I upgraded my PC (it ended up with replacing almost everything including HDD) and I could play any game now, but sadly I have a hard time finding a cool game :'(

cannot wait to get back to Dungeons and Dragons at the end of this summer break, I miss it so very much =]

Posted by henrybond158cannot wait to get back to Dungeons and Dragons at the end of this summer break, I miss it so very much =]

Which one?

D&D 3.x, 4th and playtesting D&D Next (personally, for now it's nothing special) Shadowrun (4.5 converted dice system and know reading 5th edition) Playing actively Pathfinder (best fantasy rpg so far i played) Talislanta (non-Tolkien fantasy with a easy dice system (only d20 in usage) I use for Shadowrun)

Posted by SapientWhich one?

4e =]

Posted by Hyrulian182Shadowrun (4.5 converted dice system and know reading 5th edition)

What are your thoughts on these editions? I've only played 3rd edition, which I've heard maligned by many.

Playing actively Pathfinder (best fantasy rpg so far i played)

Is that because of the system, the setting, or both?

Talislanta (non-Tolkien fantasy with a easy dice system (only d20 in usage) I use for Shadowrun)

There's a classic I've missed. How well has it stood the test of time?

I recently finished running my Dungeon World campaign I dubbed "The Iron Crown". It went seriously epic, to the satisfaction of everyone inviolved. The game was largely improvised on my part, but somehow it never quite got out of control. Almost, but not quite, which is just the way I like it.

Most of all I love the world we've developed through the game. Everyone contributed, with the agreement that only that which has occurred during in a scene in the game can be taken as fact, everything else being undefined and free to be tapped by anyone should the need arise. Some of the fruits of our labours can be found in our campaign wiki. One of my players decided to run a campaign of his own in the same game world, making sure the process of creation would not falter!

Since the campaign ended, I've found myself a bit drained, though. It seems to happen every time I finish a campaign - it's as if I'd invested so much of my creativity in the campaign that once it's over there's nothing left.

In the coming weeks I have this ambitious plan of finishing the last two campaigns I've been running in the last year or so, but that have flagged due to scheduling difficulties, student exchange and so on. Then, for the first time in almost ten years I wouldn't have a single unfinished campaign. I'm curious to find out what Iäll think of then!

I must say I'm enthusiastic about the last two campaigns. One used to be Warhammer FRP 2nd edition, but we're going to try out switching to the conflict resolution system presented in Shock: Social Science Fiction. This is partly because the characters have become so experienced as to threaten to break the system (or rather, make it less satisfying), as well as to better reflect the heightened social influence the PCs now wield.

The second campaign is a Lovecraftesque game set in present day Detroit, and features a lawyer, a lab technician and second-rate TV show host discovering the weird and wonderful world of the occult. That sort of stuff has always tickled my fancy.

Oh, and I've finally, after two decades of active roleplaying, gotten into a Call of Cthulhu campaign. It's still in its early stages, but I'm eager to see what direction it'll take.

Well, this turned into a bit of a ramble. Blame Maracon, the weekend-long gaming event CRYO, the Oulu University Gaming Society, organizes for the joy of all gamers and soon-to-be-gamers. Six brilliant rpg sessions in three days was intoxicating!

Posted by henrybond1584e =]

As always, I can't help but ask why this particular system? What makes it so satisfying? As I've noted before, my exposure to D&D 4e has been limited.

Posted by MuadMouseAs always, I can't help but ask why this particular system? What makes it so satisfying? As I've noted before, my exposure to D&D 4e has been limited.

4th edition seems to be very polarizing. Personally, I love it compared to 3e. It made it a lot easier to play a magic user, and it made warrior types a lot more tactically interesting. (Before there was this extreme gulf between magic users being too hard to play and melee fighters being too simplistic.) Also, while there's still a lot of choice involved in how to develop your character, the choices seem minor: balanced and not too overpowered. So there's not as much to be gained from trying to min/max-- you can just build the character, choose the role, e.g. Striker, without worrying too much about optimizing. They got rid of some dumb things I never liked and simplifying some of the rules (like healing). I don't like to get bogged down in the rules or spend too much time poring over the manual-- or explaining it to another player.

Posted by Sapient4th edition seems to be very polarizing

Indeed. One of the major gripes I've heard from fans of 3e is that 4e rules are more those of a tactical boardgame than a roleplaying game. From what I've read of the rules, I must agree; but then again, I think the same applies to 3e as well.

One turn-off for many in 4e has been the races. I understand it caused trouble with adapting Forgotten Realms to the new edition, and that alienated many fans of the setting. Again, I've never been that into FR, but I can certainly empathize.

I don't like to get bogged down in the rules or spend too much time poring over the manual

I heartily agree. I've found it to be a bit of a problem with the 3.x edition that it incorporated many of the of the optional combat rules introduced into AD&D 2e. In 2e they were suggestions on how to handle such situations, meant for those who wanted a fairly detailed account of these special maneuvers. In 3e this level of detail is assumed throughout, which leads to cumbersome rules that are no longer that easily modified because of their being connected to various feats. Psthfinder streamlines the process into something more manageable, though (that said, a friend of mine ran a very successful Pathfinder campaign and since then has refused to play the game on either side of the screen).

Personally, I get suspicious if a game system needs more than ten pages to cover combat rules.

Posted by MuadMouseAs always, I can't help but ask why this particular system? What makes it so satisfying? As I've noted before, my exposure to D&D 4e has been limited.

This was my first exposure to DnD, my flatmate DMs it and it was his choice, I have played no other ruleset. That said, I do enjoy the system a lot, though I am interested to try some other forms. =]

Posted by henrybond158This was my first exposure to DnD, my flatmate DMs it and it was his choice, I have played no other ruleset. That said, I do enjoy the system a lot, though I am interested to try some other forms. =]

Exploring new games is always fascinating, and nowadays, with quite a few commercially published games available for free, even cheap! For instance, if you're interested in D&D-inspired roleplaying with more focus on narrative and worldbuilding, I recommend Dungeon World. It puts quite a bit of weight on improvisation, but coming up with the consequences of dungeon delving shouldn't be too much of a challenge to anyone with the knowledge of and appreciation for adventuring tropes that D&D instills. There's very little in the way of tactics involved, especially compared to miniatures-focused games like D&D 3e and 4e, but it supports storytelling wonderfully through its mechanics.

The Fate system is a generic gaming system that enables adventures focused on characters and story in any setting. I've tried it a few times in its various incarnations, and it works. Well worth a gander!

Although not available for free, The One Ring rpg is another great recent arrival to the field, and a lot less of a jump in terms of play style from D&D 4e than Dungeon World. The system has been specifically tailored to encourage play in the spirit of Tolkien's books and succeeds wonderfully. So many games have tried to accomplish this, with poor results. A very cleverly designed game, this.

There are a lot of games around, so at the end of the day it's about one's personal preference in style and setting. It's a good idea to try different sorts of games; if nothing else, it gives new perspective on the games you know and love already.

Are you looking for a specific genre or setting?

Posted by MuadMouseExploring new games is always fascinating, and nowadays, with quite a few commercially published games available for free, even cheap! For instance, if you're interested in D&D-inspired roleplaying with more focus on narrative and worldbuilding, I recommend Dungeon World. It puts quite a bit of weight on improvisation, but coming up with the consequences of dungeon delving shouldn't be too much of a challenge to anyone with the knowledge of and appreciation for adventuring tropes that D&D instills. There's very little in the way of tactics involved, especially compared to miniatures-focused games like D&D 3e and 4e, but it supports storytelling wonderfully through its mechanics.The Fate system is a generic gaming system that enables adventures focused on characters and story in any setting. I've tried it a few times in its various incarnations, and it works. Well worth a gander!Although not available for free, The One Ring rpg is another great recent arrival to the field, and a lot less of a jump in terms of play style from D&D 4e than Dungeon World. The system has been specifically tailored to encourage play in the spirit of Tolkien's books and succeeds wonderfully. So many games have tried to accomplish this, with poor results. A very cleverly designed game, this.There are a lot of games around, so at the end of the day it's about one's personal preference in style and setting. It's a good idea to try different sorts of games; if nothing else, it gives new perspective on the games you know and love already. Are you looking for a specific genre or setting?

well medieval high fantasy seems to be my preference of video games, books and rpgs, so it seems to be a good place to start, though most of all I'm simply looking forward to getting back to our DnD campaign at the end of this summer break. =]

I have an opportunity to play warhammer 40k, which I may take up, though I'm not 100% sure it's going to be my thing.

I also play magic the gathering =]

Posted by henrybond158I have an opportunity to play warhammer 40k, which I may take up, though I'm not 100% sure it's going to be my thing.

It's a good idea to try it out before investing in it - it's one hell of a money pit! I used to collect an army once upon a time, but got bored with it. I like to paint miniatures, but not by the dozen. I'm still in love with the setting, though.

Since you're into D&D 4e, skirmish-level miniature games might be to your liking. If the WH40k world strikes your fancy, Necromunda might be right up your alley. The rules are available for free online (I think). I've also heard good things about Infinity, a much more recent skirmish game in an SF setting.

There's been a real renaissance in miniature games recently. I guess it's that a lot of hardcore Warhammer players have grown up into game and miniature designers.

I also play magic the gathering =]

So do I, on occasion, but I refuse to buy a single card. It's geek heroin.

There are some rpgs in the works that use deck-building mechanics. There's been some discussion over at Gnome Stew about them.

Posted by MuadMouseWhat are your thoughts on these editions? I've only played 3rd edition, which I've heard maligned by many.Is that because of the system, the setting, or both?There's a classic I've missed. How well has it stood the test of time?

Shadowrun: 4.5 is a good system (personaly i hate the dice system and the default ch.sheet), character creation is easy but at the end it felt for me always that there was something missing, and the answer was flexibility and simplicity (that i hope will be fixed in 5th) and one of my main reason i changed the dice system to the omni dice system.

Pathfinder: the system is a modified d&d 3.x (wich is a really good and fun system IMO).

- No more buying zillions of books like with the 3.x

- Much more balanced and corrected (classes, feats, skills etc.).

- Setting is cool, fun,and educating ( i love the gods in

this game)

- Personal favorite: archtypes, combat manuvers and additional rules from the AGP, UC and UM (they are the must have).

- Favorite additional books? Ultimate Equipment, Gods and Magic and Inner Sea World Guide

When I started playing and discovering this game, i just fell in love, IMO much more better than the D&D 4th (i played it for 3 years) no offense 4th lovers

Posted by Hyrulian182Shadowrun: 4.5 is a good system (personaly i hate the dice system and the default ch.sheet), character creation is easy but at the end it felt for me always that there was something missing, and the answer was flexibility and simplicity (that i hope will be fixed in 5th) and one of my main reason i changed the dice system to the omni dice system.

I'll have to see if Shadowrun Returns gives me a hankering for cyberelves. Is there a new release of the PnP RPG in the offing alongside the computer game?

Pathfinder: the system is a modified d&d 3.x (wich is a really good and fun system IMO).

Yep, I suspect Pathfinder is as good as D&D 3.x is going to get. Anything more and you'd have to start messing with the core mechanics, and that would make it a different game altogether. Actually, I'm curious to see what Paizo will do: will they be content to ride on Pathfinder or will they come up with something new? They should definitely have the necessary funds to design a new game.

Posted by MuadMouseI'll have to see if Shadowrun Returns gives me a hankering for cyberelves. Is there a new release of the PnP RPG in the offing alongside the computer game?Yep, I suspect Pathfinder is as good as D&D 3.x is going to get. Anything more and you'd have to start messing with the core mechanics, and that would make it a different game altogether. Actually, I'm curious to see what Paizo will do: will they be content to ride on Pathfinder or will they come up with something new? They should definitely have the necessary funds to design a new game.

The Fifth Edition of SR came exactly 7 days ago

Have you tried the Mythic Advanture? If not, try it out and add some stuff randomly from the Ultimate Campaign! Believe me, good times (some good RP training and challenge with lots of fun)

Updated 18 July 2013 (19:49)

Posted by Hyrulian182Have you tried the Mythic Advanture?

Actually, the D&D 3.x Forgotten Realms campaign we've had running for the last ten years has that very same premise! Our characters used to be avatars of various gods, only it seems we were somehow captured by a Big Bad, who put us to sleep for a few centuries and we got our memories wiped in the bargain. Our campaign started with each of us waking up on a stone slab ignorant of anything except our names. We grabbed weapons - apparently our old ones - and emerged from the bowels of the Forbidden Ruins of the Ancient Elves and set forth on a quest for our former selves. Ten years, twelve levels, a pile of dead enemies and several near-deaths from starvation later we're still at it.

At least we should get points for persistence...

On every level our characters get an ability score point (as opposed to 1 per 4 levels) and special avatar powers (usually bonus feats). We can also burn experience points to get other effects related to our deities (I play the avatar of the god of life and renewal - I dare not calculate what level I'd be if I didn't have to burn xp to resurrect people all the time...). This has led to some very high-octane action: in our first adventure we killed a beholder, and skipped from level one to three in one go.

Updated 21 July 2013 (01:39)

I found pen&paper roleplaying games about two years ago and have been hooked ever since. My first contact was 3:16 Carnage Amongst the Stars and it was love at the first sight. The system is very simple and it works well for one-shots but also encourages for longer campaigns. Though in some ways it resembles a normal board game it also has chance for character development. The system doesn't support social interactions per se but it's up to players if they want to take the game to more personal level.

The second RPG I ended up playing was Cyberpunk 2020 and I just fell in love with the world. After 3:16 it was nice to play with more complicated. And of course I loved my character. He was my first proper character (I don't count my 3:16 character) and I'm still playing with him though the original campaign ended about a year ago. Me and two of my friends couldn't just let go of our characters and changed system to Shock and kept playing.

Among those I have played and play tested plenty of indie RPGs like Pyöreän pöydän ritarit (Knights of the Round Table, a Finnish indie game), Fiasco and some homebrew systems my friends have made. I have also tried Dark Herecy and Warhammer Fantasy Roleplay but I didn't like the system, though the worlds were intriguing. I was in a short-lived AD&D 2nd e campaign (that ended when the damn DM moved to another city...) and tried D&D 4th e.

I liked AD&D though my first reaction to the character sheet was "Please could somebody translate this for me". However, after few sessions it started to open up and I really enjoyed the spirit of the game. I loved it how every time my elf thief went to a new room I got to ask if there was anything valuable. And the world was also very interesting.

Now my friend is planing to start an AD&D 2nd e campaign and I'm really looking forward to it. I already have character and I can't wait to get play her. We just need maybe one more player and their characters and we're ready to go. I've been playing so much indie games where you have to throw a die maybe 5 times a session that I really wanted to play something more complicated.

I play AD&D Revised 2nd Edition and D&D v3.5. I would like to get into PathFinder, Vampire the Masquerade, and Cyberpunk 2020.