Been playing this gem here and it got me back into my western game mood.
I'm working my own version based on Atomic Highway(with a few tweaks here and there).
But it also got me thinking: what is your favorite western rpg? Your go to system..it doesn't have to be one of the famous ones.
And while we re at it, is there a ruleset that takes Steampunk also into the mix that you like?
Kenzer never really did anything I was interested in, but Aces n Eights is awesome.
Kenzer never really did anything I was interested in, but Aces n Eights is awesome.
Just had a look at a review of A&8. Seems really interesting/well thought...but heavy on the preparation.
Anyone whos tried
this?
Somebody mentioned using the Werewolf Wild West rules for mortals...Is that even practical I wonder?
I have run a Western in G.U.R.P.S. and in Hero. In my biased opinion, both work superbly. I am also considering running one in Mutants & Masterminds 2e. There will be serious restrictions on Powers and I have toyed with tinkering with Initiative.
I have run a Western in G.U.R.P.S. and in Hero. In my biased opinion, both work superbly. I am also considering running one in Mutants & Masterminds 2e. There will be serious restrictions on Powers and I have toyed with tinkering with Initiative.
Makes sense all well respected systems...
How did they handle the fast gritty showdowns though?
For western stuff, I loves me some Deadlands.
For western stuff, I loves me some Deadlands.
Which version? :)
I'll second GURPS for a straight-up Western game.
I played in a "cowboy horror" tournament using Call of Cthulhu rules about a decade ago. It went very well.
Deadlands. Old school, or get off my mechmule!
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I played in a "cowboy horror" tournament using Call of Cthulhu rules about a decade ago.
Back in 2005, the short-lived Call of Cthulhu magazine, "Worlds of Cthulhu", published rules for "Wild West Call of Cthulhu"... I never played in or used those rules myself, but it looked like it would be fun to play.
Wyrd's "Through the Breach" will be out soon, an pencil-and-paper RPG based on the world of Malifaux.
Sort of a Steamcowboyhorrorgothivictorianpunk setting.
Deadlands style weird west = deadlands
Hardcore western/bleak horror western = call of cthulhu(with Worlds of Cthulhu hack)
spaghetti western/other weird west/ pulp western = FATE
The d20 version was quite well done.For western stuff, I loves me some Deadlands.Which version? :)
Jushua if you like d20 and fantasy westerns you might also like Horizon; Spellslinger by FFG
I played in a "cowboy horror" tournament using Call of Cthulhu rules about a decade ago.Back in 2005, the short-lived Call of Cthulhu magazine, "Worlds of Cthulhu", published rules for "Wild West Call of Cthulhu"... I never played in or used those rules myself, but it looked like it would be fun to play.
I'll let my gf know, shes the Lovecraft fan
I'll second GURPS for a straight-up Western game.
I played in a "cowboy horror" tournament using Call of Cthulhu rules about a decade ago. It went very well.
It appears quite a few of you have mixed CoC with Westerns. I believe there's also a BRP western book out there?
Deadlands. Old school, or get off my mechmule!
I ve heard a lot of people say they prefer the original ruleset to Reloaded.Something about the later game losing the flavor...
Hands down, flat out best. The systems in place for creating tension and drama turn every game into an exploration of morality, and the lengths people will go to when given the authority to judge others.
The best action comes when players can't agree on something and initiate a Contest with each other. Some amazing roleplay will ensue. If you have people in your group who are "hate to lose" types, it can get really precarious when the only available outcome to keep from losing a Social challenge is to draw a gun.
It is brilliant.
I ve heard a lot of people say they prefer the original ruleset to Reloaded.Something about the later game losing the flavor...Deadlands. Old school, or get off my mechmule!
Definitely. In old school deadlands the mechanics and flavor are as integrated as its possible to get: multiple card decks , chips, poker hands, and cards literally up your sleve are all part of the mechanics.
Hands down, flat out best. The systems in place for creating tension and drama turn every game into an exploration of morality, and the lengths people will go to when given the authority to judge others.
The best action comes when players can't agree on something and initiate a Contest with each other. Some amazing roleplay will ensue. If you have people in your group who are "hate to lose" types, it can get really precarious when the only available outcome to keep from losing a Social challenge is to draw a gun.
It is brilliant.
Isn't that where you play a type of Mormon Inquisition?
I find the system and roleplaying intriguing but the setting highly unappealing
Definitely. In old school deadlands the mechanics and flavor are as integrated as its possible to get: multiple card decks , chips, poker hands, and cards literally up your sleve are all part of the mechanics.I ve heard a lot of people say they prefer the original ruleset to Reloaded.Something about the later game losing the flavor...Deadlands. Old school, or get off my mechmule!
Btw didn't the original have two editions?
Which one do you use?
Hands down, flat out best. The systems in place for creating tension and drama turn every game into an exploration of morality, and the lengths people will go to when given the authority to judge others.
The best action comes when players can't agree on something and initiate a Contest with each other. Some amazing roleplay will ensue. If you have people in your group who are "hate to lose" types, it can get really precarious when the only available outcome to keep from losing a Social challenge is to draw a gun.
It is brilliant.
Isn't that where you play a type of Mormon Inquisition?
I find the system and roleplaying intriguing but the setting highly unappealing
That's the basic idea, yes. It's a fantasy-version of old west utah. It isn't actually Mormonism, but it's an analogue. The setting is just there to set up the conflicts. It could really be set anywhere as long as the characters are investigators with the authority to mete out some kind of justice or punishment.
I played a game of Dogs that was set in Megacity, the Judge Dredd setting. It worked perfectly.
Hands down, flat out best. The systems in place for creating tension and drama turn every game into an exploration of morality, and the lengths people will go to when given the authority to judge others.
The best action comes when players can't agree on something and initiate a Contest with each other. Some amazing roleplay will ensue. If you have people in your group who are "hate to lose" types, it can get really precarious when the only available outcome to keep from losing a Social challenge is to draw a gun.
It is brilliant.
Isn't that where you play a type of Mormon Inquisition?
I find the system and roleplaying intriguing but the setting highly unappealing
That's the basic idea, yes. It's a fantasy-version of old west utah. It isn't actually Mormonism, but it's an analogue. The setting is just there to set up the conflicts. It could really be set anywhere as long as the characters are investigators with the authority to mete out some kind of justice or punishment.
I played a game of Dogs that was set in Megacity, the Judge Dredd setting. It worked perfectly.
I see. Does it have a duel/showdown mechanic?
Basically everything is a duel or showdown. Important social interaction is framed as combat. It's as a sort of skill challenge, with what is "At Stake" being decided by the results of the rolls.
The interesting thing about the system is that the mechanics for any sort of conflict are fundamentally the same. The only differences are which attributes and traits create the dice pool, and what kind of damage (called Fallout) can happen.
The interesting thing is that the person who loses can "escalate" the challenge by switching to a kind of conflict with a more severe form of Fallout.
If you don't like the fact that you are going to lose an argument, or not convince someone to do something, you can stop negotiating and start threatening. This escalation can go all the way up to Gunplay, which has the most severe kinds of Fallout (for obvious reasons).
In essence, everything from a staredown, to shootout is handled by the same system. Only what is at stake changes.
One of the things this encourages is for people to not immediately go for their guns. You can always escalate a conflict, but once a weapon has been drawn you can't go back to trying to talk things out unless you're really good at talking. So, in most cases, you might as well try to start with talking.
This creates a very believable and natural building of tension that makes the inevitable shootout feel a lot more important. By that point there is an awful lot At Stake.