Looking for a simple system

[kengar]

My group and I have been playing 3e for a few years now and recently got to a good stopping/pausing point in my FR campaign. To be honest, I'm a lttle burnt out on 3e and I'm looking for a change. My problem is I'm not sure what I'd like to do instead.

I'd like to play something a bit lower magic and lower power than 3e, but I know my group isn't really interested in ultra "gritty." I've been thinking of sticking with fantasy, but I guess the right system and genre could sway me.

Also, I was hoping for a less rules-heavy system than d20. I wanted to avoid dealing with issues like AoO's, dozens of combat feats and hundreds of magic spells/items. Something simple, but not so basic that my crunch-loving group is totally turned off by it. Not to mention I don't want to make everyone shell out bunches of $$ for new rulebooks, etc. Personally, I am a system-junkie. I own more rulebooks (old & new systems) than I'll ever play. But I know that not every gamer shares my notion of the best way to blow money.

So let's hear your thoughts: what system(s) do you recommend that I look into? I've been toying with homebrew rules, but I'd rather spend my energy working on a campaign and adventures than re-inventing the wheel. Thanks!

 

[Wicht]

When I think rules light the following games come to mind:
Toon
Paranoia
Ghostbusters
the old basic DnD

and if you want real rules lite... Tunnels and Trolls

 

[dave_o]

I'd like to put in a vote for The Window.

http://www.mimgames.com/window

It's nice, delicious, and rules light.

 

[Thorvald Kviksverd]

Why not go here. . .

SAVAGE WORLDS

. . .and try their free quick start rules out.

They also offer a free conversion for their Deadlands game, and the yahoo group has quite a few files for conversions of other popular games and genres.

 

[GravyFingerz]

I'd like to put in a vote for The Window.

http://www.mimgames.com/window

It's nice, delicious, and rules light.

I will concur with dave_o

 

[Golem Joe]

Lejendary Adventure

Lejendary Adventure

Most who've tried it claim it recaptures the feel of older editions of DnD. It has a decidedly medium magic feel. The rules system is light and lacks the encumberance of 3e but doesn't shirk on coverage. Oh, and all you need to play is the players' book ($25).

If you haven't already, check out the quickstart rules. Give the adventure a spin. You may find it to your liking.

 

[JeffB]

Re: Lejendary Adventure

Lejendary Adventure

Most who've tried it claim it recaptures the feel of older editions of DnD. It has a decidedly medium magic feel. The rules system is light and lacks the encumberance of 3e but doesn't shirk on coverage. Oh, and all you need to play is the players' book ($25).

If you haven't already, check out the quickstart rules. Give the adventure a spin. You may find it to your liking.

Absolutely what GJ said...When I get burned out on rules, LA is what I come back to. Has an increible OD&D/1E feel to it (thanx to the Gygax prose & design), low to medium magic, flexible rules light system.

I would also reccomend the LotR RPG by Decipher, less complex than 3E but similar system mechanics/foundation.

And Hero Wars (and the new HeroQuest coming soon) is a very cool rules light, narrative game for perhaps the most unique FRPG campaign setting ever published. (geez..that sounded like a commerical) Check out www.glorantha.com

EDIT: here is the link to the first 3 chapters of the original Hero Wars main rulebook. You can see how simple the system is, and how cool the character creation system is (at least in my book)

http://www.glorantha.com/hw/samples.html

 

[diaglo]

Original D&D (1974) there is no substitute.

 

[kengar]

Original D&D (1974) there is no substitute.

I actually have the later box "Basic" sets (starting with Red) and was considering those. Some of the things that I am kinda tired of in 3e are in the older versions too, though.

I also own the LOTR RPG, it's a solid system (when I fiddle with homebrew system design, I steal heavily from LOTR), but my group would trash Middle Earth in a heartbeat

I'll have to check out LJ's quickstart, sounds interesting.

Thanks!

 

[Desdichado]

I actually have the later box "Basic" sets (starting with Red) and was considering those. Some of the things that I am kinda tired of in 3e are in the older versions too, though.

I also own the LOTR RPG, it's a solid system (when I fiddle with homebrew system design, I steal heavily from LOTR), but my group would trash Middle Earth in a heartbeat

I'll have to check out LJ's quickstart, sounds interesting.

Y'know, you can use the LotR rules in another setting fairly well...

In fact, I'd suggest it -- I wouldn't mind at all playing such a game. I've also long wanted to play a good game of the Window. It's, for one thing, ideally suited to new gamers. For experienced gamers, it may actually be harder to play because of all the stuff they'd have to unlearn from other games they've played in the past.