System suggestions for modern horror?

[Vyvyan Basterd]

Right now, we're deciding between the World of Darkness (new one) and the Supernatural RPG.

For those who have experience with both, which would you say has the smoothest/simplest mechanics?

I've only played Supernatural, never WoD (old or new), and have really enjoyed it. I've never actually made a character for the game though, as my recurring character is from the show (Bobby Singer) and was made by the GM. Maybe [MENTION=24418]Ninjacat[/MENTION] will stop by and give his perspective of the system as someone who has run the game more extesively.

And if you'd like to suggest a different system, what would it be? (Already considered and dismissed D20 Modern, Savage Worlds, Call of Cthulhu, Kult, or any all-in-one system like GURPS.)

I've attached the rough draft of a homebrewed system I created and used to run a Gameday event "Fate of Leningrad." The event took place during the siege of Leningrad and featured cannibalism and the outcast son of Loviatar from Finnish mythology. The game had the right feel, although it was almost too rules-lite for my own tastes, even though I created the rules. Feel free to yoink if it suits your tastes.

 

[Mouseferatu]

As far as inspiration goes, we're definitely looking at more "action horror" (a la the TV show Supernatural or Simon Green's novels) than true "existential horror" (a la Cthulhu).

 

[JacktheRabbit]

For modern horror I would go with any system that works like the old WEG Starwars D6 system.

I love that system because no matter how powerful you became everyone still died if they took a blaster bolt between the eyes.

A mechanic like this works really well with the fear factor you want in a horror game. The knowledge that your character who is the equivalent to a level 20 DnD 3.5 fighter in ability can still die to a single lucky pocket knife stab in the gut.

 

[ProfessorCirno]

Action based modern horror? Sounds like nHunter to me

 

[3catcircus]

As far as inspiration goes, we're definitely looking at more "action horror" (a la the TV show Supernatural or Simon Green's novels) than true "existential horror" (a la Cthulhu).

How "realistic" do you wanna go? How much combat will occur? If you are looking at a gritty world where the PCs do a lot of fighting with human enemies within the bounds of the real world (e.g. cultists, mad scientists, Evil with a capital E serial killers, etc.) then you might try the (out of print but available on RPGNow) Twilight:2013 rules (and just ignore the military-heavy portions of the equipment lists and backstory). While the mechanics are definitely front-and-center, the character generation and advancement is top-notch - what I've found is that it forces the players to focus on really putting some thought into their PCs backgrounds - something that is invaluable when putting together a bunch of plot hooks that invest the players into the campaign.

On the other hand - if you are going for a less realistic game, I think either WoD or Supernatural would be fine - they are both fairly abstract rules sets. The only issue is that WoD has a heck of a lot more support material than Supernatural. Of course, if you don't mind kit-bashing, the Cortex rules at the heart of Supernatural gives you much more control than WoD.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

How about dusting off Amazing Engine or Alternity? Or maybe some version of Gamma World?

(If you have them, of course.)

Any decent sci fI RPG will have rules for mutants and/or aliens...which is perfectly fine for making modern horror critters.

 

[Achan hiArusa]

No votes for Unknown Armies? Pretty awesome looking system, though I have yet to run a game using it.

 

[Mark CMG]

Unisystem does work pretty well for contemporary horror.

Here's a thread from a few years ago, too -

http://www.enworld.org/forum/general-rpg-discussion/242124-best-horror-system-you-have-used.html

 

[jaerdaph]

Against the Darkness is a pretty cool modern horror setting with an easy to learn system. It's on sale right now too as part of GM's Day.

 

[Particle_Man]

Don't Rest Your Head?