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Casimir
August 27th, 2009, 15:44
Hello -

Before I ask the question, I guess some background info is in order.

I've played DnD since 1978 (still have my worn original boxed set rule book too). I was a fairly fanatical player for most of my school years and into my early adult years. I've played DnD in almost all it's incarnations up to 3.5 - I still have yet to play (or even look into) 4E. However, shortly after 2E came out I started getting disillusioned with the game mechanics - especially the combat system. I prefer a much more gritty, dark, and low fantasy setting, and had begun to look for something that reflected that as a rule set - I never felt (and still don't) that the DnD system truly captures melee and projectile combat very well (and this is based on years of being involved in swordfighting groups like the SCA as a basis). So I started hunting around, first creating my own hybrid RPG system, and then finding RuneQuest. I really liked the RQ system (4th Ed at the time), especially it's combat system - which is what I really was after. However, I didn't really care much for it's magic system.

That left me in a bit of a quandry as one might imagine. I dealt with it largely over the next couple years by running a campaign where the players weren't spellcasters (by choice). But it's bugged me ever since.

I sort of "fell out" of playing RPG's when I got married about 14 years ago, and so I'm not too familiar with many other newer RPG systems. I played 3.5 with some guys at work as a player for a few games and bought the DM Guide and PH, but again that system divulged even more from 2E and the reasons I'd become disillusioned with it in the first place.

So - what I'm after - does anyone know of a game system out there that essentially combines the RQ combat system with a magic system that's similar to the DnD 2E magic system?

My hybrid rule set is great for gritty realistic game mechanics but just lacks a robust magic system. As a result I think at this point in my life (not a kid with lots of free time anymore) I'd prefer to use a "pre-fab" rule system rather than hammer out the work to complete my own - but if I have to do that then I am prepared to develop my own as a FGII ruleset of it's own right.

Foen
August 27th, 2009, 15:55
I'm not familiar with more recent systems (having been most active in RPGs at college 23 yrs ago), but you might give Rolemaster a look. Its combat is different to RQ but just as deadly and much more graphic, but it has a neat spell system.

In the spirit of full disclosure, I coded a lot of the RM ruleset for FG, so cannot claim to be impartial, but it was one of the systems I enjoyed most at college.

Another alternative would be to use BRP, the system behind RQ, which has several different powers/magic options you could choose.

Stuart

Griogre
August 27th, 2009, 18:44
Depending on what you want RQ is very gritty (and lethal).

You might want to take a look at Ars Magica. It is known for having one of the best magic systems. The combat in it is very lethal and the setting: the dark ages as "they believed them to be at the time" is potentially *very* gritty. D&D like most FRPGs is really based on a pseudo dark age with magic anyway.

You can get the 4th edition of Ars Magica as a free download here (https://e23.sjgames.com/item.html?id=AG0204) - its free because there is a later version now. I played mostly with the 3rd and this version so I know these are fine.

Tenian
August 27th, 2009, 19:05
Warhammer Fantasy RPG (whatever they call it now) is also gritty and lethal.

Casimir
August 27th, 2009, 19:12
Ah yes, good old ICE. :)

I used to play MERP - in fact, until last year I still had my 1st Edition boxed set I kept for - well, sentimental reasons mostly. I tried playing MERP a few times, but the constant table scanning turned me off to that system. We had combat scenarios where there were so many critical hits that we had most of the critical hit table memorized ("Strike to the head makes life difficult for the unfortunate fool...").

I'll give RM a look over, but I'll most likely pass on that system if it's similar to MERP's game mechanics whereas combat is concerned.

I'll look over BRP though - if I'm reading and understanding right it looks like Chaosium just released a new version of BRP in June.

Casimir
August 27th, 2009, 19:24
Thanks for the suggestions so far guys, I'll look into these other systems. I guess my biggest concern is combat really - I don't want to sacrifice a really good combat system for a good magic system. That's primarily because my campaigns are usually very scarce on magic and magic items... magic users are pretty rare, and finding an item imbued with magic power is a very rare, and wonderful, thing indeed.

Oberoten
August 27th, 2009, 21:45
Amusingly one of the things that my players tend to love the most about Ars Magica is that it has a GOOD combat system as well as a magic system that is second to none.

- Obe

wavecutter
August 28th, 2009, 14:38
G.u.r.p.s.