Hacker News Reader

Comment by Erwin | Hacker News Reader

There are roleplaying systems that do embrace the complexity (and well beyond CPRG).

Here's an "attack table" for one specific weapon in Rolemaster: you roll a 1-100, add and subtract a whole lot of offensive and defensive bonuses and end up with a result like "15DK" -- 15 hit points of damage and a severity D critical hit on the K (Crushing) table. The broadsword can give both Crushing and Slashing criticals. That again has 20 random outcomes such as "Strike lower level; tear tendons. Foe is at -25%. +3 hits. Foe is stunned and unable to parry next round"

https://i.stack.imgur.com/SPCmu.png

View on HN

Rolemaster? That's rules light. Try Hârnmaster:

https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/hulk-smash/hrnmaster...

https://writeups.letsyouandhimfight.com/images/14470f59529fa...

Holy flashback to my 90s gaming days!

Rolemaster is probably my favorite system, to this day. Had a devil of a time finding anyone to play it with though. Somewhere around here I have a couple boxes full of ICE Rolemaster books. I like the complexity, and the ability to run either a low power or a high power game.

I still think ShadowWorld (the main Rolemaster campaign setting) is the most detailed and well put together setting I've ever seen.

Just checked, ICE and Rolemaster are still going.

I think I'd love to play, I just wouldn't want to GM... ever!

I found that FantasyGrounds virtual table top platform supports Rolemaster, automating much of the table lookup and rolls (no more sticky notes marking pages with certain tables). I haven't tried it myself, but have read good things. Virtual table top platforms (FantasyGrounds, DNDBeyond, etc.) are an interesting market to examine the history of, from inception to the success they currently enjoy.

I know some people like those hyper crunchy systems but they're just not for me. It always feels like they're better suited for the backend system for a computer rpg where all the tables and math can be simplified away.

I agree, if you have to consult 50 charts and formulas to calculate damage in a single round of combat that's going to slow the game down too much. No need to go full computer rpg though, I could see a DM pulling out a laptop and writing some scripts to handle some of the math while keeping the rest of the game tabletop though.

That could ease some of the burden yeah but you still have to know the tables pretty well to be able to predict and plan what your combat is going to look like.

Yeah, that strikes me as much too complex. I like the games where you get something like ‘3 damage points, pick any effects you want (optionally limited per weapon type) or just pure damage’

Reply on news.ycombinator.com