Left out by rules-lite RPGs?

[resistor]

But it sounds like you're saying you don't want to do that, and that is a bit of a pickle.

I probably will end up doing that (modifying 3.5e to fit my wishes), but I thought I would take the opportunity to point out what I perceive as a hole in the market that a publisher might capitalize on.

 

[seskis281]

Which as I said I think would indeed be a smart move on the Wizard's part - leave 3.x like it is and focus their next series of publications specifically on the middle-ground you represent. To your original post, I don't think you're alone in your desires - I think there's alot of you wanting this sort of hybrid system (as I called it "D&D Medium").

I hope someone does pick up on that niche in the market - right now us rules-lighter/old schoolers are pretty happy with our brands, the crunch and rules junkies have the plethora of D&D brand in full stride, but you do represent an unfocused-on branch of the audience as of yet.

So don't despair - keep up a drumbeat on these and other sites for RPG opinions, and hopefully one of the many publishers will release something that will be as exciting to your tastes as C&C is to some of us, True20 to others, etc.

John Maddog Wright

 

[Darrin Drader]

The 3-role system is indeed my biggest complaint with True20, though I'm not a huge fan of its handling of magic either. I'll have to look at the PDF. Do you happen to have a link to it?

Right here: http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=7155&

Though I must confess that I do not have that PDF yet. I do plan to purchase it soon. I actually prefer the 3 class system because it allows you to break out of the predefined molds and make your character into whatever you envision it to be.

 

[nerfherder]

The 3-role system is indeed my biggest complaint with True20, though I'm not a huge fan of its handling of magic either. I'll have to look at the PDF. Do you happen to have a link to it?

http://www.greenronin.com/store/grr9012e/

It's $10.

Cheers,
Liam

[edit - beaten to the punch by Darrin]

 

[EricNoah]

You might take a different approach -- don't use the whole D&D toolbox; rather, cap PC advancement at some point (say 12th level). That will help relieve the pressure of learning how the various high-level spells work and interact with each other and the core rules. Other rules tweaks might involve getting rid of combat options like AoOs, or removing redundant systems like Spell Resistance.

But I hear what you're saying, and I can see an audience for what you're describing.

 

[Voadam]

You might want one of the d20 variants that simplify some rules and just stick on D&D classes, feats, and magic. I think d20 Call of Cthulhu and Star Wars (at least one of the editions) for instance simplifies combat by removing AoOs. It would not be difficult to use those combat rules and keep most everything else D&D.

 

[TGryph]

I know you said you want to play D&D, but have you looked at HARP by ICE? It is very similar to D&D (classes, levels, etc), but much smoother. The combat system is WAY cooler, and the magic system is what D&D should have been in 3E. In fact, it is quite easy to convert D20 modules to this system.

Give the free Lite Rules a look here...


http://www.harphq.com/


Look in the Free Downloads section.

TGryph

 

[cybertalus]

Are there no systems that cater to my needs? Am I the only one who wants these things? If not, I think this is a real hole in the market that some enterprising publisher could do well off exploiting.

What do you think?

It depends on which side of the DM screen I'm on. As a DM I always want simpler. Simpler rules means fewer things for me to keep track of, which means I can better focus on other things, like keeping the game interesting for the players.

As a player, simpler often translates to fewer options for me, and as a player I want options.

Out of curiosity, are there certain broadly defined areas you'd like to see simplified? Combat? Character creation? Spells and spellcasting? Magic items? Character classes? Monsters?

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Hmm. I guess your best bet would be to either run 3.5 and cut out the stuff you think that makes it too complex, or use C&C and add the things you like from 3.5. Personally, I find it easier to add than to take away, but that really depends on where you want to be on the continuum.

 

[The Lost Muse]

d20 Wheel of Time may be right up your alley also - although the crunch is somewhat tied to the setting, it's great, and everything is in one book (which is even better).