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OSR fans, is there a new / modern RPG that you like?

Started by Man at Arms, July 20, 2024, 01:11:25 AM

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Exploderwizard

Quote from: Skullking on August 14, 2024, 07:11:25 AM
Quote from: zircher on August 13, 2024, 12:54:21 PMThe backer draft for Sword of Cepheus 2nd edition just popped up, so I'll have to give that a read and see where that fits in my to-play queue.  (SoC has 2d6 Traveller style mechanics in a swords and sorcery setting.)
Unfortunately it is another RPG that thinks sorcery should turn you into a tentacled monstrosity which isn't really Howardian S&S at all.

Yes there are ways of making overuse of magic detrimental to the wizard without falling back on corruption and mutations.
Quote from: JonWakeGamers, as a whole, are much like primitive cavemen when confronted with a new game. Rather than \'oh, neat, what\'s this do?\', the reaction is to decide if it\'s a sex hole, then hit it with a rock.

Quote from: Old Geezer;724252At some point it seems like D&D is going to disappear up its own ass.

Quote from: Kyle Aaron;766997In the randomness of the dice lies the seed for the great oak of creativity and fun. The great virtue of the dice is that they come without boxed text.

Ruprecht

Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
Civilized men are more discourteous than savages because they know they can be impolite without having their skulls split, as a general thing. ~Robert E. Howard

Aglondir

Quote from: Theory of Games on August 14, 2024, 04:54:47 PMAnd I'm gonna finally admit Star Wars 5e slams the original Star Wars the RPG.

Bold words, sir. Bold words indeed!

I don't think I've played Star Wars 5E (is that the one with funny dice?) but SW Saga Edition replaced d6 for us.

Slipshot762


weirdguy564

Quote from: Man at Arms on July 20, 2024, 01:11:25 AMTell us what it is, and why you like it.

Also; why do you still like the OSR better?

Here is a more direct answer this time.

I'll stick to games that have six stats, combat is 1D20 vs armor class, and magic still uses spell slots. 

With that criteria my answer will be an RPG that keeps it simple, but also has character customization to keep warriors interesting, races and classes are separate, and ascending armor class because it's just better than descending AC. 

Also, a few bits of 5E.  Things like weapon and armor traits, and spell cantrips.   Nothing extreme, nor lots of them. 

And I'm a cheap bastard, so why not a free game? 

It's called Olde Swords Reign. 

Google drive link from official OSR site

Check it out.  It's free after all.
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.

Skullking

Quote from: Ruprecht on August 14, 2024, 09:31:12 PM
Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
This is the ethos of DCC when it comes to a spellcaster's career:

Theory of Games

Quote from: Aglondir on August 14, 2024, 11:21:40 PM
Quote from: Theory of Games on August 14, 2024, 04:54:47 PMAnd I'm gonna finally admit Star Wars 5e slams the original Star Wars the RPG.

Bold words, sir. Bold words indeed!

I don't think I've played Star Wars 5E (is that the one with funny dice?) but SW Saga Edition replaced d6 for us.
SW5e is DnD5e-based. d20 so it plays very fast and the rules cover Jedi, blaster fights and ship-to-ship combat better than the other rpgs trying to do Star Wars.
TTRPGs are just games. Friends are forever.

Aglondir

Quote from: Theory of Games on August 17, 2024, 08:34:40 AM
Quote from: Aglondir on August 14, 2024, 11:21:40 PM
Quote from: Theory of Games on August 14, 2024, 04:54:47 PMAnd I'm gonna finally admit Star Wars 5e slams the original Star Wars the RPG.

Bold words, sir. Bold words indeed!

I don't think I've played Star Wars 5E (is that the one with funny dice?) but SW Saga Edition replaced d6 for us.
SW5e is DnD5e-based. d20 so it plays very fast and the rules cover Jedi, blaster fights and ship-to-ship combat better than the other rpgs trying to do Star Wars.

I did not know about this! Will check it out.

Man at Arms

Quote from: Skullking on August 17, 2024, 07:16:39 AM
Quote from: Ruprecht on August 14, 2024, 09:31:12 PM
Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
This is the ethos of DCC when it comes to a spellcaster's career:


Yes, just as Crom intended!!!


It is the eventual fate, of Arcane casters in DCC.  Magic is too weird, dangerous, and powerful; for an Arcane caster, to live footloose and fancy free.  There are consequences.

Skullking

Quote from: Man at Arms on August 18, 2024, 09:21:43 AM
Quote from: Skullking on August 17, 2024, 07:16:39 AM
Quote from: Ruprecht on August 14, 2024, 09:31:12 PM
Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
This is the ethos of DCC when it comes to a spellcaster's career:


Yes, just as Crom intended!!!


It is the eventual fate, of Arcane casters in DCC.  Magic is too weird, dangerous, and powerful; for an Arcane caster, to live footloose and fancy free.  There are consequences.
Not remotely as Crom intended. Certainly not what Set intended. As noted by others, more Warhammer than S&S.
Pelias' eyes didn't melt out of their sockets, or his hands turn into a crab claw when he animated the corpse of the dead guard Shukeli.

Nobleshield

Quote from: Man at Arms on August 18, 2024, 09:21:43 AM
Quote from: Skullking on August 17, 2024, 07:16:39 AM
Quote from: Ruprecht on August 14, 2024, 09:31:12 PM
Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
This is the ethos of DCC when it comes to a spellcaster's career:


Yes, just as Crom intended!!!


It is the eventual fate, of Arcane casters in DCC.  Magic is too weird, dangerous, and powerful; for an Arcane caster, to live footloose and fancy free.  There are consequences.
Yeah except no sword & sorcery novel actually has that happen.  The closest equivalent of that MIGHT be Ningauble and Sheelba in Lankhmar and they are more alien beings than just wizards.  Which is why I think, for all the talk Goodman does about Appendix N he never read anything there since the DCC designs are so nonsensical compared to what they claim to be trying to emulate.  not one thing I've seen in that game actually follows how any sword & sorcery story I've read has been.

Man at Arms

Quote from: Nobleshield on August 19, 2024, 04:41:28 PM
Quote from: Man at Arms on August 18, 2024, 09:21:43 AM
Quote from: Skullking on August 17, 2024, 07:16:39 AM
Quote from: Ruprecht on August 14, 2024, 09:31:12 PM
Quote from: Nobleshield on August 14, 2024, 11:33:45 AMDCC RPG had the stupidest version I've seen, where basically every time you cast a spell you roll to see what bad thing might happen, ranging from a mutation to "Someone you know dies".  EVERY TIME YOU CAST A SPELL.  Absolute stupidity.
I think that only happens when you fumble a spellcasting roll and the fumbles depend upon the spell so a light spell fumble is probably minor things while summon C'Thulu might turn you into sludge. I'm not 100% certain as I have the pdf but haven't played the game as its overly complicated for my tastes.
This is the ethos of DCC when it comes to a spellcaster's career:


Yes, just as Crom intended!!!


It is the eventual fate, of Arcane casters in DCC.  Magic is too weird, dangerous, and powerful; for an Arcane caster, to live footloose and fancy free.  There are consequences.
Yeah except no sword & sorcery novel actually has that happen.  The closest equivalent of that MIGHT be Ningauble and Sheelba in Lankhmar and they are more alien beings than just wizards.  Which is why I think, for all the talk Goodman does about Appendix N he never read anything there since the DCC designs are so nonsensical compared to what they claim to be trying to emulate.  not one thing I've seen in that game actually follows how any sword & sorcery story I've read has been.


Very true, that it is nothing like LotR.  It is strange, for sure.  Very different.

weirdguy564

#57
To have critical magical skill failures inflict permanent disabilities on the caster is a matter of personal choice.  Some like that stuff, but not everyone.

I'm not a fan of dangerous magic.  It feels like revenge for high level OP wizards rather than better game design where they would not be OP.

At any rate, that's a different discussion.  We are here to show off OSR games we like better than official D&D.

My list has been these.

1.  Palladium Fantasy 1st Edition
2.  Basic Fantasy
3.  Olde Swords Reign
4.  Pocket Fantasy
5.  Dungeons and Delvers: Dice Pool Edition
6.  Star Adventurer (Star Wars style game)
7.  Chanbara (fantasy in Japan)

2, 3, and 4 are all free as well.
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.

Slambo

Quote from: weirdguy564 on August 19, 2024, 06:28:13 PMTo have critical magical skill failures inflict permanent disabilities on the caster is a matter of personal choice.  Some like that stuff, but not everyone.

I'm not a fan of dangerous magic.  It feels like revenge for high level OP wizards rather than better game design where they would not be OP.

At any rate, that's a different discussion.  We are here to show off OSR games we like better than official D&D.

My list has been these.

1.  Palladium Fantasy 1st Edition
2.  Basic Fantasy
3.  Olde Swords Reign
4.  Pocket Fantasy
5.  Dungeons and Delvers: Dice Pool Edition
6.  Star Adventurer (Star Wars style game)
7.  Chanbara (fantasy in Japan)

2, 3, and 4 are all free as well.

Ive heard a bit about Chanbara before, how's it play

Brad

Quote from: Nobleshield on August 19, 2024, 04:41:28 PMYeah except no sword & sorcery novel actually has that happen.  The closest equivalent of that MIGHT be Ningauble and Sheelba in Lankhmar and they are more alien beings than just wizards.  Which is why I think, for all the talk Goodman does about Appendix N he never read anything there since the DCC designs are so nonsensical compared to what they claim to be trying to emulate.  not one thing I've seen in that game actually follows how any sword & sorcery story I've read has been.

That's probably because Appendix N is Gary Gygax's inspiration for D&D and thus influenced every other RPG design in existence. Most RPGs bear no resemblance to any S&S novel I've ever read, either, and D&D has more in common with science fiction and pulp than what we'd consider fantasy. Eldritch horrors corrupting magicians is right out of those creepy tales books; seems like it'd fit right in that move Creepshow or something. It also makes for an interesting and fun game, so there's that aspect...there's zero need for everything in a game to have some literary basis.
It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of your own ignorance.