I’m creating a distinctive world for my campaign and need help choosing the right system to bring it to life. Here are some specifics:
– **What I’m Looking for in the System:** Something crunchy with solid combat mechanics that players can master, while being relatively easy for me, the GM, to grasp despite the complexity.
– **Preferred Play Style:** I want it to mostly focus on dungeon crawling and exploration, with plenty of combat.
– **World Vibe:** The world has a grimdark atmosphere with some brighter elements, stuck in a technological dark age that’s definitely worth improving.
– **Player Characters:** Characters should be human and non-magical, but I want them to have a bit of optimism, which I can leave to my players to establish.
– **Magic Elements:** Magic should mostly be out of the players’ control and capable of being reflavored.
I’m eager to hear any suggestions that align with these criteria!
3 Answers
Have you thought about modifying **Forbidden Lands**? The base system has a lot of potential for that exploration and combat mix you’re aiming for. Just a thought, though—it’s been a while since I played, so check it out to see if it fits!
I totally get where you’re coming from! I was in a similar situation and ended up designing my own RPG system, but if you’re looking for something established, I’d recommend **Mythras**. It’s a d100 system and really focuses on skills instead of levels, making it super hackable and perfect for a non-magical human campaign. If you want something simpler, check out **Legend** or **Open Quest**; Legend is like a lighter version, and Open Quest is free! They can really carry that grimdark vibe too.
4th Edition D&D might actually be a good fit for you! I’ve found it super GM-friendly with well-structured monster stat blocks and encounter rules. Plus, it allows for a focus on combat that’s fun and tactical. The default setting was pretty dark and had bright spots, giving you space to reflavor as you like. You can even run an all-human party! Just be careful with the balance since it can get lethal, but when handled well, it’s a blast.
4E is pretty adaptable! If you’ve built a fleshed-out world, you should be able to slip in your own lore and content without too much hassle. Just tweak the monsters or scenarios where needed!
I love the idea of using 4E! Sounds like it could work with my vision. Could I adapt it easily to fit a different setting, or would that be a challenge?