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Who has the best Ninja in their game?

Started by weirdguy564, February 21, 2023, 10:40:17 AM

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weirdguy564

February 21, 2023, 10:40:17 AM Last Edit: February 22, 2023, 07:54:24 PM by weirdguy564
I'm a big fan of Sengoku era Japan, aka 1500's Warring States period.  Toyotomi Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga, all that. 

Or, more like the fantastical version of history. 

One thing that comes to mind are ninjas.  Specifically the magical ones that defy logic who can run thru tree branches, disappear in shadowed corners, parry arrows, catch swords by clapping their hands, or even actual magic like fireballs and earthquakes.

So what games have that sort of thing?

The three contenders I can start with are Palladium Ninjas and Super Spies.  Another is most super hero games.  You should be able to emulate a mystical ninja pretty close.   The third is a tiny, but free OSR called Shinobi and Samurai. 

What else is there?
I'm glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you've never heard of.

Vic99

#1
February 21, 2023, 10:49:24 AM
Seth Skorkowsky reviews Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades.  Might not be precisely what you are asking, but I bet it's close.  This looks like a riot and I'd love to try it some day.

All sorts of crazy powers Wuxia style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9-pC3TisEA&t=1s

Venka

#2
February 21, 2023, 01:38:06 PM
If you want a game that is all about ninjas, or set in something reasonably similar to historical Japan, I don't know. 

But for just regular ninjas that can be dropped into the rest of a game world that isn't themed in an oriental fashion or based explicitly on Japan, the Pathfinder 1e ninja tracks the rogue closely but gives up a little, and gains a little.  That's a very nice ninja.

Armchair Gamer

#3
February 21, 2023, 01:51:03 PM
I own PDFs of Gold Rush Games' Sengoku and the ninja supplement Shinobi: Shadows of Nihon, but have never delved into them deeply. They received positive reviews from folks like Ken Hite, though, and you can get the full line for $6 US.

Baron

#4
February 21, 2023, 06:33:12 PM
How about Dragon Lines by Charles Green? I have the old BRP monograph edition, but it was later published by Alephtar / Cubicle 7: https://www.alibris.com/Dragon-Lines-Guardians-of-the-Forbidden-City-A-BRP-Martial-Arts-Fantasy-Charles-Green/book/12560428

Itachi

#5
February 21, 2023, 06:40:18 PM
Shinobigami is a japanese rpg that was translated to English some time ago. It's full of ninpo and jutsu etc. Besides being a very fun PvP game in itself.

Crusader X

#6
February 21, 2023, 07:58:57 PM
I think this Ninja class looks simple and fun for B/X games

Doomslakers Ninja

Persimmon

#7
February 21, 2023, 09:30:24 PM
On the one hand, this game is based on Naruto and various Japanese anime & manga.  And the mechanics reflect that.  But the setting & adventure books are pretty good. 
https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/173085/The-Ninja-Crusade-2nd-Edition?language=pt


I

#8
February 21, 2023, 10:59:30 PM
Bushido, an oldie but a goodie.  To be fair, I haven't tried the others, but I thought Bushido handled them well.

Grognard GM

#9
February 22, 2023, 12:17:44 AM
You've mention supers games in general, but I'll give a shout out to Hero System/Champions. Ninja Hero/The Ultimate Martial Artist are great.
I'm a middle aged guy with a lot of free time, looking for similar, to form a group for regular gaming. You should be chill, non-woke, and have time on your hands.

See below:

https://www.therpgsite.com/news-and-adverts/looking-to-form-a-group-of-people-with-lots-of-spare-time-for-regular-games/

GeekyBugle

#10
February 22, 2023, 12:43:39 AM
Flying Swordsmen for the true Kung Fu movie experience.
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weirdguy564

#11
February 22, 2023, 02:42:49 AM
Quote from: Armchair Gamer on February 21, 2023, 01:51:03 PM
I own PDFs of Gold Rush Games' Sengoku and the ninja supplement Shinobi: Shadows of Nihon, but have never delved into them deeply. They received positive reviews from folks like Ken Hite, though, and you can get the full line for $6 US.

I have those too.  Great for setting and culture.  But, it's the Fuzion system.  I'm not a fan of those rules. 
I'm glad for you if you like the top selling game of the genre.  Me, I like the road less travelled, and will be the player asking we try a game you've never heard of.

Bedrockbrendan

#12
February 22, 2023, 09:39:52 AM
Quote from: Vic99 on February 21, 2023, 10:49:24 AM
Seth Skorkowsky reviews Righteous Blood, Ruthless Blades.  Might not be precisely what you are asking, but I bet it's close.  This looks like a riot and I'd love to try it some day.

All sorts of crazy powers Wuxia style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i9-pC3TisEA&t=1s

You could probably reskin some of the more stealth and surprise related Signature Abilities, and maybe make a handful more (using existing SAs as a base). Before I stopped doing the Sects of the Martial World books for Ogre Gate, I was working on a small PDF called Ninja of the Fire Pearls (was more Ninja in a Wuxia context like Five Element Ninja and Duel to the Death). I may post it on the blog if I can find the document and have the time (if it is feasible I will come up with RBRB compatible versions the mechanics as well).
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