This is a site for discussing roleplaying games. Have fun doing so, but there is one major rule: do not discuss political issues that aren't directly and uniquely related to the subject of the thread and about gaming. While this site is dedicated to free speech, the following will not be tolerated: devolving a thread into unrelated political discussion, sockpuppeting (using multiple and/or bogus accounts), disrupting topics without contributing to them, and posting images that could get someone fired in the workplace (an external link is OK, but clearly mark it as Not Safe For Work, or NSFW). If you receive a warning, please take it seriously and either move on to another topic or steer the discussion back to its original RPG-related theme.

Author Topic: What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?  (Read 3642 times)

Silverlion

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 5483
    • http://www.silverlionstudios.com
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« on: April 14, 2006, 12:00:38 PM »
Just what it says above.

I want:

1) A game which lets me fashion a game more similar in results to folklore and myth: Beowulf, Mabinogion, Charlemagne. or better fiction than video games.

2) I want and like magic as an option of players albeit I like it to be mythic of scope, and perhaps unreliable.


3) I don't want characters to begin necessarily as poor slobs--they can be as effective, or ineffective as need be for the campaign (if they're a peasant levy fresh in training for the first time, then so be it, if they're battle weary knights, that too..)
High Valor REVISED: A fantasy Dark Age RPG. Available NOW!
Hearts & Souls 2E Coming in 2019

Cyberzombie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 723
    • http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #1 on: April 14, 2006, 12:17:43 PM »
1) I want to have a system where I can make a fantasy character with the powers and abilities *I* want.  That's why most of my 3e characters have been fighters -- they're the class with some real choices.

2) Much, much simpler rules for NPCs and monsters.  You can make some damn cool monsters in D&D with templates and class levels, but I don't have the time.

3) A more flexible magic system able to simulate fictional magic at least passibly.  As I've pointed out many times and many places before, D&D magic doesn't even do a good job of simulating the magic of the Dying Earth books.  :)


Not that I'm a D&D or a 3e hatah.  I just have other gaming needs.  :)
 

jrients

  • robodroid warlock
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 3318
    • http://jrients.blogspot.com
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #2 on: April 14, 2006, 12:34:37 PM »
1. swords

2. orcs

3. gold
Jeff Rients
My gameblog

Maddman

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • M
  • Posts: 642
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #3 on: April 14, 2006, 02:14:17 PM »
Roughly in order of importance.

1) Looks and feels like fantasy fiction, from the combat to the magic.  Now of course this would need to be tweaked for whatever genre you're trying to emulate, but it should emulate *something*.  The less it feels like I'm in a fantasy movie or novel the less interesting the game is.

2) No classes, no levels.  Nice little skill or point based system where I can build what I want.  Keep the system simple overall.

3) Social or character mechanics.  They don't even have to do all that much, I just like having something so that when I look at the character sheet I get an idea of who this character is, not just what they can do.
I have a theory, it could be witches, some evil witches!
Which is ridiculous 'cause witches they were persecuted Wicca good and love the earth and women power and I’ll be over here.
-- Xander, Once More With Feeling
The Watcher's Diaries - Web Site - Message Board

Sigmund

  • a Toxic Sociopath
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 4915
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #4 on: April 14, 2006, 02:41:21 PM »
1) I'm more with Cyberzombie, I want a magic system that can reasonably model magic as described in the fiction that I like...usually less-flashy, more subtle, or at least more limited. An example is ASoIaF.

2) Flexible character building, once again to make it easier to draw inspiration from fiction and model it adequately. Classes are ok, as long as the flexibility is there.

3) A relatively simple (or at least easy to understand) combat system that still allows for some tactical choices.
- Chris Sigmund

Old Loser

"I'd rather be a killer than a victim."

Quote from: John Morrow;418271
I role-play for the ride, not the destination.

Roudi

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • R
  • Posts: 135
    • http://www.enworld.org/shop/index.php?do=publisher&publisher_id=34&source=therpgsite
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #5 on: April 14, 2006, 03:08:15 PM »
1) I want a system for a fantasy game that doesn't revolve around powers, abilities, or similar superhero-esque concepts.  I want a system that acknowledges that anyone can reasonably attempt to do almost anything, and that the difference between likely success and likely failure is a combination of training and natural inclination.

2) I want a system for a fantasy game where there can be high magic, or low magic, or no magic.  I don't want magic to essential to the fantasy equation.  I want a system where I can remove the current system of magic easily and substitute another (or run multiple magic systems simultaneously) with ease.

3) I want a system for a fantasy game that doesn't treat combat as "half the game".  I want a system of combat that isn't tactical in nature, that encourages players to roleplay their combats rather than fight like dueling chessmasters.

Thjalfi

  • The Helpful Squirrel
  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • T
  • Posts: 337
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #6 on: April 14, 2006, 03:12:03 PM »
Quote from: Roudi
1) I want a system for a fantasy game that doesn't revolve around powers, abilities, or similar superhero-esque concepts.  I want a system that acknowledges that anyone can reasonably attempt to do almost anything, and that the difference between likely success and likely failure is a combination of training and natural inclination.

2) I want a system for a fantasy game where there can be high magic, or low magic, or no magic.  I don't want magic to essential to the fantasy equation.  I want a system where I can remove the current system of magic easily and substitute another (or run multiple magic systems simultaneously) with ease.

3) I want a system for a fantasy game that doesn't treat combat as "half the game".  I want a system of combat that isn't tactical in nature, that encourages players to roleplay their combats rather than fight like dueling chessmasters.



Iron Heroes is good for number 2, ok for number 1, and completely shot out of the water by number 3.
 

Name Lips

  • Likes Egyptian Rivers
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • N
  • Posts: 501
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #7 on: April 14, 2006, 03:15:34 PM »
1. Room.
2. Orc.
3. Pie.

:p

Anyway, what I really want:

1. A scaffolding upon which a fun adventure can be built
2. Rules that are complex enough to be fun to dig into, but simple enough not to interfere with enjoyment of the game
3. Enough diverse elements that a wide variety of people can play the game and find something they really enjoy about it.
Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways, it's still rock and roll to me.

You can talk all you want about theory, craft, or whatever. But in the end, it's still just new ways of looking at people playing make-believe and having a good time with their friends. Intellectualize or analyze all you want, but we've been playing the same game since we were 2 years old. We just have shinier books, spend more money, and use bigger words now.

Settembrini

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 6797
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #8 on: April 14, 2006, 04:29:45 PM »
1) A background where the yearly income of the kingdoms is set, along with their numbers and quality of men-at-arms.
a) A good manorial management system upon which the economy is based
b) A good Model for city economics, guilds.
c) Trade rules for fun and profit. And complex trade rules for explaining how it really works

2) A decent high fantasy masscombat system that interrelates with the economic realities of the world in question
a) Some supplemental Boardgames to let you dish out past and recent wars of the gameworld

3) A background that takes into account the above rules in explaining the results of the wars and conflicts of the past.
If there can't be a TPK against the will of the players it's not an RPG.- Pierce Inverarity

The Good Assyrian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1109
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #9 on: April 14, 2006, 04:52:21 PM »
Here goes my fantasy RPG wish list:

1.  My favorite kind of fantasy is Sword & Sorcery (Howard, Lieber, etc.), so I want a game that is quick, gritty, and deadly.  Life is cheap and the PCs are not neccessarily the biggest sharks in the tank.  Social connections and conflict should be a big emphasis.  No world-saving heroics, just ass-saving ones.

2.  A magic system that treats magic as a strange, unnatural force rather than as technology (ala D&D).  It should be vast in power, unreliable, terrible in cost, and largely out of the hands of the PCs.  In the end, the main baddie (a wizard, natch) should be vulnerable to being run through with a PC's sword during the complicated ritual that is required for the terrible doom to be unleashed.

3.  I like very light rule systems.  I don't want or need a crunchy tactical emphasis in combat resolution.  I play a lot of wargames, so I get my fix there.  I just want something dramatic and cool to happen.  Preferably sooner rather than later.

What game fits all these requirements?  Fucked if I know...

Of the D20 line of games the best fit I've found so far is Conan.  In the past I have used whatever system I liked at the time, including some fun games using the Matrix rules by Chris Engels.  I am certainly open to other suggestions.

TGA
 

Name Lips

  • Likes Egyptian Rivers
  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • N
  • Posts: 501
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #10 on: April 14, 2006, 04:53:32 PM »
Quote from: The Good Assyrian
Of the D20 line of games the best fit I've found so far is Conan.  In the past I have used whatever system I liked at the time, including some fun games using the Matrix rules by Chris Engels.  I am certainly open to other suggestions.

TGA

What you're describing sounds very much like Iron Heroes - you should check it out.
Next phase, new wave, dance craze, anyways, it's still rock and roll to me.

You can talk all you want about theory, craft, or whatever. But in the end, it's still just new ways of looking at people playing make-believe and having a good time with their friends. Intellectualize or analyze all you want, but we've been playing the same game since we were 2 years old. We just have shinier books, spend more money, and use bigger words now.

The Good Assyrian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1109
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #11 on: April 14, 2006, 04:55:40 PM »
Quote from: Name Lips
What you're describing sounds very much like Iron Heroes - you should check it out.


Sweet!  I have heard of Iron Heroes, but I haven't looked at it closely.  I think that I will now...

TGA
 

The Good Assyrian

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 1109
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #12 on: April 14, 2006, 04:59:39 PM »
Quote from: Thjalfi
Iron Heroes is good for number 2, ok for number 1, and completely shot out of the water by number 3.


Hey Thjalfi (or anyone else who has experience with Iron Heroes),

Your comment (about number 3) leads me to believe that Iron Heroes is more rules crunchy than light.  Is that correct?  Can you expand on that?

Thanks!

TGA
 

Cyberzombie

  • Hero Member
  • *****
  • Posts: 723
    • http://www.circvsmaximvs.com/
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #13 on: April 14, 2006, 05:33:37 PM »
Iron Heroes is so crunchy it won't get soggy in milk!  

We've got to get a review of Iron Heroes up here.  As much as we pimp it, we need something we can just point to.  :)

I'll post something on it when I get the time -- unless someone else beats me to it.
 

Technicolor Dreamcoat

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • T
  • Posts: 123
What 3 Things: Do you want in a Fantasy RPG?
« Reply #14 on: April 14, 2006, 06:11:09 PM »
1. Flexible system that emulates fantasy literature or movies, either built to emulate different versions or built to emulate relatively low-magic worlds (though single spells can be powerful).

After reading the above, I'll change that to:
1. A setting that incorporates whatever rules and abilities run rampant in the world, i.e. a consitent setting from single adventurer to mighty nation.

2. Flexible and "light" system that facilitates play and helps keeping preparation times low.

3. Mechanics to built a character, not just a string of numbers and abilities.
Any dream will do