What Game Rules should be my alternate for WotC products?

[Azgulor]

There are tons of books by other companies that are compatible via d20 and OGL. I'm a fan of Conan OGL and Thieves' World d20, but there are others out there as well.

Azgulor

 

[sjmiller]

I recommend GURPS for pretty much anything other than Fantasy. But if fantasy is what you are aiming for Id use Hackmaster. I know a lot of people dont like some of the system, but its easy to take out things like honor and flaws if it doesnt suit you. It's not for everyone, but I really enjoy it.

Unlike Cevalic here, I would recommend GURPS for everything including fantasy. I ran a fun and exciting GURPS fantasy campaign for six years. The players and I still talk about that campaign and the fun we had playing it. Looking around the web will find you all sorts of readymade creatures, some even converted from D&D. the old GURPS Fantasy Bestiary also has lots of critters for just about all occasions.

Many people here will try and point you away from GURPS, but I say give it a shot.

 

[Desdichado]

So, any suggestions for an alternate rules system as I contemplate a WotC personal boycott?

OD&D (1974) ?

 

[ragboy]

I second (third?) a few people in this thread, but here's my order:

* Savage Worlds -- does any genre you want. I love their superhero game, have run Star Wars with it, and converting old/new D&D stuff is a snap. I can't tell you the relief I felt when I sat down to run my first Savaged campaign and could ad lib again without having to consult 20 different books for monsters, options, etc.

* Grim Tales -- If you want to stick with some d20 love, it's a solid core system to build from. Again, any genre, though I've done nothing with the supers genre.

* True20 - I've only played a couple of times, but it's a solid system.

 

[maddman75]

What kind of games are you interested in? I mean all this thread will get you is people saying the names of their favorite systems. I mean I could recommend Exalted and Unisystem, because I really like them, but that doesn't mean that you would.

 

[smootrk]

What kind of games are you interested in? I mean all this thread will get you is people saying the names of their favorite systems. I mean I could recommend Exalted and Unisystem, because I really like them, but that doesn't mean that you would.

Popular concensus will usually locate both the highest population of support (larger fanbase/player base/etc) and most likely, the most competent rule-set (as non-competent rule-sets will not gain/keep popular support over time).

I have been a relatively dedicated fanboy until now, not branching out from the d20 environs, mostly because I never saw any reason to learn multiple rule sets. I still don't want to play in several rule-sets, but this latest maneuver by WotC has prompted me to explore a bit.

 

[maddman75]

Popular concensus will usually locate both the highest population of support (larger fanbase/player base/etc) and most likely, the most competent rule-set (as non-competent rule-sets will not gain/keep popular support over time).

Okay, as far as the size of the fanbase, it goes something like this

WotC/D&D























Exalted/White Wolf






Everyone else


D&D is the lingua franca of the gaming world. The gamer that plays/has played other games but never played D&D is rare. I'm not the biggest D&D/d20 fan myself, though its been awhile and I'm starting to get the itch. And I'm looking to put together a new group. So I'll play in some D&D games and find good gamers to play the stuff I really want to play. But if you're asking if any other games have something like ENWorld then no, they don't. Most of them have small but loyal and dedicated online communities that do put out some material. But going away from D&D will probably mean you get to teach the new rules. The odds are simply against another gamer happening to know the same non D&D game as you. With the possible exception of White Wolf stuff.

I have been a relatively dedicated fanboy until now, not branching out from the d20 environs, mostly because I never saw any reason to learn multiple rule sets. I still don't want to play in several rule-sets, but this latest maneuver by WotC has prompted me to explore a bit.

Just so you know, most games are not as complex as D&D. They don't require as much to master, nor do they require all the players to go out and buy a book. Some of them are, I would certainly say Exalted is just as complex if not moreso, just in different ways.

I'm not sure what you mean by competent ruleset either. Do you mean consistent and logical? Tactical? Rule for every situation? I understand that you've not had much experience with other rulesets, but I'm not sure what you're after.

One thing you'll find is that D&D is rare in that it still uses classes. The majority of games tend more toward picking your skills and abilities, which has its upsides and downsides. It gives you more flexibility, but doesn't protect you from yourself. A well built Exalted character - who are reborn demigods from a lost age - can defeat armies singlehandedly or found a religion based on themselves. A poorly built one can be killed by a mortal bandit.

So I guess I could give you some details on a couple of the games I really like. Maybe that would help.

As mentioned, Exalted is a game where the PCs are reincarnated demigods, who have been trapped for millenia. Most of the world thinks they are demons, undead armies prepare to invade from the underworld, and the Realm that rules all Creation is at the brink of civil war. There is no metaplot here. The assumption is that only YOUR characters can save or destroy Creation.

The rules are rather complicated. Each character has a collection of magical abilities called Charms. They're sort of halfway between a spell and a feat. They can allow the Exalt to do miraculous things, like walk on walls, open any lock with a touch, or block any blow. Even if its a mountain being thrown at you. Note: this is a setting where someone might throw a mountain at you. On top of that there's Virtues and Willpower that measure personality, and a set of Mass and Social combat. And finally there's Stunts - if you do a better job describing your actions, you get a bonus to hit!

Buffy has just ended their license, but is still widely available. This is probably my favorite system. Even if you didn't like the show, its a solid modern system. The dice resolution is simple with only one die instead of a pool, while still allowing for success levels. The magic system is great as well, allowing the players to use pre-made spells or create their own. The best part is the Drama Points. They're like Action Points, but tend to be much more useful. They can be used to get +10 on an attack (on a d10 system!), introduce plot twists, or even come back from the dead. You get them for heroics, good roleplaying, or making funny jokes.

If you don't care for the show or don't particularly want to do a high school game, get Angel and the Magic Box supplement for Buffy. Most bang for your buck .

 

[Voadam]

Non-WotC D&D using Mongoose's pocket PH and DMG or the SRD and use only 3rd party splat books, modules, and monster books.
Arcana Unearthed/Evolved
Iron Heroes (although the magic is underdeveloped, there is a revised edition coming out soon)
Black Company
Castles and Crusades
OSRIC
True20

 

[Jdvn1]

Now that is certainly not true.

Oh, right. I've been getting into Spirit of the Century lately; it's certainly worth looking into.

Fine, most of my friends. You're the exception, not the rule.

You've been really busy lately anyway!

 

[Cevalic]

Unlike Cevalic here, I would recommend GURPS for everything including fantasy. I ran a fun and exciting GURPS fantasy campaign for six years. The players and I still talk about that campaign and the fun we had playing it. Looking around the web will find you all sorts of readymade creatures, some even converted from D&D. the old GURPS Fantasy Bestiary also has lots of critters for just about all occasions.

Many people here will try and point you away from GURPS, but I say give it a shot.

Cant say Ive ever run a fantasy game with GURPS. My group always wanted to use D&D (Hackmaster) for fantasy, so I never got to run a fantasy campaign with GURPS. We used it for pretty much everything else, as it is an extremely flexible system.