So my 4th Ed D&D Players are going to be wrapping up a 2-year campaign sometime over the next month or so (we made it, yay!), and naturally I'm going to want to start them on some other campaign not too long afterwards. Since we've been playing D&D for, as mentioned, a solid two years at this point (and all play in another D&D game with a second DM anyway), I'm looking to try something different with them. And so, I am officially looking for suggestions and recommendations for new RPGs to try on and see how they feel. Qualifiers are as follows:
1. I'm thinking more Modern/Future for this one than fantasy; there's only so many Orcs you can kill with a sword before you want to shoot one of them in the face with lasers.
2. I'm hoping for something a bit more... "brutal" is a word I'm coming up with. My players are getting cocky; I want to try and put them in their place.
3. Complex is OK, but I'd prefer smooth as well, especially combat.
4. I'm familiar with d20, and have some d6 experience, but that's pretty much it. I'm open to learning, though.
5. Genre loves include: Warhammer 40k, Firefly, Daily Show. Hates include: Twilight, typecasting, mayonnaise
Let me know your thoughts.
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If you want brutal, you could do Call of Cthulhu...
You might've missed the whole "played D&D for two years straight, looking for something else" part.
I'd say go with Shadowrun, you can never go wrong with that.
COME FORTH, AMATERASU! - Switch Friend Code SW-5465-2458-5696 - Twitch
It will make you question your own sanity, not just your character's.
I've got both the BRP and the D20 version of CoC. I just wish I could get my friends interested...
Have you heard of the Serenity RPG? It might be what you're looking for. Rules aren't too hard to pick up, chargen's easy and well, it's Firefly in Space. Or Bounty Hunters in Space or Alliance Officers in Space or Something Else in Space.
Far as I know, EP materials are still legally free, even if they only have purchase links on the site. Here's the Quick-Start Rules though. If you do go this route and want to get a print copy, make sure it is the updated second printing. First release has some wonky things like burst fire sniper rifles.
Rules are simple enough; d100 roll under. It's when you get into backups and bodyswitching things get complex. Fun game though.