Hello everyone!

I’ve had some issues with D&D 5E lately and would like to try something else. I’ve thought a bit about what I actually want from a new system and came up with this:

The RPG should

  • be universal a.k.a. adaptable to different settings
  • be able to include magic of some kind, preferably already offering that option by its default rules
  • be balanced between different character archetypes/classes (if such exist)
  • guarantee smooth and fast combat (specifically less complicated than D&D 5E)
  • guarantee smooth play in general, no constant looking up rules
  • encourage role-playing (not necessarily via rules, but IMO D&D 5E neglects RP by its rules being overly focused on combat)
  • still offer as much customization options as possible
  • be easy to modify if needed and easy to create homebrew content for (e.g. items, monsters)
  • be suitable for one-shots as well as longer campaigns
  • have an online tool or a clearly structured index to look up rules/other stuff
  • already have some homebrew content available on the internet, as well as a platform to discuss rulings

Using the criteria above, I put together a list of potential candidates:

  • Adventurers!
  • AGE
  • Apotheosis
  • Cortex Prime
  • Cypher
  • Dungeonslayers
  • Fate (Core, Accelerated and/or Condensed)
  • Freeform Universal
  • Fudge
  • Genesys
  • Hero System
  • HeroQuest
  • Ironsworn
  • Low Fantasy Gaming
  • Mini Six
  • Old School Essentials
  • PbtA (and/or more specifically Dungeon World)
  • Prose Descriptive Qualities
  • Risus
  • Savage Worlds
  • The Black Hack
  • World of Dungeons
  • Worlds Without Number
  • Whitehack

However, I only read about each RPG briefly… and as you can see, the list is still very long. Do any of the systems named don’t fit what I’m actually looking for or meet the requirements listed above especially well? My goal is to bring the list down to 2-3 RPGs, ultimately choosing from them. Oh, and if you think there is another RPG that I haven’t named, but fits my needs better than all the others: Recommend away!

Many thanks for all your help!

EDIT: added suitability for longer campaigns as a desirable quality

  • @[email protected]
    3•1 year ago

    I think you can cross of PbtA off the list, since it is an engine rather than a universal rpg. You surely can run any setting in opbta but you’d have to write the according Moves from scratch.

    Cortex Prime is a toolbox to build your preferred level of crunch and/or focus driven system, so there is a lot to put together before you even get to setting specific stuff.

    I liked running Genesys but my players did not. We are all pretty happy with Savage Worlds right now and imo it checks every box you have mentioned.