Favorite Generic/Universal Systems

[Tom B]

I've yet to find a generic system that works for me better than CORPS by BTRC. It's consistent, reality-checks well, and Greg Porter tells you how the provided tables are calculated so that you can easily extrapolate further results.

[Ohtar]

BRP is my favorite. The rules are simple and easy to learn (I seriously have everything memorized except for some optional rules) and it's really easy to implement new/homebrewed mechanics without breaking the game. I also like that size is an actual stat instead of some abstract size class (how much bigger than me is that Dragon?). If you want some semblance of realism, BRP is the system to use.

I also like how combat in the system has to be dealt with tactically: Player Hit points are low, big things have more hit points and do more melee damage. I know gritty, tactical combat isn't for everybody, but I personally love it.

BRPs biggest flaw is that it can be a bit math heavy. You have to calculate Hit Point, Derived Stats, Damage Bonuses, Stat Bonuses (if you're using that optional rule), and dynamic Critical/Special/Fumble ranges (if you're using that optional rule, but why wouldn't you?).

d20 Modern was really restrictive and, like most d20 based systems, really unstable.
GURPS is WAY too complicated and counter intuitive. I've never seen a GURPS game that did not have every player constantly with their nose in the book trying to figure out how to do some mundane action. Plus the vehicle rules are wonky.

[jpatterson]

no d6 love =(

[nijineko]

GURPS is WAY too complicated and counter intuitive. I've never seen a GURPS game that did not have every player constantly with their nose in the book trying to figure out how to do some mundane action. Plus the vehicle rules are wonky.

That is a fairly common reaction from anyone who hasn't played/witnessed GURPS lite. GURPS is ridiculously simple. it's all the options that make it potentially complex, if someone were to actually try to use them all (which you aren't actually supposed to do, if you read the rules).

GURPS lite is a free download, and is all you actually need to play GURPS. The books are only for those who want to measure in their preferred amount of crunch into their fluff.

[Skunkape]

BRP is my favorite. The rules are simple and easy to learn (I seriously have everything memorized except for some optional rules) and it's really easy to implement new/homebrewed mechanics without breaking the game. I also like that size is an actual stat instead of some abstract size class (how much bigger than me is that Dragon?). If you want some semblance of realism, BRP is the system to use.

I also like how combat in the system has to be dealt with tactically: Player Hit points are low, big things have more hit points and do more melee damage. I know gritty, tactical combat isn't for everybody, but I personally love it.

BRPs biggest flaw is that it can be a bit math heavy. You have to calculate Hit Point, Derived Stats, Damage Bonuses, Stat Bonuses (if you're using that optional rule), and dynamic Critical/Special/Fumble ranges (if you're using that optional rule, but why wouldn't you?).

d20 Modern was really restrictive and, like most d20 based systems, really unstable.
GURPS is WAY too complicated and counter intuitive. I've never seen a GURPS game that did not have every player constantly with their nose in the book trying to figure out how to do some mundane action. Plus the vehicle rules are wonky.

I really like BRP and that's become my go to system for most of my games, but there are some things that BRP doesn't do to my liking. Not really happy with how it handles super powers and the magic spells aren't to my liking. I prefer a more high powered game for supers and magic, but I do like that BRP is a skill based game over a level based game!

As far as GURPS is concerned, I really liked how GURPS handled magic, but once again, I didn't care for how it handled super powers. I also didn't really have sessions with my players having their noses in their GURPS books. Maybe when we were making characters or advancing characters, but not usually when we were playing a session.

Course everyone has their own likes and dislikes for a particular game system.

[Ohtar]

The thing about how BRP handles powers is that the way they are presented in the books are just examples of how they can theoretically be implemented. That's why I like that system; as a GM I can handle powers, feats, and advantages/disadvantages how I feel they work best for the setting. For magic you can go with automatic cast using magic points or spell slots. Or you can have a skill roll [either for a general Lore(Magic)/Knowlege (Magic)/Perform (Ritual) roll or a specific roll for each spell or spell type (wards/curses/enchantment)] and either spell slots or magic points. You can even use combinations for handling different magical traditions. I agree that "Super Hero" campaigns are wonky in BRP, but that has more to do with the low stats and hit points than the way powers are implemented, since there is no official way to handle powers.

[nijineko]

As far as GURPS is concerned, I really liked how GURPS handled magic, but once again, I didn't care for how it handled super powers.

oh? i've always rather liked point buy systems like GURPS and Champions for Supers Campaigns. What did you not like about it?

[Skunkape]

GURPS is a little more gritty than Champions. I prefer the 4 color level of game than what you generally get with GURPS. The power levels in GURPS tend to be lower. To me, GURPS is good for a Wild Cards level game, while Champions is good for an Avengers level game!

[tesral]

oh? i've always rather liked point buy systems like GURPS and Champions for Supers Campaigns. What did you not like about it?

GURPS is a little more gritty and Champions. I prefer the 4 color level of game than what you generally get with GURPS. The power levels in GURPS tend to be lower. To me, GURPS is good for a Wild Cards level game, while Champions is good for an Avengers level game!

The point balance in Hero favors super heroic play, from it's start as Champions specifically a super hero game. And Yes GURPS is mainly intended for Heroic stuff, ergo a bit clunky for supers. However it build normal characters with greater ease.

[nijineko]

huh, i never had problems building 4color level supers in GURPS. i really sincerely don't get the perceived difference.

it's really easy to build characters that can take on the Avengers in GURPS Supers, or so my experience has been.

it's easier if you have some system mastery of GURPS, but still, Supers makes it pretty easy to replicate 4color - maybe i'm missing something?

[randomwny]

Monte Cook's Cypher System