I'm having a hard time saying "this is it"; but I could play the way Professor Dungeon Master runs his games, and be happy.  His channel name is Dungeon Craft.

He borrows from many systems, runs a game that's as simple as can be, and makes it feel like fast paced D&D.

But he hasn't published it....

Quote from: Razor 007;1139634I'm having a hard time saying "this is it"; but I could play the way Professor Dungeon Master runs his games, and be happy.  His channel name is Dungeon Craft.

He borrows from many systems, runs a game that's as simple as can be, and makes it feel like fast paced D&D.

But he hasn't published it....

He did once say Five Torches Deep is what he would write if he did write.

For me, if I had to choose my "this is it" game, its DCC.

Quote from: Slambo;1139637He did once say Five Torches Deep is what he would write if he did write.

For me, if I had to choose my "this is it" game, its DCC.

Good one there.  DCC rocks.

Quote from: Razor 007;1139639Good one there.  DCC rocks.

The only problem is people see how thicc the book is and assume its a super rules heavy game, I've taken to reccomending people with the quickstart since it looks a bit more friendly.

Mythras

HERO 6e. I keep coming back to HERO. A close 2nd would be GURPS 4e. I keep trying other lighter games and they just don't push my buttons. Which can be complicated because I don't always have time to prep the crunch. :-)

Closest thing was a homebrewed effect-based system I once did years ago, that was nonetheless still flawed, but formed the basis for a more fleshed out system I'm still developing. That was the most successful homebrewed system I ever did and the closest to fulfilling what I look for in a system.

Of the published systems I've always had soft spot for Marvel Super Heroes (FASERIP), which is the most simple yet versatile system I've ever read or played, and the original inspiration for my homebrewed game, despite neither system looking much alike. FASERIP can be easily adjusted to play pretty much anything. All abilities and powers are rated in terms of descriptive ranks (Typical, Good, Excellent, etc.) with a matching number to determine damage or DR that allow the GM to quickly eyeball the effects of anything in the game world--just pick a comparable power effect, assign an appropriate rank and it's done! And the system is so simple it can be explained to new players in minutes and character creation is quick, despite letting you do so much.

Barbarians of Lemuria family of games.

Would be 1e AD&D if I had to pick one. Just returned to it this year and falling in love all over again.

I don't think there is such an animal. The problem is while I don't mind a certain amount of complexity in a system, most designers spend their "complexity budget" in places that are counter-productive for me.  So I get driven back to simpler games as an easier starting point from which to house rule into the territory that I want.  

D&D BEMCI is probably the best starting point if I had to pick an existing system to mangle and mutilate into something close to what i want, but not many here would consider it the same game when I got done with it (though most would be able to see the roots).

D6 system is the only system I play. Does everything.

1E AD&D as it was the first rpg that brought me to the hobby.

My heart says OD&D for the sheer nostalgia, but I think I would pick C&C for a modern version of AD&D. My players like 5E best, however.

Quote from: S'mon;1139667Would be 1e AD&D if I had to pick one. Just returned to it this year and falling in love all over again.

Same here.

Second place would be ACKS, and only because it is B/X derived and I never played B/X or BECMI back in the day.

Quote from: RandyB;1139707Same here.

Second place would be ACKS, and only because it is B/X derived and I never played B/X or BECMI back in the day.

If you wanna try b/x might i reccomend Old School Essentials. I really like the multi book layout.