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Been looking into Dolmenwood and it really does seem to have a lot of hard work and love poured into the setting and campaign. As someone newer to the scene, what are some other books that are not necessarily all-in-one, but provide the GM and players a well made world and story to discover?

I’m a fan of Star Wars in general and I’m aware there are seemingly multiple books that convert the setting to a TTRPG. I want to know what’s people’s thoughts on them? Are they worth buying/playing?

I've had multiple groups with multiple friends and acquaintances who, upon hearing I've been playing D&D for 10+ years, go: "Oh hey I wanted to try D&D out, can I join your game?"

And I look in their eyes and I see how they don't want to play D&D per se. They want to try out a TTRPG, but are not prepared to read up on game rules, learn the spells, fill their character sheet on their own. I foresee how I'll have to handhold them throughout the entire process, and even during actual play I'll have to constantly explain and reexplain the rules to them, because they won't learn them even years into a campaign.

But I have played Dungeon World, and it was perfect....... specifically for people like the ones I just described. It's rules-lite, it's great for short campaigns, it gets you into the hobby without too much prep work.

I personally don't like DW that much because it's not an optimizer heaven that D&D or Pathfinder are, so I quickly lose interest both playing and GMing DW, but it's still my go-to when it comes to introducing newcomers to the hobby.

So my question for the community is: what other TTRPG systems have you found \ heard of \ played that are perfect for first-time TTRPG players?

I can only name Dungeon World and Nimble 2e, but there have to be more, I just know it.

I'm a dungeon master who mainly does 5e, but I'm curious about other systems. I want my next campaign to be in a Dyson-swarm space pirate type of setting. Something loosely based of the Revenger series by Alistair Reynolds. The players would be privateers/treasure hunters, delving into derelict space habitats in search of relics and ancient technology. I'm somewhat indifferent to magic & spellcasters existing in this world, and I'm looking for something on the softer side of sci fi.

So when I've run games I pretty much always use a published adventure, or I've written a whole adventure. Beginning/middle/end planned climax etc

But I've been intending to do more of the player driven plots, where I drop them into a scenario and see what happens.

I know it's a thing, but I'm having trouble googling it without knowing the term.

Because I'm sure there's things to include and advice for this somewhere. Making sure to have enough things seeded, have something planned to shake things up if they get a bit lost etc

Current premise is for a sci game, where they're all worker bots who suddenly gain sentience. I think it could be interesting as the whole game can be shaped by their first interactions with the human npcs. Has a built in mystery too.

But yeah any advice for these types of games, or just the correct search term would be appreciated! Or any ideas for the concept itself would be cool too

I haven’t tried it yet but it kinda just seems like the fantasy version of Mothership?

As I've been getting more into TTRPGs through online discussions, reviews, and running my own games, one word I've seen a lot is "5E Hack". On the surface, it's a very easy term to understand, any game that copy/pastes the mechanics of DnD 5E into another system, whether it fits or not.

Most famously I've seen it with two games, which was what prompted this question. The first was that one Neopets TTRPG, before it went over to Ghostfire Gaming. It's original developer basically took the mechanics of 5E and tried to implement them into a setting more focused for cozy activities, as opposed to dungeon delving. Hence the backlash, shut down, and transfer to another publisher. This is where I first understood the definition of "5E hack"

The other example, and the one that's left me confused, is Cosmere-the TTRPG based on Brandon Sanderson's Novels. I have read at least 3 reviews from folks who describe the game as a 5E hack. However, those who have played the system more in depth have said that description is not fair or accurate. (And to their credit, at least one of those reviews had a disclaimer that the reviewer never played the game, and was calling it a 5E hack based off reading the book alone.) So that left me very confused, as I do not understand the differences due to being inexperienced with 5E itself.

All that is to say... it seems like there is a difference between a system being 'inspired' by DnD (5e in particular.) and a system being a 'Hack' or 99% conversion of 5e into a new setting. In particular for a newer player to TTRPGs, or someone who hasn't touched 5e in general, it can be a bit confusing to just say "This system is a 5e hack." as that fails to really elaborate on anything, why it's good or bad, etc, etc.

So for those who are more versed/experienced in this sort of thing...What seperates a 5E 'inspired' system from a 5e 'hack'. What makes a 5e hack so disliked, outside the broader issue of (may not be a perfect fit for the setting in question). What are some examples of some games you would consider 5e inspired and some you would consider direct hacks?

(Also for anyone who's big into Cosmere, could you explain why people call it a 5e hack beyond being a D20 system, and what makes it not a 5e hack? Cosmere is a game I'm really curious to try, and I'd appreciate some more context or understanding of it without reading a review that calls it a 5e hack.)

Hopefully this qualifies as an interesting question/discussion. It's been bothering me for a while, so I'd really appreciate some insight from those with more experience.

Are there any TTRPGs like Command and Conquer Red Alert? Specifically a campy Alt Sci-Fi History with bonkers factions and weapons.

With Tim Curry passing away, I'm growing nostalgic for Red Alert 3.

Stuff like:

• Chrono Legionnaire
• Multigunner IFV (with Dog/Bear inside them)
• War Bears
• Tesla Trooper
• Rocket Angel (Exosuit Sailor Moons)
• Steel Ronin
• King Oni

Recently I've also seen the trailer for Dorf (a C&C inspired game):

• Giant spiked metal gerbil balls

Note: Don't recommend Warhammer 40k, I'm already aware and its too fantasy sci-fi.

Good morning. I'll keep this brief as this is something that doesn't matter all that much but continues to irritate me from time to time.

Does anyone feel like terrain just means nothing to some people?

This issue can be seen from two angles. Firstly, the players: This weekend I hopped on to my weekly online Pathfinder 2e game where, after a short bit of build-up, our party of five ended up fighting a hulking abomination in the middle of a farm.

The farm exterior consisted of a few plots of tilled land, each growing short vegetable crops in neat rows and surrounded by a four-foot-high wooden fence. Each fence had several gaps in it through which a medium-sized creature could easily pass.

Most of the players were outside this fenced-in area (the creature was inside), so what do they do? They announce that they're going to approach the creature and they just... run right up to the creature. To be fair, half the party went before I asked about the fence.

On my turn, I asked about the height of the fence and determined that I wouldn't be able to jump it, so I elected to go around instead and stay on the outside (I fight from range). But I couldn't help but feel irritated by people treating the battle space like it's just a flat painting to trample.

Secondly, the GM/DM: In both the aforementioned game and my weekly 5e game, the GM's of each tend to run flat battle spaces with few to no obstacles, height differences, or areas of difficult terrain. I've at least spoken to the PF2e GM about it and he's gotten a bit better, but the maps are still usually flat. I don't want to get on his case too much about it, though, as he's doing a fine job otherwise (as is the 5e DM). So I usually just interpret the few visible obstacles I can see on the map (e.g. trees, furniture) and point out their impact by interacting with them (e.g. hiding, taking cover).

Does anyone else ever have this problem?

not sure if this is the right sub to ask these questions. are there any actual/narrative? plays that are based off of outside media i.e. anime, tv shows, video games etc. and if so, what are your favorites?

Here's an account of the session:

The player's went for Urban Fantasy set in late 19th century London (probably around 1889 though we weren’t specific)

Our characters are:

Snipe (real name Jack Fleet) a young street urchin, who happens to be a (rather small) werewolf. He is in wolf form every night of the full moon, but also changes uncontrollably when enraged (we haven’t established whether this only happens at night). He does have enhanced eyesight and sense of smell (all the time I think) Salamanca de Vyre (real name Melvin Jones) is a psychic and semi-genuine fortune teller. Professionally he dresses a little like the Blue Rajah, and seems to mostly use a crystal ball. He definitely has some precognition and probably a little remote viewing. He possibly has the ability to read surface thoughts and emotions but it’s early days… Jasper Finch is a (benevolent) criminal boss who runs a gang of urchins out his “thieves kitchen” in an old abandoned warehouse in Limehouse. Jasper is some kind of rat kin - he has a tail, a long pointed (and bewhiskered) snout and has enhanced sense of smell and can “scurry” quicker than most humans. He can probably climb well and is resistant to disease and may have a “special relationship” with rats, but we haven’t established this yet

All three PCs know each other, as well as their special natures. The game starts in the Limehouse warehouse where some of Jasper’s urchins are returning form the day’s “work” to show off their haul - these are mostly silk handkerchiefs, some (almost valueless) jewellery, and a (working) pocket watch.

Food in the form of a stew of dubious origin is supplied by the taciturn cook, Tom. It’s provenance is still more dubious when Snipe reveals, from under his stove-pipe hat, a package of “meat” wrapped in newspaper, that he claimed to have stolen from a butcher’s stall.

One of the urchins asks Salamanca if he is “genuine”. He swears that it is and takes the lad’s hand. He gets a vision of a theft going wrong and the thief losing his hand. The urchin is obviously not best pleased, but (probably) dismisses it as a hoax.

Things take a sinister turn when the crew realise that two of the urchins have not returned. One (Elsie) is relatively experienced, and went out with a younger novice girl (Laura). Both should have been back by now. On questioning one of the other urchins are able to say what has happened to them.

Salamanca uses his crystal ball and gains a vision - Laura tries to “lift” a wealthy looking gent’s wallet, but is spotted and flees, with a small crowd in hot pursuit and an anxious Elsie following up the rear. More or less losing her pursuers (including Elsie), Laura ends up in one of the large London parks as darkness starts to fall and the last thing Salamanca sees is a shadowy figure seizing Laura and dragging her into the bushes…

The PCs set off to see what they can do. Luckily the increasing darkness serves to hide most of Jasper’s obvious abnormality (and he folds up a hood over his head). Arriving at the park Jasper is able to pick up Laura’s scent (which he remembers is a smell reminding him of daffodils) and the party start following it.

As they wind through the back streets of London Jasper runs straight into a policeman - PC Tinniswood. A slightly awkward interrogation follows - not least because Tinniswood recognises them as local ne’er do wells and is suspicious as to what they’re doing. Eventually persuading him they motives are (for once) honourable (haha) they are allowed to continue on their way. After a while they find themselves down at the docks, staring at an apparently deserted hulk, but with a glimmer of light shining through a crack in a cabin at the stern of the vessel.

Jasper encourages Snipe to climb one of the hawsers at the stern, so as to stealthily gain access to the hulk. Unfortunately Snipe walks straight into the hands of a lookout - a massively built bruiser called Albert - who grabs Snipe by the shoulders and shakes him til his teeth rattle and threatening to throw him overboard. Enraged, Snipe starts to morph into wolf form, startling Albert - but not as startled as when Wolf-Snipe fixes his teeth in Albert’s flesh and tears his throat out…. Albert’s mutilated corpse falls overboard with a loud splash.

Meanwhile, Jasper and Salamanca take the opportunity to sneak up the gangplank under cover of the scuffle and Albert’s dying gurgles. As they approach the cabin, the door flies open and a thin figure is limned there. As Jasper and Salamanca approach the figure backs into the cabin. Following, he is revealed as a rather scholarly man in a white collarless shirt and wearing pince-nez. The room is fitted out with a small bed, desk and chair, a shelf of books and a large bench table covered with chemical apparatus.

Jaspar and Salamanca demand to know where Laura is, and the man prevaricates (glancing nervously at a door leading further into the ship). He tries to say that he wouldn’t harm anyone - he just wants a few blood samples, to carry out a few tests etc. Spotting Jasper’s abnormalities he seems anxious to get a sample of his blood as well. Things come to a head when Snipe enters, back in human form and clothed, but with fresh blood smeared all round his mouth and teeth…

The man is obviously intimidated by the three as they close in on him and asked for the key to the (locked) door, he suddenly seizes a flask from the lab table. Draining it he undergoes a terrible transformation (like Mr Hyde in the League of Extraordinary Gentlemen film). A scuffle with Jasper ensues. Jasper is all over the hulking figure, biting and scratching everywhere. Shaking him off, he squeezes his bulky body through the door and leaps high in the air over the railings, disappearing into the darkness.

Opening the door, they find Laura, another urchin (Bob) and an elderly rough-looking chap (Jim) who has a wooden leg. They are each tied to a wooden bed, have been drugged and have clearly had blood taken. They also each have a sovereign, which (once roused) they confirm were given to them by the mysterious stranger.

They loot the place (mostly just the books on the shelf, many of which are old and in languages none of them understand) and then set fire to the place!

Locals quickly spot the flames and try to form a bucket chain to fight it (the PCs narrowly avoid being recruited into this). As they slip away they hear the sound of police whistles and cries of horror as Albert’s body is found floating in the water (“of my god, look at his throat - it’s The Ripper! The Ripper’s back!).

Slipping through the narrow streets a gruff voice from above warns them that he will “have my revenge” and a bulky form leaps across the rooftops into the darkness

To be continued?