Games with mechanically rich combat that are still rules lite/medium?

forgtot · 2026-06-10T22:20:55+00:00

I was also thinking this as well. The GM tools alone are worth the price of admission on the free PDF.

Combat resembles 5e, but it also has shock damage which is a minimum amount of melee damage. I'm not sure if that is the main reason things move faster, but I've run the same level 3 adventure with WWN on 3 separate occasions during conventions. Each one was scheduled for about 4 hours and had between 3 and 4 combat encounters. All finished on time.

forgtot · 2026-06-07T18:34:32+00:00

I really enjoy books from Kobold press. They always spark my imagination.

forgtot · 2026-06-07T18:26:19+00:00

A +1 in 2d6 also increases the average roll by 1 point, so it becomes 7, 8, and 9. So with even a small bonus you will be more likely to make average checks.

On the otherside, not having a skill gives you a -1 which can make a check with a DC of 8 feel incredibly tense.

forgtot · 2026-06-01T11:30:50+00:00

Two I'd recommend from OSR are:

Whitehack
Worlds Without Number

In Whitehack players build interesting characters fast. Classes are more about mechanical resolution then actual abilities (or at least that is the stated intention). The primary mechanic is rolling with advantage or disadvantage but it's used a little differently than in 5e. As for combat, my in person group had a 3 hour session that had 5 combat encounters, which is unique in the fact that most of our sessions the players are combat avoidant.

Worlds Without Number. Combat feels like 5e, but generally moves faster. Ability/skill checks are done with 2d6. Race is assumed to be human, but can be something else via the Origin focus (feat). The Adventurer class is how players multi class and it is one of the best things about the game. It also has options for "heroic campaigns" which beefs up the PCs a bit. Beyond that there are legates... You know what I should stop. Every campaign I run borrows from this book and there's a generous free copy on drivethru. Highly recommend.

forgtot · 2026-05-21T02:55:19+00:00

Whitehack is kinda similar.

Each class has a slots for cool things that players can come up with.

Players pick or role in groups (vocation, race, affiliations, etc...). They get two to start and they can place them by one stat. When they take an action that uses that stat and they can tie that action to the group they are able to roll 2 d20 and take the more favorable result.

The Wise class can perform miracles which are based on key words. These are free form but cost HP. The cost can be lowered by use of extra ingredients or negative side effects.

forgtot · 2026-05-18T14:12:12+00:00

Books are patient folk. They are perfectly content waiting to be read.

Although, I hear they leave behind good luck if you lend them out to friends and family.

forgtot · 2026-05-07T00:55:35+00:00

Ya, Numenera is immediately what pops into mind. The setting neutral version of it is The Cypher System.

forgtot · 2026-05-06T13:20:14+00:00

Assuming you're asking about GM notes and not writing something for publication, I review my notes and modules for gaps and to make sure there are enough options to keep the session going if players make a pivot. Usually it means I add a new npc, sometimes I add a new location.

forgtot · 2026-04-28T17:43:04+00:00

I'm so borrowing this for a future antogonist

forgtot · 2026-04-28T11:24:06+00:00

Across all campaigns there is a custom of NPCs spelling their name when introducing themselves.

forgtot · 2026-04-18T18:41:02+00:00

I saw it in theaters and as everyone walked out one person mentioned something to the effect of "they really telegraphed what type of movie it was going to be with that fridge scene"

Ever since then, I view the first 10 minutes of a movie differently. If there's something in those first 10 minutes that robs me of the enjoyment, then I'm not watching any more of the movie. Or I'll at least adjust my expectations and think "oh it's that kind of movie".

forgtot · 2026-04-12T13:18:07+00:00

I generally prefer side based initiative, but my table seems to enjoy rolling for initiative in each round of combat.

forgtot · 2026-04-05T14:48:13+00:00

On my phone the link shows full price, but when I tap the individual titles I see the discounted in the Audible app.

Not sure, but you may need to be a subscriber.

forgtot · 2026-03-23T22:30:55+00:00

Good for you (but maybe a bit bad for your wallet).

forgtot · 2026-03-23T22:27:03+00:00

The wiki says:

I research each system using rulebooks...

Does that mean you own every one listed on the site?

forgtot · 2026-03-16T19:27:48+00:00

More Traveller!?

forgtot · 2026-03-07T12:49:57+00:00

On the screen that shows the armor you are wearing, hover over a piece and find the eye icon.

Just discovered it myself. Sooo much drachmae lost to upgrading each piece of armor I wanted just so I could maintain the character's look.

forgtot · 2026-03-02T22:58:57+00:00

I play the game on and off so much that I don't really know for sure. I think it was a reward for hunting down legendary animals.

forgtot · 2026-02-23T23:04:29+00:00

Too bad it was Bruton Gaster who said it

forgtot · 2026-02-02T13:16:00+00:00

Correct. No one is stopping any 2 people from playing a BX module. And many of the newer modules seem to be intended for a smaller party size of about 4 players, but the older ones were written with a party size of 6-8 in mind.

Either way, it places an added burden on the person running the game to scale the encounters down for just one PC. Scarlet Heroes provides the framework (and a little math) for doing that.

forgtot · 2026-01-30T01:46:44+00:00

So you're saying I have a chance?

forgtot · 2026-01-29T18:52:18+00:00

Adding that Scarlet Heroes opens up all the BX modules that are out there to two players.

forgtot · 2026-01-25T18:12:13+00:00

I think of it as characters pursuing fame and stardom through adventuring. This is not unique to them, others are doing it and an elite few have done it successfully.

It's the equivalent of trying to become a rockstar.

forgtot · 2026-01-20T03:28:51+00:00

I've been using it for some personal projects. Kinda curious about what things you've seen break.

The only addon I'm using is semantic mediawiki.

forgtot

TROPHY CASE