Dresden Files RPG-Is it Any Good?

[Arctaris]

I'm a big fan of the Dresden Files novels, and I've always thought that it would be a fun world in which to run a game so I was pretty excited to see source books for it in my FLGS. However, the books are a bit pricey, and so I'm wondering if anyone's played this, and if its a good system and good source books.

[seekerofshadowlight]

I have not played it but do know its based off the fate system. Ya might want to look at that system to see if its something ya might like.

Fate SRD

[Saedar]

My local group just finished up our first campaign about a month ago. We had a really great time with it and had people ranging in gaming experience from several years under their belts to those who were picking up the game for the first time. Fun was had by all.

If you are concerned about the price, you really only need the first book for the system. The second book is good as a setting guide and has a TON of NPC/creatures statted up and ready to go.

The system is fluid, fun and supports both combat and social conflicts very well.

There are a couple of things that might be considered negative, though. The Character and City Creation (the setting is built as a collective effort, as are character backstories) both take a LONG time. Especially if you don't have anyone who is familiar with the system. That said, the book offers a lot of support for these aspects. The magic system can be pretty complicated but it is very adaptable and really mimics the way magic feels from the novels.

That's all I have for right now... Any other questions about it?

[Grey Lensman]

My gaming group just wrapped up a scenario in Dresden.

City generation took 2 entire sessions (but out GM can be a stickler for detail. He had maps of the place and had visited it a couple times). Then character generation took another session after that. However, we had a larger group, so in a standard 4 to 5 player group that is more willing to settle for general outlines I'd say an entire session devoted to creation. You should be able to get everything done in one night provided the players aren't arguing and can stay on topic.

Gameplay is fast paced, as once you get through the generation everything is pretty simple, relying on descriptions from the players and GM to fill in the blanks.

We also had a party of people taken right out of movies and novels. One player was basically playing Edward from the Anita Blake series, I was playing an ogre-blooded changeling patterned after Sin City's Marv, and we had a wizard based on Egg-Chen from Big Trouble in Little China. Fun times.

[fray]

I'm going to start a forum (not here) based city/character creation thread tomorrow. We're not actually going to play but we wanted to get more familiar with the game. Plus there are a few of us that are in the same 100 mile radius, so there is a chance we could get together and actually play some day.
We were wanting someone that knew how to play to show us, but that didn't happen, so we are jumping right in ourselves. :]

[deinol]

I'm going to be writing up my thoughts and play experience as part of an upcoming blog carnival. I don't have any experience with the actual novels. I can tell you these books are fun to read. There are little comments written in the margin by the characters of the books in a self-aware sort of way. One of my favorites:

Harry Dresden wrote:

So, this guy named Jim is playing me, huh? I hope he gets it right!

Absolutely WRONG.

It’s simple: my dad’s last name was “Dresden” and I’m named after of one of his heroes: “Harry” Houdini.

By the way, “Jim” – ROLL BETTER, when I’m hip-deep in crap, ok?

Jerk.

The rules are very story driven, and encourage you to populate the city you'll be playing in with NPCs before you start character creation. You are also supposed to involve your characters with the other character's background stories and build aspects into your character from them.

I only have the PDFs right now, but I will definitely pick up the hardcovers when I can afford to. If I ever feel like playing World of Darkness again, I would use these rules instead. Hopefully I'll get a chance to run a one-shot in the next couple weeks and I'll write a full blog about it after that.

[Saedar]

deinol wrote:

I only have the PDFs right now, but I will definitely pick up the hardcovers when I can afford to. If I ever feel like playing World of Darkness again, I would use these rules instead. Hopefully I'll get a chance to run a one-shot in the next couple weeks and I'll write a full blog about it after that.

Minor Derail...

I don't know if you noticed but on the Dresden Files RPG there is a minor god of the system who did conversions for most of the oWoD PC-creatures.

Check it: Conversions for Old World of Darkness Character Types

[PulpCruciFiction]

Saedar wrote:

Minor Derail...

I don't know if you noticed but on the Dresden Files RPG there is a minor god of the system who did conversions for most of the oWoD PC-creatures.

Check it: Conversions for Old World of Darkness Character Types

You just made my afternoon, sir.

[Saedar]

PulpCruciFiction wrote:

You just made my afternoon, sir.

Lol. No problem. I went through and looked at some of the conversions and they look pretty amazing.

[Smerg]

Yeah, I got my copy of the rules today from my FLGS. I was beginning to wonder if they would ever get it shipped in. Looks like it is worth the wait.

I'm reading the city creation section.

I suppose that if you ran something on these boards, you'd use .dice.4d3-8./dice. as the expression. That would give the correct -4 to +4 the rules consider with the correct statistical curve.