How Dragonbane Pointed out the Clashing Desires of My Gaming Group

[GrimCo]

Didn't read whole thread, just op.

Try Descent. It kind of checks all the boxes. It is board game with light touch of rpg mixed in. You can download tons of different scenarios, you can mix in some light roleplay, but in the end, it's just dungeon crawling hack and slash. They don't really have to track anything.

Edit. Read whole thread.

So, you have players that don't want to play board games, but they want to play ttrpgs as a board game.

First off, make a list of games you won't run. Period. Then, you inform them about list and ask them to find games they all want to play. You'll end up with 5e D&D probably. Like people said, it's every ones second favorite system, one on which most people agree it's "good enough". Second, don't over prepare. If you're players invest bare minimum, do the same. Don't worry if you make too easy encounter, just let them wipe the floor with monsters. If it gets too hard, fudge on the fly, lower monsters hp.

Side note, couples counseling. That sentence from your wife is indicative and just wrong, on so many levels. Also, might as well go talk to divorce lawyer, just in case.

 

[MichaelSomething]

My issue with most of those is that I don't have the headspace to run weekly sessions of 4e, Rifts, and probably PF2 (maybe I can do it) - not with work, my master's program, and other things. Plus, we've got 3 players - and I don't want to run an NPC to balance encounters for them in these strict, class-based games (even though that's less of an issue in Savage Worlds).

It's actually quite easy to homebrew a lazy Warlord DMPC for 4E that just uses his turn to give the other players more attacks. Just point to a player and go, "hey you, use a power for my turn." And convert the healing word to a more passive word that lets every player spend a healing surge to gain that amount in temp HP on a rest. It worked for me!!!!

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Haven't read the whole thread. I think maybe Nimble rpg could be something, you should check out. I think it looks very promishing (except of the armor rules, of which I'm fairly sceptical).

 

[mondeen]

Wow, I am sorry to hear that.

Tutuapp​

 

[timbannock]

I know some of the Borg games but haven't looked into Forbidden Psalm. I don't think I've ever come across Lumen.
Another potential rules lite tactical game I may consider later is Strike! For now, we're going to forge ahead with Dragonbane. I'd say we're at a 66% satisfaction level currently.

Strike is a great choice. Be prepared: it has horrendous organization, and is badly in need of an edit for clarity.

 

[DEFCON 1]

Still think you should take the fall off and wait until 2025 before offering an RPG you want to GM and then telling your players to pound sand when they tell you 'No'.

Going from one game right into another when there's been no time to clear anyone's head does not do anyone any favors.

 

[Thomas Shey]

Still think you should take the fall off and wait until 2025 before offering an RPG you want to GM and then telling your players to pound sand when they tell you 'No'.

Going from one game right into another when there's been no time to clear anyone's head does not do anyone any favors.

The problem I've found with that is the longer gap you leave, the more likely people get out of the habit and may even end up committing the time frame you want with something else.

 

[billd91]

The problem I've found with that is the longer gap you leave, the more likely people get out of the habit and may even end up committing the time frame you want with something else.

If you’re having trouble with your player group, I don’t necessarily see this has a bad thing. The ones not very committed will drift away and that may solve some of the problem.

 

[thullgrim]

The problem I've found with that is the longer gap you leave, the more likely people get out of the habit and may even end up committing the time frame you want with something else.

Absolutely. Showing up is a habit. Its harder to do the longer you go without doing it.

 

[Thomas Shey]

If you’re having trouble with your player group, I don’t necessarily see this has a bad thing. The ones not very committed will drift away and that may solve some of the problem.

I find it not unlikely that so many drift away you no longer have a viable group, but that may reflect my ideas of minimum group size (on the other hand, I recall Retreater's group not exactly being large).