I’m gearing up to be the Dungeon Master for a GURPS campaign set in the Forgotten Realms. I’ve got a couple of questions that I’m hoping to get some insights on. Firstly, I’ve been playing RPGs for over two years, mainly focusing on D&D 5e. While I enjoy the Forgotten Realms setting and its adventures, I find the D&D system lacks what I’m looking for, particularly the overpowered feel of late-game characters.
To transition to GURPS, I know I need the Basic Module and GURPS Magic, but I’m debating whether GURPS Martial Arts is a good option for classes like Monks and Battle Masters. I’m particularly concerned about how to represent Barbarians—can I make the Fury mechanic work with just Martial Arts, or do I need the Super Heroes supplement? Alternatively, I could do without that mechanic based on my lore adjustments.
My second concern revolves around combat balance. Unlike D&D, where enemies scale with your party’s level, GURPS feels a lot more lethal. As a novice DM, I’m unsure how to keep combat challenging yet safe for my players. I worry that even minor fights can become deadly, which raises concerns about encounters, especially tough battles against dragons or rowdy tavern brawls. I would love to hear any thoughts or advice you all have regarding these challenges!
1 Answer
You should definitely check out the Dungeon Fantasy series for GURPS. It focuses specifically on dungeon crawling and can help you integrate magic by breaking it up into divine aspects. Martial Arts is a solid choice too; it covers armed combat well, which fits your campaign theme perfectly. For gear, Low Tech is a nice addition, but not necessary unless you really want detailed equipment options. Remember, the goal is to carry over themes and feelings rather than just stats. Many magic items can be used as they are.
Just a heads up, Dungeon Fantasy is a bit more high fantasy, so it might not line up perfectly with standard GURPS realism. Make sure you’re comfortable with that transition. And for the bestiary, it should be compatible; however, specific adaptations might be needed. If you’re looking for item suggestions beyond Low Tech, let me know!