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Frozen_Feet
2011-06-03, 01:50 PM
I'm thinking of holding a Play-by-post game where the players are magical girls a la Puella Magi Madoka Magica, if that tells you something. However, while I suppose one could make the concept work with d20 D&D, Modern etc., I feel those systems are awfully clunky for a forum game, so I'd like something with lighter rules.

A diceless system or one specifically devised for PbP would be great, of course. However, don't bother suggesting "gimmick systems" like Dread - systems based around physical objects just don't feel the same over the net.

Things I've looked into and didn't like:

Maid - simple, but the frills just take it to a wrong direction for my purposes. Barring better options, it's likely what I'll go with nonetheless.

Checked and fell in love with RISUS. Which means the the focus has now shifted from finding a system to coming up with as many suitable cliches as possible. If you've ever watched a Mahou Shoujo story, now's your chance to help!

Oracle_Hunter
2011-06-03, 01:54 PM
I've always felt that the mechanics for Bliss Stage (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlissStage) could be neatly adapted to fit the Magical Girl genre. I mean, your powers are already fueled by love - how hard could it be? :smalltongue:

Glimbur
2011-06-03, 02:00 PM
Witch Girls Adventures (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14342.phtml) might do what you want. I've never played it though, so I can't give an actual endorsement.

I always suggest RISUS (http://www222.pair.com/sjohn/risus.htm) for everything ever. It is very rules light.

Absol197
2011-06-03, 02:07 PM
Another possibility to consider is the fan-made World of Darkness System Princess: the Hopeful (http://princesswod.wikia.com/wiki/Princess:_The_Hopeful_Wiki).

I've never played it, but I'm a fairly good judge of WoD mechanics, and it looks quite good. Plus, I just love the backstory to the system :smallsmile:

Jair Barik
2011-06-03, 02:08 PM
Big Eyes Small Mouth?
Never actually played/read it myself but based on what I've heard it might be appropriate.

Salbazier
2011-06-03, 02:21 PM
Haha, I would like to join this kind of game. Umm, no idea right now Just want too see what other people came up with this.

BTW, magical girls in Madoka does not run on love. Its rather like inversion, despair transform them into witches instead. If there's anything that can be said to fuel their power, its karma.

dsmiles
2011-06-03, 02:26 PM
Have you considered M&M, Risus, Toon, FATE or FUDGE?

AmberVael
2011-06-03, 02:29 PM
Have you considered M&M, Risus, Toon, FATE or FUDGE?

M&M is pretty cool, and definitely has a level of versatility that would be good for such a game- I've often used it for similar needs. However, it is fairly close to the other d20 systems you mentioned in terms of complexity, so you may not want to use it.

FATE is pretty nifty though, and a bit more system light. You might look into that.

kamikasei
2011-06-03, 02:32 PM
I've played a magical girl PbP using M&M2e, but it was Nanoha based on StrikerS, which was more "magical special ops late teenagers" than "super love mascot character loli beeeeeeeeam". I agree with Vael that it'd probably not be light enough for your purposes - I'd recommend either FATE/FUDGE or Risus.

Fri
2011-06-03, 02:34 PM
I've always felt that the mechanics for Bliss Stage (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlissStage) could be neatly adapted to fit the Magical Girl genre. I mean, your powers are already fueled by love - how hard could it be? :smalltongue:

Oh yes, one of the game that I really want to run is a dark/horror themed light-in-magic semi-magical girl game based on homebrewed risus and bliss stage. I hope I could run it one of these days. But eh, I still need to start one other game first, and running my current two games. But I'll definitely run it in the future

Tengu_temp
2011-06-03, 02:34 PM
I've always felt that the mechanics for Bliss Stage (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlissStage) could be neatly adapted to fit the Magical Girl genre. I mean, your powers are already fueled by love - how hard could it be? :smalltongue:

That'd work only if you want it to feel like Madoka. Of course, that's pretty much what the OP wants... From my experience Bliss Stage is pretty bad for PbP, though.


I've played a magical girl PbP using M&M2e, but it was Nanoha based on StrikerS, which was more "magical special ops late teenagers" than "super love mascot character loli beeeeeeeeam".

Hey, I wanted to mention that game! One of the best I DMed. I'm gonna take it off-hiatus and run season 2 somewhere during this month, most likely.

Salbazier
2011-06-03, 02:41 PM
Haha, I've been reading Princess:The hopeful. Its flavor just seems to be begging for Urobochi touch. :smallbiggrin: With some twist I think it will fit nicely. I doubt WoD is 'light' though (never played it, or even read the whole rules)

Madoka or standard, now I feel like trying some Princess game. :smalltongue:

DukeofDellot
2011-06-03, 02:42 PM
I've run a magical girl-like game using GURPS... or rather, I had a henshin character in an anything goes game... It worked well, but GURPS takes a lot of attention and preparation, especially with PbP.

BESM is hilarious, and "designed to handle this type of game"...

I think GURPS does it better... but I think GURPS does D&D better, so take this with a grain of salt.

Tengu_temp
2011-06-03, 02:51 PM
I'd generally have to advise against BESM, since it's pretty clunky and has practically nonexistant game balance. Everything it can do, M&M with the Mecha and Manga splatbook can do better.

Enix18
2011-06-03, 03:03 PM
Why don't you take a look at Magical Burst (http://yarukizero.wordpress.com/2011/04/20/magical-burst-second-draft/)?

Unlike most of the other suggestions, it's an RPG specifically designed for games about magical girls, drawing inspiration from Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica and the like. I myself have not actually had a chance to check it out yet, but I've heard great things from the folks in my gaming group who have played it. It's independently written by the same guy who translated Maid RPG into English, and the best part is that it's totally free.

Frozen_Feet
2011-06-03, 03:15 PM
Magical Burst looks promising. However, RISUS looks like the best bet for me - it runs on trope logic, which is something I can grab a hold of quickly. :smallbiggrin:

So now, dear playgrounders - help me come up with as many Magical Girl cliches as you can think of! :smalltongue:

dsmiles
2011-06-03, 03:20 PM
Sailor Moon-esque planet magic!

Vemynal
2011-06-03, 03:45 PM
Look up Platinum from Blazblu

NNescio
2011-06-03, 04:59 PM
Checked and fell in love with RISUS. Which means the the focus has now shifted from finding a system to coming up with as many suitable cliches as possible. If you've ever watched a Mahou Shoujo story, now's your chance to help!

There's usually a 'cute' mascot ([url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RidiculouslyCuteCritter) of some sort. Ferret-types (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WeaselMascot) seem surprisingly common. Also, make it Lawful Evil. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CuteIsEvil) Wait... that only applies for Madoka...

Jair Barik
2011-06-03, 05:00 PM
There is a list of common cliches here (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicalGirlTropes), cliches one might even go so far as to calling tropes but I will forewarn that I will not be held responsible for anyone inadvertantly losing several hours or so of their time as a result of clicking that link. You have been warned, I will not be held responsible.

Urpriest
2011-06-03, 09:25 PM
Bludgeoning-Angel Dokuro-Chan!

Piru-pi-piru-pi-piru-pi!

Oracle_Hunter
2011-06-04, 03:02 PM
TV Tropes has two (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicalGirl) pages (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicalGirlTropes) for reference :smallcool:

tyciol
2013-01-10, 02:20 PM
Witch Girls Adventures (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/14/14342.phtml) might do what you want. I've never played it though, so I can't give an actual endorsement.This RPG looks very interesting, I just wish there was some kinda Play by Post forum or chatroom or IRC where a game could get going. Even though the rules are light, I love the power creep and grimdark of the atmosphere.

Arbane
2013-01-10, 03:34 PM
Bludgeoning-Angel Dokuro-Chan!

Piru-pi-piru-pi-piru-pi!

Pfft. Try Dai Mahou Touge. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Anime/DaiMahouTouge?from=Main.DaiMahouTouge) :smallbiggrin:

Count D20
2013-01-11, 12:08 AM
Panty shot, then reminder of characters age?
for real: tea and desserts, lace and ribbon forever, seemingly harmless elements in attack names bubbles, love, various flowers, sugar or cream.
Having their magical girl transformation items be feminine items like makeup compacts, heels etcetera.
Their weapons might include odd, harmless objects with weird powers like sunflowers with heat rays or bread that heals (staff of life).

hamiltond465
2013-01-11, 03:39 PM
There's usually a 'cute' mascot ([url=http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RidiculouslyCuteCritter) of some sort. Ferret-types (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/WeaselMascot) seem surprisingly common. Also, make it Lawful Evil. (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/CuteIsEvil) Wait... that only applies for Madoka...

I always thought QB was lawful-neutral or lawful-bacon (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/BlueAndOrangeMorality).
He's doing what he does because the universe needs it to be done, and really doesn't get why everyone is so distraught about it.

Oh, and has Hammerspace (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/HyperspaceMallet) been mentioned yet?

Morph Bark
2013-01-11, 07:36 PM
The full list (http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/MagicalGirlTropes).

Done. :smallwink:

Hopeless
2013-01-12, 08:19 AM
Has anyone suggested Icons because this sounds ideal from what you've mentioned and it has aspects such as transformation briefly strips the caster stunning those around since she's usually nude for a second or in another anime series case you have a bloke who transforms into a magical girl outfit and in that series he's also a zombie and is still embarassed by whats happened!:smallwink:

The Glyphstone
2013-01-16, 10:30 PM
Great Modthulhu: Magical Girl animes do not typically involve necromancy. Thread locked.