I love rules lite. I love little known TTRPGs. And I really love it when they're also free.
So this time it's Swords and Six Siders.
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/234805 (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/m/product/234805)
It's old school D&D re-worked to only ever roll a 1D6.
Here are a couple of features.
1. Roll 1D6 three times to get half your stats, then invert them to get the other three (a 2, 2, and 4 also becomes a 5, 5, and 3). Assign them yourself as you wish.
2. Rolling a six always succeeds. Rolling a 1 always fails. Target numbers and roll bonuses don't matter.
3. Everyone is armor class 4. A helmet or a shield each adds +1. So what does body armor do? Damage reduction. Light armor reduces damage by 1, medium by 2, and heavy armor by 3 damage. You'll always do 1 damage, though.
4. The stock game uses Vancian magic, but the expansion book has an optional power point system that lets a wizard spam the same spell repeatedly.
The expansion called Swords and Six Siders Companion is also free, and I recommend getting it just to expand the class list to have clerics and rangers (called a pathfinder here).
What do you guys think? Too simple? Do you distrust free games as gimmicks? Or is it too different? Let's talk.
I have this in print, the full expanded edition and it seems like it would work well as a beer and pretzels game. It also has a scifi version called lasers and six-siders. I haven't had the opportunity to run it yet as my players dislike gaming with just d6s, so when I run old-school fantasy they request a d20 system.
I don't know if the system would be to my tastes for long-term play or anything serious since the odds of automatic success or failure are too high for my liking.
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 23, 2023, 10:22:41 PM
What do you guys think?
Pure shit like every modern "rules light" system that confuses "easy" with "light".
A real rules light game uses the least amount of rules
to properly represent the setting: if in your default setting brutal combat with plenty of dismemberment is the norm, your "light rules"
must include hit locations and localized damage.
Moreover, an excessive simplification of the rules
heavily breaks immersion: you'll never get the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant of a fictional world if the model is overly simplified.
I love it!
Easy to remember so no need to hunt for rules. Very quick to play. Easy to convert from D&D to S&SS.
I recently started a Dragon of Icespire Keep campaign using S&SS. I ran a couple sessions already using some freeform adventures to get the characters to Phandalin. It's gone very smooth so far.
Yes. I recommend the Expanded Edition! ;)
Another person made the game many years ago. Then that person gave the right to
pigames they cleaned up with a better layout and released (For free like the original). Later, they updated and expanded it. If you like the free version go for the expanded. I recommend the Expanded Edition.
SWORDS & SIX-SIDERS EXPANDED EDITION (check the preview)
- https://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?cPath=137&products_id=1049
- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/32/Precis-Intermedia/subcategory/126_29707/Swords--SixSiders
Use S&SS Expanded Ed using any Wee Warriors like
"The Dwarven Glory" or "
One Page Dungeon Compendium"
- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/browse/pub/32/Precis-Intermedia/subcategory/126_33884/Wee-Warriors
- https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/305010/One-Page-Dungeon-Compendium-2019-Edition
Agreed. Expanded Edition is the way to go.
Thanks for the dungeon links. I'll check them out.
Quote from: Vestragor on April 24, 2023, 03:48:39 AM
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 23, 2023, 10:22:41 PM
What do you guys think?
Pure shit like every modern "rules light" system that confuses "easy" with "light".
A real rules light game uses the least amount of rules to properly represent the setting: if in your default setting brutal combat with plenty of dismemberment is the norm, your "light rules" must include hit locations and localized damage.
Moreover, an excessive simplification of the rules heavily breaks immersion: you'll never get the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant of a fictional world if the model is overly simplified.
Agreed. These games are often fetishes that some GMs go through. Nobody is going to raise their hand and say they ran a bi-weekly campaign of this for the past year.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 24, 2023, 09:11:53 AM
Quote from: Vestragor on April 24, 2023, 03:48:39 AM
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 23, 2023, 10:22:41 PM
What do you guys think?
Pure shit like every modern "rules light" system that confuses "easy" with "light".
A real rules light game uses the least amount of rules to properly represent the setting: if in your default setting brutal combat with plenty of dismemberment is the norm, your "light rules" must include hit locations and localized damage.
Moreover, an excessive simplification of the rules heavily breaks immersion: you'll never get the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant of a fictional world if the model is overly simplified.
Agreed. These games are often fetishes that some GMs go through. Nobody is going to raise their hand and say they ran a bi-weekly campaign of this for the past year.
I think you guys are missing the point or never played S&SS in the first place. The game is short, I don't remember the max level, the original is lv 6, the Expanded Edition increased it a bit (If you want to use it). You would run a campaign using Basic D&D 1E Holmes? You can enjoy playing BD&D 1E but not for longs sessions.
What do you mean with "Nobody"? The players? Why the players will say what rules they want to use? ??? Unless the rules are very obvious the players should not give much importance to the rules.
From the description of the game:
"
it relies on a single six-sided die (1d6) and
single expanding monster stat (plus any special abilities), making gameplay
quick and easy. It is great for both
new roleplayers and old-schoolers alike who are looking
to get more gaming done in less time. "
Games with rules like S&SS can be added to or modified with other rules if the DM wishes. Plus bonus you can use Swords & Six-Siders
to play Solo.
As far as I know the expanded edition is the base game and companion combined into one.
Does the expanded edition have anything more?
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 24, 2023, 12:49:14 PM
As far as I know the expanded edition is the base game and companion combined into one.
Does the expanded edition have anything more?
Yes, I believe it includes extra creatures and the standard OSR conversion notes, perhaps a few more things, but I don't remember now.
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 24, 2023, 12:49:14 PM
As far as I know the expanded edition is the base game and companion combined into one.
Does the expanded edition have anything more?
Honestly I don't remember the details ;D Take a look at this video (18m):
Just looked at this and have to wonder...if you're going to pare down D&D to something allegedly simple, why even bother with six stats? Why not just two or something, maybe Mind and Body? Also, I am not so sure I particularly care for a single D6 roll for task resolution when 1 is always a failure and 6 is always a success. Why not use a d10 or something to give a greater range? At least 2D6 a la Traveller gives a nice little bell curve; the flat die roll with such a small range of results is kind of unsatisfying.
EDIT: Prince Valiant...coin flip
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2023, 01:54:44 PM
Just looked at this and have to wonder...if you're going to pare down D&D to something allegedly simple, why even bother with six stats? Why not just two or something, maybe Mind and Body? Also, I am not so sure I particularly care for a single D6 roll for task resolution when 1 is always a failure and 6 is always a success. Why not use a d10 or something to give a greater range? At least 2D6 a la Traveller gives a nice little bell curve; the flat die roll with such a small range of results is kind of unsatisfying.
EDIT: Prince Valiant...coin flip
Actually, there ARE games that do that stuff like having two stats. Pocket Fantasy characters have their fighting skill (1D6-2 wizards, 1D6-1 rogues & clerics, or 1D6 fighters), and hit points.
I think the reason people do this stuff is just for the hell of it. It's fun. It's also why I'm attracted to these small games. I want to see how much you can do with so little dice and pages of text.
Pocket Fantasy is probably my best example of a minimal game that still has all the bits a full game has. It's only 4 pages, too, but I recommend the extra classes and loot expansions. That makes it more like 10 pages. That's still incredibly small if you ask me. And we played it. It works fine.
Swords and Six Siders is much more complete, and has a LOT more in common with D&D.
I will say that some "one page" RPGs are not to my liking.
The stupendously complex games are equally not for me. I just can't be bothered. They're too much, and having a rule to look up every other roll of the dice is infuriating.
I'm more into easy and short games these days. I'll give them all a look. Swords and Six Siders sure seems like a great game in the traditional D&D mold. I like it.
Quote from: Cathal on April 24, 2023, 10:04:42 AM
Quote from: FingerRod on April 24, 2023, 09:11:53 AM
Quote from: Vestragor on April 24, 2023, 03:48:39 AM
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 23, 2023, 10:22:41 PM
What do you guys think?
Pure shit like every modern "rules light" system that confuses "easy" with "light".
A real rules light game uses the least amount of rules to properly represent the setting: if in your default setting brutal combat with plenty of dismemberment is the norm, your "light rules" must include hit locations and localized damage.
Moreover, an excessive simplification of the rules heavily breaks immersion: you'll never get the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant of a fictional world if the model is overly simplified.
Agreed. These games are often fetishes that some GMs go through. Nobody is going to raise their hand and say they ran a bi-weekly campaign of this for the past year.
I think you guys are missing the point or never played S&SS in the first place. The game is short, I don't remember the max level, the original is lv 6, the Expanded Edition increased it a bit (If you want to use it). You would run a campaign using Basic D&D 1E Holmes? You can enjoy playing BD&D 1E but not for longs sessions.
What do you mean with "Nobody"? The players? Why the players will say what rules they want to use? ??? Unless the rules are very obvious the players should not give much importance to the rules.
From the description of the game:
"it relies on a single six-sided die (1d6) and single expanding monster stat (plus any special abilities), making gameplay quick and easy. It is great for both new roleplayers and old-schoolers alike who are looking to get more gaming done in less time. "
Games with rules like S&SS can be added to or modified with other rules if the DM wishes. Plus bonus you can use Swords & Six-Siders to play Solo.
So that is a no then.
Players do not run games. I do not know what that rant was about other than your curious claim that players don't think rules are important.
It appears English is a second language, so it is possible we are talking past one another here. I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play. As previously mentioned, 1 in 3 rolls are auto-something'd. That is about as fun as playing the card game War. Something you can also do solo.
Quote from: Vestragor on April 24, 2023, 03:48:39 AM
Pure shit like every modern "rules light" system that confuses "easy" with "light".
A real rules light game uses the least amount of rules to properly represent the setting: if in your default setting brutal combat with plenty of dismemberment is the norm, your "light rules" must include hit locations and localized damage.
Moreover, an excessive simplification of the rules heavily breaks immersion: you'll never get the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant of a fictional world if the model is overly simplified.
How many rules for hit location and damage? What if the rule is "The player can say they target a specific limb. If they roll a 6 on a d6 attack roll and roll maximum damage for their weapon the limb they targeted is cut off." Is that enough?
As for the immersion, not every game is going for that. Some are just going for beer & pretzels fun. This goes for any game, not just ones with lite systems. I don't think I ever played a game of Paranoia or Toon and heard a player complain about deep immersion and not getting the feeling of controlling a "real" inhabitant.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 06:59:38 AM
I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play.
Why can't a game just offer a fun evening or two of dungeon delving and monster slaying? Why does an RPG have to support long-term play? How long is long-term? Does it have to support, say, weekly play for 3 months? 6? A year? More?
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 24, 2023, 09:10:47 PM
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2023, 01:54:44 PM
Just looked at this and have to wonder...if you're going to pare down D&D to something allegedly simple, why even bother with six stats? Why not just two or something, maybe Mind and Body? Also, I am not so sure I particularly care for a single D6 roll for task resolution when 1 is always a failure and 6 is always a success. Why not use a d10 or something to give a greater range? At least 2D6 a la Traveller gives a nice little bell curve; the flat die roll with such a small range of results is kind of unsatisfying.
EDIT: Prince Valiant...coin flip
Actually, there ARE games that do that stuff like having two stats. Pocket Fantasy characters have their fighting skill (1D6-2 wizards, 1D6-1 rogues & clerics, or 1D6 fighters), and hit points.
I think the reason people do this stuff is just for the hell of it. It's fun. It's also why I'm attracted to these small games. I want to see how much you can do with so little dice and pages of text.
I think of Steve Jackson's The Fantasy Trip, which has three stats (ST, DX, IQ). Since it was initially released as two microgames (Melee and Wizard) that were popular enough for a followup, it seems more likely to be playable as an interesting game. I'm skeptical about S&SS because it sounds like it is watered-down D&D rather than something designed to work on a minimal rules scale.
Anyone familiar with both TFT and S&SS who could comment on the comparison?
Quote from: rgalex on April 25, 2023, 09:15:33 AM
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 06:59:38 AM
I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play.
Why can't a game just offer a fun evening or two of dungeon delving and monster slaying? Why does an RPG have to support long-term play? How long is long-term? Does it have to support, say, weekly play for 3 months? 6? A year? More?
I'll answer your questions, I hope you'll answer mine.
A game can certainly offer a fun evening or two. Nothing wrong with that at all. An RPG does not have to support long-term play. How long is subjective, but I'd say 6-12+ month campaign is what I am referring to.
My questions are easy. All yes or no, but feel free to expand :)
Is a game that offers both long and short-term play options superior to a game that only offers short-term?
Is a d6 with 1 always fail, 6 always succeed compelling to you and your group?
Quote from: jhkim on April 25, 2023, 01:20:03 PM
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 24, 2023, 09:10:47 PM
Quote from: Brad on April 24, 2023, 01:54:44 PM
Just looked at this and have to wonder...if you're going to pare down D&D to something allegedly simple, why even bother with six stats? Why not just two or something, maybe Mind and Body? Also, I am not so sure I particularly care for a single D6 roll for task resolution when 1 is always a failure and 6 is always a success. Why not use a d10 or something to give a greater range? At least 2D6 a la Traveller gives a nice little bell curve; the flat die roll with such a small range of results is kind of unsatisfying.
EDIT: Prince Valiant...coin flip
Actually, there ARE games that do that stuff like having two stats. Pocket Fantasy characters have their fighting skill (1D6-2 wizards, 1D6-1 rogues & clerics, or 1D6 fighters), and hit points.
I think the reason people do this stuff is just for the hell of it. It's fun. It's also why I'm attracted to these small games. I want to see how much you can do with so little dice and pages of text.
I think of Steve Jackson's The Fantasy Trip, which has three stats (ST, DX, IQ). Since it was initially released as two microgames (Melee and Wizard) that were popular enough for a followup, it seems more likely to be playable as an interesting game. I'm skeptical about S&SS because it sounds like it is watered-down D&D rather than something designed to work on a minimal rules scale.
Anyone familiar with both TFT and S&SS who could comment on the comparison?
I really liked TFT, but my group couldn't get into it. The customization options that came over Melee and Wizard has a pre-GURPS feel to them.
I have not played S&SS. So far, nobody who has posted here has. My guess is it is better compared with Oe or Basic. Interesting question though.
"So far, nobody who has posted here has."
Actually, I have. As I said, I like it.
I'm skeptical about some of the claims made in previous posts. I don't think that mechanics make for immersion or make a game compelling. It's the challenges that the players face and how they overcome them that make the game immersive and compelling. But then, as this post from my blog shows, I find simple and quick more immersive and compelling.
https://warwellwg.blogspot.com/2015/01/retrospectives-air-war-and-ace-of-aces.html (https://warwellwg.blogspot.com/2015/01/retrospectives-air-war-and-ace-of-aces.html)
As far as S&SS, I believe it will work for a decent campaign. Note that each level in S&SS is approximately 2 levels in D&D. This should be more than enough for my players to complete Dragon of Icespire Keep.
Never played S&SS, but am friends with the author from being in his OD&D games at NTRPG Con. Runs a fantastic game, super super fun. Great referee.
Come to think of it, I think I have a "1e box set" of S&SS from the original few prototype sets he sold at NTRPG one year.
Quote from: warwell on April 25, 2023, 06:10:33 PM
"So far, nobody who has posted here has."
Actually, I have. As I said, I like it.
I'm skeptical about some of the claims made in previous posts. I don't think that mechanics make for immersion or make a game compelling. It's the challenges that the players face and how they overcome them that make the game immersive and compelling. But then, as this post from my blog shows, I find simple and quick more immersive and compelling.
https://warwellwg.blogspot.com/2015/01/retrospectives-air-war-and-ace-of-aces.html (https://warwellwg.blogspot.com/2015/01/retrospectives-air-war-and-ace-of-aces.html)
As far as S&SS, I believe it will work for a decent campaign. Note that each level in S&SS is approximately 2 levels in D&D. This should be more than enough for my players to complete Dragon of Icespire Keep.
I totally missed that. I am sorry.
Would be very interested if you follow-up in this thread and talked about the campaign as you go.
It can be hard to tell in threads if people are being genuine, but I assure you and the other poster that I am. If you look over my post history I have asked this same question many times, and even started a thread about the lack of campaigns with rules-lite games.
And to balance things out, I will say that I have always enjoyed the quality and value for Precis Intermedia's products. I recently picked up What Price Glory and couldn't be happier with the purchase.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 05:50:08 PM
Quote from: rgalex on April 25, 2023, 09:15:33 AM
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 06:59:38 AM
I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play.
Why can't a game just offer a fun evening or two of dungeon delving and monster slaying? Why does an RPG have to support long-term play? How long is long-term? Does it have to support, say, weekly play for 3 months? 6? A year? More?
I'll answer your questions, I hope you'll answer mine.
A game can certainly offer a fun evening or two. Nothing wrong with that at all. An RPG does not have to support long-term play. How long is subjective, but I'd say 6-12+ month campaign is what I am referring to.
My questions are easy. All yes or no, but feel free to expand :)
Is a game that offers both long and short-term play options superior to a game that only offers short-term?
I don't believe so, no. I've played and read too many games to say that one way is superior to the other. That's like saying a spork is the superior utensil because it offers both fork and spoon capabilities.
Quote
Is a d6 with 1 always fail, 6 always succeed compelling to you and your group?
For 2 out of 5 people in my group I'd say yes. Those 2 would have no issues buying such a game and offering to run it for the rest. As for the other 3, I wouldn't say "compelling". Would they play if it was run, yeah. They would probably enjoy the time simply because we game as a social activity however they would not get into it the same way they would a game with a more complex system.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 06:59:38 AM
So that is a no then.
Players do not run games. I do not know what that rant was about other than your curious claim that players don't think rules are important.
It appears English is a second language, so it is possible we are talking past one another here. I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play. As previously mentioned, 1 in 3 rolls are auto-something'd. That is about as fun as playing the card game War. Something you can also do solo.
It is not ranting and it is my second language, however, I do not know with what tone you read my answer :o
As an additional comment to the other answers. S&SS is inspired by Tunnels and Trolls first and D&D second.
Quote from: rgalex on April 26, 2023, 06:45:41 AM
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 05:50:08 PM
Quote from: rgalex on April 25, 2023, 09:15:33 AM
Quote from: FingerRod on April 25, 2023, 06:59:38 AM
I believe mechanics must be compelling for long-term play.
Why can't a game just offer a fun evening or two of dungeon delving and monster slaying? Why does an RPG have to support long-term play? How long is long-term? Does it have to support, say, weekly play for 3 months? 6? A year? More?
I'll answer your questions, I hope you'll answer mine.
A game can certainly offer a fun evening or two. Nothing wrong with that at all. An RPG does not have to support long-term play. How long is subjective, but I'd say 6-12+ month campaign is what I am referring to.
My questions are easy. All yes or no, but feel free to expand :)
Is a game that offers both long and short-term play options superior to a game that only offers short-term?
I don't believe so, no. I've played and read too many games to say that one way is superior to the other. That's like saying a spork is the superior utensil because it offers both fork and spoon capabilities.
Quote
Is a d6 with 1 always fail, 6 always succeed compelling to you and your group?
For 2 out of 5 people in my group I'd say yes. Those 2 would have no issues buying such a game and offering to run it for the rest. As for the other 3, I wouldn't say "compelling". Would they play if it was run, yeah. They would probably enjoy the time simply because we game as a social activity however they would not get into it the same way they would a game with a more complex system.
Fair enough, except for the part about the spork. It is the clearly superior utensil. I ate dinner with one last night.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 24, 2023, 09:11:53 AM
Nobody is going to raise their hand and say they ran a bi-weekly campaign of this for the past year.
Ooooh Oooh Mr Kotter call on me!
Never ran S&SS specifically, but I've run only games (of my own design) that are approximately as light over the past decade or so. Those campaigns have averaged 18 months or so, with the longest being over 3 years. My current campaign is coming up on a year and going strong, using a ruleset that doesn't even have ability scores.
As mentioned in another thread, we've been running a campaign using EZD6 for a while now and have had no problem with using a simple set of rules for longer campaign play. We have come up with some ideas for character advancement/growth/change for possible use, but to this point in the story nobody has really expressed an interest in using them. Now EZD6 definitely has a more narrative focus to it than S&SS so it's possible it's natural that we'd experience few issues, but I'd imagine that if we were to swap game systems that the game wouldn't miss a beat.
I didn't care for it. I couldn't get over the fact that attribute scores other than 1 and 6 (the lowest and highest possible, respectively) mean nothing
Quote from: Joey2k on April 26, 2023, 05:55:25 PM
I didn't care for it. I couldn't get over the fact that attribute scores other than 1 and 6 (the lowest and highest possible, respectively) mean nothing
As a Palladium Books guy I can relate. For anyone who knows PB, only attributes 16 or more give substantial bonuses. The 3-15 range is just Role Play fluff. It's one of my peeves.
In this context I agree. There are only three attributes. Bad, average, and good. I wouldn't be surprised if players only record what matters, the bonus or penalty.
As for the side discussion about rules lite and their use in long term campaigns, I have this belief.
It's not the rules. It's never the rules. Long term campaigns are the result of the GM's ability to setup a story for the players.
Swords & Six Siders sounds quite interesting!!!
I have already written my own D6 based fantasy heartbreaker, as a D&D alternative. I think doing so, is probably a rite of passage. Mine will never be published. I just wanted to do it. Quick game on the fly? Yep. Short campaign? Yep.
I may purchase Swords & Six Siders, in print. It has my interest.
QuoteIt's not the rules. It's never the rules. Long term campaigns are the result of the GM's ability to setup a story for the players.
I could not agree more with this. I have always hated when I see in reviews of RPGs the reviewer saying that they don't think the rules would allow for long term "campaign" play. Hell we used to do campaign play over a long while with the Heroquest board game.
QuoteSwords & Six Siders sounds quite interesting!!!
I have already written my own D6 based fantasy heartbreaker, as a D&D alternative. I think doing so, is probably a rite of passage. Mine will never be published. I just wanted to do it. Quick game on the fly? Yep. Short campaign? Yep.
I may purchase Swords & Six Siders, in print. It has my interest.
I would definitely recommend getting the expanded edition. It has a lot of optional rules that really make the game shine, like critical hits and fumbles, leveling past 6th level and spell points. I loathe Vancian magic as is, but the spell points make it fun.
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 26, 2023, 10:22:40 PM
As for the side discussion about rules lite and their use in long term campaigns, I have this belief.
It's not the rules. It's never the rules. Long term campaigns are the result of the GM's ability to setup a story for the players.
This you?
Quote from: weirdguy564 on May 07, 2022, 08:39:16 PM
Quote from: FingerRod on May 06, 2022, 12:30:46 PM
Last handful of posts have asked a pretty good question. Too lite for what? Good context to have.
Generally speaking, my starting point is a game suitable for campaign play.
I would say campaign play as well. A game has to have character advancement. They get better over time.
Most rules lite games are poor in this area because games have so few dice rolls, and when they do roll the dice numbers are not large enough to have room for many bonuses or such.
Honestly, most rules lite games feel more like demo rules or something from a board game.
Quote from: FingerRod on April 27, 2023, 09:49:13 PM
Quote from: weirdguy564 on April 26, 2023, 10:22:40 PM
As for the side discussion about rules lite and their use in long term campaigns, I have this belief.
It's not the rules. It's never the rules. Long term campaigns are the result of the GM's ability to setup a story for the players.
This you?
Quote from: weirdguy564 on May 07, 2022, 08:39:16 PM
Quote from: FingerRod on May 06, 2022, 12:30:46 PM
Last handful of posts have asked a pretty good question. Too lite for what? Good context to have.
Generally speaking, my starting point is a game suitable for campaign play.
I would say campaign play as well. A game has to have character advancement. They get better over time.
Most rules lite games are poor in this area because games have so few dice rolls, and when they do roll the dice numbers are not large enough to have room for many bonuses or such.
Honestly, most rules lite games feel more like demo rules or something from a board game.
Yup. That's me. And I have my reasons to say both. I do NOT like the "One Page Rules" type games. I freely admit that some rules lite games are too rules lite. For me, anyway.
But as a GM I can tell you that this doesn't mean those one page rules are bad for long term play. That argument sounds more like a challenge.
I'm happiest with just enough rules to do the job, and a plot line that's interesting as hell where you just have to know what happens next. Worst case is a bloated 600+ page rulebook with tables for how to open a door, dice rolls for how YOUR character behaves, constant looking up esoteric rules that slow the game to a boring crawl, combined with a GM that's telling a dull story with predictable plot lines.
A good GM is a local issue. I can't help you there. A good set of rules we can talk about. So I made this post.
That's why I'm talking about Swords and Six Siders positively, and say negative things about games like Risus or Lasers and Feelings. They're too lite. Games like Pocket Fantasy, Star Adventurer, and Swords and Six Siders are the games that get my attention. They do all the bits you need, and stop getting in the way to let the GM do the rest.
This seems like a fun little system, maybe for like a party game. I'll download and give it a look.