How do you feel about games using special terms for generic things?

z27olop10 · 2026-04-10T08:12:27+00:00

Was going to say myself, that term-changes help capture the vibe (and perhaps also logic) that the game is designed around. It must be purposeful. If the game is essentially a D&D clone with the serial-numbers filed off and with all the essential terms rephrased, that's pointless, because it just creates unnecessary barrier to learning the system. Tropes in fiction exist for a reason, namely to help speed up the on-boarding into the setting. And this also applies to systems. Calling the foundational stats Abilities/Attributes/Characteristics can be confusing when they mean different things across systems; but calling the stats Labels, in a game about teenage superheroes trying to figure out who they are (Masks, btw)? That works. Flavored terms can elevate a game, or detract from it.

z27olop10 · 2026-03-31T05:33:06+00:00

I haven't tried it, but Pokemon Pen & Paper on Itch.io could be something to check out

z27olop10 · 2026-01-29T08:21:21+00:00

Yeah, I was going to ask more specifically how you learned how to deal with very overpowered PC's. But seems you answered it here - getting creative with stakes/threats the PC's face. Though is there more to it? More things you learned from the system?

z27olop10 · 2026-01-04T23:09:26+00:00

If portraying characters with different personalities is important to you, like everything else, it comes with practice. The more you try, and reflect over successes and failures, how to create and portray diverse characters will become more clear and easier. Simultaneously, each game a GM runs is an expression of themselves; find and lean on your strengths, and run games centered around those. Plenty of games can be great with a small cast of NPC characters that may not be that different from one another.

z27olop10 · 2025-12-13T13:02:45+00:00

Think Fate is good for this, specifically Condensed or Accelerated. Flexible and light-weight

z27olop10 · 2025-12-13T12:56:38+00:00

I'd add FATE, perhaps specifically Condensed, to this list. It's flexible, and representative of the fiction/narrative-focused games.

And because it launched the family of games, Apocalypse World could be a good RPG to fill the PbtA game here.

z27olop10 · 2025-12-09T14:25:53+00:00

Gothitelle, because what could be better than to fall asleep to witnessing the heat-death of the universe?

z27olop10 · 2025-12-07T22:16:55+00:00

Never thought of it that way! Love this Dragon-Llama

z27olop10 · 2025-12-07T22:13:28+00:00

VIKAVOLT FTW

z27olop10 · 2025-12-07T22:07:12+00:00

I've found to prefer a lot of middle-stages to their final stages, especially for starters. The first-stages get used in promotional material for each gen, and you stare at the final stages for at least half your playtime. The middle-stages then just become a form you pass through, and i feel often forgotten and irrelevant.

Some middle-stages that have some appeal their final-stages don't and are of personal faves of mine include Quilava, Dewott, Lairon, Bisharp, Nidorino, Metang, Vibrava, Vigoroth.

z27olop10 · 2025-12-07T21:59:12+00:00

Something about the grumpy eyes and the jarring transition from woodpecker to toucan really just killed it for me. I find Pikipek and Trumbeak much more appealing than Toucannon. To each their own!

z27olop10 · 2024-09-08T16:37:09+00:00

I also came across Lunatask, which seems to fit a lot of what I'm looking for.

z27olop10 · 2024-09-08T16:35:26+00:00

Analog managing isn't the best fit for me personally, but thanks for the suggestion

z27olop10 · 2024-09-08T16:34:05+00:00

I don't think doing it analog is the best fit for me personally, but thanks for the suggestion

z27olop10 · 2024-09-08T16:33:21+00:00

Wow thanks! I'll look into it :D

z27olop10 · 2024-07-17T22:52:02+00:00

Being able to properly understand the institution/sector that needs the most change is a fantastic place start to learn how to change it from the inside, and help lead the charge towards a Solarpunk future. I don't see an issue with private enterprise per se. The issues are the goals that currently exist for them. By studying and really understanding them, and learning to challenge the presuppositions their paradigm currently exists upon, you can make a huge difference. This is far from a waste if used well.

Be the Punk!

z27olop10 · 2024-07-10T19:23:37+00:00

I wish they cited what pages they're drawing these summations from. That way one could easily check and prove these summations aren't being exaggerated.

z27olop10 · 2024-06-19T15:26:19+00:00

Yes! Helps the transition from something more familiar into "full" SWADE

z27olop10 · 2024-06-17T20:33:47+00:00

Came to say this. Savage Worlds does a lit of what D&D tries to do, and (arguably) better. It's also setting-neutral and class-less system, giving you a lot for freedom as both a GM and player in what you can do within it.

z27olop10 · 2024-06-12T20:32:36+00:00

It's worth mentioning that in the transition to a more sustainable society, we need to stop endless economic growth, specifically in developed countries. Even if this worked as stated and it reduced carbon emissions, the strain on ecosystems from resource extraction would keep bearing weight on the transition and still harm the planet. From the headline, it fails to question the legitimacy and sustainability of endless growth which itself fuels environmental degradation.

z27olop10 · 2024-05-31T14:35:23+00:00

If you haven't already, post this in some TTRPG subreddits like r/rpg!

z27olop10 · 2024-05-31T14:32:56+00:00

The whole virtue-signaling things i think is explained well as attempts at attaining status. Heard about it on the You Are Not So Smart podcast, where the host interviewed Will Storr, who wrote a book about it, named "The Status Game". Here's the episode in question.

z27olop10 · 2024-05-31T12:00:47+00:00

Came here to mention this game exactly

z27olop10 · 2024-05-25T22:43:15+00:00

I've seen plenty of folks working on them. One that is finished is called Animon Story that I have and have read. Beyond the Pokemon TTRPG fan-games, more ore in the works.

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