Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!linus!philabs!cmcl2!floyd!vax135!cornell!uw-beaver!tektronix!tekmdp!rogerb From: rogerb@tekmdp.UUCP Newsgroups: net.games,net.games.frp Subject: Looking for a new game... Message-ID: <2032@tekmdp.UUCP> Date: Thu, 16-Jun-83 11:38:41 EDT Article-I.D.: tekmdp.2032 Posted: Thu Jun 16 11:38:41 1983 Date-Received: Sat, 18-Jun-83 20:28:58 EDT Lines: 62 I am looking for an FRP to play and would like some help.. I have played AD&D for about five years now and have gotten stifled into certain classes, races, spells, etc. Things I am looking for are: 1) 'Free-form' classes. That is, there are no 'set' classes-- i.e. if you are a magic-user then you can cast x spells per day, can use only a select kind of weapon... What I want is perhaps something akin to Runequest so that a character can become proficient in whatever he desires. If possible, it would be kind of nice to be able to make up your own spells: knowing that a wizard can only cast spells 1..N makes him a known danger, whereas if a wizard has his own unique sor- ceries, he becomes an enigma. 2) A spell point system for magic. I guess I am just tired of 'gee, all I got left is a couple of 4th level spells and what I really need is a detect magic.' Tunnels & Trolls has one, but T&T doesn't really fit in (easily) with other games. Runequest has one, but the RQ magic system just does not appeal to me overall ( however, since i have not actually played RQ yet, maybe it is not quite so undesirable). The reason I like such a system is to be able to use small inc- rements of magical ability -- powering a magic wand with a D&D first level spell is almost prohibitive, but perhaps using only 1 mana/POW/STR/spell point would not be. 3) A non-AD&D combat system. FRPG's have advanced a long way since AD&D was made, so there must be something better for combat. It would be neat if there were [easier] methods of non-lethal combat than those shown in the DM's Guide. I like armor affecting damage taken as opposed to hit proba- bility, as in Tunnels & Trolls, but that's mere technicality. 4) Lack of discrete levels. It seems kind of unrealistic (sic) to think that after practicing for five weeks or so that one will suddenly gain 5 hit points, become proficient with a new weapon, gain three more spell levels, and save better when (supposedly) you have been practicing this stuff all year. Well, those are the things I would like to have in an FRPG. Things I have looked at include: High Fantasy, a fairly decent FRPG, it's just that I think the combat system is too lethal; Champions, a super-hero RPG I tried to modify for fantasy, but the task escaped my simplicity; Tunnels & Trolls, a game I dismissed almost immediately for its 'cuteness' and incredibly inane spell names; and Runequest, which I haven't played yet, but from browsing through the manual at the bookstore, seems of moderate complexity (but, the magic system doesn't appeal to my tastes a whole lot). Oh, yes, I've also played Fantasy Trip (at least Wizard and Melee), but it seemed to turn me off as a more tactical game (too, I never managed to keep anyone alive for too long in Wizard and Melee). Is there such a game as I am looking for, or am I feebleminded? Does anyone feel as I do, searching for an 'analog' FRPG? Have I missed something in my appraisals of Runequest, Tunnels & Trolls, High Fantasy, or even AD&D? I would certainly appreciate relevant comments. Roger Bonzer Tektronix, Ore