Advice (other gaming mechanic for a gritty, low magic campaign?) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Advice (other gaming mechanic for a gritty, low magic campaign?) [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
StoryTellerSJEM
04-04-07, 06:02 AM I've been running D&D since basic set and first edition. I ran D&D 3.0/3.5 for several years as well.

At this point, I think I need something different because D&D just isn't working for my setting.

Here's what I'd like to have in my game . . . or, not havei n my game:

1.Longer to level up;
2.Doesn't feel like a video game;
3.Magic is unpredictable;
4.Magic is rare in comparison to D&D (but still there);
5.Players get xp for a lot of things other than combat so they aren't looking for an excuse to fight.;
6.Combat is deadly so PCs stop to think on whether they should avoid the fight rather than wade in, singing Wagnerian operas.;
7.PCs are more defined by their skills and background than their powers.;
8.Just as a note, I will factor in other game mechanics and one thing I will keep is the d.20 method for skills. I like that one.;
9.Ecology of monsters is appreciated.;
10. Deadly magic is so rare that I can still have medieval style battles so that tight formations don't have to worry about fireballs and castles (which may have taken years to build) don't get disintegrated in seconds.;
11. I don't want escalation magic where I have to create special antimagic shells around castles to protect them from being blasted away in seconds.;
12. I would prefer that spellcasters be very rare for players to play (I consider them common in D&D) yet I would still like something as all the D&D classes possibly available.;
13. I will give PCs hero points or luck points so that even brutal combat won't always mean the demise of their character.;
14. Methods that award PCs for thinking and solving problems rather than just using their magic or powers to solve all their problems.

So the game mechanic I'll probably use is first edition WARHAMMER RPG (think low magic and very gritty combat).

Are there any other supplements or gaming mechanics I should check out? If so, can you give me some elaborate details about how they would fit what I am seeking?

BTW, I've heard IRON HEROES might be worth checking for ideas.

Thanks.

Best,

SJEM
mlasater
04-04-07, 06:14 AM If you liked the Warhammer RPG, check out the 2nd (new) edition published by Green Ronin. It is basically the same mechanics, but has some of the balance issues corrected (like non-humans, assassins).
Magic is even more dangerous than in the older edition.
StoryTellerSJEM
04-04-07, 06:18 AM Thanks for the heads up.

I read the reviews on second edition and there were complaints.

Could you give me more details along the lines of 2nd edition?

Thanks.

Best,

SJEM

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
StoryTellerSJEM 04-04-07, 06:02 AM	I've been running D&D since basic set and first edition. I ran D&D 3.0/3.5 for several years as well. At this point, I think I need something different because D&D just isn't working for my setting. Here's what I'd like to have in my game . . . or, not havei n my game: 1.Longer to level up; 2.Doesn't feel like a video game; 3.Magic is unpredictable; 4.Magic is rare in comparison to D&D (but still there); 5.Players get xp for a lot of things other than combat so they aren't looking for an excuse to fight.; 6.Combat is deadly so PCs stop to think on whether they should avoid the fight rather than wade in, singing Wagnerian operas.; 7.PCs are more defined by their skills and background than their powers.; 8.Just as a note, I will factor in other game mechanics and one thing I will keep is the d.20 method for skills. I like that one.; 9.Ecology of monsters is appreciated.; 10. Deadly magic is so rare that I can still have medieval style battles so that tight formations don't have to worry about fireballs and castles (which may have taken years to build) don't get disintegrated in seconds.; 11. I don't want escalation magic where I have to create special antimagic shells around castles to protect them from being blasted away in seconds.; 12. I would prefer that spellcasters be very rare for players to play (I consider them common in D&D) yet I would still like something as all the D&D classes possibly available.; 13. I will give PCs hero points or luck points so that even brutal combat won't always mean the demise of their character.; 14. Methods that award PCs for thinking and solving problems rather than just using their magic or powers to solve all their problems. So the game mechanic I'll probably use is first edition WARHAMMER RPG (think low magic and very gritty combat). Are there any other supplements or gaming mechanics I should check out? If so, can you give me some elaborate details about how they would fit what I am seeking? BTW, I've heard IRON HEROES might be worth checking for ideas. Thanks. Best, SJEM
mlasater 04-04-07, 06:14 AM	If you liked the Warhammer RPG, check out the 2nd (new) edition published by Green Ronin. It is basically the same mechanics, but has some of the balance issues corrected (like non-humans, assassins). Magic is even more dangerous than in the older edition.
StoryTellerSJEM 04-04-07, 06:18 AM	Thanks for the heads up. I read the reviews on second edition and there were complaints. Could you give me more details along the lines of 2nd edition? Thanks. Best, SJEM