Interested in checking out non-D&D fantasy "old school" ttrpgs

[francisca]

I like RuneQuest 2e quite a bit as a change-up from D&D/D&-ish games. ( I never played the later versions). I also like the 1st edition of Stormbringer (1981), also from The Chaosium. And hey, since it is Chaosium's 50th anniversary, give them a look!

 

[Matrix Sorcica]

Isn't Against the Darkmaster supposed to basically be the same game with the Tolkien stuff scrubbed off?

It is not a clone of MERP, but more a spiritual successor. And awesome.

 

[Aldarc]

So I bought two RPGs. One of them is Dragonbane Core Set, the other is Draw Steel Heroes. Yes I'm aware that DS isn't "old school," but I've had my eye on it for a while and figured that having an "old school" and "new school" fantasy RPG to peruse would make for a good balance.

Good choices. There is a Dragonbane thread here in General Discussion if you have any questions.

 

[Crusadius]

- I.C.E's Middle Earth RPG is a classic of the era published in 1984. It uses simplified version of Rolemaster as base system. A d100 roll over system.

Middle-earth Role Playing - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

I have fond memories of MERP. I felt that it was a better game than Rolemaster (IIRC character creation was quite simple in comparison) and wished they had an expansion that carried on level progression past 10 rather than assuming people would pick up Rolemaster.

 

[Emerikol]

Offhand, I'm aware of and am interested in Chivalry & Sorcery, RuneQuest/Glorantha, Tunnels & Trolls, the Fantasy Trip, and Ars Magica. Chivalry & Sorcery and Ars Magica are appealing for being closer to an "historical feudal fantasy" vibe, and RuneQuest/Glorantha has a very long-running community and I am already semi-familiar with the d100 BRP system. Tunnels & Trolls sounds appealing, both for its historical value as the 2nd ttrpg ever published, plus sounding like a rules-liter version of D&D. I admit to knowing the least about the Fantasy Trip besides it being Steve Jackson's take on "D&D-style fantasy."

I confess I do not like d100 games. Too much granularity for me. GURPS also falls in that category. It's been around since the 80's at least. GURPS 3e came out 1988.