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

 

[pogre]

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

Sounds like you are a fine candidate for Savage Worlds!

 

[Calico_Jack73]

As crazy as it may sound you might check out the Palladium FRPG. There is a lot of Kevin Siembeida (the author) hate on this board but I never had any problems with the system.

Also, you might consider going onto E-Bay to pick up a copy of the old D&D Rules Cyclopedia.

 

[Nomad4life]

The ideal system you described sounds just like True20! Go check it out. You'll be amazed at how simple and universal it is, without a fraction of the prep-time or clunk of 3.5. You can run just about any setting or genre with it, and you can even port things you do like from other D20 books.

 

[PapersAndPaychecks]

You should check out:

• Castles & Crusades ($19.99 for the PHB which is all you need to play)
• OSRIC (free)
• Basic Fantasy RPG (free)
• Basic Roleplaying (free)

 

[Mustrum_Ridcully]

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

Points 1-4 and 7 should be easily attainable with the new Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay.
I think it can be used well in homebre settings, unless you change a lot about the backgrounds of magic and so on.
Different genres would probably require you to create a lot of new material, though the basic mechanics should be usable as is...

 

[halfpintgamer1976]

The ideal system you described sounds just like True20! Go check it out. You'll be amazed at how simple and universal it is, without a fraction of the prep-time or clunk of 3.5. You can run just about any setting or genre with it, and you can even port things you do like from other D20 books.

I'll second True20.

As a new DM, I love the system. The rules are easy to pick up and the system is simple and versatile. The books even include d20 conversion tips. It took me 10 minutes to convert my first creature, and that was only because I was overthinking the system.

The only downside (and I hesitate using that word) is that the damage mechanics are different from d20, so if you have any die hard d20 gamers, they might not take too well to that facet in the beginning.

There are quick start rules and a free adventure on Green Ronin's site.

 

[Philotomy Jurament]

Hey, I've got just the thread for you.

 

[Technomancer]

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

The D6 system from West End Games fits all your requirements.

1,2,4,7: It is very easy to learn, you can pick up enough of the system to play AND create a character in about 15 minutes (and that's with a smoke break ). I could explain the system in a paragraph not much longer than your first post.

3: It is not especially combat-centric. It is an attribute+skills type game, with fighting abilities being just one of many skills.

5: It has no default setting, it is pretty generic on its own, so you should have no problem using it with and homebrew setting.

6: There are three genre books (Fantasy, Adventure/Modern, and Space) that contain virtually the same rules but adjust the skills and attributes to reflect the conventions of each genre.

Very quick play, keeps the story moving, best for fast-paced cinematic games (it was the system for the original Star Wars RPG, and it fit perfectly, so that tells you a little of the style).

 

[WayneLigon]

You may want to check out:

Risus, though that might be too simple. A wiki is here.

Everway, if you can find it.

Fate - I'm currently thinking about running this, weighing it with a few others I'll mention

Savage Worlds and Blue Rose/True20 are both simpler than D&D. I'm also looking at each to see if they'll do well for an upcoming game I want to run. I know a friend of mine is using Savage Worlds at the moment; she's been trying to find an RPG that the teenagers will play that does not have the stat-prep-time D&D has.