A little bit of a response to another thread, I'm interested in what people have liked from different editions of D&D as well as other game systems. Could be a mechanic, a style point or flavor, or a product or presentation of product.
Not looking for what was disliked , that gets covered all too often.
I am listing only from game systems I've actually played to enough extent to comment:
Basic/Expert D&D - The simplicity and flavor. This was the game that got me into RPGing. The mods - specifically B2 Keep on the Borderlands, B4 The Lost City and X1 The Isle of Dread. Ease for new players - you could introduce this game in, like, 10 minutes and get going (still can!)
AD&D (1e) - The DMG for enormous ideas and resources. The "feel" of the gameplay; the setting of Greyhawk; modules - from The Drow series to I1 Forbidden City; Variable XP rates and uneven progression.
2e - Some good ideas on "missile" fire that I found helpful and adaptable; The box set of City of Greyhawk; Fate of Istus for numerous ideas; the concept of "kits."
3.0 - Ascending AC; Basic save structure; The "faux-notebook" layout of the core books; initial 3.0 modules like Sunless Citadel and Forge of Fury; the clarity of the rules - even those I disagreed with were easy to comprehend and master.
C&C - Recaptures "feel" of AD&D (if you liked it); returned variable XP and uneven character progression; the Siege engine mechanic as a basis; good modules and support (A series, especially Assault on Blacktooth).
Lejendary Adventure - Point-based magic system and flexibility of skill-based rather than class-based archetypal characters (really like as a player sometimes).
So that's a few - I didn't cross into sci-fi or other genre games, but feel free to do so. Again, just looking to see what people like from differing experiences with different games. Plenty out there I haven't played, so please comment on those too, and feel free to be much more specific on certain rules or mechanics.
Not looking for what was disliked , that gets covered all too often.
I am listing only from game systems I've actually played to enough extent to comment:
Basic/Expert D&D - The simplicity and flavor. This was the game that got me into RPGing. The mods - specifically B2 Keep on the Borderlands, B4 The Lost City and X1 The Isle of Dread. Ease for new players - you could introduce this game in, like, 10 minutes and get going (still can!)
AD&D (1e) - The DMG for enormous ideas and resources. The "feel" of the gameplay; the setting of Greyhawk; modules - from The Drow series to I1 Forbidden City; Variable XP rates and uneven progression.
2e - Some good ideas on "missile" fire that I found helpful and adaptable; The box set of City of Greyhawk; Fate of Istus for numerous ideas; the concept of "kits."
3.0 - Ascending AC; Basic save structure; The "faux-notebook" layout of the core books; initial 3.0 modules like Sunless Citadel and Forge of Fury; the clarity of the rules - even those I disagreed with were easy to comprehend and master.
C&C - Recaptures "feel" of AD&D (if you liked it); returned variable XP and uneven character progression; the Siege engine mechanic as a basis; good modules and support (A series, especially Assault on Blacktooth).
Lejendary Adventure - Point-based magic system and flexibility of skill-based rather than class-based archetypal characters (really like as a player sometimes).
So that's a few - I didn't cross into sci-fi or other genre games, but feel free to do so. Again, just looking to see what people like from differing experiences with different games. Plenty out there I haven't played, so please comment on those too, and feel free to be much more specific on certain rules or mechanics.
