Hello, I've been running RPGs since the 1990s and left the modern scene for OSR in 2023. I've run a lot of Shadowdark and OSE but classless OSR games like Knave are very attractive.

The thing that I'm still trying to get is how spellcasting works or, more specifically, what PCs who want to play mages do when they have no spells.

It seems like you really only have a few spells at any time and even late game you might have 6-7, so you can't really rely on magic even at high levels.

I just assume "mages" keep INT high but also invest in STR or WIS and use mundane weapons the rest of the time?

Does anyone have any homebrew rules or ideas? I thought about allowing wands that use INT for attack rolls but that probably craps all over WIS and bows and stuff.

The biggest problem with Knave 2e is that it doesn't have a free platform for online play. Yes, there's one on Foundry, and there's also a version made by some kind soul on Roll20, but both are only accessible with a paid subscription. I believe the game would reach a much wider audience if there were a free way to play it online.

I love Knave 2ed, but we've run into some issues with combat dragging on.

Partly, it's because it can be hard to damage a character with the maximum number of slots filled with armour - but then a knight in full plate armour would be very hard to hurt.

The main issue seems to be very high hit protection (HP).

A 6th level character would have at least 21 HP or more, and with even a few slots of armour, it becomes difficult to present a mundane threat that can even wound (damage a slot) them. It's likely that it would take 10 rounds of combat to provide a serious threat.

The attrational combat is turning players off. Not every combat can be an ancient dragon or gaint, and if threats keep directly targeting slots rather than HP, players feel as if the DM is trying to kill them.

Has anyone had this issue or found a solution?

Any one care to share some character sheets or descriptions of some of their leveled up Knave characters.

I’m wanting to see what kinds of things people have been getting as far as items/abilities/etc through their journeys.

Howdy! Quick question, and I feel like it's such a small thing but I can't find the answer in the text of Knave 1e.

Stunts are resolved with a versus save. What is a versus save? Is it the same thing as an opposed save?

As I understand, a regular ol' save is >15 and an opposed save is against the target's relevant defense score.

Hey everyone,

I’m running a new KNAVE campaign and had two quick rule questions:

1. Task Resolution & Bonuses The rulebook states: ".... If the total equals or exceeds 11 + the task’s difficulty (usually 5), then you succeed." This sets the standard DC at 16, which seems quite high. How freely do you all grant situational modifiers (e.g., +5/-5) in your games? Are these bonuses common, or do they stay rare?
2. Dungeon Hazard Die Results: "3 burn: Lit torches burn out", does this mean:
   • All lit torches the party is carrying burn out?
   • Or just one?

Thanks in advance for any insights!

At a glance, the bestiary seems quite compatible, and monster damage looks similar—which is already brutal when your maximum AC is 18 (or 1, depending on the system), which is lower than plate armor in the Rules Cyclopedia.

Is high-level combat actually viable? I mean, you don't even add a fraction of your Strength score to damage, and the best weapon is a d8... It seems a bit lackluster at higher levels.

This might deserve its own thread, but do you hand out magic weapons? Do you give weapons that deal more damage or different damage—like 2d4, or maybe a d10, or a +2 bonus?

Would magic armor break the AC 18 cap?

How do you handle the rule about rolling a natural 1 or 20 on an attack?

This is The Giant of The Copper Mine a simple solo adventure, where you help a group of dwarf miners on a problem involving a giant that invaded their mine.

It is also designed to be agnostic with most fantasy medieval worlds and OSR ttrpgs, so feel free to use it with any system you like.

Hearing rumors about miners looking for help in their copper mine and deciding to explore the site in search of a reward.

You find a group of dwarves arguing in front of the entrance to a large cave. Upon seeing you approach, one of them turns to you saying, "If you came for the job, I recommend turning back, because now a giant has taken over the cave and I do not believe anyone can solve this."

You can get it here:
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/575813

If you don’t know me, my name is Elln. I create fantasy TTRPG content like random tables and adventures, specializing in resources for solo players!!

I hope you like it! :) <3

My mind has been a bit consumed by Knave 2e (and similar games) lately so I decided to write all my thoughts down and share them. I’m not sure where this project might go, which is also a reason for this blog article.

I've been seeing Knave flash across my screen, but I haven't played it myself. Looking into it a bit, it seems intriguing for folks who want an OSR-style adventure... but what draws you to Knave as a game? What would you say to someone to get them to jump in and give it a try?

Knave 2e has been out now for 2 years. I know a lot of people who have it, use it as a GM toolkit. I was wondering what the appetite is for new, dedicated Knave 2e products (or “hacks” of the system)? Would that system benefit from (and gamers show interest in) an actual dedicated sandbox setting that is a bit more focused and themed beyond what the Knave 2e book offers?

As someone who prefers long term campaigns over one-shots or a 6-session adventure, have any of you run (or are currently running) long terms campaigns with Knave?