What TTRPG Is Perfect and Complete In One Volume?

[jdrakeh]

The D&D Rules Cyclopedia, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned yet.

 

[Reynard]

Shadowdark.

And I don't have personal experience running it yet, but all available evidence says that Mothership works fine with just the 64-page (free!) Players Survival Guide.

I almost said Shadowdark, but the core book lacks an actual adventure, which i think is really important to tie up that book into being perfect. If the quickstart was in one volume, tho...

 

[Reynard]

The D&D Rules Cyclopedia, which I'm surprised hasn't been mentioned yet.

The RC is indeed the most complete version of D&D in one volume. Unfortunately, I think Masters level stuff actively hurts the game and really the 36 level trajectory is kind of a mess. It's great, but I don't think for me it is "perfect" enough.

 

[The Soloist]

The RC is indeed the most complete version of D&D in one volume. Unfortunately, I think Masters level stuff actively hurts the game and really the 36 level trajectory is kind of a mess. It's great, but I don't think for me it is "perfect" enough.

That is why I didn't mention it.

 

[Umbran]

-Godlike

Ooh, yeah, that's a good one.

 

[The Soloist]

In one volume, that is a tough call. Coriolis by FL comes to mind. It had everything: a rich setting, spaceship construction rules, space battle rules, a mission generator and an adventure.

 

[TheRottenPixie]

It’s not a book, but the new Dragonbane box set is perfection in my mind. It’s has everything I as a GM would want. The core rules, cardboard minis, maps, dice, character sheets, solo play and a decent adventure. Plus I think it’s like $50 all together, so it’s definitely offering more bang for your buck.

 

[stormwriter]

Legend of the Five Rings 4th Edition

 

[soviet]

WFRP 1e
Cyberpunk 2020
Other Worlds

 

[SpellObjectEnthusiast]

• The new Hardcover version of Monster of the Week.
• Cypher System Rulebook
• Scum and Villainy

Some that get close:

• OSE: Classic Fantasy. Missing some of the guidance + rules additions from the CC zines that make the game actually function (EX: functional encumbrance rules)
• Electric Bastionland. Missing a decent bestiary or magic items list.
• Into the Odd. Missing a GMing guidance section.
• Knave 2e. Lacks a bestiary or rules for treasure or dungeon generation.
• Fate Core. Its a lot harder to learn/use without also referencing Fate Condensed.
• Basic Roleplaying. Too many of its optional rules or subsystems don't make sense or don't work without referencing the source material games they were adapted from.