r/TTRPG

Soo, I love building characters, looking at how various classes combinations mesh together and how much damage/healing/etc. I can dish out with a character. I will not be a hypocrite and pretend that's not the case. But I reckon that comes at least in part from the fact that I arrived at TTRPGs after growing up with video games, with MMOs and other such things, where character builds where quite central.

I would also make the argument that, TTRPGs shouldn't necessarily be about that. Or at least that the primary focus shouldn't maybe be on that. That the character's story should take precedence to its build. It's identity tied more to his story and the world it is part of then to the combination of race, class, background and feats. Of course, speaking now mainly from the perspective of trad games, like D&D and Pathfinder. I also don't want to present this as if this should not exist, but rather a slight change regarding focus.

I also wanted to look into D&D's history and see how this trend evolved over the years, from the first editions to the current day. And I have to say, this look into the past has been quite interesting. Might do a more in depth article about AD&D's kits in the near future, I found them quite an interesting design space. I hope you will also enjoy it, find it interesting and that you see the perspective of this argument. I know there are other TTRPGs where this issue is not as prevalent, but D&D is usually the first point of contact with this hobby and for many it remains the only point of contact, so I thought offering this perspective might be desirable.

Hi, I'm Warin, from "Steel Raven Games", and as of recent update 0.13 for our new action TTRPG, Redline has dropped!

If you aren't familiar, Redline is an action TTRPG set in the near future. You play as specialists, uniquely skilled individuals, who complete missions through any means necessary. You face off against all manner of opponents, from criminals to dinosaurs, and use a combination of stealth, shooting and stealing to make it to your goals. The game has a heavy focus on tactics and strategy over raw building of characters.

It combines lethal and tactical combat with a rules light approach. The entire game runs through a customizable tag system, which allows gear, environments, enemies and conditions to be ran without having to sort through pages of rules.

How Tags Work:

• Enable Actions: A [Rifle] enables you to shoot, and a [First aid kit] enables healing.
• Modify Environments & Targets: A [Slippery Floor] tag slows movement; an [Off-Balance] tag causes you to loose your react for this turn.
• Dictate enemy Behavior: Tags dictate how enemies function, will the guard call for backup, run away or keep fighting?

Key Features:

• Tactics > Character Builds: Success relies on your strategy in the moment, not min-maxing a character sheet. The entire system is built around your ability to think in the moment and be daring.
• Localized Wound System: Getting shot in the arm or leg matters. Suffer severe damage to a limb, and you’ll deal with broken bones, concussions, or internal bleeding.
• Improved Melee: Features a fully fleshed-out striking, throwing, and grappling system, which makes combat extremely brutal.

We need your feedback to make the game even better. Download the rules and join our community below!

Join the discord: https://discord.gg/fqSQv6hRCJ

Take a look at the itch page: Redline, an Action TTRPG by SteelRavenGames

So it's my first time playing as a Paladin. My character is a oath of vengeance paladin and his background is Faction Agent. I love his pathetic ass and he's like a son to me. The DM gives us a chance to multiclass. But idk what's the good pick for it. I know paladin-Warlock combo is popular, but for some lore reason i can't do that. So what should i pick? Any other suggestions?

Thanks to the wonderful efforts of our great Konigstein over at the Ordo Discordia for collating the wanton creations of a dozen different writers, I'm proud to give you, the Codex Discordia Volume 1!

As one of the wonderful bunch of creators within the server making content for the Fantasy Flight Warhammer 40k books, this volume contains parts from a dozen different homebrews both old and new! From my own sneak peak at Chapter-specific Advanced Specialities, to Konig's own Umanoid abhumans to the Sensei Patrons of Anhrathe Demiurge, it's bursting with fun stuff to use in your campaigns!

Once again a big thank you to Konig for collaberating with everyone involves and a big thanks to all the contributors listed below!

Skylord Alex, Sweatyhams, Trau, ThePsyborg, Ryjza (tempelmaste), Nuzak, Konigstein, Dexteros, Tomb, Vassilis, InnocentHedgehog, WorldPeace, Misfire, Anhrathe Demiurge, Grobasaurus, Dexteros, Halex and myself!

I thought it was a great breakdown of the game!

I'm developing a TTRPG adaptation of a popular video game franchise and, in the interest of keeping true to the source material, I want to break out of the d20 mold. Problem is, that's the only system I've played; even pre-2000, I only ever played TSR's AD&D and ALTERNITY, which are fundamentally precursors to the turn-of-the-millennium d20 system and its WotC successors.

So, what are some core mechanics others have enjoyed over the years? What made those mechanics enjoyable? I'm leaning toward essentially replacing the d20 with 3d6 to reduce the impact of luck on task resolution, which I think is fine, but I don't want to leave it at 'fine' when 'great' might be a reddit post away.

Sally Jeong is dead. According to police, she took her own life. Open-and-closed. According to her friends and family, that doesn’t make sense, but what can they do about it?

A mysterious woman appears on the doorstep of Sally’s long-time friends, Emily and Maddison, after they contact her through a friend of a friend. She’s willing to take the case, seemingly free of charge.

Unbeknownst to any of them, another young woman has appeared in town, one the enigmatic detective has a long history with.

What follows is a meticulous investigation into Sally’s death, played out using the Eureka system. Also they kiss.

Muted Swallow eschews massive production value and scripting in favor of the authentic, sincere experience of just listening to a few friends actually play a TTRPG. The deduction is real, the dice rolls have consequence, and there is no guarantee that our protagonists will even be able to solve the case. (It does however feature original music.)

New episodes release on alternating Mondays at 10:45 AM CST. At the time of writing this, 14 episodes have already released and are available as a playlist.

About Eureka

Eureka is an original 2d6 system with a primary focus on real investigation of “fair play” mysteries, which also supports in-depth characterization and ‘slice-of-life’ elements through its character building and “Composure” system. Investigators aren’t just mystery-solving automatons, they’ll behave like real people with emotions, wants, and needs just by following the rules of the game. The full rulebook and everything you yourself need to play can be downloaded at anim-ttrpg.itch.io

Hi, I'm a fan of the Wings of Fire books and wanted to create a TTRPG campaign set on Pyrrhia. The only RPG I own any rulebook for is D&D, though. The obvious issue is that these guys are dragons and can fly over everything. Are there any TTRPGs designed with flying characters in mind?

Grab a copy of Academia Arcana here!

https://www.backerkit.com/c/projects/dragon-peak-publishing/academia-arcana-rpg-dcc-at-wizard-school#top

Sharing a moment of excitement. My first print publication is live and in the wild.

Western Marches specifically:

1. Addresses the themes of the Western genre and how to implement them (such as for a D&D Fantasy Western)
2. Outlines West Marches principles in clear language, then consolidates the rules scattered across D&D 5th Edition that can effectively implement it in that system
3. Presents the Grandstone setting, which is a ready-to-use option that incorporates both Westerns and West Marches

Available in softcover and PDF from here:

https://www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/572311/Western-Marches-Playing-in-the-Western-Genre-and-Exploring-with-West-Marches-Style?affiliate_id=426481

...and in Kindle edition (and also softcover) on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H5TGN913

​Advice desired - As a DM,

• Does this interest you? Why or why not?
• Would you get this and introduce it to your players? Why or why not?
• What would you like to see in this product line?

Hey guys

I’ve just released the first two episodes of my new actual-play podcast, Hyperion Presents: The End Games, and I’m looking for some honest feedback from people who actually know and play Dungeon World.

The campaign starts with a group of ordinary fantasy tavern workers who win their workplace lottery.

Unfortunately, the prize isn't money.

They've won a place in a televised dungeon-crawling competition run by a ridiculously powerful interplanetary corporation.

The show is intended to be a mixture of Dungeon World, fantasy workplace comedy, corporate satire, sci-fi/fantasy and a televised death game.

I'm particularly interested in feedback on the actual play rather than just whether you like the setting.

I'm deliberately asking for constructive criticism. If something isn't working, I'd much rather hear it now while I'm still early enough in the project to change it.

The campaign is designed to start fairly comedic and gradually introduce more serious stakes, while keeping the corporate/game-show satire running throughout.

If anyone has the time to listen to either episode or even just part of one I'd genuinely appreciate your thoughts.

And if you hate it, please remember that your feedback has been carefully recorded and will be included in your personnel file.

Hyperion Leisure Industries thanks you for your valuable contribution.