WotC non-OGL alternative to D&D

[Ruin Explorer]

The problem with questions like this is it makes a presumption that the reader may not agree with, so its hard to answer the question since it does not detail what about the system is "dreadful". I ran a whole campaign using the original system back in the day and did not find them terrible, but I'll also admit that my taste in rules has not changed that substantially in 30 years, so...

I mean, if you don't think the original rules were extremely clunky, you aren't the right person to answer this question, I agree. I loved ED's setting and ideas so much but those dice mechanics really didn't work for me or my group.

 

[GMforPowergamers]

My choices would be Rifts, TORG, and Savage World

I don't know if it counts but the Essentials system from renegade for GI Joe is a fun read

 

[CardCrest]

Is LevelUp by EnWorld themselves on these lists of alternatives or no?

 

[FormerLurker]

Fantasy Age and Shadows of the Demon Lord are probably the biggest two.
They're modern and balanced, simple but not OSR.

 

[Haplo781]

Tales of Xadia.

 

[mamba]

Is LevelUp by EnWorld themselves on these lists of alternatives or no?

no, as it is under the OGL

 

[Voadam]

They did do a Savage Worlds but it apparently sucks.

I wish the 4E ED had gone ahead.

I remember the reviews being not very positive on the Savage Worlds and Pathfinder conversions.

Looking at the FASA DTRPG page it does look like there was a Fourth Edition with 37 products listed.

 

[Retreater]

I remember the reviews being not very positive on the Savage Worlds and Pathfinder conversions.

Looking at the FASA DTRPG page it does look like there was a Fourth Edition with 37 products listed.

They did do a Savage Worlds but it apparently sucks.

I recently ran Savage Pathfinder. I wouldn't say it "sucks" (at least IMO). I'm not completely sold on the system, but it's something I could learn to make work (which, honestly, I have to do for 5e anyway).

Savage Pathfinder Post-Mortem (Spoilers)

 

[AdmundfortGeographer]

Worlds Without Number didn’t have the OGL in it last I checked. There’s a lot in WWN that people who have played D&D will recognize. It was designed with the core of B/X in mind with a skill system based on Traveller.

Heck the core rules are freely available to download.

 

[Zardnaar]

The old D6 system is open source now iirc.

D6 fantasy I own hardcover the pdfs have been free before.