...and asked me if I would "buy the dungeons and dragaons game." I had to laugh to myself, and brought her to the bookshelf that houses about half of my gaming books. I handed her one and told her to read it. She hates reading, and so she did not.
Flash forward a few months: I have worked out a game system catered to her capabilites that uses a 2d6 action resolution and a point system to buy offensive and defensive capabilites and skills. There are no races or classes. You pick the numbers and flavor them any way you want, or vice versa (my preference). The overall game play would be familiar to any d20 gamer but with a character sheet that boils down to five lines, plus possibly a few spells. I'm hoping that if she wants to someday, she can jump over to the real thing.
Anyhow, I have the framework complete, I iron out rules as needed, and she gets to be her vampire girl and pals for about an hour or so a day. I'm looking for some outside input. So, any suggestions for a fantasy/adventure tactical/improv game for kids?
Google Hero Kids Rpg...it is pretty damn polished and I know people who are running it for their kids and loving it.
There's also a game called Little Wizards designed precisely for the purpose of gamers introducing their kids to RPGs. Dunno if it's what you're looking for, but it might be worth poking at anyway. :)
I looked up both. Hero kids seemed to have more of the feel I am going for (my kid's interest is turning out to be much less kid-y that I thought) but I was quite surprised to see how alike the action bonuses and action resolution in Little Wizards was to the ones that I "invented". I thought I was being clever... :)
Anyhow, the input I was looking for was suggestions on game elements to include. Sure, I know what she likes (and she tells me), but I am open to ideas.
In terms of tailoring/ catering to a younger audience? Not to pry but I think we need to know how young is young? I mean are we talking cartoons and stuffed animals or Twilight books and social media?
She is 14, but mentally and emotionally less than that. Sometimes half, sometimes less (PDD and EDNOS). She has equal enthusiasm for both fairy tale princesses and Underworld style vampires. Inconsistent and varied feelings on zombies and other monsters. She loves excessive gore in the battles, but concepts like tact, stealth, preparation, etc are completely lost on her. She's coming along with her math skills, which was half of the reason I started this: giving record keeping and math a practical application.
So, any suggestions for a fantasy/adventure tactical/improv game for kids?
Although I've moved away from D&D, the 5e seems it will be a better restart for kids. 4e created an absolute nightmare void for those of us whose kids just wanted to play a basic rpg..as opposed..to whatever 4e became.
You realize that that you can substitute 3.x for 4e, and that statement is just as valid for some people, right?
You could also substitute "pants" or "otters" and it would be just as valid for some people.
You realize that that you can substitute 3.x for 4e, and that statement is just as valid for some people, right?You could also substitute "pants" or "otters" and it would be just as valid for some people.
No, you couldn't.
No, you couldn't.
Otters created an absolute nightmare void for those of us whose kids just wanted to play a basic rpg..as opposed..to whatever the otters became.
Just because you aren't terrorized by otters doesn't mean you can just dismiss everyone else on Earth! :(
Translation:
Instead of flipping out because someone said 4e, try to read the comment more like "I've found that the current version of D&D is too complex for my kids, I hope the next edition will be designed to go a bit easier on them." Conflict escalation isn't very helpful.
No, you couldn't.Translation:
Instead of flipping out because someone said 4e, try to read the comment more like "I've found that the current version of D&D is too complex for my kids, I hope the next edition will be designed to go a bit easier on them." Conflict escalation isn't very helpful.
I don't necessarily disagree with you, but the quoted post did come across as pretty lame considering how often 4E has been accused of being a "dumbed down" version of D&D.
I think she would like 4th ed but honestly even that is still too complicated for her.
I'm having to make up and modify a bunch of the rules as I go, because its tough anticipating what she want to do. For example, because of her love of the Underworld movies, her adventuring party has completely changed. She began with four heroes, and over time has swapped them out with two vampires, a werewolf, a weretiger, and a goblin. It has all happened in game, so I'm glad of that at least. She wants to lose the goblin in favor of yet another werewolf. I really enjoy playing evil on the rare occasion, but running a game like that is taxing on me. I don't share her love of vampires and werewolves. She's become really addicted to tabletop though, so I'm sacrificing some of my own enjoyment for hers.
If you are curious at all, here is a LINK to the reference document I use for what I had dubbed Heroes & Monsters. Some of it is completed, but mostly not.
If you are curious at all, here is a LINK to the reference document I use for what I had dubbed Heroes & Monsters. Some of it is completed, but mostly not.
Looks like it's off to a good start. I like it.
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Pick up Swords & Wizardry Complete. The pdf is free and it's a great, simple game, with just enough rules to have a framework, and not too many that you feel overwhelmed by them.
I looked up S&W. Quite reminiscent of my jr. high school days.
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Another suggestion for FATE Accelerated.
Atomic Sock Monkey's PDQ and/or PDQ#. You can fit a character sheet on a 3 x 5 card.