Hey everyone, I’m diving into various RPG systems since I’m looking to switch things up from my long-standing D&D 3.5e campaign. While I’m still enjoying it, I feel like the game has gotten a bit stale after all these years, especially with some of its design quirks.
I’ve been exploring systems like Worlds Without Number, 5e, PF2E, Castles & Crusades, Shadowdark, and Savage Worlds. One aspect I find intriguing is KNAVE’s unique take on ability scores. They shift the importance of scores around—like using WIS for ranged attacks instead of DEX, and INT for WILL saves against spells.
I’m wondering if it’s possible to adapt these mechanics to other RPGs. Would incorporating Knave’s approach create too many design issues across different systems?
2 Answers
Absolutely! A lot of gamers in the OSR scene mix and match rules from different systems to create their perfect game. Each system has a different flavor, so find one that closely matches what you like and tweak it from there.
However, just a heads up—5E and PF2E can be pretty sensitive to changes because they have a very specific balance. If you want a fresh feel, you might want to lean towards something more modular like Shadowdark or Worlds Without Number, where you can play around with ability scores without breaking the system.
I’m actually working on my own game called Doppelsold, which uses Knave as a base. We’ve made a bunch of changes to abilities, including a dedicated Perception score for ranged attacks that I think adds a cool twist. In something heavily homebrewed, you can totally make the changes you want, but it might be tricky if you’re playing with a larger group that prefers fewer differences.
Just keep in mind that while shifting stats, you might create new top-tier abilities that everyone wants to focus on!
That sounds awesome! I’d love to see how that system plays out.