Best system & supplements for WWII game?

Pierce Inverarity · November 21, 2007, 06:38:16 PM

More specifically, a Guns of Navarone-style commandos game?

There should be no magic or pulpiness of any kind. No Weird War, no Gear Krieg.

Given that, does anything hold a candle to GURPS WWII plus Nerds, pardon me Nerves of Steel?

flyingmice · November 21, 2007, 07:18:19 PM

Yeah, but I haven't written it yet...

-clash

Werekoala · November 21, 2007, 07:48:29 PM

Can't think of one aside from GURPS right off the bat, but I do know it would have to be DEADLY. No 100 HP monstrosities taking a dozen hits from an M-1 to drop. If you get hit, you should be about guarenteed to die. Hence, GURPS.

Rezendevous · November 21, 2007, 08:53:49 PM

Godlike using just the base system without the powers (which would be very easy to do as it is a modular system) would work really well for this. It's a lethal system.

Casey777 · November 21, 2007, 10:09:06 PM

Quote from: RezendevousGodlike using just the base system without the powers (which would be very easy to do as it is a modular system) would work really well for this. It's a lethal system.

For me it'd likely come down to how much equipment the group would want already statted out and how much difference between weapons.

Not sure how much Godlike does in that regard but (the related?) NEMISIS is pretty lethal from what I've seen (and free). I'd also put in a vote for Call of Cthulhu. Simpler than GURPS, lethal and should have stats for the basic guns. There should be a WWII Delta Green based writeup online that would have more, including vehicles.

The GURPS books are very nice and even if you don't go with GURPS you might want to take a look at the WWII supplements. Believe they had a commando/special forces booklet for that line.

David Johansen · November 22, 2007, 08:25:27 AM

I've been thinking about trying it with Rolemaster: Pulp Adventures, because while WWII isn't Pulp, at level one, neither is Rolemaster. There are some vehicle combat rules but they're not intended for tanks. I think I'd have to cook up an aircraft critical table and use AT's 17-20 to represent vehicles but give the guns damage multipliers. At 1 hp per pound, the tanks'll be plenty survivable.

The best supplements are a good textbook on WWII and the Janes recogition guides.

JohnnyWannabe · November 22, 2007, 09:56:55 AM

You don't need a new system. Take any modern system you like and go from there.

And what David says above - "The best supplements are a good textbook on WWII and the Janes recogition guides" - that's the truth.

JohnnyWannabe · November 22, 2007, 09:59:24 AM

Quote from: flyingmiceYeah, but I haven't written it yet...

Clash, I respect ya man, but the truth is . . . I haven't written it yet.:haw:

pspahn · November 22, 2007, 02:27:02 PM

Quote from: Pierce InverarityMore specifically, a Guns of Navarone-style commandos game?

There should be no magic or pulpiness of any kind. No Weird War, no Gear Krieg.

Given that, does anything hold a candle to GURPS WWII plus Nerds, pardon me Nerves of Steel?

Hi Pierce,

By supplements, do you mean adventures? If so, there's WWII: Operation Jedburgh for d20 Modern.

at RPGNow
http://www.rpgnow.com/product_info.php?products_id=27768&it=1&filters=0_0_0&manufacturers_id=464

or PIG
http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?cPath=43_48&products_id=279

Reviews for it here:
http://www.therpgsite.com/node/690

http://www.therpgsite.com/node/671

As for system, GURPS is worth buying just for the historical info (timelines, recaps, weapons, vehicles, etc.), even if you end up using another system.

Pete

Simon W · November 22, 2007, 06:13:00 PM

Battleforce Bravo (1PG) is quite nifty - mainly because you get 6 scenarios, plus if you get the Adventure Pack #1, you get another 5 scenarios! And, I wrote the latter

http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?products_id=125

http://www.pigames.net/store/product_info.php?cPath=43_69_70&products_id=353

Samarkand · November 22, 2007, 06:31:22 PM

Hmmm...never played it, but would the CoC BRP system's Sanity work well for simulation of loss of morale? Battle fatigue was a huge problem in the frontline WWII outfits. Early theories about PTSD and treating it came from the war's need to psychologically heal soldiers rather than branding them cowards.

Trevelyan · November 23, 2007, 07:41:39 AM

Quote from: RezendevousGodlike using just the base system without the powers (which would be very easy to do as it is a modular system) would work really well for this. It's a lethal system.

Seconded. More interestingly, there is a free sample available onlinethat includes all salient details (missing only the super powers which isn't a problem in this instance):

http://arcdream.com/godlike/quickplayrules.pdf

Godlike is a nastily gritty game where death can be very quick, but you can still have PC with a slight edge through the use of special dice (if you even choose to use them).

You can suppliment this with the rules found in Nemesis (as mentioned above) if necessary.

Callous · November 23, 2007, 10:44:58 AM

Quote from: Pierce InverarityMore specifically, a Guns of Navarone-style commandos game?

I've been wanting to run something like that for quite a while. If anyone has any success stories, please post them.

I'd default to HERO, but that's mostly because it's the only system I am familiar with for generic modern.

Lucifuge · November 23, 2007, 12:37:42 PM

WWII: operation jedburgh is the way to go.

Casey777 · November 23, 2007, 02:55:21 PM

Quote from: SamarkandHmmm...never played it, but would the CoC BRP system's Sanity work well for simulation of loss of morale? Battle fatigue was a huge problem in the frontline WWII outfits. Early theories about PTSD and treating it came from the war's need to psychologically heal soldiers rather than branding them cowards.

No Man's Land, while a WWI convention adventure, adapts this and other bits of CoC for war situations. Also has some pregenerated soldiers. :pundit:

So yes it could be done, and IMO would work ok to great as is, and if you wanted a bit more explicit support take a look at that adventure (and possibly the insanity supplement).