot of Battletech these days. I think its a good example of complexity done right and wrong. Its exciting to factor in my movement and offensive capability against my opponent's defense and surrounding terrain. Its at least a factor of 5 and each one has its own set of rules. Where things start to go wrong in complexity is making something simple into a nightmare. Like infantry repelling from a helicopter shouldnt take multiple rolls, charts to determine success and failure, and 4-5 conditions based on the degree of the results. Its a cool cinematic element thats bogged down in simulation.

Folks often put narrative and rule of cool over simulation, but I dont think they need to be at odds. I think you use the right tool for the right job and any game can contain both. Complexity is usually the factor of it being a good experience or not. YMMV.

 

[TwoSix]

7. All things being equal, I like a little more build complexity rather than less. My ideal would be something similar to 4e, just with less overall feats and a few less on-map conditionals.

 

[ART!]

I picked "3", and then read the first post! Thwen I changed my vote to "4".

D&D 5E has a level and type of complexity that I dislike, and because I know it well I think placing it at level 6 makes sense - although it does beg the question "if 5E is a 6, what lies at 7, 8, and 9 before we get to Phoenix Command?" That doesn't leave much room for all the games that I think are more complicated than 5E, and leaves more room for games that are simpler.


Because I've been doing some research on this lately, here's some possibly useful, probably distracting links:

Ranking RPGs by Compexity Using the Minimum Page Count Necessary to Play the Game

RPG CARBE Scale: Role-Playing Game Complexity, Accessibility, Risk, and Barriers to Entry Suggested Game Tiers

How to Choose an RPG Based on Complexity

 

[Umbran]

For Poll purposes, I chose 6, but that's more like the place beyond which the complexity really needs some justification, or it starts getting in the way of my enjoyment.

I'll play just about anything for a one-shot. For long term play, I am happy anywhere from Fate Accelerated up through Daggerheart, Cortex, Cypher, Savage Worlds, and 5e.