<P>To my mind there are a lot of decent systems that do not include the D&D "Class-level" system and some decent ones that do have some semblence of classes and levels. I imagine that most of you are aware of these systems, but have issues with them. Here's a list of some systems that might fit the bill:
<P>Classless:
<ADDRESS>GURPS</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>FUDGE</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Harnmaster</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Masterbook</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Hero</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Talislanta RPG (this one has a shiny new edition too)</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>RuneQuest</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Riddle of Steel</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Conan RPG (this one might surprise some)</ADDRESS>
<P>With Class/Level, but in a way I feel is less objectionable:
<ADDRESS> </ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Rolemaster/MERP</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Age of Heroes (free download)</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>The Atlantis System (a.k.a., The Arcanum, The Lexicon, and The Bestiary)</ADDRESS>
<ADDRESS>Arduin</ADDRESS>
<P>There's probably many I'm missing...these are just off the top of my head.
<P>Although I think P&P is a good system for Simulationist play (which I prefer), it is one of the least well written rulesets ever considering the complexity. The more complex a system is, the better the rules need to be explained. As written, the rules are very hard to digest for even a seasoned gamer, let alone a novice player.
<P>I would be interested in hearing people's impression of these and their thoughts on the P&P ruleset in comparison.
<P>Keep in mind, I currently am a player in a d20 game....the campaign has been so well done and is so elaborate, it would likely work with any ruleset so I don't mind so much. Also, we're at an intermediate level (~6) which I feel the D&D system handles acceptably (low and high levels are both problems). I also GM a homegrown system of my own devising that is much more P&P/Harnmaster-like than D&D-like, but I like to think it is fairly innovative (at least for my campaign and tastes).
<P>-Adaen of Bridgewater
<P> <B><I>"Choinski, Burton" <Burton.Choinski@MATRIXONE.COM></I></B> wrote:
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<P><FONT size=2>In recent days I've found me and my friends less inclined to use the P&P system, because of all the rough edges and special-case rules. We are all older then we were in 83 (gods, have I been with this system that long?) and binging in modern gamers to such a complex system is hard.</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>However, in many times we have used the Perilous Lands with other systems (granted, the magic is not always fit very well, but the cultures and map is used extensively).</FONT></P>
<P><FONT size=2>A synopsis of the combat/magic resolution and skill useage would be good.</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2> -- Burton</FONT> </P><BR>
<P><FONT size=2>----------------------------------------</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Burton Choinski</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Principle Software Engineer, Quality Engineering</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>email: burton.choinski@matrixone.com</FONT> </P>
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<P><FONT size=2>MatrixOne, Inc.</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Two Executive Drive</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>Chelmsford, Ma 01824</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>www.matrixone.com</FONT> </P>
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<P><FONT size=2>|| -----Original Message-----</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| From: Kurgan [<A href="mailto:Kurgan@FASTMAIL.FM">mailto:Kurgan@FASTMAIL.FM</A>]</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| Sent: Thursday, March 13, 2003 1:07 AM</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| To: POWERS-AND-PERILS@geo000.CITG.TUDELFT.NL</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| Subject: Interesting find.</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| </FONT><BR><FONT size=2>|| </FONT><BR><FONT size=2>|| Hey guys,</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| </FONT><BR><FONT size=2>|| </FONT><BR><FONT size=2>|| Has there been any recent traffic on the [@geo] P&P list? I</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| haven't gotten anything in ages. Just to play it safe I just went</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| and re-did my subscription, so I know that's working now. It'd</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| kinda suck if all this time I'd been unsubbed and didn't know it!</FONT> <BR><FONT size=2>|| </FONT><BR><FONT size=2>|| &nb