Please help: D20 vs. the Out of Print Alliance

[Funksaw]

But with 4 new systems, the system has a better chance to really effect the game. Some times d20 gamews even of different genres can feel similiar because of the similiar mechanics. Different mechanics really help differenciate games. However, while it may be easy for you as the guy running it the players might bulk at this idea of always learning a new system.

Let me also suggest that sometimes it IS easier to learn 4 new systems than one extremely complex one. Personally, I found it easier to learn Storyteller than d20 (picked it up very quickly cause it was just dirt simple - was my first system, too) and simple systems like Feng Shui, and Unknown armies are much easier to learn than d20. Now, AD&D2e, that I don't know - and I would imagine it would be more complex than d20.

Personally, I'd go with the system that gives you the best play experiences - because chances are if it's not D&D3e, you're going to be the guy running it anyway.

 

[robberbaron]

I don't see how d20 is more complicated than AD&D2.
If anything, I find the system easier to pick up and smoother to run.

I would say download the SRD, have a play and see what you think.

 

[Ron]

I don't see how d20 is more complicated than AD&D2.
If anything, I find the system easier to pick up and smoother to run.

I would say download the SRD, have a play and see what you think.

I would argue that the edition you're used with is probably the best one, which is the reason that every new edition need to be hyped to the most to convince players that it is time to give the publishers all that dollars again, after spending them for ten years.

Anyway, d20 is much simpler in a number of important aspects. Namely, the single resolution system (or almost, I picked a few percentages for spellcasting with armour) and simplified abilities bonuses.

However, it introduces a new layer of character complexity, the feats, a new and more complicated skill system (which still could be improved, see how difficult it is to a low level character to pick a lock made by medieval technology), dozens new features in regard to classes, a number of spells affecting characters doing combat (not sure about this due to my small experience with 2nd edition and the long time since 1st edition), and a very complicated movement and attacks of opportunity system created with the intention of convince players to move into miniatures gaming.

Just compare the size of a regular stat block in 2nd and third edition to understand what I am saying. In general, I believe that 3rd edition improvements outweigh 2nd edition best moments, but it would be unfair to think that all the changes were for the best.

 

[RFisher]

Well, d20 isn't like GURPS. Different d20 games can be as different as completely different systems. (And different systems can be more similar than different d20 games! )

My experience & my opinion are that the referee should pick what they're comfortable with. So far there's only one case I've seen in which a player refused to play a system someone else was willing to run.

(I've seen people on message boards claim they'd never play a certain system, but I've seen people in RL claim they'd never play a system only to be the first to start making a character when someone offered to run it.)

So I don't see that the two advantages claimed for d20 (one rule set for everything & easier to find players) actually hold up in my experience. YMMV.