I'm really only experienced with 3.5 and Pathfinder, but lately I've been wanting to add different elements and next thing I know I'm changing the whole system... So I figure, maybe there's another system that does what I want to do.
Where should I look? They don't all have to be the same system, I figure I could probably find a way to mix them together if I have to. I'm just wondering if there's some system that has this already figured out.
Warhammer 3e covers all that. Armor gives you damage reduction and can add to your defense value (depending on the type of armor you wear). Some weapons have speeds (like a rapier is a fast weapon). Some weapons also have a pierce rating, which reduces the effectiveness of armor against attacks from such weapons. It also has a fatigue and stress system. The fatigue system is neat because it allows you perform extra maneuvers on your turn (not extra attacks, but you can still do a little more than usual when you really need to). The problem is that when you perform extra maneuvers you get fatigue, and if you get too much you take penalties to certain physical attributes and you can even pass out. There is a stress system that functions the same way, but it applies to mental attributes instead. The custom dice also occasionally produce a result that generates a fatigue point, and the gm can hand them out as well. It features a systems for critical wounds, insanity, spell miscasting and other nasty stuff like disease and mutations.
It's really good game once you get used to it. The main draw backs are the core set is expensive, the game is component heavy (for instance it has little decks of cards for things like crits, spell miscasts, insanities, talents, special maneuvers, mutations etc, which is what I mean by component heavy). It also features custom dice that come with the game. I've grown to like them, but it took me a couple of sessions. Once you get used to all that, it ends up being a great system. It's just a little daunting at first.
Warhammer 3e covers all that. Armor gives you damage reduction and can add to your defense value (depending on the type of armor you wear). Some weapons have speeds (like a rapier is a fast weapon). Some weapons also have a pierce rating, which reduces the effectiveness of armor against attacks from such weapons. It also has a fatigue and stress system. The fatigue system is neat because it allows you perform extra maneuvers on your turn (not extra attacks, but you can still do a little more than usual when you really need to). The problem is that when you perform extra maneuvers you get fatigue, and if you get too much you take penalties to certain physical attributes and you can even pass out. There is a stress system that functions the same way, but it applies to mental attributes instead. The custom dice also occasionally produce a result that generates a fatigue point, and the gm can hand them out as well. It features a systems for critical wounds, insanity, spell miscasting and other nasty stuff like disease and mutations.
It's really good game once you get used to it. The main draw backs are the core set is expensive, the game is component heavy (for instance it has little decks of cards for things like crits, spell miscasts, insanities, talents, special maneuvers, mutations etc, which is what I mean by component heavy). It also features custom dice that come with the game. I've grown to like them, but it took me a couple of sessions. Once you get used to all that, it ends up being a great system. It's just a little daunting at first.
I am on the lookout for a system for our fantasy games too.That said:
One system that does all those right from the book without any meddling but also works as a Toolkit is FantasyCraft..Its also vaguely d20(but not exactly) so it will ease you through the change
Warhammer is also pretty setting specific. It's a cool setting, but not the easiest system to run a standard D&D style game with.
Fantasycraft would certainly be more versatile. However, if your really only used to 3.5 and Pathfinder, it might be nice to try a system that is quite different from a d20 system.
The basic system for exalted, fits all three.
Tick based weapon speed: If you use a dagger you strike more often than if you use a great sword, but a great sword user can still potentially get the first blow.
Armour soaks up damage, rather than determining if your hit or not. Heavy weapons do more damage so go through armour better.
Stamina effects your ability to resist damage, undertake prolonged activity, and resist disease, but doesn't mean you can take more damage.
It also has a social conflict resolution system, and a stunt system, which encourages rich, exciting and fun description.
Thanks for all the leads. Although I'm definitely focused on a sword and sorcery, I shall check Warhammer out anyway; maybe I can reskin it to my setting... Anyway I will be doing some book browsing tomorrow. :3
Thanks for all the leads. Although I'm definitely focused on a sword and sorcery, I shall check Warhammer out anyway; maybe I can reskin it to my setting... Anyway I will be doing some book browsing tomorrow. :3
Sword and sorcery as in Conan style of game? If so, you may want to check out Riddle of Steel. The game is far from perfect, but I would recommend giving it a read and testing it out some. It probably won't be the game you choose, but it may give you ideas on how to get what you want out of other games.
The only downside is that a hard copy of the game is difficult to acquire. Sometimes you can find a copy as cheap as $40, but they're usually worn. Good condition copies often run $100 or more. The PDF can be bought for $20, but unfortunately it's a scan of the book, not a digitally formatted document.
I'm really only experienced with 3.5 and Pathfinder, but lately I've been wanting to add different elements and next thing I know I'm changing the whole system... So I figure, maybe there's another system that does what I want to do.
Weapon Speeds (lighter weapons would be faster while heavy weapons would be slower)
A system where armor has hardness (so that it takes heavier weapons to break through stronger armor)
A seperation between stamina and health
Where should I look? They don't all have to be the same system, I figure I could probably find a way to mix them together if I have to. I'm just wondering if there's some system that has this already figured out.
Basic Roleplaying might fit what you need. It has the armor system you describe and an entire optional stamina system. The weapon speeds that you'd like would be very easy to implement, if not already in there. I really enjoy this system because its so easy to tweak everything into something you like.