Quote from: zircher on October 22, 2021, 02:23:53 PM

Quote from: tenbones on October 22, 2021, 11:32:55 AM
How many people are actually using the Single Best RPG book they can think of?

Was running solo Amber using my Four Houses in Amber framework.  I also was at the virtual ACNW last year and I'll be back this year.  So, that's a solid yes on my part.

I look forward to seeing you again at ACNW! (And sorry you had to miss Roles & Rolls.)

Quote from: tenbones on October 22, 2021, 11:32:55 AM
How many people are actually using the Single Best RPG book they can think of?

I use the AD&D 1E Monster Manual, as an expansion for White Box OD&D (White Box Fantastic Medieval Adventure Game).

Space: 1889 rulebook, the original GDW one. I love the art and the rules, in their simplicity.

D6 system master book if I'm limited to only one tome, the fantasy-adventure-space trilogy otherwise, which are thin enough they could be a single book if combined.

Quote from: jhkim on October 22, 2021, 02:39:44 PM
I look forward to seeing you again at ACNW! (And sorry you had to miss Roles & Rolls.)

I cursed myself when I posted that.  My co-worker had to go on emergency leave, so my ACNW'21 plans have been flushed down the toilet.

So, it's going to be a big zero for me since I'll be working with less staff and on call that weekend. 

Lots of good books listed here, though i'd still have to cast my vote for the 1e Dungeon Master's Guide.

Though Warhammer FRP, Stormbringer, and the old James Bond game i used to have would be right up there, all three are excellent one-volume RPG's.

Also i remember really liking the Arcanum from the Atlantean Trilogy quite a lot back in the day, never found anyone to play it with though,
but it was a good source of campaign ideas at the time to be sure, haven't seen it in years though.

Men & Magic probably, though I would count the LBBs as a single gamebook. No Greyhawk Supplement, please, thank you.

HR4: A Mighty Fortress

Has rules and setting to convert your 2nd edition D&D game into Earth circa 1550-1650.  I love this book.  It has inspired me to read about history and try to incorporate real world events into roleplaying games. 

It's not perfect, and it is missing a lot of things, but that only inspires my creativity.

Enemy Within 1e from "Shadows over Bogenhafen" to "Power Behind the Throne". Last two was clearly shoddy attempt to finish AP without time and resource.
Dunno if 4e finale is better yet, - if it is then I can say all this story rules.

1E AD&D DMG, like many others have stated.

It pretty much has it all. In fact, I still run back to it occasionally for certain charts and tables where newer editions fall short.

For me it would be Legend of the Five Rings 1e, great Art and a simple system.

This is such a difficult decision, but I have to go with either the City of Greyhawk box or the 1e City System box.  Other competitors are Twilight:2013 (despite its horrendous layout) and TORG.

AD&D (1e) Dungeon Masters Guide

Quote from: tenbones on October 22, 2021, 11:32:55 AM
How many people are actually using the Single Best RPG book they can think of?

Great question!

(My answer: to the extent that I believe the "best RPG book" is the one I write for game I play, well ... ergo.  )

Quote from: Zalman on November 02, 2021, 10:16:27 AM

Quote from: tenbones on October 22, 2021, 11:32:55 AM
How many people are actually using the Single Best RPG book they can think of?

Great question!

(My answer: to the extent that I believe the "best RPG book" is the one I write for game I play, well ... ergo.  )

Cheater!

Seriously, when this thread came up, I had to give it some serious thought. I normally have to turn my sentimentality gear on in my head, when I do, I can think of *decades* of love I gave to the 1e DMG, Palladium Fantasy 1e, Talislanta 2e, blah blah blah... but if they were the BEST... why am I not playing/using them currently?

And I don't mean literally, I mean in my current lineup of games that are my GO TO for whatever. That seem the logical answer to myself without sentiment. I have no interest in gaming for nostalgia - this is not to say that nostalgia is bad. But for me, I'm trying to maximize my chances at a team sport to bring my game to Superbowl Championship status, where that campaign is going to last years, and be talked about long after I'm dead.

Secondly, I'm not against using what is "old" - that's not a bias for me. I run MSH as much as anything else in my lineup of games.

That's why SWADE Core is probably my pound-for-pound response. I could do nearly anything with it on the fly, or run it sandbox across nearly any genre of game with minimal prep required, with fidelity (within certain parameters depending on the genre).