D&D 4E Which RPG System is 4E most like?

[takasi]

I'm hearing from many people that 4th edition D&D is very different from d20/OGL, so I have a few questions:

1.) If a third party company had developed the same rules that are in 4th edition, would the rules have been different enough to fall outside of the existing OGL?

2.) Given the following medieval fantasy RPG systems:

7th Sea
Ars Magica
d6 Fantasy
d20/OGL
Dark Ages
Dragonquest
Earthdawn
Exalted
Fireborn
Fudge
Grimm
GURPS
Hackmaster
HARP
Lejendary Adventures
Lord of the Rings
Palladium Fantasy
Rolemaster
Runequest
Sorcerer
Talislanta
Warhammer FRPG

Please pick the system(s) that is (are) most like 4th edition for each of the following RPG elements:

a.) Implements (Dice, Cards)
b.) Units of Measurement (Time, Distance)
c.) Raw Abilities
d.) Learned Skills
e.) Extraordinary/Supernatural Powers (Feats, Magic)
f.) Equipment
g.) Economics
h.) Combat Adjudication
i.) Story Control
j.) Environment Creation

I personally feel like 4th edition, as presented so far, is very close to d20 OGL in all of these respects. The departure from standard d20 rules are along the same variance as other systems published under the OGL license (WoW, True20, Conan, etc).

However, I very much look forward to seeing the logic behind other conclusions.

 

[Wormwood]

4e looks a lot like my last 3.5 game, which was modified to hell and back.

Lots of old edition kruft was excised, at-will and encounter powers were implemented, and narrative control was shared much more than in bog-standard D&D.

 

[Baka no Hentai]

Wait a second, World-of-WarDragon-Ball-Z-Monopoly isnt a choice?

 

[takasi]

Wait a second, World-of-WarDragon-Ball-Z-Monopoly isnt a choice?

If there is an unlisted RPG that doesn't fall within the current OGL and you'd like to demonstrate that it is more like 4E using the criteria above then please do so.

 

[Alisair Longreach]

I voted for Earthdawn. Why? Because to me the 4E powers seems very similar to Circle/Class ability set up in the Earthdawn system.

 

[Flynn]

I'm surprised there's not a Classic D&D or AD&D 1st Edition option, as well as an Other option for systems that aren't listed above. From what I've seen so far, the rules are closest to D20, but the gaming experience itself is probably closer to 1st Edition (on steroids, of course). I'd suggest Savage Worlds as a possible option, as well, simply because I see many of the same streamlined features: small skill list, low GM prep time, character diversity, quick and fast combat system, etc. Given it all, though, and considering only the choices that are available, I'd have to fall back on D20/OGL as my default choice, but it isn't the best choice, IMO.

Hope This Helps,
Flynn

 

[takasi]

I'm surprised there's not a Classic D&D or AD&D 1st Edition option

I was trying to list systems that are still in print (for the most party). I also didn't list out each edition of each game.

From what I've seen so far, the rules are closest to D20, but the gaming experience itself is probably closer to 1st Edition (on steroids, of course). I'd suggest Savage Worlds as a possible option, as well, simply because I see many of the same streamlined features: small skill list, low GM prep time, character diversity, quick and fast combat system, etc. Given

Can you be a little more specific, comparing each of these elements?

a.) Implements (Dice, Cards)
b.) Units of Measurement (Time, Distance)
c.) Raw Abilities
d.) Learned Skills
e.) Extraordinary/Supernatural Powers (Feats, Magic)
f.) Equipment
g.) Economics
h.) Combat Adjudication
i.) Story Control
j.) Environment Creation

Also, does anyone have an answer to question #1?

 

[Khairn]

4E has an obvious similarity to various D20 games like 3E and Iron Heroes, just to name a couple. But after reading the playtests, blogs and promo's, the "vibe" I'm getting about the games style & flavor, is more along the lines 7th Sea and Savage Worlds.

The streamlined functionality of Savage Worlds and the "action first" style of 7th Sea seem to resonate in what I've seen so far about 4E.

As for your question #1, I believe that the SRD / OGL has enough flexibility that a 3rd party publisher could indeed design a game within its framework that is close to 4E.

 

[Stormtalon]

I'm amazed I didn't see any reference to the Mayfair rules.... As an old friend once taught me, any time you think a system sucks, it always looks good next to Mayfair.

 

[Kwalish Kid]

No FATAL?