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Struggling with System. (self.rpg)

submitted 1 year ago by AccoSpoot to c/[email protected]

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Hi, I was writing a campaign setting that was meant to be a heavy metal, sword and sorcery, Robert Howard style setting.

Trouble is I'm stuck for a system, initially I went with DnD 5e just cos it has so many tools for making monsters and encounters, but then I picked PbtA as a particularly troperific system.

Now I'm kinda stuck, cos PbtA doesn't seem to have as much meat on it. Anyone have any advice or suggestions for systems?

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[–] ttmrichter 3 points 1 year ago (9 children)

I have tried several times to grok PbtA's appeal and don't get it. So you're not alone here.

[–] OrbPonderer 2 points 1 year ago (8 children)

Having run Root by Magpie Games a few times, I've really enjoyed how cinematic it feels. DND combat can be very fun and tactical, but it can also drag as players have to use turns to prepare attacks and then go sit in the back of the line for 10 minutes. PBTA on the other hand always felt quick and quirky with the different playbook abilities. But it's of course not going to be as deep as a crunchy game, and therefore I dont think it suits OPs needs

[–] ttmrichter 1 points 1 year ago (7 children)

I think the problem is that I was playing cinematic-feeling games beginning in the '80s. (Late '80s, to be fair.) A game being "cinematic" isn't new to me. And the parts of PbtA that are actually new ... I just don't grok the appeal of. As in I don't like it and I don't understand what it is people who like it see in it.

I don't like Savage Worlds, as an example, but I see what some people enjoy in it. It's just not for me. I can see what they were going for. I can see how someone might enjoy the outcome of it. I just happen to not like the system. Ditto for GURPS or even D&D: I don't like it, but I see what the appeal could be.

With PbtA I don't understand it enough to even see what it is people like about it. And I can't find an "explain like I'm five" overview that closes that comprehension gap. All of the intros seem to presume I know what's appealing and are intent on showing me how to do it. None of them explain the actual appeal, leaving me lost.

[–] OrbPonderer 1 points 1 year ago

Fair point. Part of it could be I'm younger and a majority of my experience is in 5e. I've been branching out lately though, and while I enjoyed PBTA, perhaps I'll find something that hits that niche better

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