The Basic Fantasy RPG roxxorz!

[Nikosandros]

To be clear, the Mentzer set is cited as the primary inspiration for the game

Actually, Moldvay is the main inspiration, not Mentzer.

 

[jdrakeh]

Actually, Moldvay is the main inspiration, not Mentzer.

My bad.

 

[Son_of_Thunder]

Well, the Basic Fantasy RPG is solely aimed at recreating Basic D&D via OGL rules. OSRIC is an AD&D 1e open source document. C&C is something of an AD&D 1e/2e recreation, but only tiny portions of it are actually open content (i.e., it's not much use to people who want to develop their own products based on it). True 20, of course, has nothing in common with older editions of D&D, but is merely a trimmed down version of the current edition. So, mechanically and conceptually, all of these games offer something different. So far as I know, the BFRPG is the only Basic D&D recreation via the OGL currently available. That said. . .

BFRPG isn't purely Basic D&D - alignment is presented as a purely optional mechanic, via a supplement, for instance. A lof of people probably won't like that. Since I never saw too many Basic D&D groups use alignment, I understand where the author was coming from and applaud his decision. Also, the diminishing attribute check DCs based on level is a neat idea that is much more elegant than the largely static or entirely handwaved DCs utilized by all of the other aforementioned games. BFRPG also has an official setting (presented as a series of adventures) that you can download for free from the website. And, of course, you can download the entire ruleset for free, as well (of the aforementioned competitors, only OSRIC lets you do this, as well). Finally, it's easily compatible with supplements for the current edition of D&D, where OSRIC isn't (at all) and True 20 is, but only after a generous application of elbow grease. I think only C&C has is matched in this regard.

There are a lot of things to like about the BFRPG, but as I said in my first post, my time is somewhat limited at the moment (I have a day job, so full-blown reviews have to wait until the day job duties and some volunteer work gat taken care of). The primary reasons to check it out are:

1.It's 100% free!
2.It's 99% OGC and 1% additional open content via a royalty free license.
3.It's the only Basic D&D recreation via the OGL that is currently available.
4.It has an incredible level of product support via the website.
5.You can use your D&D 3x supplements with it on the fly.

Here is a link to the BFRPG main site. Go download the rules for free (no need to buy the hardcover or perfect-bound books from Lulu, as I did). Check out the downloads section for the aforementioned free rules, adventure modules, a collection of custom character sheets, optional rules (such as those for alignment), etc. For a free game, the level of support is admirable. And, of course, you have the web-based software support (see the "Tools" section of the website). And the dedicated discussion threads art Dragonsfoot (which I'll never participate in, but I must say that they make for good reading).

Thanks for the link. Downloaded and enjoying thouroughly right now.

 

[JDJblatherings]

Been using BFRPG to run Temple Of Elemental Evil for the past month and it is working out well.

 

[mcrow]

BFRPG, IMO, is the best oldschool game out there, followed by C&C.

I look forward getting some play in with this system.

 

[Treebore]

This is a really good looking rules set. I have been following this project for over a year now. Plus the "adventure" stuff is very nice with great old school looks and lay out, but still modern.

The biggest reason I don't use it instead of C&C is the SIEGE engines flexibility. Otherwise BFRPG would likely be my preferred rules set.

 

[jdrakeh]

Feel free to drop by the official (i.e., blessed by the game's creator) fan forum here -- right now it's just me, really, so please drop by, share your house rules, home-brewed creatures, module conversions, and anything else that's taking up space in your brain (well, anything BFRPG-related, anyhow).

 

[Angel Tarragon]

The forums are still buggy.

 

[jdrakeh]

The forums are still buggy.

How so? I need to know specific issues if I am to fix them.

[Edit: Nevermind. They're temporarily down for service. There's nothing that I can do about that on my end.]