Tapletop RPGs, A List

OK so this is not going to be some nice fiction writing today, sorry folks, this is going to be… well I won’t call it a review, more of a list. A list of what Tabletop RPG is best for what, out of the ones I have experience with. I’m sorry your favorite’s not on her, but I can only play so many. Once again, I’m going to be talking about the differences between them and what to use when, not what is “the best system”.

• D&D 3.5 -  Mmm. D&D, my old friend. My introduction to role play was through this, those years ago. Well down to the nitty gritty. D&D in general is good for high fantasy medieval type games, but they can be low-mid as well, just depends on the GM’s discretion. There’s several amazing prepublished settings out as well, or you can make your own. The setting it’s self is rather rules heavy, but once you get the hang of it you can do it in your sleep. I can make a character at this point all from memory. The main mechanic is dice rolling, lots and lots of dice rolling. Roll a d20, apply your modifier, see if you succeed or fail, add any other dice or modifiers, role play it out.

• D&D 4E – Same thing as 3.5 but a whole .5 newer! Now that whole .5 makes all the difference, they really reworked the system for this, but when it comes down to it, it still feels like D&D. The main differences is, instead of just rolling your dice, you now have powers, some can be used any time, others once per encounter, once per day, etc. Each race and class get their own unique powers and abilities and in my mind, it can make it feel more cinematic. Instead of slashing at the troll, I rush him, kick him in the danglie bits and coup de grace his ass. However, if there’s only one PHB to go around, be prepared to feel like a wizard madly flipping through pages trying to find the one thing you want. Other than that, a lot has been simplified, sometimes in a good way, othertimes not. Really the only difference between 4E and 3.5E is what you personally like.

• Savage Worlds – Savage Worlds is currently my favorite. It’s a pulp action style game with the main goal of making a system you can play in any setting. There’s a rule for everything and a rather all encompassing skill list. What I find amazing is that for such an all encompassing game, it’s quite simple. There’s not a lot of insane rules if you want to be a Canadian Half-Elf from Space wielding two shotguns and riding a robotic dinosaur. Now this is very different from the d20 system, instead of applying your modifier to your d20 roll, for each skill and stat you have a die. A d4, d6, d8, d10 or d12. The DC is always the same, it’s always a 4. So if you are as unskilled as can be, a d4, and you’re trying to pick a lock, well you concievably can, but you gotta be real lucky. But say you are a master, a d12, well hell that should be no problemo.

• Cortex – OK Cortex is very similar to Savage Worlds, you might not know it by name but it’s the system of the Firefly RPG, Supernatural RPG, and BS:G RPG. It’s a system for every setting and is very similar in mechanics to Savage Worlds. The main differences is, characters are more complex in terms of rules. On a Savage Worlds character sheet, I’ll have my 6 or so stats, my maybe 5 skills I chose to train, any edges and hindrances and that’s about it. On a Cortex one, there’s close to 10 stats and a whole slew of skills. In the end, it’s the difference between 4E and 3.5, what do you like better?