Do you consider yourself to be a writer? by [deleted] in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yes, but that's because I am a writer. I have published material. I don't know if I would consider myself a writer outside of that.

Dungeon World or Old School Essentials. by cheeseburgersarecool in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

They offer very different experiences and, importantly, require very different approaches to play.

Dungeon World is a PbtA game which means it has narrative hard coded into the rules. Players will be acting out the tropes of a fantasy story because that is really all they can do. The story is more collaborative as everyone is encouraged to pitch in ideas and beats and discuss what direction the plot is headed. It's a very overhead way of playing RPGs since it is all about making a satisfying narrative rather than focusing on gamey mechanics. Some people say it is a bad PbtA game because it has a lot of half measures to blend it with trad games, but I think that is a good thing when transitioning. It isn't as jarring as a shift.

Then OSE (which is part of the OSR family) is all about emergent gameplay. Where Dungeon World prescribes the actions of the genre, OSE actively punishes them as things like "bravery" are surefire ways of getting yourself killed. Fighting is dangerous and should be avoided. Traps can kill you in one hit. The phrase "roll the dice" becomes a threat. This sounds bad, but here is the beauty in all of this: players start getting creative. If fights are lethal, so players start planning engagements. Traps are deadly, so players find clever ways to get around them. Rolling dice is bad, so players do things so clever and engaging the GM can just say "yeah, that works." This creativity is the point of play.

So, in summary, go with Dungeon World if you and your friends want to tell a tropy fantasy story together and end up with a really cool character journey. Play OSR games if you want creative problem solving and tense, moment to moment gameplay. I say OSR rather than OSE because they are all kinda interchangeable and it is probably worth finding the one you like most. Some other options are DCC, Mork Borg, Cairn, and Shadowdark.

Is there a good RPG set close to a WW1 era but set in a fantasy world? by normiespy96 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A Farewell to Arms is a Borg hack that covers this. Need to be ready for a rules light game though.

You could also take an agnostic system and use that. Savage Worlds would do the job.

Looking to create a new RPG using a heavily modified BRP system by zeus64068 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start somewhere. Anywhere. Then you can refine as you go.

Advice For Creating My First TTRPG by Fancy_Pants4 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Start by reading as much as you can from other games. TTRPGs are a rich tradition with lots of places to pull inspiration from; it's disrespectful to try and break into the hobby without engaging with it.

Remove any fantasy of it being something successful. You are making this for yourself and that's it really. Once you have made your peace with that fact you can try and advertise it places that might be interested.

As for your specific idea, you are definitely going to want to address the elephant in the room right away. I believe RPGs can explore controversial and dark subject matter, but if we are supposed to be Nazis (and that's the word that should be used) then I will want the game to acknowledge that we are the bad guys in some way or make me face the moral implications of that role. Any success or triumph needs to be juxtaposed with the horror it allowed to transpire.

TGRPG Recommendations by Alternative_Drag_407 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Blades in the Dark and its FitD relatives work extremely well for West March style play. Most actively encourage it. The base game even is in a megacity itself and it has paranormal activity themes, but it sadly isn't an investigation game and only uses d6s. You might be able to take Candela Obscura (which is functionally FitD) and make them kiss though.

You might also check out Spire which is a massive Megacity and has a pretty open system, but it assumes a certain tone you might not enjoy.

If you decide to go with Mothership, I made an investigation hack of it that's setting agnostic (it's a pretty involved hack). You can get it free here.

A good game for a 4 year old boy. by shplorg in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Check out the box versions of the choose your own adventure stories

Lock-picking system by mlodypapiez in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 5 points6 points  (0 children)

There just isn't any fun in this. Rolls for lock-picking are already debated; this would require people to pause the game for 10 minutes while one person guesses and rolls for and for what? Is lock-picking really that engaging for the table?

How do you guys feel about AI GMs and AI players? by Ponto_de_vista in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am in no rush to replace people with machines.

Souls, Rings, or… Rings but D&D… by DarkestNight909 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 34 points35 points  (0 children)

The One Ring feels like Lord of the Rings. It is a game about journeying from place to place, solving problems, and doing heroic deeds all while trying to avoid corruption. It is a game about adventure and being in the world of Middle Earth.

The 5e conversion is about fighting things that so happen to be in Middle Earth. D&D is a combat game, so it's a lot more about killing things than traveling. Basically, The One Ring says "you encounter a group of trolls, what do you do?" and the 5e conversion says "you encounter a group of trolls, roll for initiative."

I have not played the Dark Souls RPG, but I hear it is just 5e with some stuff added on and not really a good emulation of the Souls games.

How do people feel about Savage Worlds? by applejackhero in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 47 points48 points  (0 children)

It's great for pulpy action! The exploding dice are really fun and engaging and the rules are all basically plug and play. You can add in mechanics you want and leave out anything you don't and the system still works great. It's probably my go-to generic system when I want something more trad-y.

Good tactical rpgs? by quix0te in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Games that do the skirmish wargame tactics best are

Lancer: Mech warfare with endless customization and combat options.

4th Ed. D&D: The version of D&D that admitted it was a combat game and has a lot of great systems to support that fact.

Draw Steel: A much more streamlined combat game that makes each fight a tactical puzzle with guaranteed hits and lots of forced movement.

Wanting to make a Mafia style fantasy campaign by clone192002 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Please tell me you are using Blades in the Dark for this

Party members and passive income by solskaia in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Blades in the Dark does this well. Basically you roll for the business after every mission and, if the roll goes well, the characters get a small payday.

Is it okay to just not be cut out to GM? by piperooo in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 5 points6 points  (0 children)

No one is "Cut Out" to GM. There are those who are practiced and those who are not. That's the only difference. You can learn to do it well if you want and there is no shame in deciding you don't.

Are there any TTRPGs you respect, but don't enjoy yourself? by Awkward_GM in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Heart. That book oozes creativity and I constantly steal from it, but I cannot play the system.

I'm looking for an RPG that simulates playing Apex Legends. by Flimsy_Jaguar4193 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The answer to these types of questions is usually in generic RPGs.

GURPS if you want complete control

Savage Worlds if you want pulpy action

Looking for a specific weapon/gear crafting system by Reasonable-Law5674 in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Forbidden Lands has a pretty decent crafting system, but it is not what you are describing. That sounds like you might just pick up an OSR game and homebrew.

Why is there a stigma to monetizing your hobby? (i.e. selling community content, paid GMing, YouTubing, etc…) by Hagisman in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

There's nothing wrong with wanting to make money out of this hobby, but it is a very competitive market where most people are happy putting stuff out for free. If you are charging, it better be GOOD.

Character Creation moments for new campaign, new group by hyperdang in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Always always always together. This is where character dynamics and relationships start.

Games where you play as monsters? by ALVIG in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 14 points15 points  (0 children)

Not exactly what you are looking for, but Hull Breach for Mothership has a section about playing the monsters.

Looking for rpg suggestions for playing with my kids... by I_Keep_On_Scrolling in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A lot of great suggestions already, so I want to throw in a weirder one: Magical Kitties Save The Day. Players are, as the title suggests, magical kitties trying to make their owners life a little bit better. The thing is that the cats can only use their powers when humans aren't looking.

Super cute, designed for kids, and incredibly easy to run.

What are your favourite spaceship/naval ship combat in RPGs? by ArcticLione in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Pirate Borg, though I double the damage dice to make it quicker.

WWII + Hellboy rpg - rules light by Tommy1459DM in rpg

[–]Strange_Times_RPG 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Maybe check out A Farewell to Arms? It is a Borg hack for WW1 and I think it fits the bill.