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ShortQuests -- individual adventure modules! An all-new collection of digest-sized D&D adventures designed to plug in to your game.

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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Sebastian Ashputtle" data-source="post: 1677689" data-attributes="member: 22019">[I hope it's okay, but I also posted this on RPG.net.  If it isn't okay, I'm sure the moderators will let me know.  <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f609.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=";)" title="Wink    ;)"  data-smilie="2"data-shortname=";)" /> ]===I need help, everyone, so here it is. I'll try to keep it short. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":-)" title="Smile    :-)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":-)" /> I've been away from RPGs for many years now (started playing back in 1980 with D&D). Last year I decided to get back into the hobby and now I have a problem. What game or games? Now I've spent the past year doing all kinds of research and reading, trying to decide on a game. Played a lot of d20 and GURPS in that time, including some Shadowrun and Cthulhu. Don't worry: I'm not about to ask you guys, "What game should I buy?" Nothing is more subjective and open-ended than that. My question is far more specific. Here is my dilemma. On the one hand, I really enjoy many aspects of d20, and I like the fact that I can play Cthulhu (d20), D&D, Adventure! (d20) and D20 Modern/Future (coming out soon <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":-)" title="Smile    :-)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":-)" /> without changing rule sets. I also like the fact that with D&D I can get a game easily, as most people are familiar with it. On the other hand, I really dislike how intricate and complex the combat system is, especially how focused it is on tactics, reach, spacing, modifiers, modifiers, modifiers. Yet instead of the d20 route, I've been thinking of something completely different: out of print games. The games are: Alternity (modern and futuristic), Call of Cthulhu BRP (horror), Advanced D&D 2nd edition (esp. Ravenloft and Planescape), and Adventure! (pulp action). These games seem to have fewer rules and are much less "tactical/miniatures based than d20. I am especially fond of Alternity. Yet I fear that having to learn four different sets of mechanics will be just as difficult as learning D20, perhaps far more. I also worry that finding players for these OOP games will be difficult. [Disclaimer: I realize that Cthulhu BRP isn't out of print...I'm lumping it in the OOP category just 'cause the other three are. <img src="https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/joypixels/assets/8.0/png/unicode/64/1f642.png" class="smilie smilie--emoji" loading="lazy" width="64" height="64" alt=":-)" title="Smile    :-)"  data-smilie="1"data-shortname=":-)" /> ] Help me choose, gentlemen, and give me your reasons, please: OPTION 1: D20 ***D&D 3.5, D20 Modern, D20 Future, Call of Cthulhu D20, Adventure! D20 Pros: One set of rules (with minor variations), easy to find players. Cons: Too many rules, especially regarding combat. Too complex! OPTION 2: Out-of-Print Alliance ***Alternity, AD&D 2e, Adventure! (Storyteller), Call of Cthulhu (BRP) Pros: Simpler rules, each game has distinct mechanics that fit each genre. Cons: Hard to find players for these games (especially Alternity and Adventure!), pain of learning four different sets of mechanics. ======= I would be grateful for any and all feedback, especially regarding the specific issue of (a) D20 complexity and (b) Problem of learning four different mechanics. Hope this all made sense. I look forward to reading everyone's replies.</blockquote>

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