You define best.
AD&D 1e Dungeon Masters Guide.
'Nuff said.
Serenity RPG.
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll on July 29, 2021, 10:14:32 PM
Serenity RPG.
Not Traveller? Who are you, and why have you kidnapped Shawn!
Cults of Prax
Mekton Zeta + or Mekton 2 Techbook.
Whatever the current version of Savage Worlds is
Pretty much anything AD&D 1e, especially the Monster Manuals. The amount of art in the books and the classical style has just never been rivaled.
Artesia: Adventures in the Known World.
I wish there was more stuff for it (the comics certainly help though), but frankly, it's a bit of a masterpiece on its own.
Quote from: Yeti Spaghetti on July 30, 2021, 01:15:19 AM
Pretty much anything AD&D 1e, especially the Monster Manuals. The amount of art in the books and the classical style has just never been rivaled.
I wouldn't call any of those the best since none of them are a complete game in one book. For me, any "single best RPG book" would have to include everything you need to play the (core) of the game.
The Book of Ebon Bindings. Grotesque, funny, and not safe for work.
The "Rules Cyclopedia" for D&D gives you everything you need to run and create any kind of fantasy adventures, with low crunch but a lot of content.
Call of Cthulhu 7E Keeper's Guide is packed to the brim with cool stuff, and allows you to run from Cosmic Horror to even "True Detective" if you want (it needs a 7.5E edition, however: Reddit is full of posts about some basic holes in the rules).
Advanced Labyrinth Lord
Classic Traveller - The Traveller Book
Mongoose Traveller 1e - Core Rulebook
Cepheus Engine
WEG d6 Star Wars RPG, Revised and Expanded
All of those get top honors in my mind, especially if you like having all of the rules in one book.
AD&D 1e Dungeon Masters Guide
Currently for me, it's the Savage Worlds Adventurer's Edition (SWADE).
But in different times of my life - I would have chosen:
D&D Rules Cyclopedia
Talislanta 4e (Big Blue)
For the notable reasons I could run almost any kind of fantasy game I could imagine from those tomes with nothing else. The same holds true for SWADE, but I would extend it to many other genres.
D&D Rules Cyclopedia. Everything that is needed to run a game plus extras.
Well, it'd have to be pretty comprehensive, a book that requires supplements can't be "best." Unless, of course, you're in the business of selling supplements. The game would have to be playable and fun and the setting compelling. The art would have to be evocative and fitting to the game. I'd argue that there's bests that hit one base better than a general best. T5 is comprehensive but it's not playable or fun. There are some fantastic art books out there these days, I suspect something Warhammer would be in the running for that but there's no shortage of contenders.
I lean towards Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay first edition as the very best single volume rpg book. My nostalgia glasses say The Traveller Book but it doesn't cover vehicle combat so it's not comprehensive. Rolemaster Fantasy Roleplay is pretty solid but artistically it doesn't measure up to WFRP.
Quote from: David Johansen on July 30, 2021, 09:35:04 AM
Well, it'd have to be pretty comprehensive, a book that requires supplements can't be "best." Unless, of course, you're in the business of selling supplements.
That seems to be a common sentiment in this thread, but it makes no sense to me. It's like saying that Empire Strikes Back can't be the best Star Wars movie, because you need to see Star Wars first. Obviously, you can't play a supplement without the game, but there's nothing stopping a supplement from being better than the game its based on.
In terms of functionality and not needing much else, the D&D rules cyclopedia, even though it wasn't one I ran, is a book that stands out in my memory. There are books I personally like better for subjective reasons, but being in campaigns as a player that used this book, it is the one I would pick if I could just have one RPG book on a desert island
Quote from: Pat on July 30, 2021, 10:08:43 AM
Quote from: David Johansen on July 30, 2021, 09:35:04 AM
Well, it'd have to be pretty comprehensive, a book that requires supplements can't be "best." Unless, of course, you're in the business of selling supplements.
That seems to be a common sentiment in this thread, but it makes no sense to me. It's like saying that Empire Strikes Back can't be the best Star Wars movie, because you need to see Star Wars first. Obviously, you can't play a supplement without the game, but there's nothing stopping a supplement from being better than the game its based on.
I agree with you on this. The best RPG book could in fact be an adventure or supplement I think. I've played plenty of games with so-so core books that had outstanding supplementary material.
My real answer is D&D Rules Cyclopedia for the reasons given by others above. Stuck on a deserted Island with food and gamers, that's the book I want.
However, I'd be hard-pressed to argue against a case for AD&D 1E DMG if we assume other books support it. I also think you could make a really good case for Rune Quest 2 on minimal page count delivering a lot of options and value. In another context, the Hero System 4E "Big Blue Book" would also qualify.
Quote from: HappyDaze on July 30, 2021, 01:47:51 AM
Quote from: Yeti Spaghetti on July 30, 2021, 01:15:19 AM
Pretty much anything AD&D 1e, especially the Monster Manuals. The amount of art in the books and the classical style has just never been rivaled.
I wouldn't call any of those the best since none of them are a complete game in one book. For me, any "single best RPG book" would have to include everything you need to play the (core) of the game.
A book doesn't have to be useful to be "the best." So, if I could only pick one, it would be the 1e Monster Manual.
Not too often do I find "all in one" game books satisfying, they usually lack in the gameplay and have great fictional material or vice versa, but there is one that did both really well for me:
Mercenaries Spies & Private Eyes- All the rules you need, and a great read for inspiration and guidance in running it (or other similar games). It's got some great artwork too (talking original FBI/Blade version).
13th Age wins second place.
For pure D&D utility at the table adventure material I have a very odd choice as it's for the edition I hate the most and a campaign setting that does absolutely nothing for me. That choice is Secrets of Xen'Drik. I am not a fan of Eberron proper, but I absolutely love this book. I have completely swiped it for my own settings and replaced some areas in existing settings (like Chult in FR) with it. Love the History of the continent and it's denizens (the Drow/Giants switcheroo is excellent), love the "explore the dark continent" feel, the magical warped weirdness of the land, and that its nice toolkit for a minimal prep or improv game- grab an adventure location, make some rolls on the tables for random ideas and plots, scribble some rudimentary OD&D/C&C/13th Age/DW stats (or sticky notes on proper pages) and off I go. It's one of only two 3.5 books I kept when I sold off my massive collection years ago (The other is Lost Empires of Faerun).
Single Book: Earthdawn 1st Edition
Multiple Book Ruleset: Earthdawn Classic Edition Gamemaster's and Player's
Great content per page: Moldvay's basic.
Great content per book: Rules Cyclopedia. That's probably the answer to the OP.
Best DMG, PHB and MM: 1e, 5e, and 2e. I agree the 1e DMG might be the best for the advice alone, plus random tables etc. Tough choice, but if I can only pick one I might choose the RC because it includes monsters and characters.
I wish I could think of more non-D&D and recent examples. My favorite in "recent" years is Shadow of the Demon Lord. Great book, great system, includes monsters (maybe too few), PCs and setting.
DCC RPG is also a great book. Maybe my favorite non-D&D because of the art and sheer awesomeness. Probably the closest to a modern RC I can think of.
For the "trapped on a desert island with only one book" scenario....
Part of me really wants to say "Mutants & Masterminds 3ed" because a good supers system doubles as a good system for (almost) anything. Space opera with giant starships and thousands of aliens, low fantasy, espionage 15 seconds from now, cowboys versus zombies, time travelling mercenaries, etc. etc. etc. But damn it... damage and healing in that system are too driven by plot for me to look past it. Especially as a multi-genre game rather than straight supers. So I go back to HERO (5ed, but I figure each edition has its pros and cons).
I cant choose between Rules Cyclopedia and DCC.
Cults of Prax is a damn good choice, but I think I'll have to go for the original Delta Green (For CoC, not the new version).
I would say for sheer bestness then it would have to be the ADnD Dungeon Masters Guide.
Its hard to overstate how much best was written into that book.
First edition Stormbringer rule book. It's got everything: great rules, great art, and a great setting.
The first one that leapt to my mind was Life on Terranova 2nd Edition, for Heavy Gear. It's pure setting, but it's all adventure hooks, character ideas, and campaign ideas. And really comprehensive as a setting book as well.
There are others, but that is the first that came to mind.
Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on July 30, 2021, 10:19:47 AM
Quote from: Pat on July 30, 2021, 10:08:43 AM
Quote from: David Johansen on July 30, 2021, 09:35:04 AM
Well, it'd have to be pretty comprehensive, a book that requires supplements can't be "best." Unless, of course, you're in the business of selling supplements.
That seems to be a common sentiment in this thread, but it makes no sense to me. It's like saying that Empire Strikes Back can't be the best Star Wars movie, because you need to see Star Wars first. Obviously, you can't play a supplement without the game, but there's nothing stopping a supplement from being better than the game its based on.
I agree with you on this. The best RPG book could in fact be an adventure or supplement I think. I've played plenty of games with so-so core books that had outstanding supplementary material.
If you can't play it without another book, how can it be "best"?
1e AD&D Dungeon Masters Guide.
1E DMG.
It's not even a close.
Quote from: Aglondir on July 29, 2021, 10:25:28 PM
Quote from: Shawn Driscoll on July 29, 2021, 10:14:32 PM
Serenity RPG.
Not Traveller? Who are you, and why have you kidnapped Shawn!
My mind read "Second" and not "Single" in the thread title.
I guess, I would still go with Mongoose Traveller 2nd Edition. Just the Core Book. The rest of 2nd edition is crap mostly. The 1st edition splat books are much better still.
Best period, I have to agree with DMG1e, alot of that vote is nostalgia based, BUT I do find myself looking at other GM guides for other games and thinking they are lacking when I read through them.
I would say one book complete game best would be DCC, because it does a good job of complete rules, leaving a setting fairly up to the GM, BUT evoking a definite flavor for the GM to use for the game. Mythras in this regard is a definite close second.
SWADE is the best general game system I have.
I know that was sort of three answers, but I find I have varied tastes, and the best answer can be subjective for me. Best product though I would agree with DMG 1e.
Quote from: KingCheops on July 30, 2021, 12:08:16 PM
Single Book: Earthdawn 1st Edition
Multiple Book Ruleset: Earthdawn Classic Edition Gamemaster's and Player's
Well Earthdawn is one of THE best rpgs ever designed so this is a nice choice. 😎
I don't know if I can pick a best but I can pick a most impressive, which is the Infinity 2d20 core book. It's impressive because the designers created an rpg from a fairly heavy and crunchy miniatures game and not only pulled it off, but they did it by designing the rpg in such a way where you don't need miniatures to play it. Furthermore, it does what Shadowrun has spectacularly failed at doing by making Combat, Hacking (in Infinity Hacking is like Magic), and Social Conflicts seamlessly intertwined and all use the same action turn structure.
Plus it's just visually stunning.
If I had to pick an OSR book i'd pick my copy of the Stars Without Number Omnibus, which is 1100 pages of every SWN 1e book compiled in one book.
Warhammer fantasy role play 1e.
One of the most complete all in one rpg rule books ever made. Every thing from the art to the writing is full of tone, flavor, and atmosphere.
There is a reason whfrp has such a dedicated following.
If only they could do an edition without attaching a fucking mediocre system to it every time.
Ad&d 2E domains of dread
Ehhh, everyone else has already said 1e DMG, so I'll pick something else just to be contrary. The 1e Fiend Folio. Some of the most amazing and flavorful monsters ever (Githyanki, Drow, Death Knight, Flail Snail, Hook Horror, Slaadi). Sure, some of them had appeared in adventures or periodicals, but for many of us who didn't follow those closely, the FF was our first exposure to monsters as compelling as those derived from mythology. Really changed the way that the people I knew thought about monsters. Great book.
Now that I've thought about it a great deal, I will say the AD&D 1st Edition Monster Manual.
It was the first, of the core books released for AD&D; but it was also very compatible with Original D&D. It grew the offering of published Monster stats for the game in a massive way, and it took the game beyond little paper booklets. It was the herald of things to come. It was the point when the game made the jump to hardcover books.
I own all 3 core books for AD&D 1st Edition; and the Monster Manual is where it's at, for me. Give me that book, and i can make up the rest of a playable game at the table.
I'll go with the first or second edition of Stormbringer. Complete game, one book, just the right length, did a much better job of laying out the world of the Young Kingdoms and explaining the Law/Chaos/Cosmic Balance 'mythos' than Moorcock ever did in his books. Had ample rules and descriptive background stuff, but left some things open to interpretation (particularly magic) and didn't suffer from the bloat of later editions.
I don't particularly like the Elric novels anymore, but I still like the version of the Elric world portrayed in that book. Chaosium was really good at making games based on previously existing settings, once upon a time.
I've been racking my brain and I think I'm going to have to go with the Moldvay Basic rulebook. It's got everything to play Levels 1-3, in a single 64 page book.
Strong second contender is Chromebook Vol 2. All of the Chromebooks are super neat, packed with gear and lore and adventure ideas. I had to pick one, so it was Vol 2.
Quote from: Jam The MF on August 01, 2021, 01:15:04 AM
Now that I've thought about it a great deal, I will say the AD&D 1st Edition Monster Manual.
It was the first, of the core books released for AD&D; but it was also very compatible with Original D&D. It grew the offering of published Monster stats for the game in a massive way, and it took the game beyond little paper booklets. It was the herald of things to come. It was the point when the game made the jump to hardcover books.
I own all 3 core books for AD&D 1st Edition; and the Monster Manual is where it's at, for me. Give me that book, and i can make up the rest of a playable game at the table.
What I've been saying. The classic, simple line art, the fact that almost every entry has art. It was basically my introduction to gaming. Flipping through my friend's Monster Manual in junior high in the mid-80s is what made me want to play RPGs. It is a beautiful, high-quality book.
Let me add a friendly briefing for Chill's 1st edition Things supplement. While not of the caliber of the 1e MM, it too featured art for pretty much every creature and is a great, classic horror book (although I never realized it until recently).
The Tome of Adventure Design
Most of the RPG core books by Kevin Crawford as well, for the same reason. Let's you go from rules to creating something you can run with your players quickly.
Do boxed sets count as one book? If so I nominate the first edition of Ghostbusters. The earliest example I'm aware of of an RPG departing from the wargaming paradigm, probably the easiest ever rpg to learn, and actually funny to read.
I'd be very curious to see how many people are answering as a GM vs. as a Player?
My answers are purely as a GM. In terms of books that I simply love as well done books that completely made me go WHOA!!
D&D 1e - Faiths and Pantheons
Star Wars D6 - Tramp Freighters
Vampire 1e core
Cyberpunk 2020 core and 'Listen Up All You Primitive Screwheads' GM guide.
I wont make any judgement on "best". However, for me, the most influential RPG supplement was probably Trollpak for Chaosiums RuneQuest. As a young teen it taught me to use subtlety in how I depict non-human sentients.
And playing Troll Ball was fun as hell.
As a gamemaster, for all-in-one goodness, I prefer Dogs in the Vineyard, but Teenagers from Outer Space comes in a close second. For parts of a ruleset, Tech Law from the SpaceMaster set is probably my favorite single book.
As a player, my favorite book was Gurahl from W:tAp's Changing Breeds line.
I don't particularly like the 1ed AD&D DMG because it's poorly organized, and contradicts things that are in both the PHB and MM. On the other hand, the tables (treasure, encounters, random dungeon, etc.) in the back of the DMG are among the best things ever for any system -- I think they're tied with the RoleMaster critical tables for sheer creative input to my games.
Quote from: tenbones on August 02, 2021, 09:55:27 AM
I'd be very curious to see how many people are answering as a GM vs. as a Player?
The secret is that there is no spoon.
1e DMG is probably what would get me through a polygraph, but I am going to say Raggi's Referee book. Even if you are not looking to run a weird/horror game, there is so much information on how to craft adventures and campaigns. He also does a great job outlining how to bring the mystery back to monsters. Great resource.
I can't pick a single best. For me, it's tied between Delta Green and Ptolus.
Delta Green was a gamechanger for me and Call of Cthulhu, which I loved but had become stale. Delta Green added multiple dimensions on top of CoC that took what was already a great game and cranked it to 11. It was so well-written and designed. It just blew my mind.
Ptolus really made D&D click for me as a DM. It was a setting where all the D&Disms came together in a logical and awesome way. There were so many locations and factions and adventure hooks crammed into one massive tome. Every time I read even a couple of pages of that book, I start thinking of ideas and adventures and campaigns based on what I'm reading. It's the best laid out book, as well. Everything is cross-referenced with lots of information in the sidebars, index, etc. It's not as original as Delta Green, but it was the setting for 2 of the 3 best campaigns I've ever run.
Quote from: Shasarak on August 02, 2021, 05:28:28 PM
Quote from: tenbones on August 02, 2021, 09:55:27 AM
I'd be very curious to see how many people are answering as a GM vs. as a Player?
The secret is that there is no spoon.
That's something a GM that gets to actually play says.
Anything by Kevin Crawford. Everything in one (huge) book for the most part. Easy character creation and fast play.
Quote from: Jaeger on July 31, 2021, 06:42:41 PM
Warhammer fantasy role play 1e.
Definitely! Probably my favorite game (still). The one book that does it all, plus the supplements are class too.
1e was what made me drop D&D altogether back in the day. But I do love some of the later OSR stuff.
oooh! Fire Fusion and Steel! I'd say GURPS Vehicles except it uses Imperial measurements.
Quote from: David Johansen on August 22, 2021, 01:25:39 PM
oooh! Fire Fusion and Steel! I'd say GURPS Vehicles except it uses Imperial measurements.
You, sir, are an asshole. That's what the six-page long calculation tells me.
You like Imperial measurements? Well, you can have them. Fire Fusion and Steel also has some nice essays on the principles behind the technology. The T4 version is actually better once you implement about 20 pages of errata, corrected formulae, and addenums but that kinda disqualifies it from being best unless that kind of red pen editing really, really floats your boat.
2E domains of dread
Shadow of the Demon Lord Core Revised is top on my list. I'd have to agree with WFRP 1E being pretty darned good as well, if only I still had a copy other than on pdf. And I do really like the new Fading Suns stuff and Solar Blades & Coamic Spells a lot too.
Best?
I like games where 1 book can generate 100+ awesome sessions.
For me, the first purchase that achieved that was Gamma World 1e. While its not "the best" game book, it certainly has been responsible for far more awesome fun sessions than most of my other single book purchases.
Quote from: Spinachcat on August 26, 2021, 07:54:17 PM
Best?
I like games where 1 book can generate 100+ awesome sessions.
For me, the first purchase that achieved that was Gamma World 1e. While its not "the best" game book, it certainly has been responsible for far more awesome fun sessions than most of my other single book purchases.
By that criteria, I'd change my vote to Toon. Lot of good gaming out of one pretty thin book. Even more if you take the bigger, later edition which retained everything good about the original except the light physical weight.
Quote from: Jam The MF on July 29, 2021, 09:01:26 PM
What's the Single Best RPG Book, you can think of?
Gamemastering by Brian Jamison
Quote from: Steven Mitchell on August 27, 2021, 08:07:04 AM
Quote from: Spinachcat on August 26, 2021, 07:54:17 PM
Best?
I like games where 1 book can generate 100+ awesome sessions.
For me, the first purchase that achieved that was Gamma World 1e. While its not "the best" game book, it certainly has been responsible for far more awesome fun sessions than most of my other single book purchases.
By that criteria, I'd change my vote to Toon. Lot of good gaming out of one pretty thin book. Even more if you take the bigger, later edition which retained everything good about the original except the light physical weight.
GURPS is my jam and yet I think Toon is probably the best RPG material SJG ever released.
Quote from: Dropbear on August 25, 2021, 07:11:17 PMShadow of the Demon Lord Core Revised is top on my list.
I've been going back and forth on getting this one. What would you say makes it so great?
Earthdawn 1st ED.
Still to this day, any system I run for the background OS for my game world will always have some Earthdawn flavoring added into it. Always.
Magic items that grow with you, Blood Magic & Weaving elemental magic into items. Yes please!
I've been helping my daughter learn the Earthdawn rule system because she wants to run it for her group of friends ;)
Robin's Laws of Good Game Mastering.
Robin Laws is a TTRPG genius of a sort. Grabbed the pdf off of Warehouse 23 on a lark and it completely changed how I run games. Rather than a focus on the PCs, the work stresses knowing what kinds of players are at your table and what they want to experience in-game. RLoGGG improved everything for everyone at the table, including me.
Honorary Mention: GURPS Third edition. You can do ANYTHING with those rules and that library of supplements.
Quote from: Stephen Tannhauser on August 28, 2021, 08:22:17 PM
Quote from: Dropbear on August 25, 2021, 07:11:17 PMShadow of the Demon Lord Core Revised is top on my list.
I've been going back and forth on getting this one. What would you say makes it so great?
The things that appeal to me the most about Shadow of the Demon Lord are as follows:
- No expansive skill lists to track; professions are used to detail what a character knows and can do instead.
- Ease of determining attribute modifiers; any attribute's value over 10 provides a die bonus equal to the number over 10 (11= +1, 12 = +2, etc.)
- Character creation is set - your ancestry provides base stats - and random, as you roll for many other attributes of your character as well, making it quick and easy to jump in on yet varied.
- Paths provide an interesting alternative to classes in many other games. You have your novice, expert, and master paths which can follow a progression of providing a narrower array abilities improving at an increasing rate, or can follow a progression of providing a broader array of abilities.
- Leveling up is done as a group and without having to track experience points; no experience modifiers, no differing xp tracks to follow that leave party members at varying levels within the group.
- Target number ease in pass/fail rolls; your target's Defense rating for attacks, or a 10 for challenge rolls.
- Less roll modifiers; rather than positive or negative numbers cascading into a dozen modifiers for a roll, boons (d6s added to a roll) and banes (d6s subtracted from a roll) are more commonly used. If you have multiple boons and banes on a roll, they cancel each other out until whatever you have left, boon, bane, or none, are applied to your roll. When multiples of boons or banes are rolled, the highest of them count for or against your roll.
- Hit Point (Health) bloat is not nearly as bad as in the vast majority of RPGs that use hit dice. Your character will start out with an average of 10, with any Strength bonus. Level up provides maybe one or two additional Health per level, maybe a little more if you get a Strength bonus as well. This makes combat being something that can be lethal more easy to portray in-game than say 5E or Pathfinder.
- A character isn't a superhero at first level. Starting characters don't even have a level until they complete their first adventure.
- Magic is something everyone can do if they are willing to pay the price, but it isn't something everyone can necessarily be good at.
- The basic premise behind the setting is that evil has already won and a slow (or fast, if you're an evil GM) spiral towards decay is inevitable. But you can utilize the rule set with a setting of your own design just as easily. I did this (and plan on continuing to do this) with my Days of the Lost setting.
All of these things, and more, I find appealing about the game. You might or might not agree with some or all of them. If you decide to make the leap, I hope you enjoy it!
Sorry it took a bit for me to respond, I've been working six days on this week for twelve hours, and have made time for little else but sleep when not working. And I'm not entirely sure I had the notification of replies on, although it is now.
Quote from: Dropbear on August 29, 2021, 07:38:51 PMSorry it took a bit for me to respond, I've been working six days on this week for twelve hours, and have made time for little else but sleep when not working. And I'm not entirely sure I had the notification of replies on, although it is now.
No problem at all, thanks for getting back to me.
I confess that I've never been a big fan of "dark world" type games where the strong implication is that the best you can do is slow the fall of night (cf. Warhammer, CoC, WoD etc.), but I may see if I can find a hardcopy to flip through and see if the rules have good ideas. Thanks again for the note.
Pirates of Drinax
Quote from: Pirates of DrinaxPossibly the greatest RPG campaign of all time - The Pirates of Drinax is a truly epic sandbox campaign that grants the Travellers a Letter of Marque and then lets them loose across an entire sector and nearly 600 pages of adventure to find their own destiny. Included is the Trojan Reach sector, Aslan characters and many new ships!
I think I'd have to go with TMNT. That single book gave my gaming groups hundreds of hours of gaming by itself, and then hundreds more once they added supplements. I'm a little sad that the license lapsed and they couldn't relicense it for whatever reason. I imagine it just got too expensive.
Quote from: therealjcm on September 01, 2021, 04:06:50 PM
I think I'd have to go with TMNT. That single book gave my gaming groups hundreds of hours of gaming by itself, and then hundreds more once they added supplements. I'm a little sad that the license lapsed and they couldn't relicense it for whatever reason. I imagine it just got too expensive.
If you are mainly interested in the game system, they filed the TMNT serial numbers off and rereleased it as After the Bomb.
Quote from: Squidi on September 01, 2021, 04:46:47 PM
If you are mainly interested in the game system, they filed the TMNT serial numbers off and rereleased it as After the Bomb.
I happened across that in the Bundle of Holding a few months back. I'm haven't had a chance to really dig into it yet and run a game, but I'm hoping that it holds up.
2e Paranoia - The even more perfect edition. Says so on the back.
Seriously though along with its excellent layout, streamlined rules and hilarious art it lays out not only how to play the 'bad' game. The PCs are all backstabbing murderhobos with secrets they cannot reveal and the GM is super adversarial and actively cheats.
So here's the kicker, if your regular, imperfect game starts to resemble Paranoia then things have gone seriously wrong.
The James Bond RPG Rulebook from Victory Games.
The D&D Rules Cyclopedia is obviously the correct answer.
Quote from: Reckall on July 30, 2021, 05:14:46 AM
The "Rules Cyclopedia" for D&D gives you everything you need to run and create any kind of fantasy adventures, with low crunch but a lot of content.
Quote from: tenbones on July 30, 2021, 07:44:24 AM
D&D Rules Cyclopedia
Quote from: Starglyte on July 30, 2021, 08:49:26 AM
D&D Rules Cyclopedia. Everything that is needed to run a game plus extras.
Quote from: Bedrockbrendan on July 30, 2021, 10:17:53 AM
In terms of functionality and not needing much else, the D&D rules cyclopedia, even though it wasn't one I ran, is a book that stands out in my memory. There are books I personally like better for subjective reasons, but being in campaigns as a player that used this book, it is the one I would pick if I could just have one RPG book on a desert island
Quote from: Steven Mitchell on July 30, 2021, 10:20:55 AM
My real answer is D&D Rules Cyclopedia for the reasons given by others above. Stuck on a deserted Island with food and gamers, that's the book I want.
Quote from: Eric Diaz on July 30, 2021, 12:32:29 PM
Great content per book: Rules Cyclopedia. That's probably the answer to the OP.
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
Quote from: Mithgarthr on September 09, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
So very different from the art in the Rules Cyclopedia? :)
Quote from: Pat on September 09, 2021, 11:19:48 PM
Quote from: Mithgarthr on September 09, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
So very different from the art in the Rules Cyclopedia? :)
;D ;D ;D
Man, I know everyone generally hates it, but I love Dykstra's art. I'm sure a huge part of it is that the big black box is the edition I first learned on back in '92. That basic set, the RC, and all the Thunder Rift stuff was my gateway into the hobby so it's got a special place for me.
As much as I loved the RC for being an all in one book solution I much preferred using the well battered and thumbed BECM books (not so much the I part). That said if you only had one book to take with you that one will cover the bases for Fantasy RPGs.
Warhammer Fantasy 1e, Tunnels and Trolls (Corgi UK edition), DC Heroes 3e (though I'd argue the eye bleeding awful to look at Blood of Heroes 2nd Edition is the best version of what I consider the best rules for a supers game) are all decent choices for me too. Star Wars D6 1e was great for a while to get us away from dungeons. MERP is possibly a left field choice - ditch the Tolkien Bilbo Baggage and run it in your preferred/made up fantasy setting. We ditched D&D and ran MERP in Karameikos for a one off and it turned into a several year campaign. E Crit for the win.
If I had to pick one I'd pick DC Heroes 3e even though 2e was a far better product but split over several books.
GURPS 3e. You can do anything with it.
Also, the D&D Rules Cyclopedia. Easily run level 1 to Demigod. No other edition allows the concise Immortal/sphere rules that the RC provides. So, if you're clever, you can advance your PC to godhood, not just "I'm a 20th-Level Badass!"
Quote from: Pat on September 09, 2021, 11:19:48 PM
Quote from: Mithgarthr on September 09, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
So very different from the art in the Rules Cyclopedia? :)
The RC isn't perfect but for what it is meant for, it is darn close to it: A reference work. Some issues with organization, but not many. At least, it hits its intent better than most games.
It would be even better if all the art work was removed entirely and replaced with maps, sidebars for examples and more content, etc. Says the poster here who isn't art savvy at all. OK, OK, leave in some monster illustrations (of fantasy creatures, not real-world ones) and maybe a few weapons, castles, that sort of thing. Keep the cover art, of course, which even I in my art-addled state can see provokes a mood.
Sometimes I wish more games used the art as illustrations of the content.
The best book for beginning to play - and keeping at it : Basic Moldvay
The best book for daydreaming about RPGs and for giving you teh urge to play : AD&D 1e Dungeon Master Guide
The best setting/ adventure book I had the chance to be a player in : City of Lies (Ryoko Owari), from Legend of the Five Rings (I love Rokugan).
Quote from: Steven Mitchell on October 04, 2021, 01:52:43 PM
Quote from: Pat on September 09, 2021, 11:19:48 PM
Quote from: Mithgarthr on September 09, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
So very different from the art in the Rules Cyclopedia? :)
Also a huge fan of the RC. And you hit on one of my pet peeves in RPG art. Why the fuck do some games include pictures of alligators, apes, and giant crabs but then not include images of stuff like catoblepas, bulettes, beholders etc? Are there really people out there who can't visualize a crab or alligator or ape? Either illustrate everything or include images of the more unusual creatures.
Amber Diceless or AD&D 1e Players Handbook
Quote from: Persimmon on October 04, 2021, 07:58:39 PM
Quote from: Steven Mitchell on October 04, 2021, 01:52:43 PM
Quote from: Pat on September 09, 2021, 11:19:48 PM
Quote from: Mithgarthr on September 09, 2021, 12:50:10 PM
Oh, I see this board is filled with lots of handsome and intelligent people. Nice.
So very different from the art in the Rules Cyclopedia? :)
Also a huge fan of the RC. And you hit on one of my pet peeves in RPG art. Why the fuck do some games include pictures of alligators, apes, and giant crabs but then not include images of stuff like catoblepas, bulettes, beholders etc? Are there really people out there who can't visualize a crab or alligator or ape? Either illustrate everything or include images of the more unusual creatures.
While you're at it, might as well get rid of all art depicting humans. After all, humans know other humans better than crabs and alligators. So let's replace all the humans with dwarves, hobbits... and elves. Especially elves! 99% of RPG art should be elves.
I'd rather have no humans than the current industry trend for "diverse" representation in RPG art, regardless of the implied setting. Sorry, but there weren't random Asians running all over Medieval Western Europe or vice versa or huge numbers of white people in the interior of sub-Saharan Africa.
Talislanta 4th edition
If boxed sets are allowed, original Traveller, because of the sheer amount of gameplay juice packed into the three little books. Literally years of play right there. And no hardwired Third Imperium or crap artwork or shit modern sensibilities or half-arsed attempts at production values that end up in uncanny valley. Now get off my lawn!
'Fred', HERO 5E; it made people in my group do a bit of work-that brought out the best of those brave enough to try it. It was a dedicated, mature, small, smart group. SJW's probably wouldn't like how we used it...
Quote from: King_Stannis on September 09, 2021, 12:31:10 PM
The James Bond RPG Rulebook from Victory Games.
Have to admit, that one looks like a lot of fun. Are all the players assumed to be 00 agents?
For me, that would be Amber Diceless Role-Playing.
Quote from: Trond on October 07, 2021, 10:49:55 PM
Quote from: King_Stannis on September 09, 2021, 12:31:10 PM
The James Bond RPG Rulebook from Victory Games.
Have to admit, that one looks like a lot of fun. Are all the players assumed to be 00 agents?
There are 3 tiers Rookie, Agent, and 00
The rank determines the number of points for character generation.
During play as you earn XP you spend it to bump skill levels and stats.
Your attribute and skill totals are used to determine your rank so eventually your PC will reach 00 if the GM starts you at a lower tier.
I don't know if the search function on these forums is broken, or what, but I'm SHOCKED that nobody here is talking about MÖRK BORG as a candidate for a singularly condensed package of awesome RPG content, not only for the game, but the actual QUALITY of the book itself and the art it's illustrated with.
Easily the best coffee table RPG book in my personal collection.
Not sure, as I haven't seen it in person or played it, but the sense I get is that MORK BORG is vapid style with virtually no substance or content. But hey, cast your vote if that's your choice.
Quote from: Persimmon on October 09, 2021, 07:21:34 PM
Not sure, as I haven't seen it in person or played it, but the sense I get is that MORK BORG is vapid style with virtually no substance or content. But hey, cast your vote if that's your choice.
And there's better coffee table RPG books out there too (HOL, Degenesis Rebirth, Alpha Omega, Savage Worlds: Low Life, Don't Lose Your Mind, etc.), but to each their own.
Quote from: Theory of Games on October 03, 2021, 11:43:25 AM
GURPS 3e. You can do anything with it.
"Your mileage clearly varies from mine" preface.
I like GURPS 3e, but it isn't the best DIY toolkit out there. And that's without considering David Pulver's books (it's been literally over 15 years since I played GURPS, and I remember his name and why I like/hate his works). I'd take HERO or M&M if I wanted something that gave me better/more tools to build with out of the box, or Savage Worlds if I just wanted to make stuff up as needed. And they all have their own flaws I'm well aware of.
Honestly, the best "you can do anything with it" systems are always going to be supers systems. And more specifically, those super systems that do a good job supporting multiple genres and power levels (see you in Hell then Heroes Unlimited, AMP, and Aberrant). And GURPS 3e isn't a supers system.
Quote from: Theory of Games on October 03, 2021, 11:43:25 AMAlso, the D&D Rules Cyclopedia. Easily run level 1 to Demigod. No other edition allows the concise Immortal/sphere rules that the RC provides. So, if you're clever, you can advance your PC to godhood, not just "I'm a 20th-Level Badass!"
I thought the RC ended at (a slightly trimmed down version of) the Master ruleset, with Immortal rules still in another boxed set (and later sourcebook, that's now a free download IIRC)?
Quote from: Habitual Gamer on October 22, 2021, 09:16:57 AM
I thought the RC ended at (a slightly trimmed down version of) the Master ruleset, with Immortal rules still in another boxed set (and later sourcebook, that's now a free download IIRC)?
If memory serves, the RC contains sufficient rules to ascend to Immortality, but you're correct--the Immortal PC rules are in
Wrath of the Immortals.
For Boxed Sets, i'd like to give a shout out to the Games Workshop 'Judge Dredd' box. It had a Judges Manual, a GM manual, dice, a two-sided map, cut-out stand-up figures, and enough information to cover most of the comics that were published at that time.
How many people are actually using the Single Best RPG book they can think of?
I was actually just re-reading the Dredd rpg (which prompted my post here) to start a series of one-shots in 2022. But it's been at least a decade since I last played it.
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?
It's funny you ask, because I had literally just pulled the new edition of Ptolus off my shelf with the thought of using Savage Worlds Pathfinder with it. I backed both the 5E and Cypher versions in their Kickstarter last year, but won't be running 5E ever again and am pretty iffy on Cypher after reading more of it. The new Savage Worlds Pathfinder is sounding more and more like my jam, though.
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?
Depends on where you want to draw the line. I'm not actively using the RC or the AD&D 1E book in a game of either system. I am consulting them frequently while doing my own system.
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.
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. ;D )
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. ;D )
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).
Quote from: tenbones on November 04, 2021, 12:56:47 PM
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?
Your definition of best is, am I using it now?
Well I'm not firm on it, but it's definitely a consideration.
And I recognize it will be different for others - especially if you're a player vs. a GM.
I'm rationalizing if I'm the GM, and I'm only running games I want to run for my own edification (and others around me) - how can something I will never use be better than what I use now?
By the definition of "am I using it now," none of my rpg books is the best... :-[
If the definition is "I can pull it off the shelf and gain inspiration" then *most* if my books are all the best. I've got 1e -> 3e and 5e D&D, Pathfinder, Twilight:2000, Star Frontiers, MSH, Torg, Call of Cthulhu, and a bunch of others. Not to mention my Dragon Mag electronic archive, the RC hardcover, etc.
I can pretty much pick any of them off the shelf and come away with a new idea or a solution...
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?
We did use Artesia, but it's been years since I've played RPGs in person. Lots of stuff has happened, and right now I only have a card game group (playing tarot card games, no less).
But seriously, I think more people could benefit from looking into Artesia as a bit of a gold mine for a fantasy RPG with a more "serious" tone, and an interesting world. It's a bit complicated though, and not for people who don't like nudity :D.
I GM in the nude, so my players should be okay with it. ;D
Quote from: 3catcircus on November 05, 2021, 09:07:27 AM
By the definition of "am I using it now," none of my rpg books is the best... :-[
If the definition is "I can pull it off the shelf and gain inspiration" then *most* if my books are all the best. I've got 1e -> 3e and 5e D&D, Pathfinder, Twilight:2000, Star Frontiers, MSH, Torg, Call of Cthulhu, and a bunch of others. Not to mention my Dragon Mag electronic archive, the RC hardcover, etc.
I can pretty much pick any of them off the shelf and come away with a new idea or a solution...
So if you were running a game right now, what would it be?
To justify my choice a bit more. For me personally, the "single best" RPG book would have to have both rules and lots of setting info, and preferably a start-up scenario as well.
Quote from: tenbones on November 05, 2021, 11:36:44 AM
I GM in the nude, so my players should be okay with it. ;D
Player 1: X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card!
Player 2: I roll to lose 10d100 SAN.
Player 3: Time to put on my fursuit!
Quote from: Pat on November 05, 2021, 04:37:28 PM
Quote from: tenbones on November 05, 2021, 11:36:44 AM
I GM in the nude, so my players should be okay with it. ;D
Player 1: X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card! X Card!
Player 2: I roll to lose 10d100 SAN.
Player 3: Time to put on my fursuit!
Honestly, I still don't understand why people describe roleplaying games as a fringe hobby. ;D
Quote from: tenbones on November 05, 2021, 11:37:33 AM
Quote from: 3catcircus on November 05, 2021, 09:07:27 AM
By the definition of "am I using it now," none of my rpg books is the best... :-[
If the definition is "I can pull it off the shelf and gain inspiration" then *most* if my books are all the best. I've got 1e -> 3e and 5e D&D, Pathfinder, Twilight:2000, Star Frontiers, MSH, Torg, Call of Cthulhu, and a bunch of others. Not to mention my Dragon Mag electronic archive, the RC hardcover, etc.
I can pretty much pick any of them off the shelf and come away with a new idea or a solution...
So if you were running a game right now, what would it be?
It's a toss up. If D&D, either City System or City of Greyhawk boxes sets with the World of Aereth a close second.
There was a time where I would have said, without hesitation, Hero 4th ed. But these days I prefer less crunchy games, and it's been years since I played Champions, or Fantasy Hero, or Justice Inc, or any of my old favorites. Similarly, was a time where I kitbashed Cyberpunk 2020 into being the gamesystem that I used for anything that didn't have magic.
If I look at what I'm running and playing now, apparently I think that either BRP or SWADE are the answer - but I know that both of those have been chosen for how well they play over zoom more than anything else.
That being said, the best game book, to me, has to allow for a wide variety of play, and encourage the imagination, and give the players and GMs good tools. Maybe SWADE is a contender. But, as I consider it, and I look at not just what I'm running, but also what I recently ran, I think that I'll have to say Stars Without Number.
Quote from: tenbones on November 05, 2021, 11:37:33 AM
Quote from: 3catcircus on November 05, 2021, 09:07:27 AM
By the definition of "am I using it now," none of my rpg books is the best... :-[
If the definition is "I can pull it off the shelf and gain inspiration" then *most* if my books are all the best. I've got 1e -> 3e and 5e D&D, Pathfinder, Twilight:2000, Star Frontiers, MSH, Torg, Call of Cthulhu, and a bunch of others. Not to mention my Dragon Mag electronic archive, the RC hardcover, etc.
I can pretty much pick any of them off the shelf and come away with a new idea or a solution...
So if you were running a game right now, what would it be?
White Box FMAG. Everything else, is just inspiration.
While my first idea was WEG 1st Edition Star Wars, I think Tenbones has a point, in that my version is heavily house-ruled. The closest to "out of the box" that I use is Marvel FASERIP. And it's my "go to" filler game.
For supplement, I still love WEG's "Galaxy Guide #9: Fragments from the Rim"; a hodge-podge of various things to make Star Wars feel more lived-in (drinks, personalities, news channels, even music!). It doesn't have an overall theme, but I can mine SO MUCH potential from it.
Quote from: Novastar on November 05, 2021, 06:45:45 PM
While my first idea was WEG 1st Edition Star Wars, I think Tenbones has a point, in that my version is heavily house-ruled. The closest to "out of the box" that I use is Marvel FASERIP. And it's my "go to" filler game.
For supplement, I still love WEG's "Galaxy Guide #9: Fragments from the Rim"; a hodge-podge of various things to make Star Wars feel more lived-in (drinks, personalities, news channels, even music!). It doesn't have an overall theme, but I can mine SO MUCH potential from it.
Tramp Freighters, Bounty Hunters, and FftR are the holy trinity of WEG SW.
Quote from: Aglondir on November 05, 2021, 09:23:24 PM
Quote from: Novastar on November 05, 2021, 06:45:45 PM
While my first idea was WEG 1st Edition Star Wars, I think Tenbones has a point, in that my version is heavily house-ruled. The closest to "out of the box" that I use is Marvel FASERIP. And it's my "go to" filler game.
For supplement, I still love WEG's "Galaxy Guide #9: Fragments from the Rim"; a hodge-podge of various things to make Star Wars feel more lived-in (drinks, personalities, news channels, even music!). It doesn't have an overall theme, but I can mine SO MUCH potential from it.
Tramp Freighters, Bounty Hunters, and FftR are the holy trinity of WEG SW.
Wisdom.