Favorite Generic/Universal Systems

[fmitchell]

Following a trend in other sections, I'm going to ask: what's your favorite generic/universal game system? And why?

[fmitchell]

BTW, I forgot OGL and other d20, so if you want, lump those into "d20 Modern".

[PhishStyx]

I voted for Unisystem. The reason I prefer it is that of the listed systems that I'm familiar with, Unisystem is among the simplest, fastest running games, which is what I want. . . a game that runs like the wind and hits like a lightning strike.

[fmitchell]

. . . a game that runs like the wind and hits like a lightning strike.

Which is why I voted for FATE. I'm in a FATE game now, and it runs very fast: one (sometimes opposed) die roll for every PC or NPC action, which also determines the severity of "consequences" the loser takes from a conflict. The fact that a conflict could be a gun battle, a dog fight, a chess game, an interrogation, or whatever is a definite plus.

For what it's worth, PDQ is a close second, with GURPS and BRP/RQ tying for third. I've yet to play Unisystem or Savage Worlds, but they seem light enough for my purposes.

Conversely, I played a whole bunch of HERO in college and after, and d20 more recently; they've just got too much crunch for me.

[PhishStyx]

I know that FATE gets a lot of interest on RPG.net, but I have a hard time justifying buying the special dice, knowing that none of my players would have them.

I know there are rule options for using regular dice, but that involves a conversion of its own, slowing things down some. Moreover, I've always had trouble with that whole + and - thing on the dice. Getting useful information out of WEG's DC Universe Batman/Superman dice was a pain enough, and I don't foresee this being easier somehow.

I like Rob's & Fred's writing a lot, but the dice thing is a hard one for me to get past. Now that said, if someone wanted to run it, I'd play it without hesitation. The only (real) game I won't play anymore is Hero/Champions.

[fmitchell]

I know there are rule options for using regular dice, but that involves a conversion of its own, slowing things down some. Moreover, I've always had trouble with that whole + and - thing on the dice. Getting useful information out of WEG's DC Universe Batman/Superman dice was a pain enough, and I don't foresee this being easier somehow.

FUDGE always uses 4 dice, each marked '+', blank, or '-'; subtract the minuses (if any) from the plusses (if any), and you get a number between -4 and +4, with 0 being the most common. Modify a relevant ability with that amount, and that's your roll. I can't do math in my head, but even I can't screw that one up.

As for buying the funny dice, see Baby's First Fudge Dice, which shows you how to (permanently) turn an ordinary d6 into a Fudge die.

[Skunkape]

I'm more inclined to change my vote from GURPS to Savage Worlds since I've re-read the rules. Course, I've explained all of that in my post on the Savage Worlds thread.

[MortonStromgal]

I'm going to say BRP even though all I've played is Cthuhlu because I like it better than GURPS which is my favorite generic system.

[Skunkape]

I voted for GURPS only because it's the one listed that I've had the most experience with. I've been looking at Savage Worlds lately and also have All Flesh, which uses the Unisystem, and they look good as well, but I don't have nearly the same amount of experience with those systems.

[Farcaster]

I had to go GURPs as well. I did take a look at d20 Modern, but I couldn't get myself past the level based system for the futuristic/supers type game that I wanted to run. By the way, HERO is a generic system? My memory of it must be a bit foggy, because I thought it was a super-heroic type game.

[fmitchell]

I had to go GURPs as well. I did take a look at d20 Modern, but I couldn't get myself past the level based system for the futuristic/supers type game that I wanted to run. By the way, HERO is a generic system? My memory of it must be a bit foggy, because I thought it was a super-heroic type game.

Hero has been positioning itself as a more or less generic system for a while now, ever since Justice, Inc. They've got a bunch of genre-specific books: Fantasy Hero, Pulp Hero, Star Hero, Ninja Hero, ... However, I've seen a few fantasy characters built on the Hero system, and they strike me as superheroes with a fantasy theme. System really does matter.

[Skunkape]

Hero has been positioning itself as a more or less generic system for a while now, ever since Justice, Inc. They've got a bunch of genre-specific books: Fantasy Hero, Pulp Hero, Star Hero, Ninja Hero, ... However, I've seen a few fantasy characters built on the Hero system, and they strike me as superheroes with a fantasy theme. System really does matter.

I've always gotten that feeling with the Hero System as well. I know they've tried to make it more of a generic game system, but it does seem to make the fantasy heroes seem like supers. I do like the way they handle modern/future action oriented characters though.

I've played plenty of those kinds, not just spy versions, but private eye/mercenary types and they never felt like supers to me when I play/ran those kinds of games.

Course as much as I like GURPS, the system doesn't quite do it for me when used in a supers setting. For some reason, Champions is the only system that seems to fit that bill for me. Course, I like 4-color level games for playing supers so that probably has something to do with that opinion!

[tesral]

I've seen a few fantasy characters built on the Hero system, and they strike me as superheroes with a fantasy theme. System really does matter.

Hero started life as "Champions". A superhero game and the point/skills balance still favors that. Writing up normals is chunky.

GURPS is a Heroic game and the point/skills balance favors that. You can do superheroic with it, but you're better off playing Hero.

System can matter.

[Webhead]

System can matter.

Yep.

[Law Dog]

Hero started life as "Champions". A superhero game and the point/skills balance still favors that. Writing up normals is chunky.

GURPS is a Heroic game and the point/skills balance favors that. You can do superheroic with it, but you're better off playing Hero.

System can matter.

Right on the money. GURPS supers seems wonky. HERO agent level and below seems not differentiated enough (i.e. my STR of 13 and your STR of 15 aren't really too different).

Of course, if your are looking at strictly genre emulation, I still think that Marvel Super Heroes RPG (FASERIP) simulates whats on the comic book page better than anything. (Obviously Spidey was out of karma the night Gwen Stacy died ).