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.
14
votes
8answers
3k views
What GM-less RPGs exist and are the mechanics adaptable to other systems?
I'm constantly looking for new systems to either steal from or at least try out for a one-shot. What systems are currently available that feature GM-less mechanics? Further, do any of these systems ...
23
votes
16answers
1k views
How to design game elements other than combat?
Most RPGs I know about and have played are fighting-centered. That doesn't mean that all gaming is only about fighting, but that most of the rules and character abilities are primarily useful in ...
3
votes
1answer
171 views
Diceless miniatures? [closed]
I've seen diceless systems for narrative-focused role playing. But do any diceless combat tactics games exist, possibly based on miniatures? I'm thinking of personal-level combat where a single unit ...
7
votes
4answers
198 views
Systems that have rules for covert magic (Occult type magic)
What games system out there have a good ruleset for a covert magic system. For the lack of a better word I use covert in meaning that magic isn't obvious. Not that the magicians would have to hide, ...
11
votes
6answers
517 views
Choosing between Tales From the Floating Vagabond and Paranoia for a “one-shot.”
I'm in a group now, headed by a very (very) capable DM. We've been playing a very solid, very serious D&D campaign in an awesome setting entirely of his creation. However, some of the players have ...
6
votes
4answers
180 views
How can you translate Rashomon/The Rashomon Job into a one-off-game?
Inspired by: this. Related to: this.
Rashomon, at the core of the movie, is about the subjective point of view of reality. Four people see the same events transpire. While the events are roughly ...
34
votes
24answers
2k views
What games are out there that could be played in a single night, with no prep?
What games are out there that could be played in a single night, with no prep?
I have Spirit of the Century, but it really takes too long to make characters. So, in my opinion, it's great if you've ...
11
votes
11answers
398 views
Do any games have XP (or a similar concept) as an in-game construct?
Experience Points (or Karma, or Legend-points, etc.) are given as an award to the players that can be used to improve the capabilities of their characters and to monitor general "progress". In all ...
0
votes
0answers
192 views
Old school RPGs like AD&D and Gamma world [closed]
I am looking for some RPGs that have the same free form feel of games like AD&D (1st ed) and gamma world.
I'm hoping for something that us fantasy or sci-fi.
Also I'd like something not too ...
6
votes
6answers
617 views
Combat system that is less abstract than hit points yet is not more lethal
I have a campaign based on battles with miniatures in mind, with my players controlling the standard "heroes". It should be possible for the players to keep their characters alive through the ...
11
votes
7answers
1k views
Alternatives to D&D and Pathfinder [closed]
Ok my original question was apparently too vague and raised question marks about my problem with the power curve in 3.5. I won't explain why I don't like 3.5 since that's not the point of my question. ...
9
votes
6answers
2k views
Looking for a “Magic Rich” High Fantasy RPG
I seem to remember, over the decades of playing, there were one or two RPGs that were both:
"High Fantasy" - set in a fantastic other world, with magic, monsters, but not grim, WoDarkness, or ...
17
votes
6answers
441 views
Suggested System/Mechanics/Setting Choices for X-Files/Fringe Inspired Game?
Requesting system, specific mechanic, and published setting recommendations for a recurring game inspired by the X-Files and Fringe.
Here are my goals and details for the game that may provide ...
17
votes
6answers
710 views
Realistic modern day combat system to model real life ambush
I came across a video (helmet camera) of an Taliban force ambushing US infantry troops in Afghanistan. This is a link to the video of ambush: Combat in the First Person, Spc.Michael Gannon guides us ...
6
votes
3answers
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
3answers
251 views
Is there a good Mesoamerican game?
I'm looking for a roleplaying game set in a Mesoamerican culture: Aztec, Mayan, Olmec, etc. Simply being a Stone Age game isn't enough -- it needs to be steeped in jaguars and feathered serpents and ...
18
votes
11answers
4k views
Best story-focused, rules-lite, fantasy, non-class-based RPG? [closed]
I've been considering starting up tabletop RPGing again after a 13-year pause. During the time I did RPGing before, I mainly used Advanced Dungeons & Dragons (second edition). In retrospect I ...
13
votes
2answers
189 views
Are there any pen-and-paper RPGs based on the writings of Ray Bradbury?
As the title says:
Are there any PnP RPGs out there that are based on the unforgettable works of Ray Bradbury (R.I.P.)? (On Martian Chronicles, for example?)
5
votes
1answer
245 views
What point-buy systems of magic (like psionics in 3e D&D) are there? [closed]
The RPG I'm currently developing is a d20 model, skill driven rules system. The mechanics of spellcasting center around spell effects and point cost for stamina (a universal energy pool for all ...
4
votes
3answers
413 views
Which systems use a dice pool *and* highest score mechanic?
I'm trying to design a system with a dice pool mechanic that looks at the highest roll in the pool as well as total number of successes? I want to show the quality of a success and it's extent.
...
5
votes
1answer
125 views
Chivalry & Sorcery - how is version 4 different from v3?
I have played and enjoyed Chivalry and Sorcery for lo, these many years. I found the original (or version 1) a great source, but unplayable as a game. Version 2 was much better, but, as I never ...
11
votes
9answers
572 views
Superhero cinematic gaming — looking for a system
Our current campaign is going to wind down in a few months, and I'm planning a new campaign. I'm looking for a system that has the following characteristics:
Supports a low-to-medium power superhero ...
5
votes
3answers
385 views
Which is the best rpg to introduce people to role playing? [closed]
I'm also kinda new, but I understand the idea of a RPG and its basic rules.
13
votes
7answers
234 views
What systems or special mechanics enforce equal stage-time between players most effectively?
What systems/mechanics have proven most effective at giving each player about equal spotlight-time and enforcing that equality between look-at-me players and 'turtles'?
There's a pretty shy player who ...
6
votes
2answers
67 views
Recreating a narrative like Leinster's Gateway to Elsewhere in a game
Murray Leinster wrote a number of fascinating short stories. One that has caught my interest is Gateway to Elsewhere(Baen) being a story about the nature of dimension travel through what amounts to ...
5
votes
1answer
150 views
I really like Road of Knives. Are there any rulesets that would make this game more complex?
Road of Knives is a "battle blog"
wherein Zak Smith, Shawn Cheng, and
other artists take turns drawing
monsters fighting each other.
from the website, Road of Knives
I'm looking for ...
11
votes
11answers
653 views
Are there any good paleolithic rpgs? [closed]
I'm looking for an rpg that is basically about hunting/gathering, and surviving as a tribe. Mostly for mechanical ideas. Has anyone ever tried/heard of such a game? How does it work? Who makes it? Is ...
17
votes
9answers
449 views
What game systems determine skill levels only through use?
Is there a table top game similar to the video game Dungeon Siege where you don't really pick a class but what you become depends on what you do? You cast magic your magic skill increases, you beat ...
11
votes
10answers
3k views
Which roleplaying games feature realistic combat? [closed]
For many players and referees the characteristics of a Roleplaying Game are important. Does it allow for extensive character creation or it is quickly resolved, is it rules light or does it cover many ...
6
votes
3answers
153 views
Is there a game that places a similar amount of emphasis on the creation of worlds by player characters as the Myst series?
A major part of the premise of the Myst series is that a number of characters in the setting can 'write' worlds (mostly ones you could walk across in a few minutes). The gameplay of the series is ...
13
votes
7answers
450 views
Do any resources exist which cover player governance of a population
I have some players who would be interested in managing their own city. Is there any literature out there which covers the ins and outs of PCs governing a populace?
Some example scenarios:
The PCs ...
9
votes
3answers
2k views
Game of Thrones (D20/Tri-Stat) vs Song of Ice and Fire RPG: which has the most substantial setting information?
Of these two game lines for the Song of Ice and Fire series of novels, Game of Thrones by Guardians of Order, or Song of Ice and Fire RPG by Green Ronin, which contains the largest amount of ...
11
votes
9answers
466 views
What games exist with a focus on travelling between alternate universes?
I'm looking for games in which the PCs are expected to travel between many different parallel earths – call them what you will: alternate dimensions, alternate histories, whatever. If there was a ...
4
votes
5answers
360 views
What systems use an initiative system similar to Exalted?
As far as I remember, the exalted system works on ticks and cool downs:
A "tick" is roughly one second, but is a fuzzy, arbitrary time unit used to demark how long actions take. An "action" is ...
9
votes
2answers
615 views
Is There a Role-Playing Game with a Business Theme?
Does anyone know if there is a role-playing game centered around a business theme. That is, where you own and grow a particular type of business (manufacturing, farming, transportation, etc), and it ...
8
votes
10answers
694 views
What RPG worlds/systems work best together in crossover combinations? [closed]
I'm curious: What RPG worlds have you combined most successfully in a crossover setting as a GM? (Or what was the best crossover that you played as a player?)
My best experiences almost always ...
3
votes
1answer
347 views
Does anyone know of a D20 system that uses the Harry Potter Universe?
Does anyone know of a D20 system that uses the Harry Potter Universe?
I want to try something new with a few of my friends. We really want to try and get away from the usual D&D for a bit and try ...
7
votes
3answers
136 views
Suggestions for a Mountain Witch follow-up?
We played a one-shot of Mountain Witch and some people have expressed interest in a similar game but whe don't feel like just reshuffling the dark destinies. Has anybody written similar scenarios or ...
7
votes
3answers
161 views
What games represent sports well?
I hear Clash Bowley is working on a new baseball-themed RPG. I've often thought how fantasy football fans are inches away from actually playing an RPG about sports. What RPGs out there are about ...
7
votes
0answers
338 views
Are there any adventures for younger children?
I have been running an Advanced Heroquest lite game for our 5 year old and he is ready for something with a bit more story and plot. Are there any adventures out there that are young children ...
6
votes
5answers
463 views
What system would best capture the style and feel of TMNT mechanically?
After some (minimal) research I found out that Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles has its own RPG book: Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles & Other Strangeness.
Some parts of the system above appear good, ...
10
votes
10answers
643 views
Games that have only fictional reward cycles
What games have no mechanical reward cycle, leaving character rewards and improvements entirely within the fiction?
By "mechanical reward cycle", I mean a sub-system that:
ties a resource gained ...
7
votes
8answers
468 views
Which systems do you find most realistically model progression through skills?
The role-playing systems I've played so far seem to either provide a mostly artificial skill system progression, or ignore skill progression entirely.
I'd like to learn about, and maybe try playing, ...
4
votes
1answer
330 views
Zombie apocalypse systems that use lots of d10
Yet another system recommendation question from me. While procrastinating at work, I stumbled upon a very poorly written "Zombie Apocalypse Guide" and immediately got fascinated by the idea to run a ...
7
votes
3answers
870 views
What are the most popular/well known larp systems that meet our requirements?
We've got a local LARP group in my area and we've been struggling with getting a good set of core rules. We've borrowed for a few system, but none of them seem to fit exactly what we want to do. ...
2
votes
3answers
234 views
What system should I choose for a 'magic' adventure?
I'm searching for a system that has significant options for magic adventures.
I want to let players not just to tell their stories and take part in an adventure, but create the magic themselves.
A ...
10
votes
6answers
880 views
Realm Management Rules That Work
I have been searching for years for a good realm-management rule set for RPGs. By "realm management," I mean a system that tracks the fortunes of large areas and / or groups in the way that most RPGs ...
8
votes
5answers
514 views
An RPG with less emphasis on 'acting'
I have a friend who is rather shy and is reluctant to join in with my RPG hobby. Their main complaint is that they aren't confident enough to roleplay with others. (Or "act," as they say it.) They are ...
9
votes
7answers
457 views
Character-driven fantasy adventure with infrequent combat?
I'd like to try one-on-one RPGing with my partner and am looking for an initial high-fantasy adventure to get started with.
My original plan was to adapt the Fighting Fantasy gamebook, 'The Warlock ...
15
votes
2answers
255 views
Is there any other RPG that includes snailmail-writing as an integral component?
In De Profundis, an important part of the game is writing and sending letters to the other players. It's played in real-time with mail correspondence being the only form of contact between players. ...
