Recommendations Please: Rules-Lite Modern Game?

[wedgeski]

Hi folks. We've been running a d20 Modern campaign for a few months and it's going fine, but something I've found about running a contemporary game is that we hardly ever use the rules. The game has become unexpectedly investigative and very heavy on the roleplaying, and'd like to investigate the options of switching to a different system.

I do not believe there are any 'rules-lite' modern systems. Spycraft, from what've I've seen, seems to be a d20 variant that isn't necessarily any less complex, but I'm happy to be corrected, or to be pointed at something I've never even heard of.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[arwink]

True 20 has a Modern Appendix covers rule-light fairly well.

 

[Nomad4life]

It would take a little work, but I would look into True 20; probably the best, fastest rules-lite D20 system out there. I'm using it to run a Star Wars game, with only a minor hitch here or there when a missing rule needs to be invented on the fly. Look to Mutants & Masterminds to get an idea of how to import modern vehicles (if needed.)

Outside of D20, Eden Studios has a number of modern gamelines that are fairly rules-lite.

 

[Prest0]

If you're not stuck on d20, Savage Worlds is an excellent rules-lite system designed for any genre. You can even download free test drive rules.

 

[Gospog]

If you're not using the rules and your game is going well, why do you want another rules set?

It sounds like you don't need them.

I'm not trying to be contrary. Heck I envy you!

The less rules I need to use, the happier I am!

Just a thought. Good luck with your game.

-Tom

 

[Dragonhelm]

You might try adapting the basic SIEGE Engine from Castles and Crusades. That's about as rules-lite as you can get.

 

[wedgeski]

If you're not using the rules and your game is going well, why do you want another rules set?

It sounds like you don't need them.

I'm not trying to be contrary. Heck I envy you!

The less rules I need to use, the happier I am!

Just a thought. Good luck with your game.

-Tom

Heh, I take your point. Actually, your post made me pause for thought.

I guess there's more to it than just looking for a rules-lite system (which isn't my underlying concern, I love d20), but rather finding a rules-set that is tailored to the style of gameplay and, more crucially, the style of player that I have in the game. Two of my three players are experienced roleplayers but very new to d20, and they always seem to run headling into the rules rather than embracing them. Very rarely is a tactic or option discussed in terms of what the rules allow, and there is so much roleplaying going on that skill checks and so forth just seem out of place at the table.

Another problem I have is making modern combat exciting and unpredictable. The campaign is currently very light on fantastic elements (FX in d20M parlance), and I find that I'm leaving the RAW more and more behind in trying to make gunfights interesting and full of options for the players. It's become very apparent to me just how much the d20 combat system is geared (unsurprisingly, of course) to running multiple combatants all with very different approaches to the fight. When you reduce those options down to guns, knives, and fists, the system, if not breaking down completely, loses a lot of its charm. I was hoping to find a more free-form combat system which would fit a little better with the game.

A game with no rules framework does not appeal to me, because mechanics and roleplaying are two sides to the same coin as far as I'm concerned. So I'm really searching for that middle ground.

Many thanks for your reply Tom!

 

[wedgeski]

You might try adapting the basic SIEGE Engine from Castles and Crusades. That's about as rules-lite as you can get.

I know nothing about it. Does it fit a modern setting do you think?

 

[jezter6]

I've heard some good things about Feng Shui, although I've never played it myself. It's modern for 1, based around the h-t-h fights for 2, and...umm...is supposedly rules light for 3.

Anyone who played it before can chime in and tell me how wrong I am about it

 

[Committed Hero]

If d20 is not working I would suggest the new World of Darkness rules.