Two sessions in, and I'm having a good time running it. Rules that keep things fast and loose is more my style, and I like what it's done for the group.
The last session they worried a lot less about their sheet and spend most of the time carefully discussing a stealthy way to steal a jet from under the noses of a dozen guards, and mostly pulling it off*.
*The team sniper is a little impulsive and destroyed the walkie-talkie of the jet's original pilot catching the suspicion of the guards right when the party made their move to start the jet for takeoff.
Is this the one by Mark Hunt?
Simon Washbourne. The game is based on modern men's pulp adventure, and as I understand uses Barbarians of Lemuria rules.
I've never run BoL, so I don't know how they compare, but the mechanic of 2d6 + stat + skill +- mods vs. a target number of 9 is simple and slick.
As for genre emulation, I've not had a chance to read the literary inspirations for the game, like the The Executioner or The Destroyer serials, but the rules handwavey nature (e.g. a very lenient view on ammo and reloading) feels very 80s action movie, and that is something I'm very familiar with. The game is pure beer and pretzels, which at this point in my GM-life is exactly what I need.
Sounds interesting. I read about another similar game in the G+ OSR group.
Tell us more about Dogs of War.
Is it gritty Dirty Dozen style or more cartoon like the A-team?
Quote from: Spinachcat;894473Tell us more about Dogs of War.
Is it gritty Dirty Dozen style or more cartoon like the A-team?
A-team, GI Joe, that kind of stuff. Loads of fun and pleasantly rules-light.
Criminally underserved genre. I'd get it but BoL is a tad more rules-lite than I prefer.
I think I can share a little more this evening.
I'm glad you're enjoying Dogs*of*War - it was inspired largely by Phoenix Force and Able Team, but it does seem to work for GI Joe and the A-Team. I largely ran scenarios straight from the novels as I read them...put one down, run it for the group...put the next one down, run it for the group. The books are perfect for adventures in themselves. I also ran one scenario based on the Wilbur Smith book (& movie with Rod Taylor & Yvette Mimieux) Dark of the Sun.
As I said earlier, the resolution mechanic works fine and covers all of the tasks that would apply to modern action, car chases, gun fights and the like. Beyond that, as Butcher said, things are light. Modern weapons are covered well, but in a categorical way, like light/medium/heavy pistols. The same can be said for the non-combat specializations which are categories of skills aimed at action tropes, like wheelman, fixer, or cleaner.
What I think is distinctive about the game is how it's focused on genre, making for interesting acts of abstraction. The players are operatives for WAR, a trans-national, non-governmental organization of hired guns out to take out the world's trash with prejudice. WAR is well-funded, well-equipped, and operates out of an abandoned US Navy base. As a result, assumptions are made that the players are equally well equipped. This means that each player generally should have most of the tools appropriate to their skills and the mission at hand. If for some reason the players can't get something right away, which a GM worth their salt should do every once in a while, the emphasis is getting it in-game through play and maybe some help from a mission point system. As a result, nothing has a price tag.
Also, counting ammo? Reloading? Unless you blow a roll, fuggetaboutit!
What this means for me is a game that runs smoothly with little prep on my part, and the de-emphasis on worrying over having the right gear and weaponry has my players playing more off the sheet and getting creative.
I completely forgot this existed! I need to get this at some point!
Quote from: Simon W;894557I also ran one scenario based on the Wilbur Smith book (& movie with Rod Taylor & Yvette Mimieux) Dark of the Sun.
Criminally underrated classic movie. You have great taste in violence.