All this 4e talk got me wondering:

What is that one (or more) thing(s) that you can't have in a game (D&D or otherwise)?
I've got three:
Complex point buy character gen
hardwired setting (usually this can be overcome, but really why bother)
hit points- I'm pretty hooked on the damage track these days. sadly, though, this cuts me off from most games.

A large fanbase that is either obnoxious or excessively lame- I'd never want to play Forgotten Realms.  
 
A system where you have to consult multiple tables or use a calculator to figure out the result of a simple action.

I prefer games that don't:
* Take too long getting setup
* Slow down during play consulting rulebooks
* Involve lots of downtime for players between their turns
* Take excessively long to have an enjoyable game

Fiddly mechanics. I don't enjoy crunch for its own sake. Every mechanic should contribute something meaningful to how the game plays out. Complex systems are fine, but ask me to calculate velocities and vectors and I'm heading for the door.

Tick-based initiative. I find it cumbersome and counter-intuitive. There's a simplicity and elegance to round-based play, and I've yet to see a tickometer that gives payoff in proportion to the additional bookeeping.

Lack of a decent index. This may seem small, but rpgs should be designed to be used. I want to be able to find the rule I'm referencing in seconds, not minutes.

Blend of setting and system. Please, for the love of god, DO NOT bury vital system concepts and mechanics in swathes of "immersive" text. A clear delineation is vital for a functional product.


Those are the my chief bugbears. More if I think of any.

Quote from: DrewLack of a decent index. This may seem small, but rpgs should be designed to be used. I want to be able to find the rule I'm referencing in seconds, not minutes.

Heh. Cadwallon.

Excessive crunch and drawn-out resolution mechanics come to mind. Also, it may seem somewhat petty, but if a game uses dice, I'd prefer it to stick to just one kind: preferrably d6 or d10.

Or, how I learned to stop worrying and love the inevitable.

Quote from: DrewLack of a decent index. This may seem small, but rpgs should be designed to be used. I want to be able to find the rule I'm referencing in seconds, not minutes.

Sweet merciful mother of pearl I can't agree with this enough. The biggest complaint I have with D&D is that often while looking something up there is no cross referencing at all. And trying to find stuff in the index is an adventure all in of its own.

We just say fuck it, make a ruling on the spot, and after the game look for it. I limit myself to forty five seconds of page flipping before moving on.

Does anyone know of  an rpg with a decent index?

Quote from: AosDoes anyone know of  an rpg with a decent index?

World of Synnibarr has four indices that seem complete to a fault.

Quote from: AosDoes anyone know of  an rpg with a decent index?

I guess it depends on how you define "decent".  CORPS, EABA, HarnMaster, nWoD books have all had indices that were fine for me.

Quote from: AosDoes anyone know of  an rpg with a decent index?

True20 is pretty good. There's a couple of significant omissions but in general it lets me navigate the system quite smoothly. What's nice is that both the softcover supplements I've picked up (Bestiary and Companion) are thoroughly indexed too.

Iron Heroes is also quite comprehensive, but then it really needed to be. WFRP 2E is a bit patchy on the setting, but for rules related stuff it does the job well.

I hear that Ptolus is a marvel of cross-referencing and well organised information, but I've only glanced at it so far.

Hero System 5th Edition Revised, as only Steve Long can index.

Lord Hobie

The big deal breaker for me is bad company. If I know full well that I can't stand one of the individuals involved in a tabletop, I won't join the campaign.

Quote from: DrewTrue20 is pretty good. There's a couple of significant omissions but in general it lets me navigate the system quite smoothly. What's nice is that both the softcover supplements I've picked up (Bestiary and Companion) are thoroughly indexed too.

True20 is all I play these days, and I am not so happy with the index in the core book. The companion is pretty okay though. I don't own the bestiary, at the risk of dragging things a bit OT- is it primarily fantasy oriented? Is it worth getting if you don't have a fantasy campaign?