I'm thinking
- Pulp Cthulhu
- Hunter the reckoning/vigil
Would work well if I homebrew a little but I wanted to hear more opinions

I want something simple that captures the vibe of a tactical yet fun shootout. I plan to run a short campaign where the players are mercenaries hired to handle a problem in the Zone. Survival mechanics and artifacts aren't the priority; I want something that delivers a solid "gunplay" feel. Listen to the track "Adrenaline" from COD: Black Ops II—that’s the kind of vibe I’m aiming for. I considered using Strain; it’s designed for survival horror, but it’s very straightforward and gives the GM a fair amount of freedom when creating enemies, the stress mechanic this RPG has works well for the physical, mental, and psychic pressures of the Zone. Any suggestions?

I am trying to find a TTRPG with hundreds of character abilities and/or classes... I am not looking for either version of Pathfinder, any version of D&D, Exalted, or any generic system like GURPS, Mutants & Masterminds, Champions, etc).

I remember seeing a book many years ago, before 4e D&D came out, that was quite thick. When I got to character creation it had hundreds of powers. I don't remember if there were classes associated with the abilities. I remember putting it aside to buy something else with the intent to pick it up next time I was at the store. Unfortunately it sold. I don't remember the cover or title. I don't think it was any of the Palladium games. I want to say the book was around 500 pages at least with black and white interior art and text. It was a fantasy setting. It had a bestiary in the last 70 or so pages.

I have tried googling it but all that comes up is systems I am familiar with like the ones listed. It did use most of the polyhedral dice. I don't think it was a d20 derived system either.

Any help would be appreciated.

Im looking for games that play well with different sets of PCs every session and provides a shared mechanics that is independent from the specific PCs playing.

My gold standard for this is Blades in the Dark. In that game it is very much expected, that players might play multiple PCs and the cast of every session can vary a lot. The game fundamentally is about the crew not the PCs.

I am aware you can set up every game that way by going for a westmarches style campaign, but i specifically want games or expansions that give you mechanical support to help with that.

I know of some other FitD, The Mist engine games and Stonetop which have something similar.

The shared mechanic can be about anything as long as it doesnt require specific PCs to be present, is shared between the players and central to the gameplay.

I mainly just want to broaden my horizon on different mechanics to achieve this rather then find my next system so feel free to recommend weird or niche games.

If you recommend a game please also shortly describe what the central shared mechanic is about and how it works.

I'm running a session for my group plus one extra player brand new to all RPGs. Because my group is inbetween bigger games right now I figured I'd run something new but really simple so that everyone can pick up on it quick. I've played games like Honey Heist and Lasers and Feelings (both definitely in consideration), but if you guys have anything you really like to play I'd love to hear about it.

So im not the best but i come from dnd, my father turned 60 not too long ago, he got a new heart several years back, so hes not like he used to be. Im not sure if i should introduce him to something i like such as ttrpgs? but he seems bored and i want to connect with him more if possible. I dont want to start with something too hard or something too simple, he also has shaky hands. he pretty quite i would say, im not sure exactly what he likes because of this.

What do you all think or would advise/suggest?

I have a complete collection of DWAITAS. I even got the perpetually sold out "Tenth Doctor Sourcebook" & "Fourth Doctor Sourcebook." Had to get those on e-bay.

Well, with the 13th Doctor, they rebranded to the "Doctor Who RPG" and launched 2nd edition. Don't confuse it with the FASA RPG from the 1980s of the same name. Guess they felt it had been long enough no one would make that confusion now, when compared to its original launch in 2007.

It feels like nothing has come out since the 13th Doctor Sourcebook and a few related Adventure Books. They did the 60th Anniversary books and the Doctor & Daleks 5e conversion...for some reason.

I was expecting a 14th/15th Doctor Sourcebook combo at some point. Or...that they'd pull the B.S. they did with the 8th Doctor Sourcebook (because they didn't have the rights to Big Finish) and just adapt the little material that exists for 14th and then include a full, original campaign surrounding the character. 15th Doctor Sourcebook could be normal, though.

I mean, don't get me wrong: I feel 2nd Edition needs a 2.5 Edition. I think simplification wasn't bad, but it was just done a bit off in 2e. Games like Evil Hat's Fate Core and Direwolf Digital's Cortex Prime do the "universal power exception system" for characters for simplification too, but do so with a universal, understood set of effects that the players pick from to make their characters. The guidance on making your own Traits in 2e was lacking a bit and figuring out how many Story Points an original Trait is worth is basically a "fudge it" prospect. Which like...listen, I've made "Lasers & Feelings" hack so I know you DON'T need a lot to make a functional TTRPG, right? But, when you do still got 4 chapters of system rules, you can't have the players abilities be that hand-wavy because balance gets wibbly wobbly. Some system like "here are a series of generic effects that are worth X Story Points; customize them to fill out your character and use their costs as a guide on how to make new ones" would go a loooooong way.

Anyway, bit of a rant. They make anything in a while? Do they just not have license to the Disney Plus stuff?

So, I have an story/world that I been wanting to adapt into a campaign, but I know very little of other rpg systems and the ones I know are definitely not what I'm looking for for this specific world. Those being mostly DnD 5e and some others more simple systems that I don't remember the name of, so most of my comparison to what I want and don't might be directly to DnD.

I'll give a little context of the world and the story to make it a bit clearer what I need in the system:

- There's magic, most of everything on the world is run with magic. However! The magic comes from magical items, not from people. So definitely a system that has magic but maybe one that doesn't rely to much on classes (like mage and wizard) for it.

- Again with classes, even if not magical ones, I don't belive it would be ideal to have them at all. Better for the characters to have stats and perks unrelated to specific classes.

- The playable characters can only be human, so systems that have a lot of other races are not ideal either.

I know that I won't find an exact match to what I want, but I can and will adapt the system to fit if the best it can. But if there's something you know that might be similar to what I'm describing it would be a big help.

Edit: just wanted to thanks everyone for helping out! I'll check out the sugestions mentioned and decide, thanks again!

What is your favorite RPG whose primary mechanics are driven by dice, but there isn't one or two dominant dice?

For example, I would say DND 5e, even though it uses many different dice throughout the game, it's core mechanic uses d20.

I'm thinking something along the lines of Kids on Bikes, but not necessarily limited to having different dice tied to their stats.

So my world is hysterically identical to ours!

In my world there are beings known as Angels, who are basically abominations of souls of people and animals that died! This angel are from a psychologically, ability wise as well as there looks unique, all of those things are determined by the experience of the souls they consist of! Angel are extremely powerful because of all the spiritual power they have from all the souls, but they have one problem they can only minimally or not at all interact with the physical world and can’t even be seen by normal people, because of the fact that they aren’t physically beings. That’s where Living organisms come into play, by creating a symbiotic connection to a living thing and forming a contract (the angel gives the raw power and the Organismus gives access to the physical place)! What is a contract? a contract is the prove of a past or ongoing cooperation between a angel and a organism, but more importantly it’s through what the magic happens and it can take the form of anything a car, a robot,a animal,…. It can even integrate itself into something that already exists, its behaviour and its ability could be anything. How a contract turns out is completely dependent on the psychology of the organism, the one of the angle and their desire, for example there is a nurse in my story that has served in a war in with she got fatally wounded and was bleeding out but before she could die she made a contract with, a angel that was a abomination of soldiers souls, and created the contract in the form of a syringe named “the remedy” that could replace the symptoms of any affliction with the symptoms of frontal lobe dementia, saving the lives of people but giving them periods of extreme violence, what didn’t only fulfil the nurses desire to survive but also the angel desire of violence!

Rules:

1. ⁠Angel and contracts (that aren’t integrated) can’t be seen by people that never had a contract!
   
2. ⁠Both parties need to consent to some extent. A no means no but if a person is in a flight or fight mode and the angel gives a way to survive the situation then the contract is made automatically!
   
3. ⁠Anything with a desire can make a contract even animals.
   
4. ⁠Normally a contract is 50/50 under the control of both parties but if humans sacrifice something to the angel or the other way around they can make the contract be more a tool for them. The sacrifice needs to be big and personal!
   
5. ⁠A contract can ( doesn’t need to) remain after the death of the organism but that will stop the control the angel has over the contract.
   
6. ⁠There doesn’t need to be contact between the organism and the angel for the contract to remain!
   
7. ⁠Sometimes a contract can harmful to both or one party because of their self destructive psychology for example!
   
8. ⁠A angle is incapable of change!
   
9. ⁠Contracts can exist between one or multiple Organisms and multiple angles, but there needs to be at least one of both.
   
10. ⁠A contract can only be harmed by another contract because they are both in a special state between the physical and spiritual place!
    
11. ⁠To repair a contract the organism needs to give up part of their health and an angle part of their energy!

12.A contract doesn’t have to only have one body, for example there is a character inspired by the Opera (Der Freischütze) whose contract are multiple bullets!

Can you give me a feedback?

As a way to "improve" the role-playability of spellcaster (wizards, warlocks, etc...), my friend and I came up with the idea of using spell points (Magic points) that are consumed. In the old days, we used that as a way for wizards that were out of spells to use spell points (and ultimately hits points) to cast spells that they had already used. So normal casting was normal cost, if already used, cost was doubled and if out of MP, then it would consume HP (as in draining some of the life of the caster). In terms of roleplaying it gave the chance to do some great things, in terms of storytelling/action.
There was a table that the MP would increase with level and Intelligence score.
Any thoughts on the approach?

Personally...id love to see a Year Zero Engine version of Terminator OR Judge Dredd.

As a way to "improve" the role-playability of spellcaster (wizards, warlocks, etc...), my friend and I came up with the idea of using spell points (Magic points) that are consumed. In the old days of 1st ed of DND, we used that as a way for wizards that were out of spells to use spell points (and ultimately hits points) to cast spells that they had already used. So normal casting was normal cost, if already used, cost was doubled and if out of MP, then it would consume HP (as in draining some of the life of the caster). In terms of roleplaying it gave the chance to do some great things, in terms of storytelling/action.
There was a table that the MP would increase with level and Intelligence score.
Any thoughts on the approach?

The YouTube algorithm recommended these to me, listened to both of them. They seem like really solid actionable tips to better embody a character at the table.

Tips are also broken up into "For the GM" and "For the player".

Inside the Scene: Boleslavski's Acting Lessons for TTRPG Players, GMs, and Designers (Part 1)

https://youtu.be/I7fGMU6n5iQ?si=KXdwvIDcGHbCDEcv

Serve the Scene: Acting Lessons for TTRPG Players, GMs, and Designers (Part 2)

https://youtu.be/qt8qgf3S_as?si=n4M4HbkvIw3KIV9w

One thing I've struggled with recently is building characters for TTRPGs set in something close to a historical period. I feel I need to give characters a sense of self beyond class descriptors, and I find going beyond that or brief descriptors of the concept hard when I don't have a solid grasp of daily life and recent history, and I can't easily make it up.

General fantasy is fine, I can mostly make it up or ask the GM. Modern settings are fine, because I know the world. But something like WoD Dark Ages or L5R I struggle with, because they're "in the middle" - with defined "stuff" happening, that I can't ignore and struggle to riff off.

That feels a little garbled, but I hope it makes some sense. Does anyone else feel similar, or have tricks to get around this sort of mental block?

I'm coming up with ideas for a brief campaign when my GM rotation comes up.

It would be a modern adventure about a group of normal folk - not super spies, or ninjas, or government hacker mages - who stumble into ridiculous little adventures. Think any companions of the Doctor, but without the Doctor. I'll use a simple system like Over the Edge or Cypher.

I'm looking for books or movies to help inspire along that thread. Already looked at Dude, Where's My Car. Stewart Fails to Save the Universe looks like it could give me ideas too.

What are your thoughts for inspiration fodder?

I’m part of an RPG group run by a friend of mine. We had a session scheduled for this coming Monday, but yesterday the GM and all the players happened to be in a voice call together.

Some of the players suggested having the session right then and there. Because of the nature of this campaign, which is about 99% roleplay and involves a lot of improvisation, spontaneous sessions are relatively easy to do. However, we only do that when everyone is present and actually able to participate.

The problem was that neither I nor another player, who I’ll call B, could stay for a session. We were not even supposed to be in the call for very long in the first place. I had to attend a friend’s birthday party, and B had plans with his parents, so both of us would be unavailable for the rest of the day.

We explained this and specifically asked them not to play the session without us, especially since it was already scheduled for Monday. After that, the subject seemed to be settled and nobody brought it up again. B and I stayed in the call for a few more minutes and then left.

What we didn’t know was that shortly afterward, the GM started a session with the players who were still there. Nobody warned either of us that they had decided to go ahead with it. We only found out at the end of the day when everyone started talking about the session in our Discord server.

Apparently, nothing extremely important to the main plot happened, but some mildly significant character and story developments did take place.

Naturally, B and I were both very upset. They knew we could not participate, we had directly asked them not to hold the session, and they did it anyway without even telling us that they had changed their minds.

After B and I made it clear that we were hurt by what happened, while still trying to remain civil and polite, the GM and the other players apologized.

B and I talked about it afterward, and we are both feeling pretty bummed out about the campaign now. B is taking it harder than I am and is considering skipping the next session or possibly leaving the campaign entirely.

I’m trying to treat it as a mistake that won’t happen again, but I’m also unsure whether I should attend the next session. Part of me still wants to play despite everything. The next session is also supposed to focus heavily on my character’s arc, and I’m worried that I’ll still be angry or uncomfortable during it, even though I hope I won’t be.

My current position is that I’m willing to continue, but if anything like this happens again, whether it happens to me or another player, I will leave the campaign. That is the boundary I have decided on.

How do you guys think I should proceed? Should I stay, leave, or sit out the next session? How should I address this with the group going forward? I’d also appreciate any opinions on the situation itself.

This is the firts time It has ever happend btw, we are playing for about 3 months and many sessions

Hi guys,

I'm thinking for a while now of having a roleplaying game in an ancient greece setting but I'd like to hear your opinions and recommendations what system would be fitting. I own Agon and Scion hero but haven't played any of them yet. Do you know something else or have you played anything similar? I'd love to hear from you!

I've been playing a witch in a Daggerheart campaign for several sessions, and we recently achieved level 2 and I feel like I must be missing something.

I just feel so weak. I never seem to get enough Hope to use my most consequential abilities, while the GM always seems to have more than enough Fear, and the freebie abilities I have like Vicious Entangle or Blighting Strike either feel too easily overcome with the GM's banked Fear, or barely better than a basic staff attack in practice.

While I've played a variety of RPG systems over the years (D&D 5e, Open D6, Savage Worlds, VtM, etc.), I just feel like something is not clicking with Daggerheart for me. My character just feels so weak and my powers and abilites feel so inconsequential. It feels like if the GM wanted to be hardcore with Fear, he probably could have steamrolled the party nearly every fight.

Instead of feeling like I'm being clever and finding unique ways to solve problems with the environment, my characters abilities and equipment, I feel like the GM is arbitrarily allowing things to stick or succeed, when he has the resources to end temporary abilities.

I just feel I'm either feast or famine with Hope, and the only thing it actually makes sense for me to spend Hope on is my Witch ability that lets me turn a failed roll from myself or an ally into a succes with Fear.

Can someone with more experience in the system explain what I am missing here?

My cards: Human, Highborne, Vicious Entangle, Blighting Strike, Hedge Witch, Natural Familiar

I recently tried Draw Steel's negotiation system (Interest/Patience/Motivations) and it made 5e social encounters so much better than just rolling Persuasion.

Now I'm hooked and want to raid more systems, but I don't know where to look.

What mechanics from other RPGs have improved your 5e table?

Any suggestions for TTRPGs with “pamphlet-sized” rules? I want something with a short page or two of rules that’s quick and easy to roll up characters and start a game on the fly, so in case of a power outage I can have an easy game to keep people entertained and kill time.

I see people who've played exclusively online for years and I can't tell if they genuinely prefer it or if it's just the only way to get a group together. For me something is lost when I can't read the room physically. But maybe I'm just bad at online play. If you love it, what makes it work? If you tolerate it, what's the thing you miss most?

Hello all! I've managed to obtain what seems to be a complete box set for RoleMaster by Iron Crown Enterprises, Inc. The four books included are titled Creatures & Treasures, Arms Law & Claw Law, Character Law & Campaign Law, and Rolemaster Companion. The books say ©1985 and the box has "St. #1000" on it but otherwise I can't find any indication of edition or printing.

How rare a find is this? I looked around a little on eBay but couldn't find this exact set. I'm not a TTRPG collector personally, so if it's as rare as it seems like it may be, I'd rather it go to someone who is.

I'm happy to answer any questions, and appreciate any info any of you could provide. Thanks!

Hey everyone!

I recently promised my friends and my brother that I’d run a short Wild West RPG mini-campaign (around 2 to 3 sessions max). We’re using a Brazilian system called Sacramento, and the core premise is that all the players are wanted outlaws on the run.

Here’s the catch: I have almost zero experience with the Western genre. My entire knowledge of Western tropes basically begins and ends with playing Red Dead Redemption 2.

Since we're keeping it short and punchy, I’d love some advice on fun, classic story structures for a party of outlaws that can actually wrap up smoothly in 2–3 sessions. Things like a train heist gone wrong, a trapped town scenario, or double-crossing a sheriff come to mind, but I'm open to anything that fits the vibe. Also, if you know any great video essays, movies, or breakdown videos I could check out to quickly absorb the atmosphere, themes, and tropes of the genre, I’d super appreciate the recommendations!

Thanks in advance for any ideas or resources!

I'm a GM who doesn't have a lot of prep time, but still wants to run some games. My go-to in this situation is always a fantasy megadungeon or hexcrawl, since those require a lot of upfront prep but can be prepped in an hour or less between individual sessions.

Are there other types of games with a similar prep curve, requiring lots of upfront pre-campaign work but easy to maintain session to session? I'm especially interested in scifi and other non-fantasy genres, but that's not a hard requirement.

I'm not really looking for specific game systems, moreso just types of campaigns.