Every forum is a bubble to some extent. That's not an indictment, its just how humans interact. This thread is chance to talk about new RPGs that might not have gotten any notice (or enough notice) in our lovely den of wretched scum and villainy.
What (traditional or not-storygame) RPG came out in 2019 that you enjoyed?
And if a new RPG of hotness didn't appear in 2019, was there a RPG supplement of note you enjoyed?
Traveller 5.10. Just for some of the tools I can use from it. And because my Beowulf artwork is on the back of its slipcase.
The new hotness for me was Pathfinder 2e. Hopefully we can finish the first book of the Age of Ashes before Christmas which would put us on track for a 2021 finish.
I quite liked Descent to Avernus for 5E - apart from the godawful start. Still, easy to fix! Nice branching possibilities and the "correct" answer was only one amongst many possibilities that were catered for. Plus, Mad Max in Hell, what's not to like!
There was no new hotness, nor will there be going forward . It's a wrap, basically.
I was happy to see WotC do a true setting book (even if Eberron isn't my favorite setting).
I was also generally pleased with Eclipse Phase 2e but utterly disappointed with Shadowrun 6e.
Happydaze did they try to streamline the character creation process in EP2?
Quote from: sureshot;1115493Happydaze did they try to streamline the character creation process in EP2?
Yes. You pick a background, a career, and a hobby. Each gives skill points. Career also gives a gear package and you get a second gear package based on campaign type (Firewall agents, gatecrahsers, or criminals are the ones in the book). You also pick an aptitude template (think standard array of ability scores) and a starting morph. Next you pick some positive and negative qualities. Lastly, make some final adjustments. Note that you can just ignore all that and spend points freely if you want to (and the character will still end up balanced against the default generation method) with an allocation listed in a sidebar.
EDIT: OK, since it's Creative Commons, here's the steps from the book. It looks worse than it is.
CHARACTER
CREATION OVERVIEW
There are 13 steps to making a character. The first three steps involve
choosing packages of skills.
Step 1: Background ▶next column: Your origin and
accompanying skills.
Step 2: Career ▶40: Your profession and relevant skills.
Step 3: Interest ▶42: Your secondary focus and related skills.
Step 4: Faction ▶44: Pick your alliance.
Step 5: Aptitude Template ▶44: Assign your inherent ego stats.
Step 6: Total Skills ▶45: Total your aptitudes and skill values.
Step 7: Languages ▶45: Decide what languages you start with.
Step 8: Flex ▶45: Get 1 Flex point for free.
Step 9: Reputation ▶45: Assign your rep scores in different
social networks.
Step 10: Customization ▶46: Tweak to your heart’s content.
Step 11: Derived Stats ▶46: Use the values you’ve assigned to
calculate a few remaining stats.
Step 12: Starting Morph & Gear ▶46: Choose a body and
gear packs.
Step 13: Motivations ▶47: Decide what drives you forward.
Well, not new in 2019, but I've used it extensively this year, so I will simply point out that Hubris: A World of Visceral Adventure is one of the best books to use and run with for Dungeon Crawl Classics roleplaying game. It is chock-full of weird crazy shit that I can't get enough of.
I will second Descent into Avernus. Lots of goodies inside. I can't wait to run it, though it will probably be converted for my Starfinder players.
Speaking of which, the Starfinder Character Operations Manual goes a long ways towards making the system that much cooler. Kind of like an Advanced Player's Guide for the game.
EDIT: for grammatical perfection.
Thank HappyDaze
Been a fan of EP since 1E despite their weird take on religion in the 1E core. May check out the 2E PDF
Quote from: sureshot;1115675Thank HappyDaze
Been a fan of EP since 1E despite their weird take on religion in the 1E core. May check out the 2E PDF
It's legally free to share.
Quote from: Nihilistic Mind;1115650Well, not new in 2019, but I've used it extensively this year, so I will simply point out that Hubris: A World of Visceral Adventure is one of the best books to use and run with for Dungeon Crawl Classics roleplaying game. It is chock-full of weird crazy shit that I can't get enough of.
Have you checked out Ultraviolet Grasslands?
If not, you REALLY need to see Ultraviolet Grasslands.
Quote from: Thornhammer;1115716Have you checked out Ultraviolet Grasslands?
If not, you REALLY need to see Ultraviolet Grasslands.
I saw the kickstarter but did not want to deal with yet another kickstarter so I decided to wait. As of right now I have so much material to run for it'll probably take me a couple years until I can look at including it into my active campaign.
Also, the PDF price is steep, I'd rather try to find the book in print. Guess I'll be on the lookout for that when I can!
Quote from: Nihilistic Mind;1115724I saw the kickstarter but did not want to deal with yet another kickstarter so I decided to wait. As of right now I have so much material to run for it'll probably take me a couple years until I can look at including it into my active campaign.
Also, the PDF price is steep, I'd rather try to find the book in print. Guess I'll be on the lookout for that when I can!
They have a free introduction here. (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/241606/The-Ultraviolet-Grasslands--Free-Introduction)
Quote from: Antiquation!;1115725They have a free introduction here. (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/241606/The-Ultraviolet-Grasslands--Free-Introduction)
Coolness, thanks!
Quote from: Nihilistic Mind;1115726Coolness, thanks!
No problemo! :cool: I gave it a read-through, it's got some pretty wild stuff in there and the art is very evocative. Pretty substantial for an introduction, too; I like the caravan stuff a lot.
The Black Hack 2e - great minimalist traditional RPG packed with GM material.
Savage Worlds Adventure Edition - same great game but better now.
I was disappointed with Eclipse Phase 2e, it was streamlined to the point that it offers nothing that Nova Praxis for Savage Worlds doesn't.
Battlelords 6e PDF dropped very recently and I recommend it as a well done crunchy game.
Nice to finally see more Battlelords. Like Rifts more rpg material to read in the toilet than actually run and not a fan of the system. Though very flavorful as an rpg.
MOTHERSHIP (https://www.drivethrurpg.com/product/245017/Mothership-Players-Survival-Guide) is the game that I wished I got to play this year. I really wanted to play it before purchasing, but it looks like I'm gonna be the GM (as usual) come next year.
Quote from: Nihilistic Mind;1115650Hubris: A World of Visceral Adventure is one of the best books to use and run with for Dungeon Crawl Classics roleplaying game.
Agreed. HUBRIS is excellent weird fantasy.
If I played DCC, I'd use Hubris as the default setting.
Quote from: Thornhammer;1115716If not, you REALLY need to see Ultraviolet Grasslands.
What makes it special?
Nothing comes to mind for 2019 for me.
Old School Essentials by Necrotic Gnome. The D&D system from my childhood repackaged in a modern, streamlined and sturdy edition - the perfect (a little before) 2019 Christmas gift :-) !
And I've no doubt that Gavin Norman (the guy behind Necrotic Gnome) will deliver sweet OSE products in 2020 (go Dolmenwood !).
Quote from: sureshot;1115760Nice to finally see more Battlelords. Like Rifts more rpg material to read in the toilet than actually run and not a fan of the system. Though very flavorful as an rpg.
A lot of effort was spent to make this version far more playable.
Old School Essentials and Original Adventures: Expedition to the Barriers Peaks.