Feb 6 2013

Ask The Stargazer: What is the best Fantasy RPG?

Ask The Stargazer Some of you may remember the column “Ask The Stargazer” that I introduced back in 2011. I posted a couple of replies to your questions since then, but for various reasons the column has lost steam in 2012. But there are still a few unanswered emails in my inbox, so I decided to get “Ask The Stargazer” back into gear again!

Here’s the first question for 2013:

Dear Stargazer

I have one more question that I kindly would ask: What is the best fantasy rpg?

Could you please give short overview of the most popular fantasy rpgs with a summary of pros and cons? I have played d&d 3rd, ad&d 2nd, d&d 3.5 and now I’m playing Pathfinder. Although there is a lot of differences between these editions this mostly one game. My problem is that I find this game a bit heavy – having to much rules and the combat takes to much time. In addition I hate class levels, making it too difficult for the DM/GM to make an adventure. So the thing I actually what to find out is what other options do I have? I have played some general rpgs as well, but I didn’t find those very intriguing.

Kind,

Henrik

Deciding which fantasy RPG is best for you is actually not easily answered. There’s no such thing as the best RPG. Every game out there has its flaws and it’s entirely possible that the game I love is total rubbish to you. As the saying goes: One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. But before I get too philosophical, let’s have a look at a few popular games.

A note: I will give you my thoughts on each of the games but going into detail will definitely beyond the scope of a blog post, so if you’re interested to learn more about a particular game, check out the game’s official site or post your question in the comments below.

By • Advice, Ask The Stargazer, D&D4e, Dragon Age, Legacy D&D, Legend/Runequest, Other Systems, Pathfinder, RPG • 11

Feb 4 2013

The Pathfinder Reference Document Updated (And a few other things!)

PathfinderIf you are a Pathfinder RPG fan you might already know this because Paizo has been very good at announcing it via social media and RPG new outlets have covered it, but just in case this is the one source of RPG news you read, and we can’t criticize your for your impeccable taste, I’m writing this post.

The Pathfinder Roleplaying Game Reference Document has been updated yet again! I have to commend Paizo for keeping their reference document current and making it a real tool for gamers on the digital edge. For me the reference document does not substitute the actual book, PDF, on in many cases both. The books have more details and explanations; of course illustrations, “fluff”, and I still prefer reading the information from the book. But to a digital Game Master it is an excellent tool.

I don’t run adventures at home so my space to transport books is at a premium. I have to choose what to take and having so much content available online is probably what makes running Pathfinder so easy for me. So what’s new? The content for the NPC Codex has been added, the stat blocks, not the specific NPCs for each stat block (and they make getting the book in print of PDF worth it!) as well as information from the Advanced Races Guide integrated into the indexes. Oh the indexes! The various indexes make it possible to sort through the ever growing number of spells, feats and magic items. Some people are overwhelmed by the sheer number of choices in Pathfinder but tools such as this make it much easier to run the game!

(That and Hero Lab, Perram’s Spellbook,these tools are integral parts of my electronic toolbox, but I digress…)

I also regularly use the Pathfinder SRD, it contains much of the same content as the Pathfinder RD, but organized differently, and the SRD includes 3rd party content, not on the official Paizo document. I typically have both open during games and switch from these online tools to my own home grown tools, such as my Excel campaign journal and work tool, an Excel encounter calculator, the campaign Facebook page and Google site. But the Pathfinder Reference Document is the center of all this madness, the most useful tool I have for my weekly game.

I’ve written about the updates before, and hope that Paizo continues to do this. It shows the commitment they have with their fan base, kudos to all the talented and hardworking people who work on my favorite fantasy RPG.

By • Just my two cents, News & Reviews, Other Systems, Pathfinder, Random musings, RPG, RPG tools • 0

Feb 1 2013

Star Wars Infinities – The Gathering Storm (Part 2 of 8)

SW InfinitiesHello there and welcome back! This is the second installment of the weekly mini-series of posts about an Infinities-type Star Wars campaign I created for my gaming group. Like I explained on the previous post it’s a trip down memory lane I’m sharing with you, our dear reader, because of all the Star Wars related news recently in the media. This time around it’s part 1 of the alternate history for the campaign. I kept some details of the Star Wars universe, changed others and made my own little mix. It’s my attempt to frame the galaxy into a place that would, first offer a place where the player’s adventures may take place, and secondly, be a galaxy that may become as we see in episodes 4, 5 and 6.

I would like to reiterate, it is MY take on the Star Wars milieu, you may agree or disagree with my interpretation of things like the Jedi, or the Force. It was crafted with the input of my players (who filled my much beloved questionnaires and commented on the text before it was finalized) so it worked for us. I hope it might be of interest to some of you. Let me know what you like, or did not like, in the comments. Looking forward to those!

Before I forget, let me acknowledge my main source of information and research, and a tool I used constantly when I ran this game, Wookipeedia. It is such a singular source of information, I could not have run the game without it.

Now to get to what you came here for…

More

By • Feature, Fluff/Inspiration, Other Systems, RPG, Star Wars Saga Edition • 0

Jan 30 2013

Gaming on the cheap – 2013 Edition (Part 2/2)

Last time I wrote about some highly recommended free games, this time I want to focus on inexpensive commercial games. All of the games listed below are available as PDF document for $10 or less. Of course you can’t beat the price of free, but if you are willing to invest a few bucks into your hobby, the games below are definitely worth the investment.

Legend

97239-thumb140

Legend is a 242-paged fantasy RPG based on the well-known Runequest system. It uses percentile dice for all task resolutions and is – aside from combat – pretty rules light.

Legend doesn’t come with any setting, but can basically be used for all kinds of fantasy backgrounds. What really makes Legend an interesting alternative to other games is its incredibly low price. You get the complete core rules in PDF format for just $1!
Especially with that in mind there’s no reason not to pick it up.
   

The Weird West Roleplaying Game is a real treat. It’s a complete roleplaying game which is set into a weird western world of cowboys, kung-fu, and magic.
What it sets apart from similar games it that it comes on just 8 pages. Yes, you read that correctly! There’s even a pocketmod version, you can print out, fold and carry around in your pocket.
If you don’t mind the simple rules, you should give it a look. It’s available for just $1 on RPGNow.

Weird West Roleplaying Game
 

91122-thumb140
   

BASH! Sci-Fi Edition
 

51250-thumb140

BASH! Sci-Fi Edition is the Sci-Fi variant of the BASH! superhero roleplaying game. It’s a 138-paged PDF containing all the rules needed to run a game in basically every SF subgenre.

The task resolution method is quite unique, probably because it was designed to help kids learn math. Everytime you perform a skill check, you roll 2d6 and multiply the roll results with the relevant stat.

Overall the rules are pretty light and easy to learn. Since the rules are derived from a superhero game, creating unique heroes is pretty easy in this game.

The PDF sets you back $9.99.
   

The Marvel Heroic Roleplaying Basic Game is a game I have mixed feelings about. It’s a great looking 232-paged superhero roleplaying game set in the Marvel universe using the Cortex+ system.

A lot of people are enjoying this game tremendously and from a production quality standpoint $9.99 for the PDF are a steal, but for some reason I can’t wrap my head around the rules.

If you have played games with the Cortex+ rules before or if you are a fan of the Marvel universe, you definitely should give this game a look anyway.

Marvel Heroic Roleplaying: Basic Game
 
99611-thumb140
   

Barbarians of Lemuria (Legendary Edition)
 
58815-thumb140

Barbarians of Lemuria is a 110-paged sword & sorcery roleplaying game inspired by pulp fantasy from Robert E. Howard’s Conan to Michael Moorcock’s Elric.

If you are looking for a rules-light game that allows you to experience adventures inspired by your favorite sword & sorcery tales, look no further.

The PDF copy is $7.50 at RPGNow.
   

This list wouldn’t be complete without at least one of the GUMSHOE games on it. Fear Itself is one of the lesser known games using Robin Laws’ system, but it’s definitely worth your attention.

In most other horror games you are some kind of investigator fighting against the evil and the unknown. In Fear Itself the player characters are just ordinary people confronted with a disturbing world of madness and violence.

The 90-paged PDF contains all the rules needed to run the game and even an introductory adventure. It sets you back $8.95.

Fear Itself

50423-thumb140
   

BareBones Fantasy Role Playing Game

107498-thumb140

Last but not least I want to mention the BareBones Fantasy Role Playing Game. In my opinion it’s one of the best fantasy RPGs released in recent times. It just feels right, has a set of light but solid rules and is clearly a labor of love.

The 84-paged PDF contains all the rules necessary to run the game, an extensive bestiary and even a setting. While it has a certain old-school charm to it, it’s a modern game with a really well-designed percentile dice system.

The game sets you back $9.99 for the PDF, but you can get the softcover + PDF bundle for just four additional dollars! If I had to name my fantasy RPG of the year, it would be BBF!
   

As with part one of the series, this list is far from extensive. There are a lot of very good and inexpensive games out there, especially if you are willing to get the PDF version. If you already have a set of polyhedral dice, pencils, scrap paper and about $10, you can start playing. The times where you had to invest $60 and more just to start with gaming are luckily long gone.

What do you guys think about my picks? Is there anything I should have mentioned? Please share your thoughts in the comments below!

By • Advice, News & Reviews, Other Systems, RPG • 5

Jan 28 2013

What about the Star Wars X-Wing Miniature Game? A mini review…

SWXWSeems I am on a Star Wars roll these days…

Recently during a Puerto Rico Role Players geeknic I got to play the Star Wars X-Wing Miniature Game. I rarely play miniature games. I have in the past but they have never really caught my fancy. Many of my closest friends are miniature and strategy games enthusiast, and in the past I have played Epic, BattleTech, Man O’War, and Battle Fleet Gothic. Except for that last one form which I had the basic box, all the others I played with friend’s armies. While some of those games were fun, most of them took too long or gameplay bored me. I discovered that when those games dragged too long I just zoned out. I can role-play for hours but long war games and strategy games just bore me.

(I did play an old Axis & Allies game that lasted about 18 hours, but we had as much fun off the board as on the game itself. Might have been sleep deprivation, but I digress!)

During the geeknic, some friends played the X-Wing game and I just couldn’t resist looking. The minis looked great, but all the components just fueled my interest. After a short explanation I got to throw some dice and try out the game. What can I say? It was fun!

More

By • Boardgames, Just my two cents, News & Reviews, Random musings, Reviews & First Looks, RPG • 0

Jan 25 2013

Star Wars Infinities – The Gathering Storm (Part 1 of 8)

SW InfinitiesThe sale of Lucasfilms to Disney, the release of the Star Wars Edge of the Empire game by Fantasy Flight Games, the new Star Wars comic book series by Dark Horse, this all has me thinking about my favorite sci-fantasy movie saga!

Back in 2007 when the Star Wars Saga Edition RPG came out it rekindled my interest for Star Wars RPGs. I had attempted at running Star Wars RPG games using WEG’s D6 engine without success (more a matter of the group not the system!), but by 2007 I was determined to do it. Since I prefer running campaigns I create, actually running this game seemed anathema, BUT the more I looked at it the more I wanted to do it, and I figured out how…

More

By • Feature, Non-RPG, Other Systems, Random musings, RPG, Star Wars Saga Edition • 0

Jan 23 2013

Gaming on the cheap – 2013 Edition (Part 1/2)

”Roleplaying games can be an expensive hobby, especially when you are the game master.” With these words I started a post in 2009 called “Gaming on the cheap” and it’s still true. But in the meantime a lot of new free games have been released which are worth a look. There are also a couple of inexpensive games available if you are willing to spend a few dollars. But I will talk about those in the next post of this series. Let’s start today with the free games. You’ll notice that there are a couple of games on that list I was involved with, so I hope you don’t mind.

Atomic Highway

In 2011 Colin Chapman released the PDF version of his post-apocalyptic roleplaying game Atomic Highway for free.
Atomic Highway is powered by the V6 Engine, a rules-light game system which is as easy as it’s brilliant. While there’s an assumed setting, AH is basically a toolbox for the post-apocalypse.
It works great with Mad-Max-style games and even comes with rules for modifying your ride.
If you are really excited about post-apoc gaming you could also pick up the cheap Irradiated Freaks supplement which adds new options to the game.

Arcane Heroes

Arcane Heroes is a 5-paged rules-light fantasy game I wrote in November 2010 after playing way too much Fable III. It’s inspired by said game and uses a simple dice pool system for task resolution. Even though it lacks a proper setting it should be fully playable if the GM is willing to fill the holes with his own ideas. The system could probably be easily adapted to other genres as well.

Arcane Secrets by my friend Andrew Modro expands on Arcane Heroes and adds new spells.

A Wanderer’s Romance

 awr_cover

A Wanderer’s Romance is a 45-paged game of martial arts duels and tea-making contests written by Chris McDowall. And it’s one of the projects I was proud to be a part of. Back in 2011 I did the layout for AWR and I have to admit I am still proud on how it turned out.

If you are into the fantasy wuxia genre you definitely should check out A Wanderer’s Romance.

Badass

“Have you ever wanted to play a game that kicks that logic in the face, twists its arm behind its back and makes it cry for its momma?”

Jay Steven Anyong’s BADASS is exactly that game. It’s a rules light beer & pretzels game in which you play badasses doing badass things. In Badass you can play dinosaurs, robots, ninjas, cops, teachers (yes, there are badass teachers), gamblers, and more. If you ever watched a totally over-the-top Hong Kong movie, you know exactly how BADASS is meant to be played.

Icar
image

Icar is a space opera created by Rob Lang which comes in the form of a 187-paged PDF. Compared with most of the other games mentioned in this post, Icar is huge – both in page count and depth.

It’s also one of the games I always wanted to give a closer look, but never had the time to. I love the sci-fi genre and I – as I probably mentioned before – have a soft spot for percentile system, so there are multiple reasons to give the game a chance.

I wish I had more free time.

By • Freebies, News & Reviews, RPG • 6

« 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 »
%d bloggers like this: