looking for a new system

[ealrion]

so we;ve been playing d&d 3.5 in our group for a while, but when it comes down to it, we're always trying to simplify the rules to make the game move along a little smoother. this is mostly b/c our group has one person who has smoked away the part of his brain that helps retain new knowledge, and another is a rules lawyer who doesn't know the rules that well. we're all friends so the group will continue on, but maybe a different system would help.

sooo... we're looking for something that fulfills the followong criteria:

1. simple
2. easy to pick up
3. not any more combat-centric than d&d
4. simple
5. could be easily used in homebrew settings
6. could be used in different genres (with simple modifications is ok)
7. simple

i've looked at gurps lite and i know it would be too much for them.

any ideas folks? i'd really appreciate any.

thanks a bunch,
e

 

[Arkhandus]

True20 is probably what you're looking for. Castles & Crusades would probably fit as well or better for fantasy roleplaying, but for multi-genre stuff True20's better suited.

 

[seskis281]

This is easy - you want Castles & Crusades published by Troll Lord Games. It takes the basics of d20 and applies them to 1st edition AD&D, giving the best of both. All you need is the Players Handbook and Monsters & Treasure, both 128 pages and very reasonably priced (I got each from Amazon for just under $13 each).

I had the exact same desires as you and when I found C&C it was like finding the system I had always wanted, and very much what I had been trying to do with my house rules.

The Trolls also support this line very well with quality adventures both for sale and for download, and Gary Gygax himself is contributing Castle Zagyg based on his original Castle Greyhawk campaign from the glory days of early D&D.

This is what you want - get it.

John Maddog Wright

"Never forget... No matter where you go, there you are... in a tavern."

 

[Aus_Snow]

True20

That's what I would place first on my list to at least have a look at. I believe there are previews available of the main book, as well as supplements.

More things seem to be coming out for it too, which is encouraging.

It has conversion rules for d20->True20. It's fairly simple, definitely not as combat-fixated as D&D (by default), and multi-genre support is right out of the box, so to speak.

I love it, so I'll shut up now.

 

[Olaf the Stout]

I haven't played either system so take my opinion with a grain of salt but I would agree with the previous posters in suggesting either Castles & Crusades or True 20 for your group.

Olaf the Stout

 

[seskis281]

Arkhandus is probably right to recommend True20 for multi-genre possibilities, although the Trolls are coming out with a Castle Keeper's Guide soon (I hope) for C&C that will be a rules varriant rather than core book, and it's supposed to offer genre variations on the base fantasy of the game.

John Maddog Wright

 

[Epidiah Ravachol]

Have a gander at QAGS. It's simple, rather malleable, practically picks itself up, and quite elegant beneath its humorous exterior. Plus, you already have the d20 you'll need. So there is no extra cost.

 

[Nathal]

so we;ve been playing d&d 3.5 in our group for a while, but when it comes down to it, we're always trying to simplify the rules to make the game move along a little smoother. this is mostly b/c our group has one person who has smoked away the part of his brain that helps retain new knowledge, and another is a rules lawyer who doesn't know the rules that well. we're all friends so the group will continue on, but maybe a different system would help.

sooo... we're looking for something that fulfills the followong criteria:

1. simple
2. easy to pick up
3. not any more combat-centric than d&d
4. simple
5. could be easily used in homebrew settings
6. could be used in different genres (with simple modifications is ok)
7. simple

i've looked at gurps lite and i know it would be too much for them.

any ideas folks? i'd really appreciate any.

thanks a bunch,
e

And hey, no harm in checking this out too...the full system will be out in the near future Eldritch High Fantasy

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

I'd go with Castles & Crusades. While not explicitly multi-genre, it fits the other requirements perfectly. C&C's SIEGE engine, which handles skills and feat-like capabilities, is simple and flexible enough that it's a trivial task to apply it to a different genre (I know some people are using it for a Traveller game). In fact, you don't need to really do ANY tweaking or anything special. You might need to tweak the basic classes for a different genre, and come up with some genre-appropriate equipment lists, but other than that it would be no problem.

 

[seskis281]

Agreed with Philotomy - I think you'll find the SIEGE mechanics, where checks are done against the base attributes, very handy - I had been trying something similar with house rules for 3.0 for long time but C&C made it work even better. I think he's right about the tweaking (you can tell I really love the system here - don't worry, I'm in no way afiliated with the Trolls), and the nice thing is that the rules ENCOURAGE flexibility and adaptation.

John Maddog Wright