Neonchameleon
Legend
This is a spinoff of the thread on classifying stakes. I know what a rules light game is and I know what a rules heavy one is, and so do most of us. But "Rules Medium" is often used and there isn't a clear definition.
For me, a rules medium game shouldn't just be somewhere between the two, but have some of the meaningful features of both. I know games I consider good rules medium games have the following two characteristics in common:
But this is my definition and I'm well aware there are others.
For me, a rules medium game shouldn't just be somewhere between the two, but have some of the meaningful features of both. I know games I consider good rules medium games have the following two characteristics in common:
- There is enough mechanical weight to the game that the rules lead to non-obvious emergent rules interactions.
- The rules themselves are simple enough that other than for monster statblocks the physical rulebook (or electronic version) is almost never needed in play even playing precisely RAW (although character sheets/a DM's screen/ a page or two of handouts is acceptable because you should always know where they are and never have to spend time finding things).
But this is my definition and I'm well aware there are others.