[Semi-OT] Best system for a conspiracy modern game?

[Paradoxish]

Hey everyone,

This is somewhat off-topic, but I was curious what systems you all prefer for your modern day/paranormal games (if any of you run or play in that style of campaign). The last time I ran a game of this sort was Dark*Matter, under Alternity. Dark*Matter is, without a doubt, one of my favorite campaign settings of all time and I'm looking to launch of a new campaign with a similiar setup.

My players are open to almost anything, but from what I hear about it I'd rather not use d20 modern. I'm looking to run a somewhat gritty campaign and I don't want the PCs jumping through walls of bullets and coming out intact. I need a system that encourages more realistic combat, although I don't need a "one hit always kills style of system". If I can't find anything else I'm thinking of just sticking with Alternity, since it seemed to work really well for my last Dark*Matter game.

Any suggestions? What systems have you guys had luck with for modern games?

 

[Olive]

reduce the massive damage threshold. Make it 10, like in CoCd20.

Or use Alternaity... why not?

 

[Skade]

I might be the only one who says this, but Storyteller might be the way to go. So long as the players are human you will not see any feats of extraordinary proportions, and death is only a few dice away. The only times you might see a little over the top action is with the stated rules on jumping. They can get a little high.

Specifically I would say Hunter: The reckoning. It gives a good overview of the World of Darkness without forcing you too much into any of the mythologies, instead focusing onone that encompasses them all. If you don't want your players to be Hunters (with the powers), just avoid that part of the game.

The only complaint I have ever had with the system is that combat is not too exact, no matboards, no minis, just you and your imagination. OdnD was the same, so it should be no difficulty.

 

[Dinkeldog]

Paradoxish said this: "but from what I hear about it I'd rather not use d20 modern."

I wouldn't operate on "from what I hear about it." Check the books out. A lot of people really like a lot of things about it. Reviews and word of mouth are wonderful things, but still, it doesn't mean that the other person has your frame of reference. For example, I consider Earthdawn to be the finest fantasy RPG extant. I've got no illusions that that opinion is held by anyone else or that the game is as flexible and "good" in the hands of anyone other than myself and the other members of one of my gaming groups in college.

If it's a campaign you plan on spending any amount of time playing, you pretty much owe it to yourself to check out things first hand.

 

[Mortaneus]

GURPS is my suggestion. It handles modern games quite well.

As for sourcebooks to use, I'd suggest Horror, Voodoo, Blood Types, Psionics, Special Ops, Black Ops, and maybe Espionage and Cliffhangers, if you can find them.

 

[Albert_Fish]

well i am partial to Pinnacle's system for DEADLANDS (not the d20 version!) but if you want to stick with d20 check out Ken Hood's Grim-n-Gritty rules...through in some vitality points and its perfect. Someone should have a download for both his HP/AC system and his Firearms system...heck he even has a martial arts system.

i suggest everyone checks it out
hmm, maybe i should do a conversion of an adventure using the Grim-n-Gritty rules .

 

[Gothmog]

My suggestions, from experience, would be:

#1 Dark Matter/Alternity- handles skills and character advancement well, combat is lethal, although it still has the downside of classes. (Not that classes are always bad, but in a modern era game they artificially restrict character abilities too much).

#2 Chaosium's BRP (Call of Cthulhu)- Characters are truly fragile in this game, and almost any supernatural horror will destroy them. Plus, it has the nifty sanity rules and descriptions of different kinds of madness. Check out the Delta Green books too if you can find them- they are worth it just to mine for ideas!

#3 GURPS- GURPS can do anything, and do it pretty well. While I find GURPS is ok for fantasy, it truly shines in a modern or futuristic era. If you have math phobic players, or gun nuts though, its probably not the game for you.

#4 Storyteller system- as Skade said, it is suitably dark, and characters can choose a wide range of skills which are not restricted by a class. Supernaturals will tear most normal human characters limb-from-limb though, so you have to use them sparingly.

I will say this though (probably to be flamed by others)- at all costs AVOID D20 MODERN!!! I have tried to play it several times for a modern horror/intrigue type game, and it just doesn't handle that genre well. Even with lowering the massive damage threshold, characters with any sense of tactics don't really need to be concerned in most combat situations. Guns simply aren't very deadly, and the character classes are very atrificial and restrictive. Other games handle this genre much better, but if your group is hell-bent on a d20 game, D20 Modern might be feasable with some work.

 

[Black Omega]

I can't comment on d20 Modern, I don't have it. I myself use Hero System for pretty much everything other than Rokugan, and it works well for me. I favor flexible systems and systems with good martial arts

 

[Horacio]

Why don't yoou check the SRD d20 Modern rules? It's free afer all. Maybe it will surprise you, I find that it can work perfect even for gritty games. CoC d20 is other great option.


BTW, I suggest d20 alternatives becaus eI find it makes it easier for players to adapt. I love Alternity, and I've played a lot to WoD games, but I like a lot the "d20 compatible" concept, it makes GM life easier.

 

[Qlippoth]

Other options

Unknown Armies has a loyal following (and a great 2nd edition).