Lately, I have been looking at a new batch of "retro" games that have the simpler feel of 1st or 2nd edition, but either have updated (3.0 like) mechanics, or even keep the old mechanics. There are several out there; The Basic Fantasy Roleplaying game (a free one with 3rd ed mechanics, but 1st ed simple), Labyrinth Lord (a straight up rendering of 1st ed), and the very successful Castles and Crusades from Troll Lord.
All feature; simple races, "skills" are class abilities, Low BAB, a max of 10 HD (and small HD at that), vancian magic, and very limited class features.
Anyone tried any of these or at least seen em?
And if you did, are you like me and wish there was a "Pathfinder Lite" out there as a Retro-style version of Pathfinder?
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I haven't tried any of those but I was once tempted to buy QWERP to use a simple fantasy RPG however I didn't think I would get much use out of it beyond the odd one shot session.
Personally I am really looking forward to D&D Next as it sounds like the core of the game will be very simple with an old school feel but with rules modules that can be used to build up the complexity.
If this can be pulled off it sounds like the best of both worlds - you can use the core for quick and simple one shot sessions, but if you want to them continue into a campaign you can do so by adding in rules layers rather than have to completely change system and rebuild characters.
IIf this can be pulled off it sounds like the best of both worlds - you can use the core for quick and simple one shot sessions, but if you want to them continue into a campaign you can do so by adding in rules layers rather than have to completely change system and rebuild characters.
I am hoping for that as well. A simple core, then add complexity as desired. I have been homebrewing something like that myself forever.
I notice that some of the ENworld info says that the BAB's are slower and monte cooke himself confirmed it is vancian magic so we can only hope that is their goal.
You should check out basicfantasy.org though. That is where this guy has his Basic Fantasy Roleplaying game. It is mostly a one-man work of love that did actually get playtested and has several thousand users, all word of mouth. The PDF and a ton of supplements are all free. (no, it's not my site, just a fan).
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Microlite20 is an excellent stripped down version of the d20 game. It has a bunch of downloads to use for playing a d20 Modern style of game, Cyberpunk, Chuthlu, Dark Sun, Gunslinger, Resident Evil, Zombie Apocalypse, and many other styles of game. Use the link above for the fantasy version, and the link I post below to get to the other versions. NOTE: The link below contains the expanded rules of the Expert Rules, expanded equipment list, more classes, skills, feats, different magic systems, and just about everything else you could ask for.
Here is the link.
I would be very interested in a Pathfinder Lite version that really stripped the game down to the bare elements also but this is as close as I have found so far while keeping familiar rules.
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Ug. I just had a HUGE post about my favorite retro-clones and their relatives eaten by the post monster. Can't be bothered to type it all out again, so i'll just make a list:
Swords & Wizardry: Complete Rules
Swords & Wizardry: Core Rules
Swords & Wizardry: White Box
Lamentations of the Flame Princess: Weird Fantasy Role-Playing - Grindhouse Edition
OSRIC
Labyrinth Lord
Mutant Future
Dark Dungeons
Darker Dungeons
Darkest Dungeons
Stars Without Number
I've seen Swords and Wizardry as well, and think it has the feel you are looking for. Although it is inspired by the Dragon Age games, the AGE system actually seemed pretty old school (at least the first box).
Personally, I'd like a "PF Lite" too. I love Paizo's module/AP based business model and like Golarian as a developed world. However, for me the game mechanics themselves are more complex than I need to enjoy a good RPG. As player I can basically enjoy it as-is, but I have really disliked DM'ing due to all the complexity and the games tendency to encourage stats-focused power-gaming. A simpler rule set would be much more inviting.
All that said, I doubt we will ever see PF Lite (other than the Beginner's Box) as a lot of people would disagree with me about the rules complexity and like PF just like it is. For the games designers, they probably feel the need to stick to one system as well. The other challenge with outside designers "rules-lite" systems is module support. Paizo really spoils us with all those good AP's and modules!
I've seen Swords and Wizardry as well, and think it has the feel you are looking for. Although it is inspired by the Dragon Age games, the AGE system actually seemed pretty old school (at least the first box).
Personally, I'd like a "PF Lite" too. I love Paizo's module/AP based business model and like Golarian as a developed world. However, for me the game mechanics themselves are more complex than I need to enjoy a good RPG. As player I can basically enjoy it as-is, but I have really disliked DM'ing due to all the complexity and the games tendency to encourage stats-focused power-gaming. A simpler rule set would be much more inviting.
All that said, I doubt we will ever see PF Lite (other than the Beginner's Box) as a lot of people would disagree with me about the rules complexity and like PF just like it is. For the games designers, they probably feel the need to stick to one system as well. The other challenge with outside designers "rules-lite" systems is module support. Paizo really spoils us with all those good AP's and modules!
I hear Green Ronin will be coming out with its own fantasy setting for the AGE system in 2013, one not tied to the Dragon Age setting.
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Several of Open Design's products use the AGE system. If you search the 'net, you can also find Dragon Hack, which is Pathfinder races and classes adapted to AGE. I've also found AGE of Conan and Mystara: The Known World for AGE. And if you want to get really different, there's Eternal Shadows, a horror game; and Firefly: Hurtlin’ Through the 'Verse, which is Firefly/Serenity using AGE.
But my system of choice for a rules-light game (and actually just my system of choice period) is Swords & Wizardry: Complete Rulebook. Between Mythmere Games and Frog God Games, it has more support in terms of adventures and supplements than most retro-clones. It's especially well stocked with monsters, between Mythmere's Monster Book and Frog God's Tome of Horrors Complete. And while the Tome of Adventure Design is system-neutral, it did start it's life as a S&W supplement.