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Why is your favourite game system better than Unisystem?

Started by Cyberzombie, March 18, 2006, 11:53:10 AM

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Bagpuss

Quote from: babydollgoddessWe had the best session yet last night. In the approximate 4 hours we played, I'm guessing there were only 10 or so dice rolls. I don't think Maddman made only 1 roll all night. He damn near killed another character with it, but it was only one roll.

How much combat was involved in that session?

I find Unisystem falls down if combat if folks want to do tactical stuff, due to its lax initiative system, and movement rules.

If combat is generally discriptive and one sided it isn't too much of a problem, but when you have players that are use to D&D's tactical nature it is a difficult transition and the rules don't help any.
 

Maddman

Quote from: BagpussHow much combat was involved in that session?

I find Unisystem falls down if combat if folks want to do tactical stuff, due to its lax initiative system, and movement rules.

If combat is generally discriptive and one sided it isn't too much of a problem, but when you have players that are use to D&D's tactical nature it is a difficult transition and the rules don't help any.

Hey, thanks babydollgoddess :)

And no, there wasn't much combat involved, though that was more the player's choice than mine.  I spent most of my time tormenting young witches by having their best friend pressure them into dating a football player, and so on.  There was one fight I figured on, but they used a quick spell and some quick thinking to get the info they needed with no violence.  

No one much wants to do tactical stuff.  I have a very cinematic attitude toward the game, and the players seem to trust me with it.  They aren't afraid to go ahead with something that may not be 'smart' but fits their character.  Yeah, I did almost kill a PC though - that's what happens when you charge a sorcerer who has a copy of Darkest Magic :).  You know you got hit when you use a DP for I Think I'm Okay and still end up at -5.

Actually the only kill of any kind was by a PC.  The werewolf took out a couple of hunters.  But these were humans.  They were using some herbs to try and force him to change uncontrollably - but once he got out of populated areas he transformed of his own free will and killed them both of his own free will.  He's killed people, and there will be consequences and reprecussions from that act.

And he knows that.  That's why he did it.  That's why I love my fucking players so much.  But yeah, the sorcerer they tracked down and the hunters were the only fights all night long and each one lasted maybe two rounds.  The initiative system requries some trust too, since it's pretty much "Whatever the GM thinks makes sense."  Most of the time what makes sense to me is to have everyone roll and use that same initiative every round, a la D&D.  And two of them are complete n00bs to roleplaying and as such are unpoisoned by D&D assumptions.

I fucking love my group :)
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

flyingmice

Why is my favorite game better than Unisystem? It isn't. I just like it more.

-mice
clash bowley * Flying Mice Games - an Imprint of Better Mousetrap Games
Flying Mice home page: http://jalan.flyingmice.com/flyingmice.html
Currently Designing: StarCluster 4 - Wavefront Empire
Last Releases: SC4 - Dark Orbital, SC4 - Out of the Ruins,  SC4 - Sabre & World
Blog: I FLY BY NIGHT

Zachary The First

Quote from: flyingmiceWhy is my favorite game better than Unisystem? It isn't. I just like it more.
 
-mice

And that, my friends, is what it all eventually comes down to.
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Currently Prepping: Castles & Crusades
Currently Reading/Brainstorming: Mythras
Currently Revisiting: Napoleonic/Age of Sail in Space

Olive

My favourite game (WFRP) is better because it has fewer teenagers and angsty vampires. That said I'd love to be playing in a well run Angel game.
 

Lisa Nadazdy

My favorite system (HERO) is superior because:

1. By weight and strength alone, it can beat Unisystem into a bloody, six-inch deep puddle.

2.  HERO can stop a bullet.  Unisystem couldn't stop a stiff breeze.

3. One rule book to rule them all.  HERO crushes unisystem by having all the rules in one book.

4. Support- HERO has some of the best genre books and best online support, bar none.
Majic-XII -The power of Truth compels you!

Bagpuss

Particularly the Champions Edition of Hero, I believe it's been used as a murder weapon on more than one occassion.
 

Knightsky

Quote from: MaddmanWhat Unisystem does well is fade into the background.  You tend not to think in terms of rules, but in characters.  IME anyway.  There's really nothing revolutionary about the system, except perhaps that they manage to have a single die resolution and success levels.  It's a direct, straightfowards system that lets you easily tailor the game to the feel you want.  They tend toward horror games, but plan to release both a Unisystem version of Conspiracy X (X filesish game) and Beyond Himan for supers sometime soon.  They also have some really good licenses in Buffy, Angel, and Army of Darkness.  The books are well made and well written.
Quote from: babydollgoddessIf you consider the rules to be the boring parts, then yes. If you live to play because of the rules, then no.
What they said.

Unless you really like playing out and tweaking all the various subrules for a particular game, I can recommend Unisystem as a flexible, simple system for almost any setting.  The Unisystem rules are streamlined enough to to get the heck out of the way, so that you can concentrate on the fun stuff. i.e. playing the characters and having cool adventures.

I recently finished a Buffy campaign, and am currently playing in a Witchcraft game.  I'm also using the Buffy/Angel rules to run a sci-fi play-by-post game.  Needless to say, Unisystem is my drug of choice at the moment.
Knightsky's Song Of The Moment - 2112 by Rush

Games for trade (RPG.net link)

Maddman

Quote from: KnightskyWhat they said.

Unless you really like playing out and tweaking all the various subrules for a particular game, I can recommend Unisystem as a flexible, simple system for almost any setting.  The Unisystem rules are streamlined enough to to get the heck out of the way, so that you can concentrate on the fun stuff. i.e. playing the characters and having cool adventures.

I recently finished a Buffy campaign, and am currently playing in a Witchcraft game.  I'm also using the Buffy/Angel rules to run a sci-fi play-by-post game.  Needless to say, Unisystem is my drug of choice at the moment.

One of us!  One of us!  One of us!
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

Knightsky

Quote from: MaddmanOne of us!  One of us!  One of us!
Gabba gabba!
Knightsky's Song Of The Moment - 2112 by Rush

Games for trade (RPG.net link)

CleanCutRogue

I have no opinion until I buy/play Unisystem.  Anyone have a rules-lite version or some summary of the rules?  I know it's part of the Buffy game... that's all I know about it
Star Frontiers Digitally Remastered: http://www.starfrontiersman.com

Maddman

Quote from: CleanCutRogueI have no opinion until I buy/play Unisystem.  Anyone have a rules-lite version or some summary of the rules?  I know it's part of the Buffy game... that's all I know about it


There's actually two different versions of Unisystem.  The 'classic' version is found in All Flesh Must Be Eaten, Witchcraft, and Armageddon.  You can download the WC corebook from Eden here for free.

The Cinematic version simplifies this system even more and adds in a 'drama point' mechanic.  Sort of like souped up action points.  This is the version used in Buffy, Angel, and Army of Darkness - and the one I generally prefer.  There's a quickstart PDF you can get here, among other places.

I'm the local Unisystem freak, this entire thread is CZ poking me with a pointy stick.  So if you want to know something about the game just ask :)
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

CleanCutRogue

With a skill named "Getting Medieval" - I HAVE to try this game lmao
Star Frontiers Digitally Remastered: http://www.starfrontiersman.com

Maddman

Quote from: CleanCutRogueWith a skill named "Getting Medieval" - I HAVE to try this game lmao

It is a hoot and a half.  If you like, go to the collaborative works section and check out my Story Hour.
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

yangnome

I've got to side with Maddman on this one.  I really enjoyed playing unisystem.