D&D 5E (2014) Thoughts on Divorcing D&D From [EDIT: Medievalishness], Mechanically Speaking.

[TheSword]

AC

To be honest I’ve waxed lyrical about WFRPs combat system with defense rolls and toughness soak so I won’t go over it here. You specifically asked about D&D.

I would allow defence to be 10 + Proficiency + Dex mod + Strength mod

Otherwise fast is the only practical way to resist firearms whereas being a double hard bar-steward should be acceptable. Con is already taken into account for hp.

 

[TheSword]

Another reskin for the bard could be "Journalist". Finding out facts and swaying opinion through news stories. Strong persuasion skills to get people to open up and tell you things, and less doing favors for you.

Or an occultist - collecting obscure knowledge and spells.

 

[Stormonu]

Looking through DTRPG, I am actually surprised that there aren't more 5E based pulp action RPGs.

d20 was pretty much the height of that, I think after the bubble burst everybody went back to their own home systems.

Non-D&D, I think I enjoy Savage Worlds, Alternity, World of Darkness and the Cortex system for handling tackling different eras outside of quasi-medieval fantasy. If nothing else, stealing another game's backdrop world is worth a look.

 

[Reynard]

d20 was pretty much the height of that, I think after the bubble burst everybody went back to their own home systems.

Non-D&D, I think I enjoy Savage Worlds, Alternity, World of Darkness and the Cortex system for handling tackling different eras outside of quasi-medieval fantasy. If nothing else, stealing another game's backdrop world is worth a look.

I love Savage Worlds, and it is probably the best out of the box pulp action game. But this exercise is more about putting D&D in a "modern" period (1800-1900).

 

[Stormonu]

Does get me thinking though - any familiarity with Space 1889? Ethership travel to Mars (and Venus), with lots of John Carter vibes (and lots of colonialism going on too...).

 

[Reynard]

Does get me thinking though - any familiarity with Space 1889? Ethership travel to Mars (and Venus), with lots of John Carter vibes (and lots of colonialism going on too...).

I am aware of it but it is one of those games I never bothered with.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Looking through DTRPG, I am actually surprised that there aren't more 5E based pulp action RPGs.

There was an Indiana Jones RPG at one time. It’s been tried, but never seems to gain traction.

 

[Reynard]

There was an Indiana Jones RPG at one time. It’s been tried, but never seems to gain traction.

Not in the 5E era. Pulp games aren't that rare, though like you say none have really lasted the long haul.

 

[Paul Farquhar]

Not in the 5E era. Pulp games aren't that rare, though like you say none have really lasted the long haul.

Oh no, this was sometime in the 80s.

 

[Reynard]

Something real is starting to develop, with a possible publication path.