Skills Based RPGs

[abouelse]

I've almost exclusively played D&D since High School (2nd ed, 3rd, now 4th edition) and have dabbled in a couple other systems (Werewolf, Palladium/Rifts).
My question is, what is the "best" skills based RPG? I've read about Runequest (though never actually found and read the handbook). Also, are there any "new" or "recent" skills based RPGs? Not that there is anything wrong with old gamin systems, I just generally appriciate the polish that tabletop RPGs have experienced in recent years.

 

[Garthanos]

I've almost exclusively played D&D since High School (2nd ed, 3rd, now 4th edition) and have dabbled in a couple other systems (Werewolf, Palladium/Rifts).
My question is, what is the "best" skills based RPG? I've read about Runequest (though never actually found and read the handbook). Also, are there any "new" or "recent" skills based RPGs? Not that there is anything wrong with old gamin systems, I just generally appriciate the polish that tabletop RPGs have experienced in recent years.

The recent version of RuneQuest isnt too bad looking in terms of polish... But Riddle of Steel is something thematically similar to RuneQuest in terms of combat anyway (or atleast it looks that way havent had the opportunity to test anything but the combat of it so I cant be certain it is even that skill based.).

Noting one of the features for me of RuneQuest as it had a degree of elegant simplicity... it wasnt that it was that centered around skills. And for elegant simplicity I have been looking at Fate / Spirit of the Century.... the new Harry Dresden RPG based on this looks really promising.

 

[ExploderWizard]

For brick by brick character skill building GURPS is your go-to system.

 

[kilamanjaro]

Rolemaster 2nd edition is my favorite skill based system.

 

[Armadillo]

Bushido is still one of my favorite skills-based RPGs. More recent examples would include Blue Planet v.2 and Trail of Cthulhu.

 

[Garthanos]

For brick by brick character skill building GURPS is your go-to system.

It is beyond skill based so far somehow it went off my radar hehe. but yeah. Not sure about the cost of many things ... ageless ness that will never ever enter the game play for instance is very expensive.. a coolness tax. Aging is fluf in 4e and pretty much shrug long lived races have history +2.

 

[maddman75]

Best for what? Different games do different things.

Also, its pretty much just D&D and Palladium doing the class thing. Pretty much every other RPG is some variety of skill-based system.

 

[Garthanos]

Rolemaster 2nd edition is my favorite skill based system.

I ummm thought that was chart based... Its nickname was chart master at one point in time. (it had levels and classes right?)

RuneQuest Skills went up and there was no such thing as a level... for me that is the main significant thing about a skill based system.

 

[Stalker0]

I'm a big fan of the Silhouette system myself.

 

[Andor]

I ummm thought that was chart based... Its nickname was chart master at one point in time. (it had levels and classes right?)

RuneQuest Skills went up and there was no such thing as a level... for me that is the main significant thing about a skill based system.

Well by those lights I'd go with the Hero system for flexibility. There is pretty much nothing you can't do with it.

Savage Worlds probably also qualifies but although it doesn't have levels it does have tiers.

Ars Magica ain't exactly new, but it's hard to beat. For a variant take on the same system see World Tree.

There are any number of small/old/obscure RPGs that are skill based as well like Expendables, Albedo, Manhunter or 5th Cycle.