Questions about which game systems have been used for a given purpose. Questions and answers must follow certain guidelines, see the tag wiki for the link.
21
votes
15answers
1k views
Fast-paced and brutal rpg system
First, the question: Does anyone in here know a system that is both fast-paced, brutal and suited for fantasy roleplaying?
Now, the explanation: by brutal, I mean dangerous. Most RPG's have a ...
18
votes
9answers
1k views
How to introduce a pen-and-paper RPG to family?
My brother and I have dabbled in D&D when we were younger. Also, at the last place where I worked, we had a weekly Pathfinder game session, which was fun.
Usually at our family get-togethers my ...
11
votes
5answers
664 views
What is a good system to play LOTR?
I want to get started with RPGs and I want to play the Lord of the Rings and Middle-earth stories.
I'm looking for a system which is:
Cheap
Simple to learn for noobs like me, and easy for a noob to ...
23
votes
15answers
2k views
What are some good systems for a game similar to Firefly or Jedi-less Star Wars?
I have an idea of running a space-travelling game. I was thinking something like Shadowrun, only on an interstellar scale. What are some good systems I should look into using?
I'm looking to do ...
1
vote
1answer
84 views
Are there any fan-made Adventure Time RPGs?
I know that there are no official Adventure Time RPGs. Are there any fan-made ones out there? I'd be willing to accept adaptations of the characters/setting to other systems, as well as standalone ...
8
votes
4answers
2k views
Choosing DnD 4th edition or Essentials for a new group and DM?
Recently I've got interested in roleplaying. My background is more or less hardcore boardgamer, I have played quite a large number of board games, even some of the most complicated ones and found it ...
10
votes
6answers
878 views
Systems with a dice mechanic that handles very easy and very difficult tasks
I'm looking for a system that has a dice mechanic that supports a particular type of realistic feel. In particular, I'd like to find a system where any task could potentially be rolled for without ...
2
votes
3answers
123 views
What are the best RPG bestiary books containing monsters inspired by East Asian cultures? [closed]
The setting for my current game has a mix of cultures and influences from the Far East, and I am looking for sources for monsters inspired by Chinese/East-Asian cultures, such as China, Japan, ...
3
votes
6answers
171 views
A system that models improved threat range of critical misses?
Have you ever fumbled with a flail? It sucks, especially when you are first learning it. It can happen very often; Sometimes in such a terrible way it far surpasses the risk of swinging a staff, hands ...
5
votes
4answers
90 views
What systems contain Multiple Caster or Combined Casting rules? [closed]
In the process of creating a homebrew system, I have run into the problem of my players wanting to be able to combine their spellcasting prowess in a show of superiority and might ( and perhaps a bit ...
7
votes
4answers
159 views
What systems do use-based skill upgrades well? [closed]
By "use-based skill upgrades," I mean skills are increased as they're used. At some point, everyone questions the sense in killing just enough Orcs that you get better at sneaking. This sort of ...
16
votes
6answers
596 views
Dragon Player Characters
Are there any good rpgs where the player characters are dragons?
I am familiar with the old D&D supplement "Council of Wyrms", but that was just screwing with some basic D&D stats and trying ...
4
votes
2answers
142 views
How to play the Junta idea as RPG?
I'm looking for a way to play the idea of the board game Junta as an RPG.
In Junta, you play a corrupt member of the ruling families in a banana republic, supported by various groups, ordering ...
13
votes
4answers
291 views
Tips for organising a short campaign?
I'm planning on fitting as much roleplay into my university's intersemester break (ISB) as I can. I've got ideas for campaigns in my head, and I'm reasonably comfortable jotting down a few stats and ...
2
votes
5answers
359 views
Any advice on a good Respawn system for pathfinder
I am searching for a good respawn rules set that I can apply to the next Pathfinder game I have in mind. I believe someone already had this idea, but I can't find anything on the subject. So here is ...
8
votes
1answer
228 views
System Recommendation: Gritty Sci-fi
I am looking to start writing a campaign for some friends, but am not sure what system to use for this. I am trying to be as specific as possible with my requirements, so as not to end up asking a ...
2
votes
2answers
215 views
What RPG systems are Designed for a “Traditional” Call of Cthulhu Scenario
What RPG systems are there for a traditional Call of Cthulhu adventure (e.g. a basic premise of being investigators in 20th century/modern timeframe within the Lovecraft Mythos)? I know that there is ...
2
votes
1answer
103 views
Game system recommendation - D20 system like DnD4E but faster level up rate
We're looking to run a fast level-pace game DnD4E like game, and would rather not bother messing with new or house rules. Is there/can you recommend a similar, D20 based, game, where levelling up ...
6
votes
3answers
274 views
What system or sourcebooks should I use to run a pre Roman, Celtic Britain campaign? [closed]
Someone I know, wants to run a campaign in Celtic Britain. He normally uses Pathfinder but is looking for something more appropriate to the background.
7
votes
5answers
432 views
Where can I find a non-Lovecraftian medieval religious horror game that will inspire dread in my players?
I am looking for a game which explores the Horror genre, specifically by instilling Dread in my players, I also need the game to focus on religous horror and Magic Realism. I would like the mechanics ...
6
votes
10answers
376 views
Which systems use the Cthulhu Mythos? [closed]
I need to know which systems use the Cthulhu Mythos. Could you give me a list?
Please give only systems that specifically reference the Cthulhu Mythos. For example, don't bother listing Escape From ...
16
votes
10answers
570 views
Looking for a Space marine RPG similar to Starship Troopers (the Novel)
I'm trying to nail down an RPG that appropriately reflects the feel of Heinlein's Starship Troopers. (The novel, not the movies. They're very different in the ways relevant to this question.)
...
5
votes
4answers
587 views
Looking for an evocative high fantasy rpg setting
I've been searching all over RPG sites for this kind of setting, but I didn't find anything similar until now. Well:
High Fantasy: I mean something not from this dimension, out of ordinary, but not ...
17
votes
6answers
575 views
Making magic “magical”
When I work with settings that contain magic, whether traditional fantasy or others, I always perceive something of a tension when trying to portray the magic between the following factors:
Magic ...
1
vote
2answers
150 views
Idiot Savant Magic-user [closed]
I had an idea for a character I'd like to play. He's an idiot savant Magic-user. Excellent at anything to do with Magic, but awful at everything else. Yes, I know this sounds like ...
41
votes
17answers
7k views
Are there any good tabletop RPGs for young beginning players?
I'm looking for a fun, easy to get into RPG for my kids. It could be simple and card-based, or more "normal" tabletop style. I'm looking for something less bloody and dark, and more fun and easy to ...
50
votes
32answers
12k views
Looking for solo (one person) RPGs - do they exist?
I am looking to find out if solo RPGs exist, and which you'd recommend.
I do not mean "one-on-one" 1 player + 1 GM games. I really mean "1 person."
Update: After receiving two (fine, up-voted) ...
18
votes
5answers
259 views
Rules system for playing out the details of founding and developing a city?
I want to run a campaign in which the players control individual but influential characters (maybe heads of families), with the main focus of play on the PCs building up a city over time, starting ...
16
votes
6answers
840 views
What role-playing games should I pick for an absolute beginner group?
I've always wanted to play Dungeons and Dragons, but where I live it's more of an underground thing, so it was difficult to find other players. After recently moving to a new school, I made a few ...
21
votes
15answers
903 views
I am looking for a game to ease my friends into role playing
Let me start with saying it's been many years since I played D&D. I have a group of friends that meet every week to play board games like Descent, Heroquest, etc. The thing is, none of these ...
14
votes
4answers
652 views
Which rpg system supports freeform magic and is intended for Fantasy games?
We've been looking for a system that fits our current requirements for a while and we seem to be failing miserably at it... Does anyone know of a system that fits the following?
Magic system
...
21
votes
16answers
2k views
“Learn a new RPG a year”: Which systems are a must-know? [closed]
I'm fairly new at this, having just started playing on a Dragonlance 2nd Ed. D&D campaign, and DMing on a 4E adventure. As a programmer, I'm aware of the dictum "Learn a new language every year". ...
14
votes
11answers
595 views
What is a sci-fi system that would feel familiar to reluctant Pathfinder players?
For the last few months I've been running a Pathfinder campaign, and recently I told my players that I needed a break and they agreed on switching games for a few months. I'm a fan of the works of ...
6
votes
4answers
219 views
Is there a system with hit locations where missing hits another location?
This is my first time asking a question. I have only ever played D&D and I am now looking for a very different type of system.
My goal is to have a realistic system to use for a Zombie one-shot. ...
6
votes
4answers
240 views
Good games for inexperienced players and GMs?
I have been the GM for my little circle of friends for a few months. We are having trouble finding an RPG system to be comfortable with.
On my part, I seem to be unable to settle on any particular ...
0
votes
1answer
93 views
What are some mechanics where players determine the difficulty of performing actions? [closed]
I'm designing an RPG with a central mechanic that allows players to create spells. The mechanic I've developed is very fun in this context: Players are presented with a risk/reward for designing and ...
0
votes
2answers
422 views
What are the main Creative Commons powered tabletop RPGs out there? [closed]
I am kinda new to these tabletop RPG games, and since I really love the Creative Commons philosophy, I wanted to know what are the strengths & weaknesses of the main CC-powered RPG games, mainly ...
4
votes
1answer
128 views
Creative Commons RPG [duplicate]
I can't find a complete and generic (or fantasy) RPG system that:
Allow me to edit the changes and distribute under a different license
Allow me to use comercially
I want a game system using the ...
9
votes
9answers
260 views
What's a good system/setting for an X-Files style campaign?
A friend of mine is interested in running a game that feels a lot like the X-Files (specifically the alien conspiracy portion, rather than the monster-of-the-week portion). Can anyone recommend a ...
14
votes
6answers
4k views
Any games with a Magicka-like (experimental/combination-based) magic system?
I really like the exploratory/combining elements of the magic system in the computer game Magicka. Can anyone recommend a tabletop game with a similar system?
The system is based on obtaining ...
1
vote
0answers
187 views
Small group tabletop [closed]
I'm looking for a table top game that can be played with 2 people and a dm/gm without limiting what can be done game wise or cause them to have to play multiple hero characters (talking to themselves ...
5
votes
5answers
207 views
Games with a granular alignment system?
I've recently started out a Basic Fantasy campaign with several new players.
In this campaign, I want their characters to gradually gain their alignments based on
they actions they take. For example, ...
4
votes
1answer
200 views
Dungeons and Dragons vs. Dangerous Journeys [closed]
First off, I don't think I've ever played "real" D&D. I'm usually DM and try to focus on the imaginative side of the roleplaying, sacrificing certain rules and concepts to make this happen. So ...
8
votes
5answers
346 views
What systems use interesting questions to inspire character backgrounds?
In another question, it was suggested that the game "Dread" has a number of questions to make players really consider their character's backstory and personality. However, I'm planning to run a ...
9
votes
4answers
248 views
Looking for a system that effectively models endurance and fatigue
I am looking for a (fantasy) role-playing system that includes a believable, usable method for tracking the effects of fatigue and determining how they influence capabilities.
To provide context for ...
0
votes
0answers
156 views
What systems are designed to handle tactical tile/map-based combat? [closed]
D&D and Savage Worlds are designed for tactical combat. What other systems with similar focus on tactical maps/tiles or boardgame-like combat are available?
0
votes
1answer
230 views
RPG with complicated dice rules such as “unlimited dice” [closed]
Are thera any other RPG's with complicated (but good) dice rules?
In Eon, a swedish RPG, there are somthing called "unlimited dice" which works as follows:
Let's say you have a skill level 16 in ...
14
votes
9answers
1k views
Low-random, low-dice fantasy rpg system
In my endless struggle to find RPG systems which suit my style of game mastering I've made my way through endless pages of results on the RPGGeek with no avail, so once again I am going to surrender ...
6
votes
4answers
491 views
Looking for a nice magic system to convert to FATE
I'm playing around a lot with the FATE system at the moment (particularly with Diaspora) and I'm now looking at how I might apply it to a fantasy setting. What I'm looking for is a nice magic system ...
8
votes
5answers
299 views
Making an actual system for “playing war”
When I was a kid, we used to play soldiers on a field outside the school. We would make our own toy guns out of wood and make camps, sniping each other in the tall grass. It was a bit like a ...
