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IcarusWings
2010-12-18, 09:32 AM
Well I've got some free time kicking around, so I felt like learning some new RPG systems. I already know D&D 3.5 and nWoD, and I've bought D&D 4e and Exalted 2e, but haven't read them yet. Other than these, any suggestions?

Totally Guy
2010-12-18, 10:16 AM
It really depends what you want the system to do.

Do you want a different setting or genre or do you want rules that look at gaming in some other interesting ways?

Vortling
2010-12-18, 10:17 AM
Knowing nothing more than what you've said I suggest Savage Worlds and PDQ.

IcarusWings
2010-12-18, 11:27 AM
It really depends what you want the system to do.

Do you want a different setting or genre or do you want rules that look at gaming in some other interesting ways?

Just any tabletop RPG really, except Call of Cthulhu and similar things as I'm not all that into horror. Just systems that you like and find interesting and fun. I'm thinking about Mutants and Mastermind's too.

FelixG
2010-12-18, 11:31 AM
Try the D6 collection, you can find it for free at most places like drivethrough RPG

Its in depth, well made and EASY

you could also try the CORTEX system which offers a lot of options and flexibility, for this system I would recommend Serenity

IcarusWings
2010-12-18, 11:46 AM
Try the D6 collection, you can find it for free at most places like drivethrough RPG

Its in depth, well made and EASY

you could also try the CORTEX system which offers a lot of options and flexibility, for this system I would recommend Serenity

Any chance you could elaborate a bit? What is the D6 collection? What is CORTEX (From the name it sounds like a Sci-Fi RPG?)?

The Rose Dragon
2010-12-18, 11:55 AM
You need Unisystem. Doesn't matter what the specifics are, everybody needs Unisystem.

Start with Witchcraft (http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=692&it=1), since it's free.

Tengu_temp
2010-12-18, 12:18 PM
I'm thinking about Mutants and Mastermind's too.

It's a good choice. Follow your thoughts, for they are correct.

Totally Guy
2010-12-18, 12:20 PM
Just any tabletop RPG really

Does no one else see this as a problem?

Kylarra
2010-12-18, 12:20 PM
MaidRPG because everyone should roleplay an anime maid once.

IcarusWings
2010-12-18, 12:20 PM
thanks, I've heard of Unisystem, but could never find it. I never realised it's just a system used in various different RPGs. I've downloaded Witchcraft but not looked at it yet.

DukeofDellot
2010-12-18, 03:06 PM
Personally, I'd say pick a few free systems.

There's an awesome Final Fantasy game somewhere on this forum... here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173958&highlight=ffd6), I guess I have it bookmarked.

Then of course, I'm always trying to push people into GURPS, where you can start with the free stuff GURPS Lite (http://e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=SJG31-0004), just to see what the system's like. If you get into the full game, it's pretty expansive, possibly more so than DnD, but it's a generic system, so that turns a lot of people off.

Then there's Spirit of the Century (http://crackmonkey.org/~nick/loyhargil/fate3/fate3.html) using the Fate RPG rules. It's pretty rules light, and I've run a game and had fun.

I keep hearing about Risus (http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/risus.htm), but I've not done much research... but apparently it's extremely rules lite.

I'll also mention Pathfinder (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/) because it's free, but it's not really a new system.

Then I guess if you're looking to put some money in... while it's not really an RPG, munchkin (http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/game/) is always good fun.

... Alright, my attention span just ran out.

WalkingTarget
2010-12-18, 03:21 PM
Just any tabletop RPG really, except Call of Cthulhu and similar things as I'm not all that into horror. Just systems that you like and find interesting and fun. I'm thinking about Mutants and Mastermind's too.

Taking a look at the BRP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Role-Playing) system that underlies Call of Cthulhu might be a good idea anyway if you're just interested in learning new systems. Other than the sanity mechanic of CoC there's nothing particularly horror-themed about it.

It exists as a "generic" system like GURPS. It's just been used for specially licensed settings.

Rob Roy
2010-12-18, 03:25 PM
I'd recommend Star Frontiers or AD&D 2e, because everyone should try an old school system.

FelixG
2010-12-18, 03:49 PM
Any chance you could elaborate a bit? What is the D6 collection? What is CORTEX (From the name it sounds like a Sci-Fi RPG?)?

Of course!

D6 collection is D6 Space D6 Fantasy and D6 Adventure. You can get them for free here, all legal so no worries there and you cant beat the price!
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?filters=0_0_0_0&manufacturers_id=468

CORTEX is the system for various games like Serenity and Battle Star. CORTEX itself is very open and has rules for modern future and fantasy as well as rules for magic psionics cyborgs ect. It pretty much has everything one could want and or need.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=58488

You can find the Serenity (CORTEX) book on that site as well or in various game stores or amazon. If you have any other questions on specifics I would go into further detail for you. :smallsmile:

IcarusWings
2010-12-18, 05:00 PM
Personally, I'd say pick a few free systems.

There's an awesome Final Fantasy game somewhere on this forum... here (http://www.giantitp.com/forums/showthread.php?t=173958&highlight=ffd6), I guess I have it bookmarked.

Ah yes, forgot about that. I already know about it and I love that system (I'm playing/GM'ing two of the games on the pbp forums).


Then of course, I'm always trying to push people into GURPS, where you can start with the free stuff GURPS Lite (http://e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=SJG31-0004), just to see what the system's like. If you get into the full game, it's pretty expansive, possibly more so than DnD, but it's a generic system, so that turns a lot of people off.

Then there's Spirit of the Century (http://crackmonkey.org/~nick/loyhargil/fate3/fate3.html) using the Fate RPG rules. It's pretty rules light, and I've run a game and had fun.

I keep hearing about Risus (http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/risus.htm), but I've not done much research... but apparently it's extremely rules lite.

I'll also mention Pathfinder (http://www.d20pfsrd.com/) because it's free, but it's not really a new system.

Then I guess if you're looking to put some money in... while it's not really an RPG, munchkin (http://www.worldofmunchkin.com/game/) is always good fun.

... Alright, my attention span just ran out.

I'll take a look at those, thanks.


Taking a look at the BRP (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basic_Role-Playing) system that underlies Call of Cthulhu might be a good idea anyway if you're just interested in learning new systems. Other than the sanity mechanic of CoC there's nothing particularly horror-themed about it.

It exists as a "generic" system like GURPS. It's just been used for specially licensed settings.

Ah, didn't know it used the GURPS system, I'll probably just take a look at GURPS as a whole though, rather than just going for CoC. Realised you said like GURPS. I'll still take a look at BRP though.


Of course!

D6 collection is D6 Space D6 Fantasy and D6 Adventure. You can get them for free here, all legal so no worries there and you cant beat the price!
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/index.php?filters=0_0_0_0&manufacturers_id=468

CORTEX is the system for various games like Serenity and Battle Star. CORTEX itself is very open and has rules for modern future and fantasy as well as rules for magic psionics cyborgs ect. It pretty much has everything one could want and or need.
http://rpg.drivethrustuff.com/product_info.php?products_id=58488

You can find the Serenity (CORTEX) book on that site as well or in various game stores or amazon. If you have any other questions on specifics I would go into further detail for you. :smallsmile:

Ok, I'll take a look, thanks.

daxos232
2010-12-18, 05:34 PM
BRP is a great system. It is like a toolbox. You have a huge variety of options to customize your game, but you can make it as simple or complex as you want.

RuneQuest 2 by Mongoose is also good. I'd recommend it first for anyone new to the 1D100 system. RQ2 is like D&D 3.5, while BRP is like AD&D, but they have far more in common and are more cross compatible than D&D.

Goober4473
2010-12-18, 06:07 PM
GURPS is always good. You have to do a little more work than D&D to balance things, but if you play 3.5, you should be used to not letting players do broken stuff.

IcarusWings
2010-12-19, 04:39 PM
What's the difference between 3e and 4e GURPS. Is it a major change that can trigger flame wars like in D&D or just an improvement? Basically, is it worth getting both editions or just the most recent one?

Kiero
2010-12-19, 06:01 PM
Costs you nothing but your time, check out Wushu Open Reloaded (http://www.story-games.at/wushu/open_reloaded.pdf), of similar heft and complexity to Risus.

gkathellar
2010-12-19, 06:14 PM
Fantasy Craft and Spycraft 2.0 are great for games of all sorts.

Star Wars Saga Edition is excellently designed - it was the other testground for basic 4e concepts, alongside ToB - and it's easy enough to throw out the Star Wars stuff for a general sci-fi game.

You can do almost anything with True20 if you know the system, and knowing the system is easy.

L5R is a fun read, a good system and a beautiful book.

Nobilis is amazing if you can wrap your head around it and find a group of likeminded players, but wrapping your head around it is a good way to give yourself an ulcer.

Big Eyes Small Mouth 3E is nice. It bills itself as an anime game but it's all lies - it's a general use system that supports virtually any genre.

The best systems I've seen for High and Low wuxia gameplay are, respectively, Weapons of the Gods and Qin: The Warring States.

Scion has some bugs, but it's relatively fun, and good inspiration for other things.

DisgruntledDM
2010-12-19, 06:33 PM
Look up a free RPG called "Everyone is John" http://wso.williams.edu/~msulliva/campaigns/john/index.html

Tael
2010-12-19, 09:30 PM
What's the difference between 3e and 4e GURPS. Is it a major change that can trigger flame wars like in D&D or just an improvement? Basically, is it worth getting both editions or just the most recent one?

4e = 3e with some improvements. The two are so similar it's almost like 3.0 vs 3.5. Get 4e.

Popertop
2010-12-20, 04:32 AM
Pathfinder is pretty good.
My favorite classes have a much needed touch up,
and what I've looked at so far seems solid.

IcarusWings
2010-12-20, 04:53 AM
4e = 3e with some improvements. The two are so similar it's almost like 3.0 vs 3.5. Get 4e.

Yeah, I thought that might be what it is, I'll get the 4e.

Kiero
2010-12-20, 05:08 AM
Pathfinder is pretty good.
My favorite classes have a much needed touch up,
and what I've looked at so far seems solid.

If he's already played 3.x, that's hardly "new".

Psyx
2010-12-20, 06:09 AM
Torg
L5r
Feng Shui
Starwars d6
Qin
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay 2nd Edition


All excellent systems.

Earthwalker
2010-12-20, 07:37 AM
Personally I love TORG if you can get hold of it.

Britter
2010-12-20, 11:34 AM
If you are looking for some different takes on how to game, I would recomend checking out the Burning Wheel and Mouseguard. They changed how I run pretty much everything.

I don't know if it has been mentioned yet, but Shadowrun is a game-world worth looking into. The pre-4e fluff is dystopian, the 4e fluff is transhumanist, so pick your poison there. I believe that from a rules perspective, 4e shadowrun is more cohesive and easier to use, though it is still a bulky rule set. Still, one of my favorite games ever (though I played 2 and 3e).

RISUS is a very flexible system that can be learned in about 5 minutes and can be used in a lot of rules-lite gaming roles.

Ravens_cry
2010-12-20, 12:26 PM
Dogs in the Vineyard is an intriguing rules light and cinematic system I found a lot of fun when I tried it at a convention.
Warhammer Fantasy Role Play felt rather arbitrary, IMHO, though the fluff was as gritty as claimed.
I want to try Toon for some wacky Termite Terrace frantic insanity.

DukeofDellot
2010-12-20, 01:50 PM
Yeah, I thought that might be what it is, I'll get the 4e.

Yes, avoid 3e basic set like the plague (It's not that bad, but there're nothing but improvements from 3e to 4e.) though if you want there are some 3e supplements that are easy enough to convert over (such as the elusive GURPS Steampunk) but the biggest difference is what makes GURPS so unique and fun for a guy like me was actually introduced in 4e: Modifiers.

You've played FFd6, you know how you build your Limit Breaks? Same Basic concept, except that you're working off of percentages of a base ability. Sure it has a few kinks (http://forums.sjgames.com/showpost.php?p=239055&postcount=216), but the ability to build any attack you can think of is pretty neat. To see this in action, check out this thread (http://forums.sjgames.com/showthread.php?t=13861)... it's the same as the M.U.N.C.H.K.I.N., but it's got lots of goodies.

O_Y
2010-12-20, 03:40 PM
There are dozens of rules systems you could learn, if learning rules is all you want to do. It would probably be more useful to see what sorts of games other people in your group/area like to play.

I'd recommend GURPS and Fate, not because they're my favorite game systems, but because they're popular, and [in my experience, at least] there's a good chance you'll run into other gamers who would know/play games based off those systems.

If you want more useful advice than a list of various unrelated rpg titles, you might want to tell us what mood/genres/playstyles interest you.

Amphetryon
2010-12-20, 03:52 PM
Warhammer Fantasy Roleplaying Game 2e.

Burning Wheel or Mouse Guard, both by Luke Crane.

Savage Worlds.

IcarusWings
2010-12-20, 05:17 PM
There are dozens of rules systems you could learn, if learning rules is all you want to do. It would probably be more useful to see what sorts of games other people in your group/area like to play.

I'd recommend GURPS and Fate, not because they're my favorite game systems, but because they're popular, and [in my experience, at least] there's a good chance you'll run into other gamers who would know/play games based off those systems.

If you want more useful advice than a list of various unrelated rpg titles, you might want to tell us what mood/genres/playstyles interest you.

Unfortunately I don't know of any gamers in my area, and I do all my gaming via pbp.

This whole thing is half about learning new systems so that I can play them, and half learning new systems to broaden my horizons and range of experience and ideas as a homebrewer.