Rules light universal ruleset for a long-term campaign

Tristram Evans · January 06, 2017, 10:45:31 AM

Silhouette is another system worth a look. Rules med-light around the same level as FASERIP or D6. Attributes are zero-average, so you only record bonuses and penalties. Clever universal system using D6s.

Tod13 · January 06, 2017, 10:45:45 AM

Quote from: jan paparazzi;938284
Alright, this is what I got in mind for now: Onedice, GenreDiversion, basic roleplaying, WaRP, mini six. I also am aware of the Barbarians of Lemuria system (name?) and Covert Ops/Barebones Fantasy, but those aren't universal.

I like OneDice, especially with the expansions, but hate the constant renaming of attributes that are basically the same. Arrgh!
I like BoL system, since you can basically just change the careers to handle different settings.
I love DwD Studios. Covert Ops and BBF aren't universal, but have more "setting feel" than your other selections (IMO). It looks like their science fiction game is coming out "soon" too.

I ended up designing my own rules, as many of us do in one way or another.

cranebump · January 06, 2017, 07:12:01 PM

Quote from: kobayashi;938862Microlite might be something to consider.

Good call. Forgot about that one.

3rik · January 07, 2017, 08:00:52 PM

In the Kickstarter campaign for Barbarians of Lemuria Mythic Edition there was mention of a generic book for the BoL system called BoL Everywhen. No idea if and when that'll be available, though.

soltakss · January 08, 2017, 09:31:56 AM

HeroQuest is a good, rules-lite system that can be used in any setting/genre.

3rik · January 08, 2017, 11:35:09 AM

Quote from: soltakss;939447HeroQuest is a good, rules-lite system that can be used in any setting/genre.

I own Mythic Russia, which by default runs on HeroQuest, but I found the system too handwavy/narrative to my tastes. The good thing is, conversion of Mythic Russia to BoL is very easy, with the setting-appropriate "careers" already in place.

Tristram Evans · January 08, 2017, 12:06:42 PM

Quote from: 3rik;939477I own Mythic Russia, which by default runs on HeroQuest, but I found the system too handwavy/narrative to my tastes. The good thing is, conversion of Mythic Russia to BoL is very easy, with the setting-appropriate "careers" already in place.

Mythic Russia is a fantastic book, though I concur about the HeroQuest RPG system. Like a 3rd edition GURPs sourcebook (taken to the umpteenth level), though, the info is very easy to port to one's system of choice. Just as a general resource though, its one of my favourite RPG treatments of all time.

jan paparazzi · January 08, 2017, 03:32:26 PM

Quote from: Tod13;939035I like OneDice, especially with the expansions, but hate the constant renaming of attributes that are basically the same. Arrgh!
I like BoL system, since you can basically just change the careers to handle different settings.
I love DwD Studios. Covert Ops and BBF aren't universal, but have more "setting feel" than your other selections (IMO). It looks like their science fiction game is coming out "soon" too.

I ended up designing my own rules, as many of us do in one way or another.

Basically I was just planning on swapping out the careers for different settings. I was under the impression you could do that with BBF/CO as well and possibly with Cin. Unisystem too. Ok, got some comparing to do. I will report back later.

... Aaaaand I think it will be BoL. That system is so ridiculously simple, I like it. I like the careers and I also like the split between combat and other skills. That way players won't be tempted to toss all their skill point into combat skill while ignoring the rest.

AsenRG · January 08, 2017, 05:26:45 PM

Quote from: brettmb;938396An oldie but a goodie: CORPS. roll over d10

I'm going to support that recommendation;).

Tod13 · January 08, 2017, 07:22:39 PM

Quote from: jan paparazzi;939501Basically I was just planning on swapping out the careers for different settings. I was under the impression you could do that with BBF/CO as well and possibly with Cin. Unisystem too. Ok, got some comparing to do. I will report back later.

... Aaaaand I think it will be BoL. That system is so ridiculously simple, I like it. I like the careers and I also like the split between combat and other skills. That way players won't be tempted to toss all their skill point into combat skill while ignoring the rest.

You can play characters from BBF and CO together, but can't really mix creation without some house rules because of some differences in character generation.

I liked BoL's split between combat and skills and kept it to a degree in my game. You don't get combat bonuses but can get except from combat penalties. Such as, you don't get -3 to hit while on a ship in rough seas, because you were a marine.

3rik · January 09, 2017, 03:51:45 PM

Quote from: jan paparazzi;939501Basically I was just planning on swapping out the careers for different settings. I was under the impression you could do that with BBF/CO as well and possibly with Cin. Unisystem too. Ok, got some comparing to do. I will report back later.

... Aaaaand I think it will be BoL. That system is so ridiculously simple, I like it. I like the careers and I also like the split between combat and other skills. That way players won't be tempted to toss all their skill point into combat skill while ignoring the rest.

There's a number of published alternate settings available for BoL you might want to take a look at: Dogs of W*A*R, Heroes of Hellas, Dicey Tales, etc. Check out this link: Barbarians of Lemuria Sword & Sorcery Role Playing Game - BoL in other genres

AsenRG · January 09, 2017, 06:00:27 PM

Quote from: 3rik;939668There's a number of published alternate settings available for BoL you might want to take a look at: Dogs of W*A*R, Heroes of Hellas, Dicey Tales, etc. Check out this link: Barbarians of Lemuria Sword & Sorcery Role Playing Game - BoL in other genres

Honor+Intrigue is my favourite adaptation, and it's rather easy to apply the combat rules to other genres;).

Derabar · January 10, 2017, 06:56:49 PM

Cornerstone is another nice option I've recently found. Aware of the Rules Light RPG Google group?

crkrueger · January 11, 2017, 04:12:43 PM

Quote from: 3rik;939477I own Mythic Russia, which by default runs on HeroQuest, but I found the system too handwavy/narrative to my tastes. The good thing is, conversion of Mythic Russia to BoL is very easy, with the setting-appropriate "careers" already in place.

Quote from: Tristram Evans;939483Mythic Russia is a fantastic book, though I concur about the HeroQuest RPG system. Like a 3rd edition GURPs sourcebook (taken to the umpteenth level), though, the info is very easy to port to one's system of choice. Just as a general resource though, its one of my favourite RPG treatments of all time.

You lousy fucking bastards, I may actually buy a HeroQuest book...

Narmer · January 11, 2017, 04:53:30 PM

Quote from: 3rik;939334In the Kickstarter campaign for Barbarians of Lemuria Mythic Edition there was mention of a generic book for the BoL system called BoL Everywhen. No idea if and when that'll be available, though.

It's my understanding that this has been placed on the back-burner. Thus, no ETA. I was really looking forward to this one.