TheRPGSite

Just wondering--

What's your favorite generic RPG system, and why?

No, no, no--I don't want to start arguments and flame wars and such. I don't want to know why "Game X" sucks. I just want to know which generic RPG systems you like to run / play, and why.

Thanks!

~Roman

Fate/Fudge

or

PDQ

I don't really like any of the generic systems I've seen as generic systems, but some of them are good for certain games. Amazing Engine was interesting, but didn't really get off the ground. Gurps is good at some things... Fudge likewise. D20 isn't generic, don't believe those who maintain that it is. Haven't really had a good look at any others.

I use the system for the game we're going to play.  Sometimes we go by genre...we're using C&C for the current Heroic Greek game.

It all depends on the type of game you want to play.  For detailed, gritty games that lean towards the realistic, I go with GURPS.  For more cinematic, but with a tactical side that allows the players to strategize a bit with the game rules, Savage Worlds.  For more story-oriented, character-driven games where you aren't so worried about details and super-tight internal logic in the world, FATE would be my choice (though I haven't ever actually used it; I'm really waiting for 3.0 to come out, the skill pyramid is way too fussy for me right now)

Currently, I'm leaning towards Savage Worlds.  It's got enough crunch that the traditional side of me and my players find it easy to latch onto, but the prep time is so light and the rules move so fast in the game that it really lets me focus on the situation and the fun of the game.  I'm quite happy with it these days.

True20. It's retard easy, which makes it perfect for me.

My favorite generic system has been Story Engine for several years now. I like it because it's very streamlined, so it's quick to prep, quick to make characters and quick in play. It's also an easy system to tweak.

I also really like CORPS when I want something more robust.

Quote from: walkerpCurrently, I'm leaning towards Savage Worlds.  It's got enough crunch that the traditional side of me and my players find it easy to latch onto, but the prep time is so light and the rules move so fast in the game that it really lets me focus on the situation and the fun of the game.  I'm quite happy with it these days.

Ditto.

Loving all the replies so far.

In case you were wondering at all about my own preferences:

If the players want a bit more tactical / strategic play and crunchier bits, I use Savage Worlds myself.

Otherwise ... PDQ, Story Engine, FATE, and, yes, Risus.

I haven't ever tried to extrapolate the _Over the Edge_ rules from the setting, but have a funny feeling those would work well in other settings.

Although it wasn't written as a generic system as such, for years my favorite turn-to, throw-it-at-a-wall-and-see-if-it-sticks system has been Basic Roleplaying, particularly from the RQ 2nd ed and CoC 2nd ed era.  Very simple rules that inexperienced players could grasp easily and that experienced players could play to their advantage.  It also presented a simple enough baseline to apply it to a number of different settings, usually starting with one of the published games and extrapolating outward, bringing in details from other published BRP games as desired.

!i!

I like Risus for light and quick stuff.
My mainstay would be GURPS 3rd edition.
I've never read Savage Worlds. But I'm interested to learn more aboout it.

Quote from: RoninI've never read Savage Worlds. But I'm interested to learn more aboout it.

Check out the test drive rules at http://www.peginc.com/

They should be in the download section and will give you a very good idea of the game. Also, there are several reviews of the game, the best being Dan Davenport's (http://www.rpg.net/reviews/archive/9/9798.phtml).

Note that SW has gone through small changes since then but the review should still be very helpful and help you determine whether this game is for you or not.

I still like Hero.  Complicated enough to be interesting, simple enough skill resolution.  Strangely (given its starting genre) , I don't like it so much for supers campaigns.  I prefer it for skill based (as opposed to powers or magic) based genres.

For generic RPG's I find that the New World of Darkness rules do a pretty good job.  Core book gives you the rules to make up humans and you just go from there.

I like BESM 3rd.

It's got all the fussiness of GURPS, removes the ridicolously detailed combat and is very fun to play!

Quote from: RomanJust wondering--

What's your favorite generic RPG system, and why?

No, no, no--I don't want to start arguments and flame wars and such. I don't want to know why "Game X" sucks. I just want to know which generic RPG systems you like to run / play, and why.

Thanks!

~Roman

GURPS and D20, with Hero coming in a close 3rd (but it seems to be out of favor these days).

I play generic systems exclusively (depending on whether or not you count D&D as generic because it uses the D20 system--which I am for purposes of this).

Cheers,
-E.

Is it too much to name one you wrote and are in the process of playtesting? ;)

Aside from that, it depends on the feel I want. For gritty realism, GURPS, for thespy literary feeling, FATE.

I think PDQ needs more love, along with PiG's Impresa system.  I also like FATE (though I wasn't wild about its implementation with SotC).

But Risus is likely my favorite.

Might sound counterintuitive, but 1st edition D6 Star Wars. Yes, generic. I found I can adapt it to any genre within an hour by changing the skill and equipment lists.

Surprisingly, I like JAGS. Link below.

-Marco

Quote from: PremierMight sound counterintuitive, but 1st edition D6 Star Wars. Yes, generic. I found I can adapt it to any genre within an hour by changing the skill and equipment lists.

The D6 system was marketed as a "generic", multi-genre system some years back, wasn't it?

!i!

I like to use Hero if I feel the need for the game to be incredibly crunchy. If detailed combat is important, or if the players will benefit from having a very crisp and exact idea of what their special abilities will do.

I like GURPS if world is very familiar or less super-powered. I believe that's force of habit. GURPS handles wierd powers better now than it used to. GURPS was designed to kep the character sheet as simple as possible. That's laudible, but sometimes I can look at a GURPS sheet and not get really good idea of the character.

If we're playing in a high-energy world, with less emphasis on details, I like Savage Worlds. Especially if there are going to be large, chaotic skirmishes. SW boils it down to what's mst entertaining.

CORPS is a great balance of detail and simplicity. The only reason I use it less often is because it's less popular than other games, and I don't always feel like reteaching the rules again.

I love Fudge. When you catch the rythm of playing, it's simple, fast, and satisfying. I can use it in a setting where all the players feel very comfortable, or where the group itself is very tight and can gloss over something odd without losing momentum. If that isn't the case, I would probably pick something else.

I have similar guidelines for Fuzion. It's crunchier than Fudge, but it still takes a good bit of advance work to get it to hang together.

HDL is a new game that works in th same niche. It uses funky dice mechanics and a deck of cards, reminiscent of the Masterbook system to evoke somewhat high-powered, combat oriented roleplaying. I'm not sure it will prove more popular than Mastrbook, though. That's too bad. I like the supplemental cards.

BRP runs most easily for me, because it most closely imitates the way I analyze a problem in my head. My monograph copy is getting pretty tattered. I'm looking forward to Deluxe coming out soon.

The Ultime Power is an insane, awesome little generic game, losely related to MetaScape. Honestly, I can't recommend this game unless you truly have the inner metal to contain the real ultimate power. It's far too intense for your mere hobbiest gamer. ;)

edit: I forgot that I enjoyed BESM 2nd. I played it a lot at cons. It was lighter than GURPS, but still satisfying. I haven't picked up the third edition. I know some folks like it better, but I don't think I would, and at them moment, I have a ton of othere games that fit that niche.

Well, I'm pretty fond of GURPS and that other game I've sworn off talking about of course.

But in the end my 100% system will probably get converted to a fair number of settings, 'cause, like Marco, I'm biased.

Quote from: RomanWhat's your favorite generic RPG system, and why?

Crunchy:  Hero System because it can handle almost anything and doesn't break down.

Light:  Fudge because of the plain English labels and dice resolution system.

Quote from: KrakaJakI like BESM 3rd.

It's got all the fussiness of GURPS, removes the ridicolously detailed combat and is very fun to play!

GURPS 3rd combat isn't "ridiculously detailed" at all, if you actualyl, you know, read that part where it says that Advanced Combat is optional and take it to heart.

Now, 4th on the other hand, I cannot say the same thing for.  Therefore, I dislike it, because I liked Basic Combat, and 4th is pretty much Advanced Combat with the only part left optional being the actual hex grid.

This is part of why GURPS 3rd Edition is my favorite generic system.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaThe D6 system was marketed as a "generic", multi-genre system some years back, wasn't it?

Well, yes, even though I'm not sure if that marketing line came before or way after 1E D6 SW. My point is that I only have one single version of it designed for one single, rather specialised setting, and yet it's very easily convertable.

Is there a generic version of BRP or is it something you rip screaming from Cthulu or whatever?

Chaosium released BRP first as a little booklet in its boxed sets, then as a series of "monographs," their web-vended tape-bound products, and in November there will be a large, hardcover volume called Deluxe Basic Roleplaying.

Quote from: walkerpIs there a generic version of BRP or is it something you rip screaming from Cthulu or whatever?

In the past, I've managed to rip it very gently and willingly. :)  And, as Stu points out, Chaosium has finally gotten around to organising a fully developed generic toolkit game.  It's due to be released, oh, any ol' time now.

!i!

I've refrained from posting here because my favorite is quite obvious. My second is BRP and I can't wait for the deluxe book.

Quote from: J ArcaneI liked Basic Combat, and 4th is pretty much Advanced Combat with the only part left optional being the actual hex grid.

I like 3rd... well... before it became 3.5 with the compendiums. I like 4th better.

However your comment strikes me as absurd. Combat in 4th is modular, so much so that there are 4 different chapters on it with increasing complexity and detail. 'Combat Lite' in the 'Characters' book, 'Combat', 'Tactical Combat' and 'Special Combat Situations' in the 'Campaigns' book. Each of which you can pretty much take pieces and parts from.

Good points, all. You know, I've loved BESM through each of its incarnations, faults and all, and I should have listed it too.

Thanks!

Quote from: KrakaJakI like BESM 3rd.

It's got all the fussiness of GURPS, removes the ridicolously detailed combat and is very fun to play!

Damn! Another good one that I forgot to mention. I've used D6 to good effect in several campaigns. Thanks!

Quote from: PremierMight sound counterintuitive, but 1st edition D6 Star Wars. Yes, generic. I found I can adapt it to any genre within an hour by changing the skill and equipment lists.

It was indeed, although I felt a bit annoyed that they made 3 different genre books (Adventure, Fantasy, and Space) rather than one single core rulebook. A lot of the rules were replicated in each book, and IMO there wasn't enough material distinct to each genre in each book to justify 3 separate rule books.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaThe D6 system was marketed as a "generic", multi-genre system some years back, wasn't it?

!i!

While the only correct answer to you questions may be "yes," there are currently 4 "generic" rulebooks for the BRP system. See for yourself!


http://catalog.chaosium.com/index.php?cPath=37 (http://catalog.chaosium.com/index.php?cPath=37)

Quote from: walkerpIs there a generic version of BRP or is it something you rip screaming from Cthulu or whatever?

Hmmm.  I've had absolutely zero experience with BRP in any of it's forms, except that I one an Elric book at a con and it was quite cool (the one about the seas of Melniborne with that awesome ship with Cthulu on the front).  I'll keep my eyes open for it.

Quote from: darI've refrained from posting here because my favorite is quite obvious. My second is BRP and I can't wait for the deluxe book.



I like 3rd... well... before it became 3.5 with the compendiums. I like 4th better.

However your comment strikes me as absurd. Combat in 4th is modular, so much so that there are 4 different chapters on it with increasing complexity and detail. 'Combat Lite' in the 'Characters' book, 'Combat', 'Tactical Combat' and 'Special Combat Situations' in the 'Campaigns' book. Each of which you can pretty much take pieces and parts from.

Dude, they like tripled the number of damage types in the game.  And that's just one tiny example.

And the parts of the system are far, far more inter-related than the previous edition.  

They didnt' even do a proper, standalone, Lite this time, because they couldn't.  It just doesn't pare down as well as 3e, across the board.

I was excited about 4e at first, because I hoped it would just be core + compendiums in one book, with maybe a few mechanical tweaks.  What I got instead was HERO, right down to the wierd new effects-based approach to the Ads & Disads.  

It's still a decent game, but it's a far more complicated GURPS than I care for, and seems to be aimed squarely at the hardcore gearheads.

My favorite generic system would be EABA, by BTRC (http://www.btrc.net).  It's flexible, especially with the way powers work.  It manages to combine versimillitude and relatively simple mechanics in a very elegant way.  It has some nifty mechanical touches, as well.  A sort of reverse-death-spiral, where injuries actually reduce the effects of subsequent injuries (breaking your arm the second time isn't as debilitating as the first break.)

EABA has only recently edged out CORPS (also by BTRC) for my favorite generic system.  CORPS is much more on the gritty side than EABA, which leans more toward the cinematic.

I'm about to try Spirit of the Century for a fantasy game, and it also looks promising as a generic system, although much less crunchy.

Quote from: J ArcaneGURPS 3rd combat isn't "ridiculously detailed" at all, if you actualyl, you know, read that part where it says that Advanced Combat is optional and take it to heart.

Now, 4th on the other hand, I cannot say the same thing for.  Therefore, I dislike it, because I liked Basic Combat, and 4th is pretty much Advanced Combat with the only part left optional being the actual hex grid.

This is part of why GURPS 3rd Edition is my favorite generic system.

Wow I totally agree with you. Besides I'm pretty invested in 3rd, I'll be damned if I obsolete all my 3rd to start buy/playing 4th. Beside rules are made to be ignored for the sake of fun/the game. I'll be damned if a game steal my fun by design.

GURPS first edition was best before they messed it up with Space, Aliens, and Supers.

Sadly it wasn't very generic at that point.

Fourth is one of my favourite games, though I can't imagine anyone (including hardend RMSS fans) looking at a super's stat block with anything other than fear and horror.

Power modifiers should be there to make minor tweaks and adjustments to existing advantages.  They're over used in fourth.

Really, I love Fourth as a substructure and hate it as a book my players will ever touch.

Also, fourth is a blatantly overpriced cash grab based on the assumption that nothing SJG can do will ever grow their customer base.

Doesn't make third any less ass.

Has anyone mentioned FUDGE yet?  I should, because I've always been enamored with the idea. I like the theory behind it, but I've found that, in actual execution, it plays a little flat.

I've taken a look at earlier iterations of the FATE rules (itself derived from FUDGE), but they didn't do a whole lot for me.

!i!

I think Fudge has been mentioned once or twice in this thread.  I love Fudge dice and I find the Fudge mechanic very satisfying.  I played a con game of Terra Incognita (http://nagssociety.com/) that was quite fun as well.  I think it is true that Fudge is more of a toolkit, unless you have a very tight, relaxed group, at which point it's cool to "fudge" a lot of it.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaHas anyone mentioned FUDGE yet?  I should, because I've always been enamored with the idea. I like the theory behind it, but I've found that, in actual execution, it plays a little flat.

I mentioned Fudge earlier.  Can you provide a bit more detail about what you mean by "flat"?  I'm curious what your problem was.

Quote from: J ArcaneIt's still a decent game, but it's a far more complicated GURPS than I care for, and seems to be aimed squarely at the hardcore gearheads.

I pretty much have to take that on, hard core gearhead is me.

Quote from: Ian AbsentiaHas anyone mentioned FUDGE yet?  I should, because I've always been enamored with the idea. I like the theory behind it, but I've found that, in actual execution, it plays a little flat.

I've taken a look at earlier iterations of the FATE rules (itself derived from FUDGE), but they didn't do a whole lot for me.

!i!

I always sort of felt like I was wasting my time with FUDGE, because it really isn't a complete, playable game.  It's a basic framework, some core mechanics, and a lot of advice.  It's more like a primer course in game design, than a game itself.

Top that off with the irritating special dice, and I never got much use for it.

Quote from: J ArcaneGURPS 3rd combat isn't "ridiculously detailed" at all, if you actualyl, you know, read that part where it says that Advanced Combat is optional and take it to heart.

Now, 4th on the other hand, I cannot say the same thing for.  Therefore, I dislike it, because I liked Basic Combat, and 4th is pretty much Advanced Combat with the only part left optional being the actual hex grid.

This is part of why GURPS 3rd Edition is my favorite generic system.

Combat rounds still last one second, still (in my opinion) need a hex grid and still have weapons you can only use every other round (which is a tracking headache if you have any more than one person with heavy weapons) and is hard to convert into anything that's not "realistic"(ever thown a fireball?).

Quote from: walkerpIs there a generic version of BRP or is it something you rip screaming from Cthulu or whatever?

I use BRP, and I do that by taking CoC, changing skills to fit the setting and dropping the critters.

I have been looking at PDQ recently, which I think looks less appreciated than I suspect it deserves, but I haven't run it yet.

Savage Worlds also tempts me for the sheer ease of prep and how simple it is to run.